KEY POINTS:
The rotation policy pursued by All Black coach Graham Henry had its share of sceptics. Some worried about the devaluation of the jersey, while others cautioned that it made it more difficult to identify the best players for the toughest tests. The doubters have surely evaporated now, in
the wake of the All Blacks' World Cup dress rehearsal campaign in Europe. The manner of victories over England, France (twice) and Wales suggests the policy has delivered more benefits than perhaps even Henry envisaged. It also confirmed New Zealand warrants its status as firm favourite for the 2007 World Cup.
Previews of the tour suggested that rotation would end with the second test against France. In Paris, New Zealand's first XV would start the game. In the event, that did not really happen, and with good reason. Quite simply, the policy has unearthed an unexpected player depth, giving Henry the luxury of playing a side that will negate the opposition's strengths as much as fulfil notions of a "best" team. The team sent on to the field now is tailored to a particular opponent, as much as ready to impose the All Blacks' own agenda.
There are several reasons for this development. One relates to Henry's own excellence in matters of defence. Much of his time is spent analysing a forthcoming opponent's strengths and tactics. Combating these resulted, for example, in Anton Oliver being preferred at hooker for the test in Lyon because of his scrummaging power, even though Keven Mealamu is, by consensus, the better all-round hooker.
Past All Black teams have often placed less emphasis on defensive strategies. At the last World Cup, John Mitchell's team concentrated on all-out attack. Some high-scoring victories provided the impression that, whatever the opposition scored, it could score more. That proved ill-founded when Australia worked out a counter to the All Blacks' attacking strengths and pounced on its errors.
Achieving a more balanced approach has been possible only because most players drafted into the All Blacks have performed up to, and often beyond, expectations. Jason Eaton and James Ryan have, for example, provided unimagined depth at lock, often a problem position. Other players such as Jerry Collins have left restricted styles and skill-sets behind them. This strength, allied to experience, means that even when a player as influential as Richie McCaw had a subdued game in Paris the outcome was never in doubt.
There are still provisos about the World Cup. The most apparent is the reliance on, and lack of top-flight cover for, first five-eighth Dan Carter and, perhaps to a lesser extent, McCaw. As the French frustrated the All Blacks by fair means and foul at the Stade France, Carter confirmed his importance by keeping matters comfortably in hand with his goal-kicking and cool direction. It was particularly unfortunate that Nick Evans was injured early in the tour, and played only a limited role. Assessing him, or an alternative, in a pressured situation will be one of Henry's key considerations in the run-up to the World Cup.
There is also a continuing air of experimentation about the midfield, although that is a prime area for a horses-for-courses strategy. But, as of now, Henry must consider he has the vast majority of bases covered. None of New Zealand's main rivals can say that. Quite sensibly, the leading group of players will now be rested for much of the Super 14 competition. They should enter the World Cup free of injury and fatigue. As usual, the All Blacks will start as favourites. But on the basis of the just-completed tour, there will be particular justification for that in 2007.
