Victory not negotiable as Smith tests All Black grit

All Blacks coach Graham Henry and assistant coach Wayne Smith. David Rogers / Getty Images

Sections of the All Black creed have been altered enough to test supporters' faith this season but one principle remains absolute.

Victory, as the advertising jingle goes, is unconditional and yesterday it was assistant coach Wayne Smith delivering the message.

The All Black coaching staff would prefer to describe their bulletins as educational, explanations about their selection and coaching philosophy which is all geared towards the next World Cup.

Once again, this week in Auckland, there have been speeches from Graham Henry about the merits of an extended squad.

There have been renewed admissions he is using these tests as trials mixed with contradictory rebukes about the lack of respect shown by the media and public towards the Irish.

The NZRU has endorsed the All Black themes, chief executive Chris Moller accepting there will be sacrifices in pursuit of rugby's Holy Grail next year.

While player rotation, bloated squads and cheap test caps have provoked some apoplexy, Smith was clear about one thing. Risks would continue but victory was not negotiable.

"It is about winning every test match and nothing's changed there," Smith said.

"While we are a little bit less risk-averse than some other All Blacks coaches have been, including myself, we are still very aware of the expectation and responsibility so we go full out in every test match."

Smith knew he had to alter his ideas after coaching the All Blacks during a 17-test stint in 2000-01.

"I had to. When I came in as a former All Black I had memories of the jersey and what it meant. That does not change but the landscape does and how you attack new problems and we are doing what we think is right. We are taking more risks than I did in 2000-01."

Rugby had become faster, tougher and more attritional and sides could not back up week after week.

"If you love the jersey, love the record the All Blacks have got and want to win every test match, then we feel keeping people on their toes and fresh and fast and ready to go each week is the best way to do that."

Smith spoke after farewelling the test XV being sent to Argentina yesterday as the coaching staff also tuned the group to play Ireland at Eden Park tomorrow. It was a juggling act for the staff but the All Blacks were being given distinct instructions for test two with Ireland.

"Let's be uncluttered and clear at the weekend and go like hell," said Smith.

One senior player being leaned on was midfielder Aaron Mauger, who was like "having another coaching brain in the mix".

He put a great deal of peer pressure on his teammates and was someone Smith rated as the best in his position in the world. "He came out of the Super 14 this year as the top defensive player in midfield, which is a big step up in numbers and quality of tackles," said Smith.

Light at end of the tunnel

Nervous about captaining the All Blacks? Nah, said Jerry Collins who left yesterday with the side to play Argentina next weekend in Buenos Aires.

"I just have to make sure I don't trip over in the tunnel on the way out," he said.

Collins' squad went through a rigorous simulated match practice yesterday to help defend an unbeaten test record against the Pumas after their Super 14 exploits.

Not that Collins was in any way unprepared.

He played for his Wellington club Northern United last weekend, starting in the forwards before shifting to second five-eighths where he "dodged a couple of flying elbows".

Collins made his test debut five years ago against Argentina in Christchurch - and broke his shoulder.