KEY POINTS:
All Black coach Graham Henry would have been stunned if he had received any other response, but he asked the question anyway.
He offered his All Black pillars - captain Richie McCaw, Daniel Carter and Carl Hayman - the chance to bypass Sunday's final test of the season
against Wales in Cardiff.
The official replies were not tabled at yesterday's press conference to announce the team but they were undoubtedly brief and to the point, especially from tighthead prop Hayman.
Training and not playing was not an option. They would, as the only players in the squad to start all four tests in Europe, front at the Millennium Stadium - where the All Blacks could face a 2007 World Cup quarter-final against either France, Ireland or Argentina.
There have been six changes to the All Blacks from the test in Paris, but the core of the side is intact with the best loose trio, Byron Kelleher and Carter staying as the axis of the side.
Henry considered resting his star trio but it was a "very fleeting thought".
"When we go into the World Cup, hopefully they might have to play three games on the trot in the final part. Hopefully that will occur, and Richie McCaw at seven, Daniel at 10 and Carl Hayman at three, they are clearly the best players in their particular position and quite influential in how the team plays."
The staff had checked the feelings of senior players after the second test against France. They also assessed the alternative choices, the state of the Millennium Stadium ground and the strengths of the Welsh side.
"We respect Wales, we think they are a very good rugby team and we have come here with a couple of things in mind. One is to road-test for the World Cup and to play the top team and we are doing that," said Henry.
"We are very lucky to have a lot of depth in the squad and we need to use that strength."
* New Zealand midfield back Sonny Parker is a surprise inclusion in the Welsh side named yesterday.
Parker, who has had a groin injury, was named at second five-eighths, leaving no room in the back division for Lions glamour player Gavin Henson or rising star James Hook.
He will line up outside veteran Stephen Jones, who returns as captain after injuring his knee early in their 29-29 draw with Australia, which began Wales' four-test November campaign.
Inspirational fullback Gareth Thomas has lost his battle with injury.
* Cardiff, 6am Sunday
All Blacks
Mils Muliaina
Rico Gear
Conrad Smith
Luke McAlister
Sitiveni Sivivatu
Daniel Carter
Byron Kelleher
Rodney So'oialo
Richie McCaw
Jerry Collins
Ali Williams
Keith Robinson
Carl Hayman
Anton Oliver
Neemia Tialata
Wales
Kevin Morgan
Mark Jones
Tom Shanklin
Sonny Parker
Shane Williams
Stephen Jones
Dwayne Peel
Ryan Jones
Martyn Williams
Jonathan Thomas
Ian Evans
Ian Gough
Adam Jones
Rhys Thomas
Duncan Jones
Reserves:
All Blacks: Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock, James Ryan, Reuben Thorne, Piri Weepu, Nick Evans, Ma'a Nonu.
Wales: Matthew Rees, Gethin Jenkins, Alun-Wyn Jones, Alix Popham, Mike Phillips, James Hook, Gavin Henson.
- additional reporting NZPA
