Rugby: All Blacks finding their feet on unfamiliar turf

All Black Assistant Coach Wayne Smith. Photo / Kenny Rodger

When the All Blacks attempt to put the boot into the Wallabies for an eighth successive Bledisloe Cup rugby test on Saturday they will probably wear "old school" studs for safety reasons.

Once associated with the halcyon days of rucking, technological developments have seen the studded boot usurped by the All Blacks' usual footwear of choice, a moulded "blade" designed sole.

But they are likely to step back in time here at Etihad Stadium because of concerns about the playing surface.

The quality of the indoor venue's ground has been in focus this year after a number of AFL players suffered hamstring and ligament injuries while running on the turf.

Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett is a long-time critic of the surface, and yesterday argued it should be replaced by astroturf.

Detractors point out Etihad shares the same problem as Cardiff's Millennium Stadium in that the retractable roof does not allow for enough natural light to fall on the surface, so grass growth is affected.

All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith yesterday said team management would look to minimise the risk to players. "We'll probably wear studs instead of blades. We've heard the blade chops the surface up a wee bit because they have such good traction and it [the ground] gives way," he said. "The studs seem to slide through a bit better."

Smith said they had sought the advice of kicking coach Mick Byrne, who played 167 Aussie Rules games for Melbourne, Hawthorn and Sydney.

Stadium management maintains the ground is safe and stable while the AFL has said its medical data found injuries were no more prevalent at Etihad compared to other venues.

Meanwhile, the All Blacks' scheduled captain's run on Friday has been scrapped because the ground is being prepared for the AFL match between St Kilda and Essendon later that night.

The team will instead familiarise themselves with the venue on Thursday, but will not be allowed on the ground.

But the goalkickers can practice on Friday morning when rugby posts will be in place after it was initially feared Dan Carter would have to aim at four-poled AFL goals.

Carter has a sound record at the venue, known as the Telstra Dome when he last played there during the 2003 World Cup. In the pool match against Italy he converted six of the All Blacks' 11 tries. Six days later against Canada the All Blacks crossed 10 times and Carter converted nine.

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The Australian Rugby Union will appeal against the two-match ban Quade Cooper received for a dangerous tackle against South Africa, hoping to have the suspension overturned so that the Wallabies first five-eighths can play against New Zealand on Saturday. NZPA