Henry may experiment with All Blacks tour squad

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New Zealand All Black coach Graham Henry, center, flanked by Byron Kelliher, left and Richie McCaw during a training session in Edinburgh, Scotland, Friday, Sept 21, 2007. New Zealand are preparing for a Rugby World Cup Group C match against Scotland in Edinburgh. AP Photo/NZPA, Ross Setford

How much All Blacks coach Graham Henry is prepared to experiment is the question that holds the most intrigue before he names his tour squad on Sunday.

When Henry unveils a reduced squad of 33 players – last year’s tour comprised 35 – in Wellington he is expected to stick mainly with the group who finished second to South Africa in the Tri-Nations.

A decent shakedown had loomed after a ponderous start to 2009 and 3-0 whitewash at the hands of the Springboks, but the 33-6 thrashing of Australia last month may have been a career-resucitator for some.

Henry took seven new caps to Asia and Europe last year but, in the wake of the win over the Wallabies, insisted only “one or two” players at best would force their hand via the NZ provincial competition.

Henry says the six-game tour, starting against Australia in Tokyo on October 31, is the first chance for players to “cement” themselves in the 2011 World Cup frame.

Injuries to two experienced All Blacks – winger Sitiveni Sivivatu (groin) and halfback Piri Weepu (ankle) – leave their places in jeopardy, though the news appears brighter for inside back Luke McAlister.

There was encouraging news for McAlister yesterday after scans confirmed the ankle he rolled at North Harbour training on Monday was not as damaged as initially thought.

The selectors may also feel compelled to make more extraordinary calls such as their forecast omission of young lock Isaac Ross, who they feel will be better served with time in the gym to bulk up.

Veteran No.8 Rodney So’oialo was given time off for a breather this season and it could yet be that others get the same treatment – with lock Brad Thorn, 34, and fullback Mils Muliaina, 29, possible candidates after playing all 720 Test minutes so far this year.

Muliaina has already been granted a late start to next year’s Super 14.

Credible fullback options include Cory Jane, who has impressed on the All Blacks wing, and stylish youngster Israel Dagg.

Zac Guildford may force a wing spot but the likes of Sivivatu, Hosea Gear and Rudi Wulf have done little wrong while Henry has persevered with patchy veteran Joe Rokocoko.

Conrad Smith and Ma’a Nonu may have midfield company from Wellington’s Tamati Ellison, who has gone from fringe contender to near-certainty because of the absence of injured utility Isaia Toeava.

The oft-criticised Stephen Donald is likely to remain as Daniel Carter’s backup at five-eighth.

Changes to this year’s tight five personnel are unlikely, outside injury returnee Anthony Boric being restored in place of Ross.

In the loose forwards, Waikato’s Liam Messam continued to press for a place and could oust So’oialo, although Henry would have to backtrack on some harsh criticism of Messam when he was dropped in June.

Five candidates definitely ruled out by injury are Toeava, winger Lelia Masaga, centre Richard Kahui, hooker Keven Mealamu and locks Ali Williams and Bryn Evans.

After the Tokyo venture, New Zealand play four Tests in Europe – against Wales in Cardiff (November 7), Italy in Milan (November 14), England in London (November 21) and France in Marseille (November 28) – before finishing against the Barbarians in London on December 5.

Possible squad:
Backs: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Joe Rokocoko, Rudi Wulf, Hosea Gear, Tamati Ellison, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Luke McAlister, Daniel Carter, Stephen Donald, Jimmy Cowan, Piri Weepu, Brendon Leonard.

Forwards:Kieran Read, Rodney So’oialo, Richie McCaw (capt), George Whitelock, Adam Thomson, Jerome Kaino, Jason Eaton, Brad Thorn, Anthony Boric, Tom Donnelly, Owen Franks, John Afoa, Neemia Tialata, Wyatt Crockett, Tony Woodcock, Andrew Hore, Aled de Malmanche, Hika Elliott.

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The Crowd Says (15) | Page 1 of Comments

jmt said | October 16th 2009 @ 9:26am | Report comment

Gone are the days of the Spring tour being a place for the young and gifted, who shine in the NPC and receive a call up to tour the old guard of Britain.
Two years is a long time in rugby and unless Henry thrusts some young blood into the back line as well as forward pack, the selectors could be left clutching at straws and brittle ones at that.
It is evident in recent seasons some of the senior members may not last the distance as their bodies struggle with the work load of NPC, Super and Test matches.
So throw caution to the wind and get more balance when selection is made of both old and new AB’s.
Sean Fitzpatrick and Michael Jones to name a few (played every test), had only just shaken the trainer wheels off when they won the 87 world cup.
Why select such an experience squad for the 09, 10 s/tour, when it is a golden opportunity to give more junior players a taste of the big stage, two years out from the world cup.
There will be little memory of the results on this s/tour and the next, however the eyes of the world will be stationed over NZ from 01/01/11 until the final whistle and the result will carry the expectation of a NZ win, second best will not be acceptable to locals and the world watching.
Bring on some of that Zac Power…

Reply
pothale said | October 16th 2009 @ 9:35am | Report comment

“second best will not be acceptable to locals and the world watching.”

I think the world watching will be more than happy with second best, or third best, or fourth……..

