KEY POINTS:
CARDIFF- As the blur of All Black changes continues, there is no rest for captain Richie McCaw, Daniel Carter or Carl Hayman for the final test of the year on Sunday against Wales.
While six changes, including a switch to fullback for Mils Muliaina, have been made from
the last test against France, the key triumvirate has been retained.
They will start, the selectors unwilling to experiment with their deputies for what may yet prove to be the most demanding examination of this four-test voyage.
Of the 32-strong squad, that means John Afoa, Clarke Dermody, Andrew Hore, Jason Eaton, Andrew Ellis and Nick Evans have not started any game. All have had minimal involvement from the bench although Evans and Hore may get another cap as replacements this weekend.
Only second five-eighths Aaron Mauger was not considered; his knee not coming up to standard yesterday in a medical inspection in Cardiff. He is on his way home for surgery and rehabilitation expected to take six weeks.
McCaw has been the most overworked All Black this year, picked to start in all but the test against Argentina, while this week's test will be the 11th start out of 13 for Carter, a figure equalled this season by Muliaina and Hayman.
Changes to the pack will only enhance the scrum but their total effectiveness may be reduced by the poor condition of the ground, which was chewed up in Wales' recent internationals against Canada, the Pacific Islanders and Australia.
Anton Oliver will be a perfect sidekick for Neemia Tialata when he starts at loosehead prop, the position from which he made his test debut against Wales on the same ground in last year's start to the Grand Slam.
In the core of the scrum, the pairing of Ali Williams and Keith Robinson should delight those who feel they have been the best locks on tour.
Muliaina has been posted back to fullback where he, with Chris Latham, is the best custodian in the world.
That allows the Conrad Smith/Luke McAlister midfield combination to be tried again in the absence of the injured Mauger. And after doing a freeze as the selectors tried Joe Rokocoko on the right wing, Rico Gear has his opportunity.
Meanwhile, Wales have been buoyed by medical reports that have cleared backs Gareth Thomas, Gavin Henson and captain Stephen Jones for selection with coach Gareth Jenkins now facing some tough decisions.
There has been some clamour for Kevin Morgan to be fullback ahead of Thomas but it would seem rash to do without Thomas' experience, abrasion and big-match experience.
In the midfield, Tom Shanklin and Sonny Parker have been touted as a better pairing against the All Blacks although that would rob them of Henson's ball-playing skills.
If there is one area where the All Blacks remain suspect for this international it is in midfield where the selectors have continued to rotate. McAlister and Smith had their moments in Lyon on defence as did Muliaina and Ma'a Nonu in Paris, due mainly to a lack of time together.
With the coaching staff content Muliaina can handle fullback or centre just as adroitly, this is another occasion for Smith to state his credentials as the long-term replacement for Tana Umaga at centre.
After such a long lay-off with a broken leg, Smith was reliable in Lyon, his decisions were solid and he gassed away for one long-range try.
There must have been a temptation to play him again in Paris but the selectors probably felt, as they did with Robinson, that Smith would be better served with another rest.
All Blacks:
Mils Muliaina, Rico Gear, Conrad Smith, Luke McAlister, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Daniel Carter, Byron Kelleher, Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerry Collins, Ali Williams, Keith Robinson, Carl Hayman, Anton Oliver, Neemia Tialata.
Reserves:
Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock, James Ryan, Reuben Thorne, Piri Weepu, Nick Evans, Ma'a Nonu.
