KEY POINTS:
Mils Muliaina admits it is the No 1 topic of the All Blacks' week. How do they match the elevated level established against Australia 10 days ago when they take on South Africa in Cape Town this Saturday?
Given the alarmingly fluctuating fortunes of the All Blacks in
just seven days from the Sydney to Auckland Tri-Nations Tests, it's anyone's guess how New Zealand will perform this time.
But "raising the bar and then trying to match it next time out is always something you are aware of", he said.
In an effort to maintain the team's form, Graham Henry last night named an unchanged line-up for Cape Town.
"Predominantly in the past, we have had a good performance but then haven't quite backed it up the following week," Muliaina said.
"We have had some discussions about how we are going to go about that. We have to try and emulate what we did in Auckland as best we can and hopefully get the result we want
"But it's not just a mental thing; there is a little bit more to it than that
"Obviously, you have got to do all your homework and then you have got to be on edge and that is probably the hardest thing."
In other words, producing a performance when you're heavily under the cosh is one thing. Reaching those same elevated heights just 7 or 14 days later is not easy. Ask the Springboks.
Just a week after they had won in Dunedin and lifted their whole Tri-Nations tour, they flopped in Perth.
Muliaina said: "It is easier if you have got your backs against the wall ... you know you have to deliver."
The All Blacks have enjoyed some superb weather during their Cape Town stay, although the forecast is not as good for later in the week. But for tight-head prop Greg Somerville, there was one big surprise in town.
Somerville made it crystal clear the South African tight-head he rates more than most is B. J. Botha, who isn't anywhere near the current Boks squad. The New Zealander didn't, of course, say so but it was pretty obvious he is relieved Botha won't be playing at Newlands on Saturday.#"He's a very good player; they must have some terrific talents if he can't get into the squad." A lot of South Africans would agree, rating Botha as far better than CJ van der Linde.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers was expected to name "Beast" Mtawarira at loose-head prop for the test and you couldn't blame the All Blacks for believing there is a serious opportunity to target the South African front row.
New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Richard Kahui, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw (c), Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Greg Somerville, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Keven Mealamu, John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Adam Thomson, Piri Weepu, Stephen Donald, Isaia Toeava.
