Patrick Tuipulotu (centre) is fit and ready to return for the All Blacks. Photo / Photosport
Patrick Tuipulotu (centre) is fit and ready to return for the All Blacks. Photo / Photosport
ANALYSIS:
Two tests into a gruelling five-game stretch, rotation is poised to move into full swing for the All Blacks.
Other than next month's money-spinning test against the USA in Washington DC and Italy in Rome on the northern tour, this week could feature the most changes the All Blacksmake for the remainder of the season.
To this point, the All Blacks have been content tweaking their squad. Last week they made six starting changes – two injury-enforced – for the 39-0 victory over the Pumas on the Gold Coast.
During the 3-0 Bledisloe Cup sweep continuity of selection featured prominently as Ian Foster sought to steadily build budding combinations after an experimental July series.
Competition within the loose forwards, at loosehead prop and the back three remains intense but, by now, the All Blacks largely know their best 23.
With successive tests against the Springboks to come, the first next week the 100th between the two proud nations, it makes sense at this juncture to target those matches against the world champions.
The Wallabies handed the All Blacks a major advantage in stunning the Springboks on Sunday to allow Foster's men to sit five points clear atop the Rugby Championship table following three bonus-point victories. Maintaining that breathing space is paramount but so, too, is managing fatigue levels within the first-choice squad, particularly with a six-day turnaround to combat this week.
Achieving both objectives requires a delicate juggling act. Rotation is sure to cause disruption but the All Blacks have little choice. The alternative is running front-liners into the ground.
Damian McKenzie could be set for a run at first five. Photo / Photosport
By replacing Beauden Barrett and David Havili after 49 minutes against the Pumas, the All Blacks hinted at changes for the return test this Saturday.
Should the All Blacks hand Damian McKenzie the reins at first five-eighth for the second time in his test career, and again slot Quinn Tupaea outside him, they should have a feel for the Pumas style.
The All Blacks lost their way somewhat when McKenzie replaced Barrett, though that second half period coincided with the Pumas becoming increasingly cynical with their infringing which led to a second yellow card.
With that in mind, McKenzie and Tupaea should be better equipped to handle the Argentinians from the outset.
Barrett is carrying a calf complaint that forced him to give up the goal-kicking duties on Sunday but that is considered minor, and he could play if needed. The composed Havili, having made the No 12 jersey his own in the last six tests, would benefit from freshening up before confronting the Boks.
With McKenzie expected to pull the strings, Tupaea at 12 and Anton Lienert-Brown, should he recover from the hamstring tweak he suffered one day before last week's test, potentially returning to centre, the All Blacks backline could embrace a strong Chiefs flavour.
Wider out the in-form Will Jordan appears due a run after missing out to George Bridge and Sevu Reece last week.
Up front Ardie Savea is expected to return from his precautionary absence following a head knock against the Wallabies and he may regain the captaincy from Brodie Retallick. Codie Taylor has, likewise, been cleared to return after failing his HIA in Perth.
Blues duo Patrick Tuipulotu and Ofa Tuungafasi are likely to savour their first action of the tour, too.
Patrick Tuipulotu (centre) is fit and ready to return for the All Blacks. Photo / Photosport
Tuipulotu was slated to start two weeks ago in Perth, only to pick up a groin injury that's sidelined him since. Retallick has shouldered a heavy burden - starting the past four tests - so could be spelled this week with Scott Barrett maintaining his strong form to partner Tuipulotu, and Tupou Vaa'i continuing off the bench.
Tuungafasi is yet to play for the All Blacks this year after undergoing two knee surgeries but is expected to make his comeback, probably off the bench. With Joe Moody completing his return from a five-month absence off the bench on Sunday, Tuungafasi's comeback will add to the All Blacks' impressive propping depth.
The All Blacks will also be keen to reintroduce Highlanders prop Ethan de Groot after he played the last of his two tests against Fiji in Hamilton, but he first needs to prove he has sufficiently recovered from a neck injury.
Another change the All Black may consider is promoting Ethan Blackadder to start at blindside where Akira Ioane has shone in the past three outings.
All Blacks assistant coach John Plumtree confirmed several changes were afoot for Saturday's test at Suncorp Stadium.
"We've got three physical test matches to come with the Argies this week and the Boks twice," Plumtree said. "Physically it's going to be a tall order over the next three weeks so we're going to have to use the men we've got to make sure going into those Boks games we've got plenty of energy.
"We've got some boys here who haven't had a lot of opportunity and those are the conversations as selectors we'll be having over the next 24 hours."
Mass changes will provoke anxiety from those watching on but with faith in their wider squad, the risk and reward rotation exercise is one the All Blacks are committed to.
