KEY POINTS:
The seven changes to the All Blacks for the test against Wales seem to go against the promise from the selectors of picking the best for the last few games.
The new reason for changes being the quality/style of the opposition, field conditions and individual player welfare.
I
have not been a great fan of the rotation policy.
I understand the reasons behind it, although I always wanted to see the best selected, but I must admit the policy has worked and my misgivings were unfounded.
In fact, looking at the team to play Wales, it might possibly be stronger overall than those who played in Paris.
I prefer Mils Muliaina at fullback and suspect that if Tana Umaga was still around, the position would be his rather than the odd shuffle to centre.
Rico Gear has always performed and may offer more in defence and workrate than Joe Rokocoko and he's a natural right winger.
Conrad Smith is our best centre.
He's reliable in defence, reads the game well, is probably the best at putting others into space and has the ability to make an individual break when required.
Aaron Mauger would have played if not injured, but Luke McAlister's game is a mix of Ma'a Nonu and Mauger.
He can break tackles, has a tactical kicking game to complement Daniel Carter, a maturing defence and better ability to read a game.
Carter keeps playing because while Henry wants to build depth he remains paranoid about winning and Carter, with Richie McCaw and Carl Hayman, is a go-to man.
Byron Kelleher is now clearly the best No 9 with Piri Weepu falling off to such an extent that Andrew Ellis might threaten for the number two job next season.
Weepu needs more fitness and work on the basics of swift passing, decision-making and workrate.
The Ali Williams-Keith Robinson locking combination is based on form.
It will be interesting to see if they can smoothly control the lineouts which have been a revelation on tour.
Robinson will make his regular contribution, nothing flash, just a high workrate and minimal error.
It will be interesting to see if Williams can maintain the terrific form of the past few weeks which has taken him to the top of the locking ranks.
He might be distracted and thinking of other things so this will be his challenge.
Anton Oliver and Neemia Tialata are not quite of the Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock class.
For most of this season I thought Oliver had mentally left rugby for other stimulation.
He has proved me wrong with renewed passion, strength at scrum and accuracy at the lineout.
If Mealamu is not around, Oliver can still do the job.
I used to think Tialata was adequate but nothing special.
Again he has proved me wrong.
His scrum technique has improved dramatically, his support play at lineout and ruck is accurate and I especially like his tough mental attitude.
Remembering that Greg Somerville was unavailable, the depth the All Blacks have in the front row is tremendous compared with just a few years ago.
This is possibly the best example of how Graham Henry and co have gone about things and are open to admit mistakes of selection.
I recall Henry's first All Black season.
Deacon Manu was his first choice at loosehead prop.
There was a trial and Hayman wiped Manu off the park and Woodcock emerged with a strong match.
Manu went from being Henry's preferred best to not even making the enlarged squad.
With hindsight the policy of rotation may have seemed the soft option but never underestimate the cold-blooded attitude of Henry and his lieutenants.
They now have a large squad competing for playing time.
From now on even the likes of Chris Jack, Weepu, Mauger, Leon MacDonald and Doug Howlett aren't guaranteed places in the squad of 22, let alone the starting 15.
This puts the All Blacks in a fantastic position less than 10 months out from the World Cup.
A prediction for the test: Wales will be competitive for a while but the All Blacks should win and win well.
I wonder if some of the disappointment of the Paris display might be taken out against Wales - it could be a belting to finish the season.
These players get a long break after this match so it's the last chance to make a statement to Henry and the other selectors.
Just what Henry has been working to with the selection policy.
* John Drake is a former All Black prop.
