Rotation policy kept on straight path

The All Blacks' much publicised rotation policy has seemed more myth than reality this season with the selectors continually fielding what they consider to be their strongest side. That may well change, though, in the remaining tests.

Team selections for the next two Tri Nations tests will not be radical but they will afford opportunity for some fringe contenders to get an extended run.

Before the test programme kicked off this season, the coaching panel highlighted their desire to rest senior players and blood lesser-known faces during the Tri Nations. But a combination of injuries, player uncertainty with the policy and the pressure to win, forced a rethink.

Assistant coach Steve Hansen said injury has been the most disrupting factor, preventing the selectors from controlling selections the way they would have liked.

Hansen said Carl Hayman probably would've been granted some time off during the Tri Nations if an infected leg hadn't kept him out of the last two Lions tests. Greg Somerville, too, may have had a rest, but as the only prop capable of covering both sides of the scrum, that luxury will not be extended his way.

"You have all the intentions with your planning," Hansen said. "But the system has to be flexible enough to cope with change. New Zealanders, players and coaches included, want to win every test. So looking at the games ahead, we have to respect those games for what they are and take the opportunities to build the squad.

"It is not always about game time. James Ryan is getting a little bit of field time and will probably get some more. It is about building momentum and making sure we win games. For someone like John Afoa to have the opportunity to walk out in his kit in front of 80,000 people, you can't buy that experience.

"He's had a few weeks with scrum coach Mike Cron and, again, that is hugely important. If these guys can get comfortable with all the things we do off the field, then I believe it will make the actual playing side that bit easier."

Hansen also hinted that plans to rest Tana Umaga were not necessarily well received by the skipper. "I think that's because he is playing as good as he has ever played in his life. He doesn't know how much longer he is going to play for, so play him. While he is in the form he is in, he wants to play and lead the side and we have to respect that."

The reason the All Black coaching panel are keen to juggle their resources is that they believe the only way to win the World Cup in 2007 is to have a pool of 30 genuine test players.

Leadership is a skill the coaches have prioritised and Hansen believes the policy is bearing fruit. He has no doubt that if the All Blacks had gone 13-0 down against both South Africa and Australia 12 months ago, they wouldn't have had the mental equipment to mount a recovery.

"I think the leadership within the group has grown hugely. That was reflected in the performances. To come from behind in both Sydney and Cape Town - and I know we didn't carry on in South Africa - is a sign of the composure that is in this group. To be able to come from 13 points behind in Sydney, regardless of what you think the opposition were like, is a major achievement. We know we can play better and that we have a lot of improvements to make but the fact we won that game has to be acknowledged.

"The difference between the team now and last year is immense. We saw that in France and we saw it in the Lions series. It's ongoing, though. As soon as you get comfortable you find someone comes along and hits you on the head with a big hammer. But that is the job of me, Graham [Henry] and Wayne [Smith] to make sure things keep going and the leadership keeps growing with it."

Hansen said he and his fellow coaches will gather on Monday to discuss the All Black team for the South Africa test in Dunedin.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY