KEY POINTS:
Demoted All Black Aaron Mauger says a muddled defensive display against Australia and Luke McAlister's mercurial form are behind the change of status for the two second five-eighths.
McAlister won the race for the most hotly contested New Zealand jersey when coach Graham Henry named what he termed his "best side" for the return clash with the Wallabies at Eden Park here on Saturday.
Mauger agreed with Henry's assessment that McAlister was in the better form and deserved his shot to link again with developing centre Isaia Toeava.
"On form, he's the man for the job and that's the way the coaches see it. I've got to back that decision," said Mauger, who believed McAlister may have inched in front with a bright showing in the 33-6 win over South Africa last weekend.
"He had some good opportunities to run the ball and broke the line. He stood out, I thought he played a great game."
Mauger said feedback from Henry was that he had played well in the first French test, against Canada and in the Springboks' test at Durban but had let himself down defensively when Wallabies centre Stirling Mortlock cut through he and McAlister -- playing out of position at centre -- more than once in the 15-20 loss last month.
"(It was) probably just not communicating on defence and getting those lines right. Probably just a couple of technical things we need to work on," Mauger said.
Wallabies skipper Mortlock today expressed surprise he wouldn't be lining up against the Canterbury veteran.
"To be honest I thought Mauger might have come back into the reckoning. No doubt Luke will be looking to have a big game in his rightful spot. He's a class player and I'm sure he wants to send out a message," Mortlock said, dismissing a suggestion he was personally responsible for Mauger's fall.
"Not at all. I've got a lot of respect for him (Mauger) as a player and what he brings to the All Blacks team. We'll still do our analysis on individual players and look at where we can make inroads."
While Mauger has a proven combination with provincial teammate and All Blacks first five-eighth Daniel Carter, McAlister made huge strides on last year's tour to Europe, starting in the record defeat of France at Lyon and the demolition of Wales at Cardiff.
Mauger missed all but the first test against England because of injury and saw the gap close further during the Super 14.
"I thought he (McAlister) was awesome, probably one of the best players in the Super 14 and I knew it was going to be a big call, whoever played."
Mauger has racked up 42 tests since his debut six years ago and was determined to fight hard for a starting berth in the big games at the World Cup.
"I suppose there's not too many opportunities left to get out on the field and show that," he said.
"It's obviously a bit disappointing but my main focus is the team's cause and to help the guys who are playing like Luke and Ice (Toeava)."
Mauger dismissed a conspiracy theory that he was paying the price for newspaper comments last week on the All Blacks' rotation policy, in which the 26-year-old vented frustration at not being able to start every week.
He stood by the comments but said there was no chance the coaches would have exacted retribution with their selections.
"Not at all, they're above that sort of thing, they're probably not that shallow."
- NZPA
