Let The Games Begin

In keeping with the idea that this tour is being used by the All Blacks as a fore runner to the finals stage of the RWC 2007 tournament, two selection surprises were today anounced by the All Blacks selectors. Perhaps the biggest talking point is the omission of Aaron Mauger and the inclusion, at second five eighth of Ma'a Nonu. The only other surprises in the team is that Ali Williams has regained his starting test spot, being named to team up with Chris Jack to start as the second row,a nd Mils returns at centre. Compared with the selection of Nonu to start, these hardly rate a mention. Mils was going to come back in somewhere, and Smith has only had one game back - albeit a great game overall, and from him individually.

Mauger also misses out on being selected in the reserves, cover for Nonu would appear to be Luke McAlister or Nick Evans who may finally get some game time on tour replacing Carter or Nonu should the need arise. Most likely Carter if things go the way they did last week...otherwise there are no real surprises in the reserves that have been named either.

What to make of the selection of Nonu...it is very surprising to say the least. For a start, Nonu 's only start on tour was at centre where he did not have a great game. He was a late replacement at second five in Lyon, and has minimal provincial experience in that position, and has no kicking game to speak of (usually considered important in a second five). So why is he now being touted as the best second five eighth that New Zealand can field? You must remember that Graham Henry has said that the side that takes the field against France in Paris will be the best All Blacks side that can be named. How does this happen, that a man with less than one full game in the jersey can be named to start in an unfamiliar position?

Most punters are suggesting that either this is just tinkering and the claim that the All Blacks that took the field in Paris would be the best starting 15 the coaches could name was just posturing. Henry's comments today about the team being "the best team that could be named on the day" and "it depends on who is on top of everything and ready to go" lend some credibility to that suggestion. In addition, management did indicate after the last test that the plan to field the strongest side might yet be tinkered with.

But, perhaps most telling of all is the complete absence of Mauger from the team, even the reserve bench. If this is an experiment it could make sense to have the incumbent second five riding the rimu in case things go wrong, but instead McAlister slots into this role. After last week, there is good reason for McAlister to be there, but it sends a signal that would not have been lost on Henry before anouncing this side. Mauger is out of favour for some reason, and we may not have to look far to find it.

After the game against England, Mauger spoke ill of the rotation policy, and in particular mentioned how it didn't sit well with him watching someone else run out in his jersey...not the most diplomatic statement an incumbent player could have made about a controversial policy that management had obviously decided to follow. Henry has been at pains to dispel any suggestion that there is an ulterior motive, and there may be some substance to his position. Mauger hasn't performed that well, and we must remember that he has been suspect, particularly in defence, in years gone by. But to lose his place to a newcomer? That must hurt more than watching McAlister being given a crack at the position. We wait to see the reaction from Mauger, he may be spurred on to greater levels of achievement with any luck...

So, apparently some games are being played at the moment, and it would be a shame if these come back to haunt an All Black team that could be on the verge of greatness. They have a real chance to deliver New Zealand rugby from the painful position of being consistently one of the best teams in the world year in year out, but failing to secure the all important Rugby World Cup as often as they ought to. We will be watching with interest.