All Blacks braced for foul weather

DUBLIN - The fickle Dublin weather has forced a rethink of the All Blacks' gameplan and given Ireland an early boost for tomorrow's (3.30am NZT) rugby test.

Strong wind and rain buffeted the players during their stroll around Lansdowne Rd today, and the wind at least is forecast to continue tomorrow.

"Climatic conditions are going to have a huge effect on the game," coach Graham Henry said.

"We're going to play differently going one way to the other and we've got to make sure our tactics are conducive to playing well in each half."

The All Blacks -- who have never lost to Ireland in 100 years of rivalry -- will be happy to continue a confrontational ball-in-hand game but new first five-eighth Nick Evans may be asked to kick more with the breeze.

The concrete jungle that is the 49,000-capacity Lansdowne Rd evoked memories of the old Athletic Park in Wellington, at which a booming northerly or southerly usually had a big say.
Ireland are always tough nuts to crack at their home fortress and bad weather will encourage them, with an experienced tight five if the match becomes a more forward-orientated slog, and an accomplished kicking first five-eighth in Ronan O'Gara.

The playing surface at least was in good order, considering recent rain.

A strong wind tomorrow will put Evans further under the microscope in his first test in the No 10 jersey -- a far cry from the perfect conditions afforded Daniel Carter under the Millennium Stadium roof in New Zealand's 41-3 win over Wales.

Evans has also been given the goalkicking responsibility ahead of Leon MacDonald and had his only practice session at the ground today.

Flanker Richie McCaw, who will captain the All Blacks for just the second time tomorrow, agreed the weather would play a part.

"You've got to make some adjustment. If you've got the wind behind you you'd be silly not to use it and if you're playing into it the kicking game's a lot tougher," McCaw said.

"We've still got to use our skill, try to win set piece and look after the ball and make the right decisions.

"We've got to be smart and know when it's time to use the wind."

The match is special for McCaw, his 34th test and a return to Lansdowne Rd where he was a key figure on debut in 2001 when the All Blacks beat Ireland 40-29.

His only other test in charge was a year ago when Tana Umaga was also rested against Wales.

"The enthusiasm of the guys playing their first test and guys that haven't played for a while has made sure there's a fizz through the whole team. We all had to watch last week so we just can't wait to get on the field.

"I try not to do a whole lot different. My job is still to get out there and perform -- if you do that everything else is easy."

Ireland have paid McCaw the ultimate compliment by selecting two inexperienced tearaways in jerseys seven and eight to try and match him at the tackled ball area -- Johnny O'Connor and Denis Leamy.

The All Blacks also have their inexperience, with two debutantes in the tight five -- tighthead prop John Afoa and lock Jason Eaton.

Henry agreed that changing his entire starting 15 from last week, with a view to development for the World Cup, made his side vulnerable.

"For sure. We've come with an objective in mind and this is part of it. You don't pick your top 15 every week and that does lead to some vulnerability, but we think that's a risk worth taking."

He said that with no provincial games on tour any more, test matches were the only way to develop up and coming players.

"(Current selector) Brian Lochore played for eight years and played 26 test matches. This team would have played 23 tests in the last two years. The landscape has changed considerably."

The team shifted to their inner city hotel today from their base on the outskirts of Dublin, and McCaw said the reception they had received all week was "absolutely fantastic".

- NZPA