Richard Loe: Now is the time to experiment

All Black fullback Mils Muliaina should be left at home to rest. Photo / Getty Images

For my money, the All Black selectors should leave several senior players at home for the end of year tour and trial some new blood.

The touring squad is announced this morning and, if I was a betting man, I would bet against the selectors doing what I am advocating. But my job is to tell you what I think they should do.

Leave Mils Muliaina, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Piri Weepu, Jason Eaton, Stephen Donald and Neemia Tialata. And maybe Luke McAlister, if he's not fit.

I know they won't do that - or not all of it anyway - but I think this is the last year they will be able to experiment and build. So why wouldn't they?

Let's face it - if Mils Muliaina really needs a rest, give him a rest now and not in the first rounds of the Super 14. Sivivatu has a groin injury and may not be right in time. Leave him here to recuperate properly - there's no point in taking away people carrying injuries, as I have said endlessly. That's the thing with McAlister, too. If he's not right, take Tim Bateman instead.

Weepu didn't seem to come through his game for Wellington well and he has said he'll need surgery on his ankle at some stage. Do it now and get him right.

Donald, as I have said gently before, may not be up to the game at top level. So why take him? I admire loyalty as much as the next man but let's give a couple of test matches - say, Italy and the Barbarians - to a player who we think might be able to step up and cover for Daniel Carter in time.

I know the All Black coaches will not be keen to leave quite so many senior players behind, as the overall record of the All Blacks is not good this season and they will be keen to repair that.

Fair enough - so they should feel like that. But, again, there won't be room for too much experimenting next year and this is the time they have to take their courage in both hands.

As for Tialata, regular readers of this column will know I have severe doubts about him. Jamie Mackintosh should tour instead. Owen Franks is the No 1 tighthead at the moment so why not start with him and bring on Mackintosh as an impact player? He may not be quite the full deal as a scrummager yet but he is aiming to play both sides and is good around the field.

While we are talking about the front row, I was impressed with both Corey Flynn and Hika Elliott on Thursday night. Sorry, but I'd leave Aled de Malmanche at home, in spite of him being in the All Black environment all season - and another two-minute All Black, Marty Berry, could do the counselling.

I'd take Isaac Ross on tour instead of Eaton and forget all this nonsense about him bulking up in the gym. He played well in Thursday night's "All Black trial" of Hawkes Bay vs Canterbury and I say take him - and give him a couple of test matches to further his education there, not in the gym.

I'd take Alby Mathewson at halfback instead of Weepu. He is quick, a good runner and a snappy passer, and he is different in style to Brendon Leonard and Jimmy Cowan.

If Sivivatu is left behind, Hawke's Bay winger Zac Guildford should get the call. I was impressed with him and fullback Israel Dagg against Canterbury for the number of times they popped up, out of position, to assist their team-mates.

But I'd vote against Dagg getting a berth on tour - I think the extra fullback spot (assuming Muliaina is rested now) should go to Colin Slade. He is a fine aerial player and there'll be plenty of that on this tour. He can also play wing or No 10 - and that's where I see Southland's Robbie Robinson. I think this kid has got the goods at first five- physically, mentally, in speed and courage.

I think he outranks Manawatu's Aaron Cruden at present and could be just what we need backing up Carter.

Finally, a word for the Hawke's Bay men who played so well on Thursday - if you were picking on form, Karl Lowe and Thomas Waldrom would be in the touring side.

But, as we all know, selectors don't always do that, particularly this mob.

Richard Loe's squad

Forwards: Andrew Hore, Corey Flynn, Hika Elliott; Owen Franks, John Afoa, Tony Woodcock, Jamie Mackintosh, Wyatt Crockett; Brad Thorn, Anthony Boric, Isaac Ross, Tom Donnelly; Jerome Kaino, Adam Thomson, George Whitelock, Richie McCaw, Rodney So'oialo, Kieran Read.

Backs: Brendon Leonard, Jimmy Cowan, Alby Mathewson; Dan Carter, Robbie Robinson; Luke McAlister, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Tamati Ellison; Joe Rokocoko, Rudi Wulf, Hosea Gear, Zac Guildford; Cory Jane, Colin Slade.