Self-assured All Blacks rejig winning team

Byron Kelleher

In a sign of growing confidence and an almost unprecedented decision in modern rugby history, the All Blacks have made three alterations for what could be the series decider with the Lions on Saturday.

It was an indication of the self-assurance in the All Blacks' camp and a jolt to the Lions if they were preparing tactics for a rematch at Wellington against the same opposition.

Only the French have shown a similar attitude after victories, the buoyancy and belief to send out different men to deliver equal venom.

It may well be construed by the tourists as an insult after the injuries to captain Brian O'Driscoll and Richard Hill, another niggle for their battered psyche after the defeated grizzles from Christchurch.

The All Black panel has worked up a reputation as one which does not stagnate, is not content with the status quo in the rapidly-changing world of professional rugby.

All three changes come in the backs. Mils Muliaina, Rico Gear and Byron Kelleher replace Leon MacDonald, Doug Howlett and Justin Marshall.

Howlett drops out of the 22 altogether, with Ma'a Nonu advancing to the bench.

Those decisions underline the luxuries the All Blacks have in the backs.

The pack is unchanged, though there is a minor doubt with tighthead prop Carl Hayman sent to hospital yesterday for treatment on an infected toe.

It was a bold statement from the All Blacks, a make-what-you-will-of-that comment to the Lions before they had even played their latest test trial last night against Manawatu.

"Reason? The players competing for those positions are of equal standing, we believe," All Blacks coach Graham Henry said.

Muliaina had been the outstanding player on last year's tour to Europe, Gear had been the form wing of the Super 12, and Kelleher was of comparable standard to Marshall.

"It is difficult for the guys who missed out, but it was difficult for the guys who missed out last week," Henry said.

"We have no qualms about changing a winning team, otherwise we wouldn't have done it, obviously."

The pack needed to front again. They had performed strongly in Christchurch, but needed to back that up, and that was their assignment.

Fresh players should bring extra sharpness and enthusiasm. The panel was looking to the future as well.

"I think New Zealand rugby has fallen over in the past sometimes when we haven't had depth in positions," Henry said.

"We went into the last World Cup and had to play some guys out of position in the quarter-final and semifinal, and we do not want to get into that situation in the future.

"So the strategy is to try to develop some depth in each position and it is an easy thing to do in this particular case because we have got people of equal standing."

The Lions will look on jealously after trying to manufacture a backline for the first test and then being forced to reassess that after a heavy defeat, poor combination and injury.

A joking optimist from the British press wondered if the Lions would see this as a panic measure.

After joining the mirth Henry suggested the Lions' spin doctors would be on the job again and likely twist the All Blacks' move into something like that.

Assistant coach Wayne Smith accepted that form players did not like being benched but understood the philosophy.

"Being the people who love the All Blacks, love the team, they will get right in behind it, and it is a 22 who play the test match.

"That is where you get a lot of your power, from everyone being selfless and doing the right thing for the team."