If insanity is doing the same thing over and over while expecting different results, then the All Blacks appear keen to mix things up for the second half of this year’s Test campaign.
Head coach Steve Hansen has selected a slimmed-down squad of 28 for his side’s upcoming Rugby Championship clash with Argentina.
Six key players will be rested for the fixture – Liam Squire, Sam Cane, Ryan Crotty, Beauden Barrett and locks Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock.
They will rejoin the squad a week later in Cape Town for a rematch with the Springboks, who were obliterated 57-0 on Saturday.
Hansen said the six players would slot in for another six players who would not travel from Buenos Aires to Cape Town.
They were likely to be the most battle-hardened among Hansen’s ranks after playing through a gruelling Super Rugby and Test campaign – suggesting the likes of Kieran Read and Aaron Smith may not travel across the Atlantic.
The inference of Hansen’s selection is clear.
Having crawled over the line in last year’s end-of-year Test tour, Hansen is keen to keep energy levels among his top players as high as possible.
That would guarantee high levels of performance throughout this year’s tour, taking in Tests against France, Scotland and Warren Gatland’s Wales.
“We’re just trying to think outside the box – keep doing what you always do, you keep getting what you always get,” Hansen said.
“It puts a lot of pressure on us going to Argentina, because they’re a good side and we need to play well to perform there, but we’re confident the group we’re taking there should be able to do the job.”
Four players have been recalled to the 28-man squad, which leaves for Buenos Aires on Friday – Patrick Tuipulotu, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Matt Todd and Jerome Kaino.
Veteran blindside Kaino returns after taking time away to deal with personal matters, while specialist jackler Todd is back from a wrist injury.
Toomaga-Allen, if selected, would earn just his second Test cap.
Stalwart fullback-cum-winger Israel Dagg will not join them, however, with his Test campaign all but over due to a niggling knee issue.
Already missing for the rest of 2017 with injury are original Rugby Championship squad members Jordie Barrett, Owen Franks and Joe Moody, as well as vice-captain Ben Smith, who is currently on sabbatical.
Atlas
Roar Rookie
Beauden Barrett is now in the squad for Argentina, as Lima Sopoaga is unavailable due to his partner awaiting the birth of their first child. Sopoaga was set to start his first test in 799 days, since playing v the Springboks in 2015.
Dontcallmeshirley
Guest
Cheika's selections are so inconsistent that player fatigue is never an issue. Most players get dropped often enough they get the required rest.
Taylorman
Guest
Yes Jeffrey, Argie have simply not coped with playing eighty minutes. Its like theyve regressed back to earlier days where they relied on key players to pull them through. Players like Creedy are still producing worlds best performances but most of the rest pale in comparison. Cuw thats definitely part of it, Hansen got a sharp reminder in the Lions series that in some areas his depth isnt as good as it could be. Argie could win their first vs NZ because of this but Hansen has been prepared to risk losses before to achive the longer term goal of building test depth, and ensuring every player is truly ready for his next test.
cuw
Guest
if Read comes off it will be Kaino who goes to 8. and captain . else TJP is there and coles is there and SBW is there :)
puff
Guest
Old B, I fear you are becoming too technical for the gentle minded Check, If we could only select a balanced team without including personalities, that would be a start.
Machpants
Roar Guru
Akira had been released, so it won't be him.
Ralph
Roar Guru
Who would be your captain if he comes off in the second half in Argentina, given the squad choices are limited?
cuw
Guest
parking the RESPECT topic , i think a lot of these rotations have something to do with the knocks people are getting and then thinking for the future. i think the biggest lesson NZ got from BILs was when they played Ben Smith who came with a cloud over his head and then lost him soon into the game. just imagine going into world cup game with a guy like that and then losing him in the first minute!! i think the suits need to be a bit more proactive and allow bigger benches. i saw a week or so ago in aviva , a guy playing on after a bad knock simply becoz there was no bench to replace. not sure what the explanation from team was but the commentary were wondering how on earth he remained and even how the ref or TMO did not intervene. even in 4nations i think when Crotty went off for 2nd head knock , it was SBW who replaced him - and he is also part of the walking wounded. i think there is a very big challenge for coaches with these concussion protocols now, not just about resting players or looking for replacements , but looking at the bench composition and squad selection it self.
