All Blacks: Sights set on Bok targets

Stephen Donald produced a solid display during Saturday night's test against the Wallabies at Eden Park. Photo / Getty Images

The All Blacks are on their way to the Free State's "city of flowers", but sightseeing is off the itinerary - it's the Tri-Nations they have in their sights.

Graham Henry's men are aiming for victory at either Bloemfontein, Durban or both as they go in search of their 10th Tri-Nations title.

They left New Zealand yesterday after beating the Wallabies 22-16 at Eden Park. It was nothing special, but they were injury free as they retained their ground hoodoo over the visitors and regained their winning mojo to start the Tri-Nations series.

When the All Blacks last trekked to the city of flowers, for the 1995 World Cup, they scented glory.

They left captain Sean Fitzpatrick and the destructive Jonah Lomu out of their side and still won 145-17. But their victim that afternoon was Japan - not this weekend's Springboks, who have just tamed the Lions and are current World Cup champions.

The 28-strong All Black squad was to reach their base in Pretoria today, choosing to stay and train there before flying to Bloemfontein. They left Auckland yesterday after beating the Wallabies 22-16 at Eden Park.

Wing Hosea Gear and prop Wyatt Crockett dropped out of the squad travelling to Africa, while Tamati Ellison was chosen with Brendon Leonard, Tanerau Latimer, Bryan Evans, John Afoa and Aled de Malmanche to join the playing XV and reserves from Eden Park.

Ellison takes the utility role normally occupied by Isaia Toeava, who is recovering from a stress fracture in his foot, though he expects to be fit for the return test in Sydney on August 22.

Meanwhile, the Springboks have narrowed their squad to 23 and will be without the suspended Schalk Burger and injured fullback Zane Kirchner.

However, local heroes Francois Steyn and Heinrich Brussow are in the squad. The concern for coach Peter de Villiers is sorting out the midfield.

He has a choice of the goalkicking Morne Steyn or Ruan Pienaar at first five-eighths, with Jean de Villiers, Adi Jacobs and Jacque Fourie tussling for the other midfield places.

Veteran lock Bakkies Botha will return from suspension to partner Victor Matfield. Pierre Spies will be at No 8 and the frontrow will be captain John Smit, Bismarck du Plessis and Beast Mtwarira.

One of the issues for the All Black selectors will be managing their squad on this three-week stretch of tests. Once they arrive today, medical checks after the Eden Park test and the longhaul flight will go into the selection mix for Bloemfontein.

Stephen Donald made a remarkable recovery from a hamstring problem to kick six from eight in the most solid display in his short test career. "It is a platform I can work from and miles on the clock at international level now," he said. "I learned a fair bit out there about the game at this level and experiences in the last few weeks which I was able to put out there."

It had been tough dealing with the criticism and his injury which seemed to improve when he exercised more. He hoped he had found a formula to stay fit for selection.

Another on the comeback from injury, centre Conrad Smith, said conditions were far more like playing in Wellington than Auckland. He had felt vulnerable in the early stages of the test as the Wallabies opened up the All Blacks defence, but the side had recovered well and played strong percentage rugby to grind out the result.

"I was also stoked for Donald. He has got a big heart and I knew he was going to play well," said Smith. "We used quite a few box kicks, and I think it was tough for them to counter."