Radical philosophy paying off for All Black selectors

Carl Hayman and Richie McCaw in training. Ross Land / Getty Images

Convention has not clouded the philosophy of the All Black selectors.

They have nudged the nation into accepting their viewpoints, backed by a record of beating the World Cup holders, taking out the Lions, retaining the Bledisloe Cup and claiming a Grand Slam.

Switching Daniel Carter to first five-eighths while easing the experienced Andrew Mehrtens out of the scene was a master-stroke.

Grooming others like Sitiveni Sivivatu, Piri Weepu, Tony Woodcock, Jason Eaton and James Ryan for test rugby and beefing up the scrum power have been successful projects.

They have been potent arguments against those who accuse the panel of corrupting the traditions of New Zealand rugby with their extended squads, split groups and rotational selections.

Coach Graham Henry signalled a cutback in the experiments this season but not a reduction in auditions for contenders being sifted for the long-term World Cup project.

When the initial 24-strong All Black squad was revealed for the start of their test programme against Ireland on Saturday, it appeared as though the selectors would pick a standard XV.

But yesterday they produced another curve ball with their decision to use captain Richie McCaw and Marty Holah as twin openside flankers at Hamilton.

It was a further departure from the accepted All Black practice of using a bulky blindside loose forward with a speedy flanker and suggests a free-ranging attacking mindset.

"Our aim is to play two quick guys initially and to bring other people on who are better off coming in as substitutes because they've played a lot of football," Henry said.

"It will increase our mobility and will give us two sevens at the tackle area."

Holah appeared to have slipped in the All Black rankings when he was used once, as a substitute, last year and then bypassed for Chris Masoe for the Grand Slam tour.

The Wallabies have used speedsters Phil Waugh and George Smith in tandem with telling effect, including their 2003 World Cup semifinal victory against the All Blacks. That system was forced on them because they lacked a bulky blindsider.

New coach John Connolly has ditched the practice, saying the Wallabies needed a ball-carrying No 6 who would also boost their lineout avenues.

The All Blacks have revived the concept, which they have used once before under Henry's command when McCaw and So'oialo played against Wales in the narrow 26-25 win in 2004.

That decision will be the main debate about the All Black side, which includes test debuts for prop Clarke Dermody and lock Greg Rawlinson and the chance of a similar reward for reserves Scott Hamilton, David Hill and Jerome Kaino.

Blindside flanker was a jocular discussion topic among the Irish yesterday, with Neil Best the solitary choice to disturb an all-Munster pack.

Coach Eddie O'Sullivan has gambled that Ronan O'Gara will survive the test unscathed as he has no five-eighths backup on the bench. Fullback Geordan Murphy will swap roles if necessary.

The Irish side showed two changes from their last outing, with Best and lock Donncha O'Callaghan needed to replace several injured forwards.

O'Callaghan will provide a formidable locking combination for Ireland with Paul O'Connell, two Lions from last year who are intent on some redress for that tour.

When the All Blacks lost senior lock Ali Williams to an ankle injury, another senior lock, Chris Jack, was recalled to the squad and the starting XV. That outcome showed the selectors were never going to use the Blues duo of Greg Rawlinson and Troy Flavell at lock.