Testing time for the All Blacks

Troy Flavell got another chance with the All Blacks against Ireland as a result of the two-team policy.

The All Blacks have been handed a punishing schedule for 2007 that could see the re-employment of the two-team policy trialled against Ireland and Argentina this year.

While the selectors have talked of their desire to be more consistent in selection to build combinations, the All Blacks will have to play five tests on consecutive weekends next June, leaving them no choice but rotation.

With Tri Nations tests against South Africa (away) on June 23 and Australia in Melbourne on June 30 confirmed, the All Blacks will have to fit in two tests against France and one against Canada after the Super 14 final on May 19 and before they fly to the republic.

The Super 14 will start on February 2 - a week earlier than last year to allow the Wallabies three free weekends to play Wales twice and Fiji before they clash with the Boks in the opening Tri Nations match on June 16.

Dates for the All Black games against France and Canada are not been confirmed but with only four weekends between the Super 14 final and the test against the Springboks, the choices are limited.

The most likely scenario will see the two French tests played on June 2 and June 9 and Canada hosted on June 16. The Canada game has been organised primarily to satisfy the broadcast contract that stipulates three in-bound tour games will be hosted each year.

If those dates are confirmed, the All Blacks will consider a scenario where a weakened team is fielded against Canada to allow the top side to fly to South Africa.

Assistant coach Wayne Smith said the coaching panel were advancing their strategies for next season and trying to determine the right way to handle the workload.

"We have to get the balance right because a certain amount of next year is about developing combinations and giving them time together," he said. "But we also have to look after the players so you won't see the same 22 players every test. We are going to have to come up with a scenario to play Canada on the Saturday and then South Africa the next Saturday and Australia the Saturday after that. We have not nailed it yet but we are going to have to do a lot of thinking around it."

The ploy of double-teaming was used this year when one squad was selected to play two tests against Ireland, allowing a separate starting XV to play the Pumas in Argentina.

Although All Black coach Graham Henry would never say so, he might secretly be hoping all five of New Zealand's Super 14 teams fail to make the play-offs next year. A repeat of last year's final between the Hurricanes and Crusaders would mean the bulk of Henry's squad would be required to play two high intensity play-off games on May 12 and May 19, rest on May 26 and then be ready to play seven tests in eight weeks.

After the test on Melbourne on June 30 the All Blacks have a week off before playing South Africa in Christchurch on July 7 and Australia on July 14 in Auckland. Even though 22 All Blacks will miss the first seven rounds of Super 14 and should return to action supremely conditioned and mentally charged, the intensity of the test schedule is too much to expect any player to start every game.

Data correlated by the All Black fitness coaches shows that most individuals suffer a drop in performance if asked to play three tests in consecutive weeks. So the All Blacks will probably prioritise the Tri Nations and look to keep their top players fresh for South Africa and Australia. There will be variation in selection but it will be more a case of juggling a few positions on form and fitness, rather than the wholesale changes of this season.

The relative weakness of Canada will allow the selectors to be more adventurous with their line-up and there will be an opportunity to experiment against the French.

If the tests are played on June 2 and June 9 they will clash with the semifinals and final of the French club championship. Those players involved in the French play-offs will be unavailable to tour and to compound matters, French coach Bernard Laporte has confirmed at least 12 of his 40 elite players will not tour after an agreement was struck with the French clubs to allow elite players four weeks rest after June 9.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY