All Blacks: Lineout strategies still being justified

All Black No 8 Kieran Read says the All Blacks are close to perfecting their lineout. Photo / Getty Images

Do not expect to see the All Blacks changing their lineout methods ahead of this weekend's Tri-Nations dead rubber against the Wallabies in Wellington.

Assistant coach Steve Hansen and the All Black forwards have been on the defensive again following another woeful lineout display against the Springboks, but All Blacks No 8 Kieran Read says they are close to perfecting it.

He says they will not change their approach to the lineout against the Wallabies, but they have been working hard on trying to get the ball out of the back of the lineout as much as they can.

Former All Black captain Sean Fitzpatrick pulled no punches in his analysis of the set piece in today's Herald, labelling the lineout a disgrace.

"We had no confidence. The one lineout we won [in the first half] was from their [a South African] throw. It [the lineout] gave the Springboks field position and go forward, and is something that needs to be addressed," he said.

"In the first half it was just disgraceful; I don't know what they were doing. They trailed 12-1 in the lineouts at halftime. They had no idea where they were throwing it and the Springboks were totally dominating where New Zealand threw it."

The All Black coaches have delayed naming their team until tomorrow to give them more time to assess their options, with one dilemma being the midfield where the Stephen Donald-Ma'a Nonu combination did not work against the Springboks.

Utility back Isaia Toeava is tipped to come into the midfield but says he has been given no indication as to where he will start.

He says he is happy for the coaches to decide and if it means they start with Donald and Carter again, then so be it.

- NEWSTALK ZB, NZ HERALD STAFF