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Fresh start, fresh team. The All Black coaches remain but they have scythed through their troops to come up with a group who will do their first national service on Saturday against Ireland.
Plump overseas deals, injury, retirement, form and staleness have bitten so deeply into the All Black resources that it is possible only six players who began the fatal World Cup quarter-final will run out in the black strip at Wellington.
The All Blacks will pursue their expressive style backed by Daniel Carter's boot but they are looking for an extra lineout element in their loose-forward trio to cater for the new laws once this month's test against Ireland then two against England are completed.
When the 26-strong squad was announced yesterday, there were 10 players who had not been involved at the World Cup and another standby pair, halfback Jimmy Cowan and prop John Schwalger, who were also missing from that trip.
With some of the seven triumphant Crusaders likely to be rested after the rigours of their Super 14 triumph, Mils Muliaina, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Carter, Rodney So'oialo, captain Richie McCaw and Ali Williams may be the only All Blacks surviving this weekend from the momentous defeat in Cardiff.
Familiar combinations such as Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith in midfield, Williams and Brad Thorn at lock will probably be used because of the limited preparation time for the squad.
Coach Graham Henry had trouble defining this season and its place in his All Black tenure, saying the focus had to be on starting well against Ireland and they picked players who were full of energy.
"Every test the All Blacks play is hugely important to the team and to us and the country and it was the same over the past four years. That hasn't changed but it has changed because there is a new-look to the group and a lot of them are going to take time to bed in and to go the next step and play the standard of international football."
Check out those missing. The entire front row has gone with Carl Hayman and Anton Oliver on duty in Europe, Tony Woodcock is on indefinite injury leave because of a problem toe while Keith Robinson has retired and Jerry Collins is unavailable.
Byron Kelleher and Luke McAlister have overseas contracts, Joe Rokocoko will not be cleared until next month, while a return to fullback for Muliaina will allow Leon MacDonald a chance to recover from his bruising season.
Into that void, the All Black selectors have taken a punt with six new caps including the surprise blindside flanker Adam Thomson and the talented but often damaged Richard Kahui.
"We think he is the future," Henry said of the midfielder. "He has played about nine or 10 games in the past 18 months at top level. He is a very good distributor, reads defences well, can play 12 and 13, so we think he is a player of talent and will be a longterm All Black."
His injury history was a concern and while he had trained well last week he, with Woodcock and Leonard, would not be chosen for the opening test against Ireland.
They have persevered with Sione Lauaki who remains an unfulfilled international and had a very modest Super campaign, while they have settled firmly on Ma'a Nonu as their premier second five eighths.
Thorn added another chapter to his extraordinary All Black career when he was picked to add to the 12 tests he played before resuming his rugby league career in 2003. His ability to swap codes at his age has been remarkable.
Around those twists are the promotion of deputy first five eighths Stephen Donald who is powerful, brave and fast but whose tactical kicking technique is different and not entirely dependable. Harbour wings Rudi Wulf and Anthony Tuitavake make it for their energy and defensive strength with Wulf's promotion reward for a dedicated athlete who broke his neck a few seasons ago.
Harbour lock Anthony Boric has won the third lock lottery. He is promising, no doubt about that, but he is raw and was not even a regular starter for the Blues this season.
Meanwhile Kieran Read appears to have been punished for playing too much for the Crusaders.
Henry suggested the 22-year-old would be a future All Black, probably on the end of year tour but would benefit by taking time out rather than being thrown into a test campaign.
That theory looked a little ragged as Read had built up his challenge playing every game for Canterbury and the Crusaders last season, while Thomson, older at 26, has more size, speed and lineout spring but is a Super rugby novice.
There is no doubt he is a dynamic runner and excelled in the Highlanders pack but whether he will be risked ahead of another blindsider Jerome Kaino remains to be seen.
"We think Adam has great instincts for the game, is a very good lineout player opposition and own ball, scores tries, good at the breakdown and can play six and seven as well," Henry said.
* New Zealand squad
Backs: Leon MacDonald, Mils Muliaina, Rudi Wulf, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Anthony Tuitavake, Conrad Smith, Richard Kahui, Ma'a Nonu, Stephen Donald, Daniel Carter, Andy Ellis, Brendon Leonard.
Forwards: Rodney So'oialo, Sione Lauaki, Richie McCaw (c), Jerome Kaino, Adam Thomson, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Anthony Boric, John Afoa, Greg Somerville, Neemia Tialata, Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Andrew Hore.
