All Blacks focus on own plan

Tana Umaga goes to ground with Justin Marshall as Rodney So’oialo provides defence at training yesterday. Picture / Fotopress

All Black backline controller Daniel Carter thinks he will oppose Jonny Wilkinson in the first test with the Lions, but is more concerned about his own work than the visitors' selection theories.

Wilkinson was talented enough to direct play at five-eighths or robust enough to deal with the midfield demands - it would not alter All Black plans for the opening international in Christchurch.

"It is minor really. Our main focus is on us so all the things we do at training are all about what we want to do and what we want to get out of the game," Carter said.

"Sure, later in the week when they do name their team we will have a bit of a closer look, but it does not change too many things about what we try to achieve."

However, there had been some raised eyebrows that Gavin Henson had been left out of the Lions test squad after his work in the Six Nations and useful form on tour.

His omission means the Lions will start with a pairing deemed to be the most constructive out of Wilkinson, Stephen Jones and Will Greenwood.

Conjecture has swirled about both backline formations for the test, with the All Blacks' decision revealed today.

Coach Graham Henry said the squad had been given a huge impetus by Michael Campbell's win in the US Open yesterday.

"Absolutely outstanding, the pinnacle of his career, great for the country, great for him obviously, everybody was absolutely delighted in the All Black camp," Henry said.

The coach refused to react to the Lions' planned sideline use of tactical analyst Scott Johnson. It made no difference to him and to his knowledge, it was not illegal.

Nor did he have an opinion on Henson's exclusion other than a raspy "they know what they're doing" comment.

The All Blacks were unfazed by any intrusions yesterday as they held a lengthy public session at QE II Park, where they went through a variety of drills, including a live scrummaging hit-out which suggested Keven Mealamu would start at hooker.

Players were used in a variety of positions, the emphasis being on technical skills, handling and patterns. Carter later mentioned that in this age of video and computer data, the All Blacks did have an issue trying to sort how the Lions would blend and pinpoint what style they would use this weekend.

"It is going to be tough because of that. You can't sit there and see how they have played the last few years. You can only look at the games they have played and even then you can't take too much from those," he said.

The All Blacks would have preferred longer together, but they had covered a lot of work and were ready to confront the Lions for the first time since 1993.

Victory for the All Blacks in their last test against France had been superb, but this was a new season, a new side and a different opposition. The All Blacks would be judged on Saturday, not last year.

"This is obviously a key game. You want to get the first one under your belt. It is going to be tough and there will be a lot of testing times and it will be huge to come up with a win in this first game," Carter said.

The hype of this Lions trip was massive and he was sure Christchurch would respond to the occasion.