Tri-Nations breather planned for Umaga, says Hansen

Richie McCaw will be given more time as All Black captain during the Tri Nations as part of the selectors' master plan to win the 2007 World Cup.

The promotion of McCaw, who skippered the side against Wales last year, will be done to prolong the test career of Tana Umaga.

Umaga, who turned 32 on Friday, will captain the All Blacks against the Lions and then most probably be given some, if not all of the Tri Nations off, to rest a body that has endured some serious physical punishment.

The All Black coaches are optimistic that, by careful management of Umaga, they can keep him in the necessary shape to play at the 2007 World Cup.

With a Lions series followed by the Tri Nations and then the Grand Slam tour of Britain at the end of the year, the season splits nicely into three separate campaigns, with the Sanzar battle deemed the most appropriate time to introduce new faces and rest older legs.

Players such as Umaga, possibly Anton Oliver, Doug Howlett, Carl Hayman and Chris Jack may play a limited role in the Tri Nations and then be re-introduced for the end-of- season tour.

In their absence, players such as Conrad Smith, Corey Flynn, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Greg Somerville could be given the opportunity to gain more test experience.

All Black assistant coach Steve Hansen says the rotation policy will also provide McCaw, clearly the best long-term option to succeed Umaga, with more opportunities to develop his leadership.

"With the greatest respect to the Tri Nations, it probably ranks as the third campaign this year," said Hansen. "That doesn't mean to say we don't want to go out and win it. It's an opportunity to try some new players and rest some of the other guys who need a break. The Lions series is going to take a lot out of us.

"We have got to look at it on an individual basis. Some guys might take two games off. Some might take the whole campaign off, and others will play the whole campaign. It depends how they come through the Lions series.

"We want Tana to last as long as he can, so we have to look after him.

"I know there were a lot of people who got upset when we didn't pick the captain in Wales. But we have to grow the leadership.

"It's good for Richie and it's good for Tana, and if this means we have Tana for longer then it is good for New Zealand rugby." This throws more light on the decision to play Mils Muliaina at centre in next week's All Black trial. Although he has been first choice fullback since 2003, Muliaina wants to return to his preferred berth at centre.

With Umaga unlikely to play the Tri Nations, Muliaina could be granted his wish against Australia and South Africa. The All Black coaches have decided, astutely, to build their talent base and juggle resources.

Hansen, though, accepts that not everyone will be supportive of the strategy. "You have communication within the group so players know what you are doing and why that has happened," he said.

"Outside, it's different, with some puzzlement about the trial and those being made available for the Maori.

"People who don't understand or agree with it are pretty upset. But we have to do what is right for New Zealand rugby.

"The All Blacks are expected to win and we want to win. We have to trust some of the talent in this country to do that. Rather than just 22 guys, I am happy to trust 30.

"History tells us we only win 72 per cent of our tests. We want to get that figure higher and expanding our squad size will help."

- HERALD ON SUNDAY