Henry warns not to expect settled 15

Frequent changes to the All Blacks starting 15 is likely to be a feature of the expanded Tri-Nations this year, Graham henry says.

Henry said the All Blacks weren't yet contemplating adopting the policy they used on last year's Grand Slam tour and for this month's tests against Ireland and Argentina.

However, the length and the physical nature of the Tri-Nations meant changes in personnel would be inevitable.

"We haven't picked 15 players for the first test and 15 for the following game and so on, but it's fair to say that the same 15 won't take the track for six tests matches," Henry said yesterday after naming his 30-man squad for the opening three Tri-Nations tests.

"A number of players will come and go depending on how they are physically and mentally, and to make sure we get the right 15 who are going to perform on that particular Saturday."

Against Ireland and Argentina, the selectors chose two separate squads totalling 39 players to reduce the workload on individuals after the Super 14.

The move mirrored what occurred on the Grand Slam tour, where different starting 15s were picked for the first two tests against Wales and Ireland.

This year's Tri-Nations comprises six matches for each country, up from the previous four.

New Zealand start their schedule with home fixtures against Australia in Christchurch on July 8 and South Africa in Wellington on July 22.

Their final three matches are on successive weekends, the last two at altitude in South Africa.

It was this part of the schedule in particular that Henry saw the potential for burnout.

"I don't think it's possible to play the same 15 in the last three test matches of the series and expect them to peak and play great rugby," he said.

Henry described clashes against the Springboks and the Wallabies as the most physical on offer.

The key for the All Blacks would be to ensure they didn't peak too early, especially with the extended programme.

"It's important to build through the Tri-Nations and to finish strongly," he said.

"Of our last three games, our last two are on the high veldt, so that's a major challenge.

"If we're overdone going into these games, it's going to be a very difficult situation to be in, so we're trying to use the strategy of picking as the Tri-Nations develops."

While New Zealand want to defend their Tri-Nations title, Henry said the end-of-season Northern Hemisphere tour remained the priority for the year.

The All Blacks play England, France twice and Wales in November in a dress rehearsal for next year's World Cup.

The tour was of greater significance simply because it was a "road test" for the cup.

"That's why it's so important, but you can't get away from the fact that the Tri-Nations is big no matter what your priorities are."

- NZPA