All Blacks to Suspend Rotation Policy for Wallaby Clash?

The analysis of the weekend's game is now over and the scribes are turning to the game between the Wallabies and the All Blacks. The speculation is that the same team that dispatched the Wallabies by 20 points at Jade Stadium in Christchurch will again be named, as the first fifteen of New Zealand rugby. This will be a test of the rotation policy of the selectors. I'd be surprised if we don't see a return to a substantially similar team (with the exception if injuries) but there will also be some additional changes. I would be surprised if Ali Williams does not start in that test match as Eaton has some way to go yet before he could be said to be the first choice All Black lock. For more on the team, and some interesting comments about injury delays during games, click here. Williams may take some of the blame for a shocking lineout performance by the All Blacks, and they will have to get that under control against the Wallabies this weekend who should, if they analyse the game at all, attack the All Blacks here. The Wallabies should also play to their strength and put in plenty of rolling mauls and drives to gain territory, followed by a nice long kick to touch when they should have every chance of stealing All Black ball.

The substitution of the All Black captain with two minutes to go, allowing the poor victim of a unprovoked and heinous assault involving a handbag, Chris Masoe, to earn his first test cap, has again generated some controversey in New Zealand. Unfortunately the controversey is again related to 'devaluing' the All Black jersey by providing a soft test cap. Steve Hansen answered that by suggesting the move was made to protect McCaw for the next match. I've made my views on devaluing the jersey clear already, but suggesting Masoe isn't within the frame for earning the jersey in his own right, based on merit, is just plain nonsense. I'd like to have seen him have longer on the field to really see what he would be like at this level, but with the scoreline as it was, and the incumbent also being captain, such thoughts are just pie in the sky at this point. We may see him later in the season however, if this rotation policy lasts. For more on the replacement, click here.

However, this weekend's game is fast looming as the defining moment of the Tri-Nations competition this year. Africa are off the pace, and it is not unduly arrogant at this stage to say that this is a two horse race that could be decided this weekend, the Wallabies having their only home game against the All Blacks. This match is surely the best chance the Wallabies have of improving on the 5 points they have so far in the competition. It should be a real cracker, and forward coach for the All Blacks, Steve Hansen has clearly identified the clash as one to watch out for. Click here for more on that. For the Aussie preview on the game, click here.

It is amazing what one big victory will do to the recollection of people. The 32-12 result from the game in Christchurch, and the collapse of the Australian scrum, are apparently distant memories now. The Wallabies may not expect any changes to be made to the All Black team they last faced. However the fact that there are also not expected to be any changes to the Wallaby team is also of note. Vickerman may be out with injury, and Paul will likely remain at hooker unless McIssac recovers, but aside from that it appears the same team will face the All Blacks.

Apparently the answer to the shortcomings of the Wallabies at scrum time is to make no changes at all, not even to try anything. It will be interesting to see if this "steady as she goes" policy works for the Australians this weekend. I can understand the logic of letting the front row harness its confidence from the display against Africa, however the scrum was hardly dominant there, or even had parity. If no changes are made, we can expect to see the All Blacks attack this area with great gusto, and why not? This is clearly the weakest area of the present Wallaby team. The backline may be amongst the best in the World, however without winning much ball at the breakdown if policed properly, and possibly losing some of their own feeds at scrum time, the All Blacks will try to starve the Wallaby back line out of the game. With a weak scrum, containing the opposition is made that much easier.

For a slightly different take on the game at the weekend, and possible adjustment of Aussie expectations that are running high after the hiding dished out to the Boks, click here. Also note the reference to 'arrogant' changes made by Graham Henry. Arrogant? Pardon? Making changes to a team doesn't smack of arrogance when you've stated that you are making changes as part of the preparation for Rugby World Cup 2007. To label such changes as arrogant is to misunderstand the intention behind the changes, the intention being to develop more players into international quality players so that your scrum, for example, doesn't suddenly fall apart because of an injury to, or the retirement of, a couple of your top players. Especially in close proximity to the World Cup. Sounds like the Wallabies could have done with a policy like this within the last few years....I am sure that all All Blacks fans are hoping that it works, and that the All Blacks don't stumble at the last hurdle as has happened in so many of the more recent World Cup competitions.

Meanwhile in the Republic the South Africans are feeling good about being South Africans again. The performance of the weekend has allowed the supporters back home to put behind them the 49-0 thrashing of the week before that sorely tested the national character. While not a win, at least the Africans did not just lie down and take it this week. There is clearly cause for concern following on from the match, not the least of which was the disintegration of the scrum when the mighty Os du Randt left the field with a head injury. Mighty, but ancient, in Rugby terms at least. It is sad that a once proud scrummaging nation is relying on such old shoulders to carry such a heavy burden. New players and new blood to take the mantle are urgently required, however a shot in the arm at the weekend will do African rugby some good and they must improve. There was a better attitude this week, and hopefully the African team can build on this and put together a much improved performance in their last away game in two weeks time. Click here for more from Africa on the match.

I can't wait for the weekend, I'm expecting a huge game and some great running rugby. Let's hope that it delivers...