Rotation Policy Resurfaces?

A few surprises in the All Black team anounced to take on the English team at Twickenham on Monday morning. Amid accusations levelled by former All Black captain Anton Oliver that the English supporters are arogant and have a poor attitude towards Australian and New Zealand players because of the history of colonialism, the New Zealand selectors have suprised by resting several key players ahead of this test. In particular Daniel Carter will be on the reserves bench, replaced by Nick Evans. It seems unlikely that this switch will now have the chance to take place as the unfortunate Evans has injured himself at training and seems at best to now be a 50-50 starter. Still, undoubtedly this rotation will bring additional cries about the arrogance of the All Blacks from the rabid England press - how according to Oliver even when their team lose write as if they had won the game, praising their fallen heroes and complaining about the antipodean opposition.

A further change to the back line sees Ma'a Nonu return at centre. This experiment was thought to be over, howver my money is on the fact that the selectors want to see Nonu run the ball up as many times as possible, as hard as possible, at an inexperienced English back line and put some pressure on them. This heralds a return to crashing runs, and trying to bash through the opposition back line and it will be interesting to see how this works. Nonu's onthe ground game, ie returning the ball after being tackled during the breakdown, is not a strength and the New Zealand loose forward trio will have to perform in order to make this tactic work for the team.

The settled loose forward combination has been upset once again. After the English coach referred to the need to counter Collins and So'oialo, he will be amongst the surprised throng at the anouncement of the team which has So'oialo on the bench, and Collins not featuring even as a reserve. Instead Thorne (blindside) and Masoe (number 8) are named as starters along with Richie McCaw on the open as always. One would have to wonder if Thorne is a little underdone, not having played since the debacle at Rustenberg due to injury, and also Masoe hasn't had much game time at number 8 - probably the reason he has been put in this position as the utility back row cover. With only So'oialo riding the rimu for this game as replacement cover, these guys will have to go the distance and last out the entire 80 minutes of the game. Thorne will have earned his place in part due to his height, and the addition of another jumper in the All Black lineout. The English have 5 players over 1.9m and the All Blacks can put a ring around pressure being put on them at lineout time. Let's see this much talked about improved lineout then boys...

In addition, Keith Robinson has returned to the pack after a 2-1/2 year absence from test footy recovering from a back injury. Robinson has been selected to add some steel and resolve to an All Black pack that has been a bit down on these important commodities of late, particularly in tough times against the Wallabies and Africans in the Tri-Nations this year. One could not go so far as to say that he is an enforcer, but certainly he added steel to the Waikato pack in the domestic rugby competition in New Zealand this year, and it is that attitude that helped him recover and earn a test recall. Go the big man, and with Danny Grewcock on the field it seems likely that his skills will be needed at some point during the game.

This should be a good test match, clearly New Zealand are expecting a win. This many changes, so many top level players not being selected in key positions indicate a certain confidence going into the game. It will be very interesting to see what happens on Monday morning, the English will be desperate for a win being ranked 6th in the world at the moment, and having the worst record of win to loss ratio as World Cup holders ever. There is plenty for England to play for, and one senses that the All Black focus is on the two test series against France for this tour. Dangerous...