Jumbo
Guest
Yep after scoring 6 tries to 1 last time, the only reason they were still in the game was the woeful kicks at goal. That shouldn't be an issue for sopoanga and why not blood some players? If it means a loss here and there so what, we win the games that matter. Giving these young guys the responsibility to carry the team is great, we blooded savea and smith in 2012 which i questioned at the time,but payed dividends come 2015.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
Believe Squire is not travelling as a precaution following his failed HIA on Saturday. I know the reports are he is fine but the AB's have been taking a pretty conservative approach with players after head knocks. SBW seems to be the only player put back into the front line & I understand that he was placed into the concussion protocol just to be safe anyway. I am sure that forward planning would have had Kaino playing the last few tests & being rested now but outside issues intervened.
Jeffrey
Guest
Me too, TM. Let's ignore this PC bs and call a spade a spade. Argentina are a woeful team who have really disappointed since the last RWC. I really thought they would challenge the top teams a couple of years ago but have done nothing really since that world cup. I would back a NZ 3rd VX to beat them tbh.
Old Bugger
Guest
puff Unfortunately for Cheiks, I fear his actions inside the box, far outweigh his acumen to think, outside the box. If he could overcome those actions then perhaps, the acumen could return. Well, most WB fans would hope so because, that seems to be the eternal question to ask, doesn't it.....??
taylorman
Guest
I dont. They've played 7 tests this year and only beaten Georgia who scored four tries in losing and lost to a second England side twice at home. In the RC they've lost by 17,18, 22 and 25 so far so there's not really a lot to respect...if we're being honest. Sure they could win but based on their year to date, they're practically anyones...
puff
Guest
Unfortunately the Wallabies don’t have the wealth of talent that Hansen has at his disposal. He is very aware of player fatigue and the international season has some distance to travel. The gent is no novice, hence any coach who has the luxury of resting 6 key players for an away test at Buenos Aires against the Arg’s must be in a good place. It must be remembered Hansen rested a number of players against the Arg’s at Yarrow Stadium Taranaki and look at the result against the Bok’s. I wonder if Cheika has the acumen to think outside the box.
Raumanga
Guest
Agree, I have got a lot of respect for the Pumas. Hear they always win the South America rugby championship. Nice
Mike Julz
Guest
I mean they're not playing their A team against the Pumas. Yea the replacing players are not B players themselves, but Argentina on their very best day can beat any team, and that includes the one team they haven't beaten yet. This is All Blacks 2nd A team or B side. They must not take Pumas very lightly.
Riccardo
Guest
Spot on Jumbo. This is about the All Blacks, not Los Pumas. Some of these guys have already come from behind at Yarrow Stadium. Exposure for the wider squad as we build towards Japan and it wouldn't surprise me if there are some niggles being rested for Cape Town a week later as well.
Raumanga
Guest
Re: respect What part of "because they’re a good side and we need to play well to perform there" isn't showing respect? Luckily NZ has enough depth, just look at how the NZ super rugby teams went. I think you are reading things incorrectly or to fit an internal narrative that you may have. The All Blacks will need be ready as in the last game the Pumas really challenged the All Blacks and now they will be on home soil wanting a victory over the AB's. I bet it will be a good game, you can't underestimate the Pumas. Look forward to it.
Mike Julz
Guest
Liam Squire resting? So I guess Kaino is no longer the incumbent 6?!. Hansen so confident he seems to always play his '2nd A team' against the Pumas. He seems like he doesn't respect them that much. Like I said before dont underestimate the Pumas, random rugby style that can score something out of nothing.
Jumbo
Guest
Good year to build depth, next year to hone it and be ready for wc 2019. I'd like to see them rest read at some point and test a new no8, I'm guessing that's why akira is in the squad.