Spot of R&R? Not for Jerry Collins

Jerry Collins and forwards coach Steve Hansen after the Buenos Aires test in June. Ross Land / Getty Images

The R word has got only a few All Black tests to go.

Its shelflife has withered to the last three matches in the Tri-Nations series.

Once the All Blacks play their final test in Rustenburg, the rotation policy will get the flick as coach Graham Henry works on polishing his top combination through to the World Cup.

However the bulk of the All Blacks will be reintroduced to the rotation scheme during next year's Super 14 with details expected to be released by the New Zealand Rugby Union on Sunday.

Bypassing a fair chunk of that competition will test the tolerance of those like Jerry Collins, Neemia Tialata and Aaron Mauger who have been keen to play for their provinces or clubs between All Black tests.

But they will not buck the system next season. As Collins said, there were always others who could take his place and comply with the plans.

"The heart says you want to play but the bigger goal, the Holy Grail of rugby, is to win the World Cup and you want to make the team and then to justify your selection," he said.

"So in an ideal world I will do what I am told and be happy about it."

Collins is part of the All Black leadership group which bought in to Henry's rest, reconditioning and rotation schemes this season as a way of developing depth in the squad and keeping them fresh for a 13-test season.

The blindside flanker was also canny enough to bend the rules a fortnight ago when he played for Wellington then his Norths club the following day.

He had got the clearance to play that weekend and there had not been any restriction on the number of matches he could be involved in.

A fortnight earlier Collins was rested from the test against the Boks in Wellington and then dragged after 60 minutes of the Brisbane test because of a head knock.

"As a player you want to play," he said.

So was he glad the rotation policy would finish after the Tri-Nations? It was not that easy to put words into Collins' mouth.

"No it's a long year eh. I am pretty happy at the moment. Obviously when you are not playing for one team you want to be playing for another."

That chance had come through the Air New Zealand Cup when Henry and the players balanced their needs and wants.

"It is just like anything, it is a change," Collins added.

"Even the haka has taken people a while to get their minds around it but it is dealing with change. For some it is quick for others it takes a little bit of time."

The rotation idea may not sit comfortably with some of the All Blacks but those in the squad are perceptive enough to understand they will be at risk if they defy the coach.

Henry took the chance again this week to explain how the players had accepted the philosophy that the team needs came before their personal agendas.

It was a natural reaction for everyone to want to play more than they had. But the All Blacks were fresh and the fringe benefit had been the competition for places.

Henry suggested the type of cooperation Keven Mealamu, Anton Oliver and Andrew Hore exhibited in sharing their hooking knowledge would not have happened in previous eras.

That mentality did not exist a decade ago but there had been great changes since in the education system and society. "We are all supportive and helpful to each other to become better players so we become a better team and that is part of the unity created and which reflects New Zealand society today."