All Blacks: Rokocoko keeps selectors waiting

All Blacks utility back Rene Ranger may get a start in the second test. Photo / Mark Mitchell

A reprieve for Zac Guildford, a start for utility Rene Ranger or an extraordinary recovery from Joe Rokocoko.

Those left wing scenarios are being monitored by the All Black selectors as they delayed their second test selection because of concern about Rokocoko and some damage to halfback Jimmy Cowan.

Coach Graham Henry thought Cowan would recover from his abdominal strain to be in the frame but he was not so certain about Rokocoko's hamstring troubles.

Utility back Richard Kahui was definitely out because of damage to his left shoulder and he will see a specialist on Monday for another assessment.

Those difficulties added to the intrigue about the All Blacks preparation for the second test as Henry spoke about maintaining the standards they set at Eden Park.

They did not need reminding about the quality the Springboks could deliver when they were at their best.

"In the majority of cases these guys have got their feet on the ground and they know what is required, and the new guys who have come in, in the main, are very good pros," Henry said.

Picking the tenor for this week's buildup, gauging the mood of the squad and pushing the right buttons was a balancing act.

"You can't overdo it so that rarely changes," Henry said. The big change would focus on how the Springboks reacted after being well beaten. That was unusual.

The All Blacks had put a huge amount of time into analysing the first test, where they could improve and how the Boks were likely to attack this test in Wellington.

"Apart from a huge attitude, how are they going to change their game to take us on this week so we try and prejudge those sort of things rather than just practice against what they have done in the past," Henry said.

"We have put our minds together on those sort of things hoping that will produce an even better performance.

"But at the end of the day the major thing is what you bring to the game mentally, which will transfer into the physical approach and getting that right has been a major talking point."