Even a winning formula needs a tweak

All Black captain Tana Umaga celebrates winning the game against the British and Irish Lions. Picture / Reuters

Supposedly it is madness to change a winning team. Old wives would tell you categorically not to do it.

All Black coach Graham Henry, however, might beg to differ after he made three changes to a winning side and walked away from another major test with a big smile.

And the dinosaurs had better get used to it for this will be a hallmark of the Henry regime.

He wants 30 test-quality All Blacks vying for 15 spots. That way he can select according to the opposition, the weather and shift the tactical emphasis as he reads it.

In Christchurch Leon MacDonald was undeniably the right choice at fullback. He's more defensively inclined and better equipped to clear the ball with his boot.

The Lions, with the midfield kicking axis of Stephen Jones and Jonny Wilkinson, were always going to play for territory.

On a dry track in Wellington, though, against a side that had to be more adventurous and chase the game, Muliaina was the right horse for last night's course.

He showed he is one of the best runners in the business. He was never let loose as a strike runner coming in from deep while he was fielded at fullback but he uses the space so well when he counter attacks, is always aware of where the defence is and where his outsides are. His catch on the run when he dived at a Josh Lewsey high ball, plucked it off his ankles and bounced back to his feet in a flash was a moment of genius.

When he switched to centre at the end of the first half, he was composed and aware. Maybe centre is his best position once he gets re-accustomed and builds a combination with his outsides.

Rico Gear got his chance largely for the same reasons as Muliaina. He is a more complete footballer than Doug Howlett and can keep the ball away from the touchline with offloads and running angles.

His greatest asset is the continuity that he offers and it was clear, particularly from the way the All Blacks came out in the second half, that they wanted to keep the pace of the game up and spread the ball from touchline to touchline.

What really impressed about Gear last night was his appetite for defensive work. He nearly cut Shane Williams in half when the Welshman was running across the All Black 22 looking for space.

But perhaps Henry's most inspired change was bringing in Bryon Kelleher.

While Marshall was the right man to have working round the fringes in Christchurch, Kelleher was the right man to service a backline that wanted to get the ball in hand and run at space.

It's a tough call as to who starts in the No 9 jersey in Auckland but it's the sort of tough call Henry wants every week.

Never change a winning team - yeah, right.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY