A question of trial and error for All Blacks

Unusual tactics have blurred this All Black season. Jumbo-squads and alternate test selections have been matched by the coaches' habit of praising questions from the media.

It is a device that allows them time to formulate a response or to ease their way around the inquiry.

More questions remain though than answers after the All Blacks battled to a 27-17 second-test win at Eden Park on Saturday to complete a series victory against Ireland.

Will the best XV be unveiled against the Wallabies to start the Tri-Nations in Christchurch or will the panel continue to fudge by saying how much they trust all squad members?

This weekend's test against Argentina in Buenos Aires is the last of three trial matches for the panel before they trim to 30 their group for the initial three Tri-Nations tests.

It is easy to identify some who will be discarded from the initial squad.

The interest will be whether they persist with others like Isaia Toeava.

He has received favoured status and there is a case that another rookie like Tamati Ellison has made more midfield impact with the Hurricanes and Junior All Blacks.

Will the selectors settle on a centre or are they merely in a holding pattern until Conrad Smith recovers from his broken leg?

Using Ma'a Nonu, Casey Laulala and then Toeava in successive weeks offers variety for the panel but would not seem to enhance combinations. Resistance towards picking Mils Muliaina at centre suggests the idea has been ditched.

After all the warnings from Waikato Stadium and a 17-point jumpstart at Eden Park, shouldn't an organised All Black side have pushed on?

Ireland did not have a scrum, their inside backs' defence was porous yet, after conceding that lead, they outscored the All Blacks 17-10. Too picky? Well, this was apparently a trial to sort out contenders and on that evidence there were some problems.

Haven't the Irish tests shown the difference between several topliners and contenders for their places?

Daniel Carter and Jerry Collins have mortgages on the No 10 and 6 jerseys. Remove them and there is a serious drop in quality as seen from the performances of Luke McAlister, Marty Holah and Jerome Kaino.

Don't the lineouts still look awkward?

There seemed an indecent amount of hesitation before Keven Mealamu threw in the ball in the Irish series. That allowed Ireland to set their defences and spread further anxiety through the All Black calls.

Does the solitary chance to impress for those in Argentina suggest they will all be retained for the Tri-Nations?

Those in Buenos Aires have been without high-intensity rugby for between four and six weeks, a gap which offers them all sorts of excuses about rustiness. Collins' XV have been on a rest and reconditioning diet while the Pumas have been sorting their game out against the Welsh.

Defence. Is it up to scratch?

The All Black panel should be uneasy about conceding four tries in two tests. Victories yes, but there did not appear to be any marked All Black advances in this series. The direction and structure was patchy.

What impact did the substitutes make?

The series over, Henry said he had no preconceived ideas about using his bench. He called on the subs when impact was needed. What he expected from David Hill in his six-minute test debut is uncertain. It was surely a reward for time on duty. Good luck to Hill. His new status may allow him a better offshore contract but he did not get a chance to make any impression.

Are these misgivings too critical?

It was the All Black selectors who labelled these internationals as trials, examinations, auditions, a stage on which to judge the best New Zealand rugby talent.