Photo gallery of the new startersKEY POINTS:
First it was the composition of the weakened French side that irked Graham Henry, now the All Blacks coach is irritated by their negativity ahead of the second rugby test in Wellington on Saturday.
After naming a team containing six changes to the run-on side who secured a 42-11 victory in the first test in Auckland, Henry joined those critical of a disjointed spectacle marred by frequent scrum resets, injury breaks and time lags as officials adjudicated on debatable tries.
Although his side, primarily through sloppy handling, were complicit in the opening test of the year being a generally forgettable experience, Henry today took aim at the French, accusing them of disrupting the scrum and cynically delaying play through non-existent injuries.
In the dying stages last Saturday four Frenchmen required attention in unison, requiring All Blacks medical staff to also tend to the wounded.
Captain Pascal Pape appeared the worst affected with an apparent head knock but afterwards said he was in good health.
"We find that a frustration," Henry said.
"There's a lot of people on the floor and the referees are having to stop the game. Some of them are injured, some are not.
"I think it's frustrating the crowd and frustrating the players wanting to play ... it's frustrating the television audience.
"Rugby's a great game when it's played right but at the moment it's deteriorating in quality, and that's irritating."
Henry pinpointed a French scrum that was under pressure for the majority of the match, prompting numerous collapses and 10 resets on New Zealand's feed.
"I thought they were negative at scrum time, they didn't try to compete," he said.
"I went back over scrums last year and it was a problem then too -- it's not all about the new laws.
"I think it's about the attitude of some teams to scrummaging and the way they tactically approach the game."
All Blacks forwards coach Steve Hansen chimed in, claiming the new staged rules of engagement disadvantaged the superior pack.
"The laws as they are at the moment actually reward negative play.
"If you spin the scrum round you get the ball. It's encouraging people to do that. The easiest thing to do if you haven't got a dominant scrum is to wheel it."
France today moved to shore up their creaky set piece by introducing 35-year-old debutant prop Olivier Sourgens, one of four changes announced by coach Bernard Laporte.
Henry, meanwhile, has arguably strengthened his front row by including Anton Oliver for Keven Mealamu at hooker.
Abrasive lock Keith Robinson is a straight swap for Chris Jack, Rodney So'oialo reclaims the No 8 spot from Chris Masoe while Jerry Collins has been named on the blindside flank although he still has to convince the selectors he is over a heel injury.
If not, Reuben Thorne will play his second successive test at No 6.
Richie McCaw and Daniel Carter have also been named despite hobbling off at halftime last Saturday with hip and ankle problems respectively.
Henry is confident both will play although they did not train today.
"I think Richie's pretty good, he just doesn't want to get another belt on it (hip)," Henry said.
"It's not a major, it's just a wee bit tender."
He is anxious to see Carter involved.
"Daniel wants to play and thinks he'll be right but we don't want to push him too early in the week.
"He'd like to have a game because he only got 10 minutes at full sprint last week."
The only backline changes see Luke McAlister rotated into second five-eighth for Aaron Mauger while Byron Kelleher replaces Piri Weepu at halfback.
Mils Muliaina (hamstring) was the only squad member not considered although Henry was hopeful he would play Canada in Hamilton next Saturday.
Muliaina's unavailability ensured Leon MacDonald has another opportunity after a quiet outing at Eden Park.
The naming of Conrad Smith as a reserve after recovering from a hamstring strain saw Ma'a Nonu released to rejoin the Junior All Blacks for their Pacific Nations Cup match against Australia A in Dunedin next weekend.
Prop John Schwalger and veteran wing Doug Howlett are the only fit players yet to see action.
NEW ZEALAND:
Backs:
Leon MacDonald, Jo Rokocoko, Isaia Toeava, Luke McAlister, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dan Carter, Byron Kelleher
Forwards:
Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw (c), Jerry Collins, Ali Williams, Keith Robinson, Carl Hayman, Anton Oliver, Tony Woodcock
Reserves:
Keven Mealamu, Neemia Tialata, Chris Jack, Chris Masoe, Brendon Leonard, Nick Evans, Conrad Smith
- NZPA
