Marshall steaming on the sidelines

Justin Marshall took it out on the tackle bags after he found he wasn't in the starting XV for Saturday. Picture / Mark Mitchell

As one of the few gnarly, experienced All Blacks, halfback Justin Marshall does not subscribe to the new-age philosophy of equal-share selections.

He understands the viewpoint and the value it offers the side, but he does not like it, especially when he is a victim for Saturday's second test.

But Marshall also believes he is handling the selection sidestep far better than he would have three or four years ago.

"And I just hope I show that my attitude is there, which it is, and that I get some time on Saturday."

After he learned Byron Kelleher would take his place in one of the three All Black changes, the tackle bags at training an hour later took a fair shunt as he expressed his frustration.

"It still came as a disappointment and it hurt a bit after he [coach Graham Henry] told me," Marshall said.

Henry operated from a safety in numbers routine when he hauled a group, including Marshall, into a meeting where he told them it was hard to separate them and he was going to alternate some.

Later, at the defensive drills training, assistant Wayne Smith inquired of his reaction and whether Marshall understood the tactic.

"I said I understood, but also that it doesn't mean it doesn't hurt," Marshall said.

The 79-test veteran heard he had not been dropped on form, accepted that too, but was still smarting.

Marshall said Smith understood his miffed reaction, expected it as well, but would also have noted that he was not as volatile as he was in the past.

In 1998 Marshall was seriously rebuked when he showed dissent after being substituted at Carisbrook.

He said that was probably his worst reaction in the All Blacks.

Once, with the Crusaders, he refused to get off the team bus when Aaron Flynn was used in one game.

The 31-year-old Marshall knew in advance he would start at Christchurch, but nothing beyond.

"I would love to know what is in his [Henry's] mind," he said yesterday. "I'd love to know that if the result had been different last week, would I have been playing this week.

"I hate missing any games, it is still the hard thing for me. It is a slightly selfish thing and it is something I have really tried hard to work on in my career.

"You always want the team to do well, but I am the sort of player who wants to contribute on the field.

"I find it frustrating sitting and having to watch or being on the bench.

"But saying that, because of what I have done in New Zealand and that the other players still look up to me a bit, I still can influence how we play on the field without even being out there," Marshall said.

He had taken that on board and was doing well yesterday to talk through his range of emotions, some of which he was keeping for the book he is launching after the Lions series and before his move to Leeds.

Marshall was working hard to keep the All Blacks at the level they had reached in Christchurch, one he labelled as "great".

His regret was the All Blacks did not get dry ball in the first test because he believed the side were very close to clicking in their use of possession rather than kicking for territory.

The team had to restrict some of their strategies because of the conditions, and that was one regret about not getting another chance this weekend.

He was not surprised the Lions had made so many changes. He felt they had to rid themselves of a lot of the weekend baggage and would be a danger.

"They have got too much [criticism] since the game not to have a better attitude. They will be really determined because the series is up for grabs for them, and for us."