KEY POINTS:
We should not be puzzled by the All Black selectors as they continue to switch their players.
When they first touted their concept of conditioning players during the Super 14, coach Graham Henry wanted to remove them from the entire competition.
That would have left them with seven
tests and a series of training camps as their World Cup preparation. In the All Black world where planning, strategy, research and organisation is paramount, the coaches and staff deemed that enough training and matchplay for the tournament.
So when the bulk of the 22 conditioned All Blacks returned for the second half of the Super 14 they were getting extra rugby. So the rotation goes on in the Tri-Nations.
They have a plan, as assistant coach Wayne Smith said this week, and they will not be deterred from that approach. Fair cop, it is their team although there has been some variation from Henry's intent to use all the squad in the opening three tests and then settle on his best group for the entire Tri-Nations series.
The regular changes are an intriguing contrast to the policy adopted by Sir Clive Woodward with England in their build-up to their last World Cup triumph. Woodward decided to send his main men out each time, as much for results as fine tuning their combinations under pressure in match conditions.
It worked for him and Henry's scheme may work for the All Blacks.
But a bubble of uncertainty came with utterances from Aaron Mauger that he was frustrated by the selection twists. He is a senior All Black, locked in a fascinating duel with Luke McAlister in midfield and twitchy about his involvement.
Others probably share his sentiments but have kept their counsel, either because they have not been asked or are more circumspect.
The rotation danger is that players will lose their rhythm, they will try too hard when they are picked, they will be left more insecure about their status.
It is okay for those like Carl Hayman, Tony Woodcock, Richie McCaw, Daniel Carter, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Mils Muliaina who seem to be guaranteed selection if fit. They are stacking up the matches, accruing the knowledge they need for later.
But with two Tri-Nations test left, some camps then four motley World Cup pool matches before a sudden-death quarter-final in Cardiff, quality match practice is running out.
Smith pointed out that, in recent end-of-year tours, the All Blacks had done well after lengthy breaks, but the opposition was not top drawer.
Four years ago, the All Blacks had scratchy World Cup pool opponents in Italy, Canada, Tonga and Wales. They beat them all though it was a struggle against Wales, got up for a quarter-final win against the Springboks but could not repeat the intensity against the Wallabies.
This year's side will be fresh and skilful but mentally tough enough for three weeks of fury in October?
