Collins ban amid mood for change

Flanker Jerry Collins was cited for punching at a judicial hearing yesterday and received a two-week ban. Picture / Otago Daily Times

A fortnight ban has removed blindside flanker Jerry Collins and the All Black selectors may tinker further with their side for Saturday's Tri-Nations decider against the Wallabies.

Collins knocked himself out of selection when he was cited and banned for punching in the All Blacks' 31-27 win at Carisbrook against the Springboks.

That triumph has set up the All Blacks for another Tri-Nations title if they can defeat an injury-ravaged Wallaby side at Eden Park.

Those regulars not travelling to Eden Park are Matt Giteau, Elton Flatley, Stephen Larkham, Chris Latham, Wendell Sailor, Stirling Mortlock, David Lyons, Daniel Vickerman and Jeremy Paul.

Frontrowers Matt Dunning and Stephen Moore could not train yesterday while hooker Adam Freier was added to the squad as insurance.

There are also rumblings about the future of captain George Gregan. The halfback has denied reports he will retire or accept hints to quit before the end-of-year tour. However, there are suggestions that coach Eddie Jones will drop Gregan after the Eden Park test.

None of those problems will produce any selection sympathy from the All Black panel, but they have been willing this season to experiment with some player changes.

They set that precedent when they dropped Leon MacDonald, Doug Howlett and Justin Marshall and replaced an injured Carl Hayman despite a crushing first test win against the Lions.

Following that 21-3 opening win of the series, the All Black panel spoke about the importance of trusting and using the depth in the squad. They ignored the old adage about never altering a winning side.

It was a bold move, one which cautioned the All Blacks about any complacency and showed the selectors would revise their tactics and teams on a regular basis.

They would have sifted through those strategies again yesterday once they learnt the decision about Collins as they prepared for the Tri-Nations showdown at Eden Park.

Of immediate interest will be the replacement for Collins.

If the decision is taken to stay with those in the squad, then Sione Lauaki or Marty Holah could be used in a rearranged looseforward mix.

If someone new is required, the candidates would be Jerome Kaino, Jono Gibbes, Reuben Thorne, Mose Tuiali'i, Steven Bates, Nick Williams or Angus Macdonald.

Given the selectors' wish to play a high-paced game against the Wallabies in Sydney, there could be other changes when the team is revealed tomorrow.

New first five-eighths Leon MacDonald had a fine first half against the Springboks. He dealt with the stress, the heavy traffic round the fringes and ran the backline soundly.

MacDonald absorbed all the physical demands at Carisbrook before Luke McAlister came on and raised the tempo and All Black attacking range.

The panel may opt to use the dancing attacking feet of McAlister to begin the game, at a venue where he made a solid start to his international career against the Lions.

The Wallabies are struggling to find a first five-eighths after Matt Giteau became their latest withdrawal after aggravating a back injury. It appears rookie Lachlan MacKay, rather than utility Mat Rogers, will start the test in the No 10 jersey.

Other All Blacks under scrutiny for Eden Park will be Rico Gear, Chris Jack and Tony Woodcock.

Gear has not been sharp in his last three outings, and Jack may have suffered a knock when substituted on Saturday.

Woodcock, who has been in robust form, needed to pass a fitness test before he played at Carisbrook.

An All Black victory this weekend has been painted by some as automatic after the rising injury toll for the Wallabies and their four-test losing streak.

Springbok coach Jake White conceded his side's chances of holding the Tri-Nations title had almost evaporated.

"It would be nice to get a draw wouldn't it," he said, "but I don't think it will happen. I don't think with a depleted Australian team it will happen, but it will be the first time South Africa shouts for the Aussies."

Naturally coach Graham Henry would not hear any thoughts about a walkover and did his best to talk up Australia's fighting spirit.

"They're probably per capita the best sporting nation in the world, and they don't have that mantle without showing a lot of grit over the years in all the sports they play. And they'll play well next week," he said.

Henry has just seen his All Black side repeat the late try escape they used against the Springboks last season in Christchurch, this time clinching the victory with a Keven Mealamu try from a lineout drive.