All Blacks address slow start bug

The All Blacks have altered their preparation for this weekend's test against the Wallabies. Photo / Getty Images

Another review into their weekly buildup is under way as the All Blacks seek to end their trend of sleepy first-half performances in test rugby.

Last Saturday's 29-32 loss to South Africa was a typical All Blacks performance of late, trailing heavily at halftime (12-22) before storming home.

New Zealand have found themselves behind at halftime in six of their eight tests this year, including all of their last five. And they haven't been narrow deficits, with an average gap of 10 points to be made up in their last four tests.

They have trailed at the break but fought back to win in their last four tests against Australia but it's a risky scenario for an All Blacks side who have lost the art of a dominant start.

Backs coach Wayne Smith said a new approach was being employed this week, aimed at being mentally fine-tuned when they run onto Westpac Stadium for Saturday's final Tri-Nations test against the Wallabies in Wellington.

"Traditionally we're really excited on a Monday/Tuesday and as we get to Thursday/Friday the tension starts setting in and there's a bit more anxiety," Smith said.

"So we're trying to reverse that process a bit because we want them really starting to build on a Thursday/Friday and be excited on a Saturday.

"For a rugby player, the Saturday has to be the best day of your week."

Tinkering with their test preparations has been a hallmark of the All Blacks' six years under coach Graham Henry.

This week's preparation began with a quieter-than-usual training session on Monday, with the side working on tactical rather than physical elements of the test at Westpac Stadium.

"We had a tough week last week and we'll just build over the next couple of days. I'd expect to see us pretty fresh and running on top of the track on Thursday," Smith said.

Despite his words, yesterday's workout had genuine intensity as the coaches put the selection blowtorch on their players.

Unimpressed by their consistently lax performances this year, Smith was remarkably candid about the need to overhaul personnel who weren't producing at test level after several starts.

Players such as winger Joe Rokocoko, first five-eighth Stephen Donald, blindside flanker Jerome Kaino and prop Owen Franks are likely to be missing when the team is named this afternoon.

Three Wellingtonians - wingers Hosea Gear and Cory Jane and prop Neemia Tialata - may well get starts in front of their home fans while centre Isaia Toeava and flanker Adam Thomson are set for recalls.

Smith said delaying the team naming by a day and running multiple combinations at training was a deliberate act to put the players on notice.

However, it hadn't been done to give the players a mental jolt, with Smith adamant their effort and character had been good all season - exemplified by the strong finishes.

Instead it was a move to ensure the coaches made the right changes, introducing players who can perform more consistently than those they replace.

"You've got to earn the right to be out there and that's not just about attitude. We've got that in the squad but you've got to be accurate as well," Smith said.

"You've got to be able to be out there on the big stage against the best teams in the world and be able to win those games.

"You can't do that if you're not able to execute your set piece platforms or catch and pass. We've got to find the players who we know can go out and perform on that stage accurately."

- NZPA