Jaded All Blacks need to lift one more time

The All Blacks forwards have one more big rugby test in them, says assistant coach Steve Hansen, calling for another strongarm performance against Australia in Auckland on Saturday before enjoying a month's rest.

The challenge for the New Zealand coaches this week ahead of the Tri-Nations test at Eden Park is balancing rest with the need to prepare for the Wallabies' style -- far removed from the physicality of the Springboks.

The All Blacks have fielded essentially the same forward pack for their first seven tests of the year since facing Fiji in June. That togetherness paid dividends in the 31-27 defeat of South Africa at Dunedin last Saturday.

Hansen urged one more dominant showing against the Wallabies.

"I would suggest they'll be looking forward to the break after this but I think there's certainly one more test in them," Hansen said.

"We just have to be smart about what we do this week, how we prepare and make sure we hit the track with a full tank."

Hansen singled out prop Tony Woodcock and hooker Keven Mealamu as players who had endured a hectic schedule but who warranted selection every week, particularly for a test which will win New Zealand the Tri-Nations if successful.

"You couldn't really think about not picking them," he said.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry said it had become apparent this year that playing any more than two weeks in a row resulted in performance drop-offs. That would be taken into account on the season-ending Grand Slam tour of Britain and Ireland, where he hoped to take a large squad but would not specify his preference.

In the meantime, Henry had one more home test to negotiate.

"I think the boys are a bit jaded at the moment , coming off the trip overseas and the South African test.

"But by Thursday-Friday I think they'll be right up there and it will be a significant test match, obviously.

"We're trying to be sensible, we're trying to be reasonably light this week."

Henry is planning a careful re-entry of his All Blacks players to the NPC. Those deemed to have had the heaviest workload with the All Blacks won't rejoin their provinces until the eighth round, more than a month from now. Others who were less sapped would return in round six.

Following discussions with NPC coaches earlier this year, Henry's managing of players is unlikely to meet resistance.

That is not the case in South Africa, where national coach Jake White has forwarded a list of 10 front line players to be withdrawn from the Currie Cup domestic competition.

White has met with resistance from provincial coaches, who feel they wouldn't get value for the salaries they are forking out to the players.

The All Blacks will field two changes in their starting team on Saturday, with Sione Lauaki replacing the injured Jerry Collins at flanker and right winger Rico Gear making way for Doug Howlett.

There could yet be a third change, with first five-eighth Leon MacDonal in doubt with a hip flexor injury. If he was ruled out, the No 10 jersey would be passed to youngster Luke McAlister.

- NZPA