Rugby: Tri Nations casualties expected

There will be selection casualties this morning, with All Black coach Graham Henry revealing that some tough decisions have to be made about the make-up of the Tri Nations squad.

Benson Stanley, Adam Thomson and Zac Guildford were viewed as the most likely to get the chop prior to last night but arguably Thomson and Guildford did enough to save their positions.

Stanley, having done little wrong, came off early in the second half with a tight hamstring and that might be his last involvement for a while.

Luke McAlister was called into the squad late last week as cover for Dan Carter, who was struggling with a calf injury, and Ma'a Nonu is believed to be making good progress with his injured knee.

Thomson, who curiously came on at lock, brought some energy and dynamism with his work rate from an unfamiliar position and presumably did enough to save his place.

We wanted to give Adam an opportunity, said Henry. We have some selection issues going on.

It was that desire to give Thomson an extended run and the need to protect Tom Donnelly that saw the Otago flanker introduced in the middle row. When Kieran Read's calf stiffened shortly after, that saw Sam Whitelock introduced and Thomson returned to the loose forwards.

It would have frustrated Thomson as much as it did captain Richie McCaw that the game never found a flow in the final quarter. When it's fast and open, Thomson is at his best, but the Welsh dug in and made life hard.

When we did get down their end it was penalties, said McCaw. It would have been nice if we could have scored more tries, but those penalties put them out of the game.

Guildford's work rate was impressive and that's all he could offer as there was limited open space. He'll have a nervous night waiting to see if he makes it, but it would be a surprise if he's let go now.

Hosea Gear has won his admirers in recent weeks for his work with the Maori, but he doesn't defend as well as Guildford or work as hard for his fullback.

It's going to be difficult because some good players are going to miss out, said Henry of his Tri Nations squad. We have a number of options now that were not there at the start of the year. Henry wasn't able to say how many players would be named today but the expectation is 30.

It's probable that another hooker possibly John Afoa will be called up, although Corey Flynn would be the safer option. A third halfback is also likely and Alby Mathewson is possibly the man the selectors might want to bring in. He's a runner and offers a point of difference to the two incumbents.

Rene Ranger, despite ignoring a two-man overlap, was given a tick for his 30-minute cameo by Henry and his ability to beat players and pull off the seemingly impossible could see him retained.