All Blacks: Coach swapping hogs selection day limelight

Graham Henry says the coaching changes will promote fresh ideas and energy in the All Blacks camp. Photo / Getty Images

Four new backs, including two genuine bolters, could not prevent a shock All Blacks coaching revamp from raising the most eyebrows when their latest rugby squad was unveiled yesterday.

Coach Graham Henry and assistants Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith have traded job descriptions ahead of their season-ending tour of Japan and Europe.

All three played down the significance of the swap which sees Henry inherit Hansen's role as forward coach, Wayne Smith handed Henry's defensive coaching duties and Hansen taking over Smith's attack portfolio.

The veteran trio insist their first shuffle after nearly six years in charge is not a response to the All Blacks' poor 2009 season featuring four losses in nine tests.

Henry said it had been discussed earlier this year, and was regarded as a way to promote fresh ideas and energy.

The concept got the green light after being put to a five-strong senior player group, including captain Richie McCaw, in recent weeks.

"They're excited about it. Also, it's good for us," Henry said.

"We'll be really tight on what we're doing and work together ... it's good to experience another role in the side."

Henry inherits the poisoned chalice as lineout coach and admitted to some apprehension as it is many years since he was in charge of a forward pack.

"If you're a bit nervous about it, it brings the best out of you," he said.

"It's good for me to have that challenge. I've got energy, I'm excited about that opportunity and I'll be using a lot of the knowledge of the forward pack to help, which I think will be good for them."

Hansen, whose change appears to be the most dramatic, said their coaching "blueprint' would not change.

New Zealand Rugby Union Steve Tew said he had been kept abreast of the pending coaching shuffle and believed all three were capable of making the switch fluently.

"I'm going to watch with some interest how Graham goes with the lineout," Tew smiled.

The coaches sprung several surprises in their 33-man squad who will begin the six-game tour against Australia in Tokyo on October 31.

Most notable is the selection of Otago winger Ben Smith, 23, and Bay of Plenty first five-eighth Mike Delany, 27, rewarding their form in the Air NZ Cup.

The other new caps were more predictable, with Hawke's Bay winger Zac Guildford, 20, and Wellington utility back Tamati Ellison, 26, getting the nod.

Delany is a third No 10 option behind Daniel Carter and Stephen Donald, seeing off the challenge of Manawatu youngster Aaron Cruden, who the selectors want to see perform at Super 14 level.

"We like (Delany's) real positiveness when he plays, he's a good kicker of the ball but he has got the ability to counter-attack as well," Henry said.

Smith and Guildford usurp veteran Joe Rokocoko and Hosea Gear, who have been All Blacks squad regulars this year, while Ellison will be regarded as a centre on this tour due to injuries to Richard Kahui and Isaia Toeava.

Other players not considered due to injury are hooker Keven Mealamu (chest), locks Ali Williams (Achilles) and Bryn Evans (back), halfback Piri Weepu (ankle) and winger Lelia Masaga (shoulder).

The injuries had made life "difficult" in some positions, with three unidentified selections not made until this weekend's round of Air NZ Cup games.

"(But) A number of young players are putting their hand up and that's good for our future and as an international team," Henry said.

"The depth is returning, and that's good."

One notable omission was Waikato hooker Aled de Malmanche, who Henry said needed to improve his lineout throwing.

Prop John Afoa will double as a backup hooker to specialists Andrew Hore and Corey Flynn, the latter making a comeback after suffering yet another broken arm a year ago.

The selectors named just two hookers to make room for an extra loose forward, with Waikato flanker Liam Messam the beneficiary.

"I've been delighted with (Messam)," Henry said of a player he publicly criticised when dropping him in June.

"We sent him away with two work-ons. One was to make sure his ball maintenance was good and (the other was) one-on-one tackling."

Tanerau Latimer remains the backup to McCaw on the openside flank, and was still "a step ahead" of rivals George Whitelock and Karl Lowe, according to Henry.

As widely forecast, Canterbury lock Isaac Ross has been omitted, with Henry explaining he needed to bulk up to be more effective.

There are still eight Cantabrians in the squad, six Wellington players and five from Waikato.

All Blacks squad

Backs: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Ben Smith, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Zac Guildford, Conrad Smith, Tamati Ellison, Ma'a Nonu, Luke McAlister, Dan Carter, Stephen Donald, Mike Delany, Jimmy Cowan, Brendon Leonard, Andy Ellis

Forwards: Rodney So'oialo, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (captain), Tanerau Latimer, Adam Thomson, Jerome Kaino, Liam Messam, Jason Eaton, Anthony Boric, Brad Thorn, Tom Donnelly, Owen Franks, John Afoa, Neemia Tialata, Tony Woodcock, Wyatt Crockett, Andrew Hore, Corey Flynn

- NZPA