KEY POINTS:
All Black Nick Evans will not be worried if he is named at fullback today for this weekend's test against South Africa in Christchurch.
Many thought the utility may have been called into that position against Australia in Melbourne before Mils Muliaina was finally shunted back.
Evans has shown great form this season but at first five rather than at the back. However, he said he would be quite comfortable making the mental change from "ruck magnet" to custodian.
He said there is a mental difference between the two positions with a first five following the ruck around, whereas a fullback has to stay back and keep the width.
And while Evans said he would be happy to take the custodian duties, he concedes it has been a while since he last donned the number 15 jersey. His first four tests were at fullback in 2004 and he has not started there since.
It is more likely that Muliaina will play at fullback with Isaia Toeava or Conrad Smith at centre for Saturday's test when the team is named at 1.30pm today.
Smith and lock Keith Robinson will have final fitness assessments this morning.
Halfback Brendon Leonard and hooker Andrew Hore have not yet featured in the Tri Nations but could also be named in the 22.
Meanwhile, All Blacks second five Aaron Mauger has launched into test week by again bringing up the off the ball tactics on Richie McCaw.
Mauger was an outspoken critic of the Springboks after the Tri-Nations game in Durban.
He voiced his discontent after that match at a number of incidents in which McCaw came off second best.
Mauger said that sort of play has no part in the game, and seeing guys like McCaw get smacked when they are nowhere near the ball is unnecessary.
Speaking from the team's camp in Christchurch, Mauger said that while he is not one to shy away from contact on the field, what regularly happens to the New Zealand captain is not right.
- NZ HERALD STAFF, NEWSTALK ZB
