Rotation is understandable but the Kiwis' imperfect 48-0 win over France yesterday raised the issue of whether, in a short tournament, it might have been better to foster combinations.
Coach Stephen Kearney undertook to give all his players a run in World Cup pool play and, while the Kiwis are notoriously slow starters, they have still shown little so far to worry likely finalists Australia or even England, their probable semifinal opponents against whom they have come unstuck before.
In their two matches, the Kiwis have demonstrated a perplexing ability to let the opposition back into the game (Samoa) and, even with a 48-0 scoreline, a sometimes puzzling lack of penetration against a French team who defended stoutly for two-thirds of the game but who seemed amazed at the concept of an attacking kick on the last tackle.
True, they were robbed of two first half tries when pedantic video refereeing found faults that did not seem to exist but, other than the dancing feet of winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and some late running from Shaun Johnson, their main attacking weapon seemed to be Issac Luke from dummy half. Luke had a fine game but the Englands and Australias of this world will not let him take such liberties.
It raises the question of whether Kearney was better to have settled on a first team or most of a first team and to turn them out consistently, allowing those in close competition for places to stake their claim. There is such a thing as showing your hand too early but the Kiwis have yet to demonstrate the execution needed to defend their title.
