MacDonald gets a little time to confirm fitness

All Black assistant coach Steve Hansen says Sione Lauaki is in "as good a nick as I have seen him". Picture / Dean Purcell

The All Blacks made one concession yesterday for Saturday's final domestic test against the embattled Wallabies at Eden Park.

First five-eighths Leon MacDonald was the beneficiary, given extra time to prove his fitness after he aggravated a hip injury in the 31-27 defeat of the Springboks at the weekend.

Selection sympathy has stopped there, though. There is a Tri-Nations title to be won and the All Blacks are wary of the injury-ravaged Wallaby side.

Sione Lauaki will replace Jerry Collins on the blindside flank in an enforced change because of Collins' two-week ban for punching, and Doug Howlett replaces Rico Gear.

Gear, who has lost a little sharpness lately after a lengthy schedule on the right wing, also misses out on the bench to Conrad Smith.

Prop Greg Somerville is at home awaiting the birth of his first child and his place in the reserves will be assessed later in the week.

Coach Graham Henry said an All Black side facing the same injury crisis and form slump as the Wallabies would attack the final Tri-Nations test with a "nothing to lose" attitude.

The Wallabies had a strong rugby tradition and would continue to give a professional account of themselves under trying circumstances.

"Our selection reflects that we respect Australian rugby and the Australian team, and we know we will be in for a very hard game at the weekend."

MacDonald is unlikely to train today and if the trouble persists, Luke McAlister will take his place.

Homework on the Wallabies first five-eighths has been limited after a suggestion that Mat Rogers could be used in the absence of Stephen Larkham, Matt Giteau and Elton Flatley.

The All Blacks' video analysis unit has limited footage of Rogers as a rugby pivot, although they are aware of his pedigree as a first receiver when he played league.

The other possibility is that the former national under-21 five-eighths and new Western Force recruit Lachlan MacKay will make his test debut.

Apart from the suspended Collins, the All Black selectors have stayed with the same pack throughout the Tri-Nations.

Henry said they were playing well and not showing too much fatigue.

It was not a pattern that would be repeated on the four-test, four weekends Grand Slam tour in November.

He believed two tests in successive weeks was about right for most players.

Three in a row like the Lions series was a bit much.

Lauaki was a logical loose forward replacement after he had been picked for the final Lions test and stayed with the squad throughout the Tri-Nations.

He had played only one NPC match since, but forwards coach Steve Hansen felt he was in "as good a nick as I have seen him".

In reviewing the victory at Carisbrook which allowed the All Blacks to pitch for the Tri-Nations title this weekend, Henry felt the side had played well except for a 25-minute spell after the interval.

"Generally speaking I thought the first 40 minutes of the game was the best we have played this year," he added.

The squad were still a little jaded after their overseas visit and the Dunedin test, but they would recover by tomorrow and would need to for what would be a significant examination from the Wallabies.