Rugby: Coaches demand weary All Blacks keep focus

Rodney So'oialo is likely to lead the All Blacks against the Barbarians this weekend. Photo / Getty Images

MARSEILLES - The All Blacks have been told not to drop their standards in a difficult final tour week as the second-stringers get one more chance in the spotlight against a powerful Barbarians side.

As frontliners Mils Muliaina and Cory Jane admitted their thoughts were increasingly on home, the squad were warned by the coaches to stay focused and show their respect for one more international.

They flew to London today without Brad Thorn and Andy Ellis, who were both given leave to return home to their young families after the 39-12 win over France, while Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Muliaina, Ma'a Nonu, Jimmy Cowan and Kieran Read fulfilled sponsor's commitments at the adidas factory in Germany.

Few, if any of the top side who were so impressive in scoring five-tries-to-none at Stade Velodrome will back up at Twickenham on Sunday (NZT), with most of the team who scrambled home against Italy in Milan getting their chance to say "don't forget me" to Graham Henry's coaching panel.

"We talked about it last night, it's about respecting the guys who didn't play. There's a group who'll get an opportunity against the Barbarians and they've worked hard to help this team win test matches in this campaign," assistant coach Steve Hansen said.

"It's now the turn of the people that aren't playing that have done the donkey work up until now to show their respect and prepare well."

No 8 Rodney So'oialo, now clearly behind Read in the pecking order, will likely lead the side again with fringe men such as Jason Eaton, Liam Messam, Tanerau Latimer, Mike Delany, Tamati Ellison and Ben Smith returning.

The latter three had frustrating test debuts at San Siro and deserve a chance to build on that against the Nick Mallett-coached Barbarians.

Long-time All Blacks winger Joe Rokocoko and Wallabies Rocky Elsom, George Smith, Matt Giteau, Stephen Moore, Drew Mitchell and Will Genia are all confirmed starters, while others in the 22-man squad include Springboks Bryan Habana, Victor Matfield and Fourie du Preez.

Said Hansen: "It is a Barbarians game and you've got to enter into the spirit of that, and we'll certainly be doing that.

"Most of the people that haven't played the last two will definitely be getting game time. We came over here to play well, to win test matches but also to try and grow the depth. You can only do that by playing them."

Hansen wasn't aware of any contractual obligations to play their stars such as McCaw and Carter.

"They'd like us to pick the best team we can and that's what we always do, we pick the best team to play the opposition. It's an All Black team so it won't be a weak one."

After a torrid night in Marseille celebrating their best performance of a 14-test season, some All Blacks admitted it would be difficult to remain focused as the northern winter closes in on London.

The team were scheduled to have light recovery games on Hyde Park, and won't start serious training until Wednesday night (NZT).

Said Muliaina: "It is hard, there's a lot of guys thinking about home and Brad Thorn and Andy Ellis are the lucky ones, they get to go home.

"There's been a bit of talk about guys trying to jump in their suitcases. We've got one more week, hopefully we finish that off well before we go home for summer."

It will be the All Blacks' 10th match against the Barbarians. The last time they met was in 2004 when the tourists won 47-19 in front of 60,000 fans at Twickenham.

- NZPA