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- jmt said | October 16th 2009 @ 11:52am | Report comment
  
  I think you under estimate the passionate global support the AB’s have outside the Tri Nations…
  
  Reply
avsfan said | October 16th 2009 @ 12:35pm | Report comment

I agree with jmt that this is a golden opportunity to bring in some younger players on a tour where nothing really is at stake – Bledisloe is sewn up, no grand slam etc. But alas, I doubt Henry will look much beyond his tried and trusted.

I agree with pothale – I can’t see too many eyes tearing up outside New Zild should the AB’s lose, which they won’t, except maybe to France, as usual.

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- Dean Pantio said | October 16th 2009 @ 12:42pm | Report comment
  
  Usually France loses to the All Blacks.
  
  Reply
Stash said | October 16th 2009 @ 3:53pm | Report comment

Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.

If Henry made wholesale changes to experiment, he would be crucified by the home press. He may be an old dog – but he’s a wise old head, he knows exactly who the cream of the crop is regarding the new blood.

But he also has a reputation to uphold – the Wallabies are always tough – so we need to be strong in Tokyo. England, Wales, France and an impressive Barbarians. It’s not tiddly winks – its going to be hard games. He needs to play his best team.

Henry historically tried creating 2 teams and that didn’t work out – so a solid 30 unit is good – and replace as injuries occur is the best policy.

That aside – I would prefer Donald to be left out and slot in Cruden. Donald had his dozen chances and can’t take the pressure – which is the wrong trait for the playmaker position and an all black.

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- ohtani's jacket said | October 17th 2009 @ 2:15am | Report comment
  
  “Henry historically tried creating 2 teams and that didn’t work out – so a solid 30 unit is good – and replace as injuries occur is the best policy.”
  
  The All Blacks were streets ahead when we had the depth to field two sides. Rotation being a scapegoat for our failed World Cup campaign is hurting our Test match stocks.
  
  Reply
  - Stash said | October 17th 2009 @ 9:45am | Report comment
    
    OJ,
    
    Depth is a good thing….we were seen wanting without cover for Ali Williams, McCaw and especially Carter.The ABS did have a dominant period there. The problem with “two teams” is that you rarely have your best team on the field…because your giving on-field time to your cover players (Henry’s resting of players led to rust instead of the preservation of skills and energy – that probably ended up being the more fatal flaw).
    
    While Henry is ultimately head coach – I just can’t see his masters allowing him to develop a high % of new talent, they want wins and consider the cream will raise to the top as a matter of course as opposed to being forced (Deans seems to be forcing his emerging talent).
    
    That aside – its good to see some quality talent rising through the Super 14 and NPC (Recently the new AB caps seem to be adjusting quickly to the international arena – is this because they have been incubated for the right time period?)
    
    Reply
    - ohtani's jacket said | October 17th 2009 @ 6:32pm | Report comment
      
      The rotation period was highly successful. You could argue that the rest period from the Super 14 was a mistake, but there’s a fine line between success and failure. As soon as we did away with rotation, we started having all these injury problems.
      
      I agree that the All Blacks need some spark from young players, but they also need to build up the core depth. Having Gruden play one Test and end up being told to go back to Super 14 and hone his skills is a waste of time.
      
      Reply
johnno42 said | October 16th 2009 @ 10:58pm | Report comment

You got it stash, cruden should be in there, and so should a number of others (guildford is one), there is a swathe of young guns (U20 world champs) who could be given a run at the expense of a few under performers. The Abs should always display the cream of rugby talent from NZ, and this is not the time to persevere with crocks.

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katzilla said | October 17th 2009 @ 12:41pm | Report comment

Right on. The older players at least need a rest. I dont mind another loss to France in order to give our young guns a shot at the big time. Roll out the big guns for Eng/Wales but let the young guys have a crack.
Dagg, Guildford, Lowe, Cruden, Robinson should all be considered for some game time no matter how small.
Even if they went on tour and got a taste of the big time without playing, thats still a step in the right direction and a reward for upping their games following on from the last few years of Age group rugby.

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Fraser said | October 17th 2009 @ 9:29pm | Report comment

get the rotation policy back in swing.by world cup time you’ve got depth,and plenty of time to sort the best team come crunch time.As for the end of year tour,pick a few young bucks.wont hurt em,specially if they played U20′s.plus it’l keep the likes of Donald,so’oiola,kaino a chance to improve or piss off.

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ohtani's jacket said | October 18th 2009 @ 10:47am | Report comment

Mike Delany, Tamati Ellison, Zac Guildford and Ben Smith are the new boys.

Not much to say about the squad other than it only has two hookers and they dropped Rokocoko. The most surprising thing is that Henry will take over as forwards coach with Hansen switching to backs coach and Smith in charge of defence.

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- Knives Out said | October 18th 2009 @ 10:50am | Report comment
  
  I read a very interesting recollection of Hansen’s days as the forward coach of Wales from Allan Bateman. I’ll try and dig the article out.
  
  Reply
  - jmt said | October 18th 2009 @ 12:07pm | Report comment
    
    K.O
    Any sign of the A.Bateman achieves?
    
    Reply

Henry may experiment with All Blacks tour squad

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