The New Zealand selectors stuck to winning ways today in announcing an unchanged starting line-up for this weekend's Tri-Nations match against South Africa.
Coach John Mitchell and assistant Robbie Deans remained loyal to the XV who beat Australia 12-6 in last weekend's Tri-Nations opener, despite the lineout problems that were the one area of concern from that success.
But instead of throwing Test tyro Tom Willis into the deep end against the tough forward pack expected to play for the Springboks, the selectors have opted to retain Mark Hammett on this occasion.
The unchanged side is also a massive vote of confidence for the defensive capability of the side, their line not being broached despite the best efforts of the Australians last Saturday.
There is every incentive to build on that record as the South Africans have won the two previous Tests played in Wellington, a 24-12 win on the controversial tour of 1981 and 13-3 four years ago. Both games were played at the city's former rugby ground Athletic Park.
No change to the selection means that recalled wing Jonah Lomu and centre Tana Umaga will have to hope that the coaching team don't repeat their decision last weekend to ignore the bench.
The pair are back on home turf and if they get the chance on Saturday, they will have plenty to prove after being sensationally dropped last week.
With Ben Blair having dropped out of the side from the Australian game, the job of covering fullback Christian Cullen and goal-kicking flyhalf Andrew Mehrtens in the event of injury will fall to inside-centre Aaron Mauger.
Mauger had a chance to do some goal-kicking at the Wellington Stadium when he played at flyhalf against Fiji a fortnight ago.
Lock Norm Maxwell's return to the side was short-lived.
At training on a cool day in Wellington Tuesday his troublesome hamstring injury flared up again ruling him out of consideration. Waikato's Royce Willis was recalled to act as back-up again. Team:
Christian Cullen; Doug Hoark Robinson, Aaron Mauger, Caleb Ralph; Andrew Mehrtens, Justin Marshall; Scott Robertson, Richard McCaw, Reuben Thorne (capt); Chris Jack, Simon Maling; Greg Somerville, Mark Hammett, Dave Hewett.
Reserves: Tom Willis, Joe McDonnell, Royce Willis, Sam Broomhall, Byron Kelleher, Tana Umaga, Jonah Lomu.