Loss could delay team for Italy

By WYNNE GRAY

MARSEILLES - Selection plans for the All Blacks' final international against Italy may take longer to sort out after yesterday's defeat against France.

If Marseilles had produced a series win against the Tricolors, the temptation for coach Wayne Smith would have been to start players such as Filo Tiatia, Jason O'Halloran, Pita Alatini, Carlos Spencer, Byron Kelleher, Troy Flavell and Mark Hammett.

That may still happen if the analysis of the 33-42 defeat determines that some of the frontliners have to be rested and the enthusiasm of the other squad members sees them promoted in Genoa on Sunday.

"We have got to make sure the hunger is there and we will meet everyone in the next couple of days and assess where they are at and put out a team that we think is hungry and will do the job," Smith said.

Questions about whether original selection intentions had altered were too soon for Smith within an hour of the Marseilles disappointment.

But if there were wide changes, Smith disputed any idea that All Black caps were being gifted.

"I am always one who says that if you are in the 26 you are contributing all the time, you earn your caps, we don't give them away.

"We'll play people we think can do the job.

"There is going to be a lot of disappointment with a lot of guys from this game because we set out to make it 2-0.

"It is very similar to Wellington against Aussie where our goal was the Bledisloe Cup, but we lost it in the end, and it played a part in our defeat in Johannesburg because of the disappointment.

"We set high expectations, we have just failed with them. We are 50 per cent with three major teams in the world [a win and a loss this season against Australia, South Africa and France].

"We know that is not what everyone expects and not what we expect, but that is the reality."

Asked whether he would contemplate making a number of changes next week if the All Blacks were playing France again, Smith said it was too early to tell.

Interestingly, before yesterday's test, Christian Cullen and Ron Cribb had different views on Italy.

Cribb was focused on beating France and selection the week after was not a high priority. Cullen was different.

"The ultimate is test rugby," he said before his 50th consecutive start yesterday.

"So I would take it as being dropped if I did not play against Italy."

Smith said his side were still young in test experience, but had to reduce their error rate.

There were a lot of new combinations, but he would hate them to be labelled as poor test players.

"They put a lot of heart into today and they have big careers in front of them. They need a bit of time in the jersey and need these experiences," he said.

"I think we have players coming through who have a hard edge to themselves and I believe the future is bright."

"I think we struck the French on a hot night.

"I think we played well, too, and that is difficult to say when the All Blacks lose."

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