All Blacks opt for wholesale change

New Zealand Team Selection: The phrase swingeing change can sometimes be exaggerated but it is perfectly apposite to describe New Zealand coach Graham Henry's decision to replace the 15 players that started against Wales with a completely new team for Saturday's Test against Ireland at Lansdowne Road.

There isn't a single survivor from the side that faced Wales as Henry provides substance to the assertion he views New Zealand's current Grand Slam tour as the ideal opportunity to road-test and develop an All Black squad the majority of whom could wear the silver fern at the 2007 World Cup in France.

But it's a calculated gamble. It would be foolhardy to suggest Henry might be prepared to let this Test slip away. He's weighed up the itinerary, factored in the personnel permutations and on that basis opted to play a slightly more experienced line-up against Grand Slam champions Wales.

Henry elaborated: "We have been saying it for some time now that we want to develop two teams. The objective of the tour is to try and develop players. We're actually walking that talk and carrying out that policy of development.

"It's a change to what's happened in All Black rugby over the last 100 years. Some people will find that a wee bit difficult. But in the last World Cup we had a situation where we had players playing out of position, who had never played there (in those positions) before. I think that was one of the factors that cost the team an opportunity to win the semi-final. It wasn't the only one. We don't want to go through that again."

Ireland may take umbrage at what they perceive as finishing down the pecking order in New Zealand eyes but the results of last season's Six Nations championship support Henry's hypothesis. The All Blacks coach initially suggested he had "not ranked one side better than the other" in reference to his first two selections on this tour but would subsequently admit the side that took on Wales probably had a little more experience.

He did so with a light touch. When asked which of the two All Blacks sides would win if they were to square off on the pitch, he smiled: "A 33-33 draw."

It was that drollness that allowed him perform a soft- shoe shuffle in response to yet another reference to the jaded "Brian O'Driscoll-gate".

Keven Mealamu's role in Saturday's team at hooker meant an easy reference point to rehash the first-Test incident on the Lions' summer tour. Henry refuses to be cowed by the possibility of an adverse reaction to Mealamu's presence.

"Well I guess that if we continually mention it through the media there'll be a reaction. We're very sympathetic to what's happened to Brian O'Driscoll. He's a top rugby player and a top person and we have made the statement many times . . . it's something that happened in a game of rugby, it was accidental, he got hurt.

"We're sorry about that, we're sympathetic and we can't say any more. Tana (Umaga) and Keven (Mealamu) feel the same way. And if we continue to dredge it up through the media then it is going to get a reaction from the people who read the papers or listen to the radio or watch the television. We don't want that reaction but if it happens, we'll have to take it on the chin and get on with it. We have our sympathies for O'D. What else can we say?"

Nothing more required.

There's an experienced core to this New Zealand team manifest in Leon McDonald at fullback, right wing Doug Howlett, Aaron Mauger in the centre, captain and flanker Richie McCaw, secondrow Ali Williams, hooker Mealamu and prop Tony Woodcock. Scrumhalf Piri Weepu played in the Tri-Nations, while in left wing Sitiveni Sivivatu and centre Ma'a Nonu they have two of the most elusive runners in world rugby.

Auckland prop John Afoa and Taranaki lock Jason Eaton make their Test debuts while Otago Highlander Nic Evans, a late call-up to the tour following an injury to Luke McAlister, takes over from the exceptional Daniel Carter at outhalf.

An inkling into the All Blacks' mindset may be gleaned from the fact they have five forwards and just two backs on the bench for Saturday, but backrow Rodney So'oialo also has representative experience at wing and fullback and has played in the centre for his club.

Henry sprinkled a few pre-match platitudes in casting a cursory eye over the Ireland team.

"Hell of a game at the weekend. We have a lot of respect for the Irish team. There's a lot of maturity there. They have performed pretty well over the last few years. Playing at Lansdowne Road is a challenge in itself - it's going to be a huge game."

There was a mischievous glint when he added: "Just looking at it (the Ireland team) right now. Frightening. It's a very good side. It's going to be a hugely competitive game at the weekend and hopefully we can give them a game. We are taking punts on developing players and we understand it leaves us vulnerable."

Forget the prematch guff. Henry doesn't believe he is about to become the first New Zealand coach to finish on the losing side in this 18th Test match between the teams. It may be somewhat experimental but nobody can deny the latent quality.