All Blacks: Big guns hold key for Tri-Nations

The All Black coaches will be hoping Richie McCaw makes an instant impact when he returns from injury for the Tri-Nations. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The cavalry can't arrive soon enough for an All Blacks side who otherwise enter the Tri-Nations low on test rugby experience as well as confidence.

Saturday's disjointed 27-6 defeat of Italy in Christchurch will have Australia and South Africa confident of ending New Zealand's four-year run as champions.

Indeed, the June internationals have convinced bookmakers to strip the All Blacks of Tri-Nations favouritism, leapfrogged by the Springboks following their series slaying of the British and Irish Lions.

A month ago the All Blacks were paying $2 at the TAB to triumph but ongoing injuries and three performances against France and Italy ranging from poor to adequate has seen them slip out to $2.70 while South Africa are at $2.25. Australia's odds have also improved, to $3.50.

There is ample room for New Zealand improvement but not with the team who managed just three tries against a lowly Azzurri side adhering strictly to a kick and tackle game plan.

Some big names will return when a 30-man Tri-Nations squad is named on Saturday, none more so than captain Richie McCaw, whose influence must be immediate if the confident Wallabies are to be repelled at Eden Park on July 18.

McCaw was inspirational last year at the same venue, a 39-10 defeat of Australia coming a week after the All Blacks were humbled 19-34 in Sydney without him.

Veteran No 8 Rodney So'oialo is also due back after a month's rest, probably for Kieran Read, restoring the double heartbeat of last year's team who simply out-hustled most opponents at the breakdown.

Winger Sitiveni Sivivatu is also over a shoulder injury while two June squad members who missed Saturday's test - hooker Andrew Hore (ribs) and centre Conrad Smith (hamstring) - will be fully recovered next month, rounding out a key group nominated by assistant coach Steve Hansen.

"That's over a third of your side and it's a lot of test caps," Hansen said.

"Not too many countries could lose the people we lost and still win test matches and still feel disappointed with the way they played.

"We know we played poorly but we also know that we are exposing a lot of new people to test rugby and the experience. They will be better for it."

Hansen would not reveal which, if any, players will be given a run in club rugby this weekend.

It may be that an intensive two-day camp in Wellington on Wednesday and Thursday next week will be deemed sufficient preparation ahead of test week.

Either way, it doesn't seem enough to prepare for an Australian side who suffocated France 22-6 in Sydney on Saturday, dominating opponents who had given the All Blacks so much grief for two weekends.

"We don't have a choice do we?" Hansen said.

"We have to get up and we have been in this situation before, so the world has not come to an end.

"If you look at the three-match series, Kieran Read really put his hand up as an international No 8, JK (flanker Jerome Kaino) has come back and performed really well and (lock) Isaac Ross has shown us he can perform at test level. He's still got some maturing and growing to do but he's done some good things."

As usual, the biggest squeeze in a 16-14 forwards-backs split will be in the loose forwards.

Liam Messam may pay for his mixed outing in the first French test, with Tanerau Latimer retained as openside cover for the restored McCaw while lock Jason Eaton may provide utility value as the sixth loose forward cover.

Eaton had some time on the blindside flank for the Junior All Blacks during the Pacific Nations Cup.

"We just think that aerially he's not a world-class test player but he's still quite a handy person to have on that bench where he can play those two roles," Hansen said of Eaton.

A teleconference with Junior All Blacks coaches Ian Foster and Colin Cooper on Friday will fine-tune the selectors' thinking.

It is unclear whether the inside or outside back stocks will be boosted to bring the number of backs up to 14.

If it is the former, young first five-eighth Colin Slade may be exposed to life as an All Black, although winger Hosea Gear is a form option out wide.

Just 26 players will fly out the day after the Auckland test for consecutive tests in South Africa.

Possible Tri-Nations squad

Backs - Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, J oe Rokocoko, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Lelia Masaga, Isaia Toeava, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Luke McAlister, Stephen Donald, Colin Slade, Piri Weepu, Brendon Leonard, Jimmy Cowan.

Forwards - Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw (captain), Tanerau Latimer, Kieran Read, Jerome Kaino, Isaac Ross, Brad Thorn, Bryn Evans, Jason Eaton, John Afoa, Neemia Tialata, Tony Woodcock, Wyatt Crockett, Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu, Aled de Malmanche.

- NZPA