Dodging and diving - before the game

By WYNNE GRAY in Wellington

Tri-Nations test shenanigans went to another level yesterday as the Springboks refused to settle on their side and All Black staff hunted and dodged the media.

Springbok coach Rudolf Straeuli cut his squad by two to 22 at their Brisbane base, but said he could not be more specific until his side arrived in Wellington early today and studied the conditions.

That judgment once more raised questions about the Springboks' decision to stay and train in the warmth of Brisbane, where they play the Wallabies next week, rather than travelling to New Zealand to get acclimatised to the wet winter weather.

All Black coach John Mitchell has taken conditions into account, especially in retaining his back three and consigning Jonah Lomu to the bench.

"We considered the ball in behind us and the work there and off the ball which needs to be done," he said yesterday.

"The way we worked in Christchurch was to chase and force the Wallabies to kick, and we had faith in our back three to cut those off, use it or return it.

"This team is about what we do and rewarding performance."

Mitchell's comments came after some earlier pantomime moments at training and at the team hotel.

The All Blacks practised at Newtown at a ground surrounded by native bush. When they began their lineout drills, the regular request went out to the photographers not to take any shots.

But someone thought they saw a reflection from a lens in the scrub. Team manager Andrew Martin, a former colonel in the SAS, scurried towards the undergrowth on a sortie to see if there were any infiltrators.

Someone yelled mock instructions just to keep him interested.

Back at the hotel, Mitchell, who had agreed to several interviews, including one with the Herald, saw a group of about 10 media readying for a group discussion and retreated.

Many of his players had done group interviews, but he refused.

However, he rang later and explained that he had not planned to speak to a huge group.

All this came on top of the midnight naming of the side, apparently a tactic dreamed up by the marketing people at the New Zealand Rugby Union after the team was revealed last week before the public training session where everyone focused on Lomu's omission.

Around those decisions there was also the revelation that the union had hired an independent public relations firm, Porter Novelli, to deal with the fallout after the board discusses tomorrow the Eichelbaum report into the loss of the World Cup sub-hosting rights.

The on-field reports were strong for the All Blacks, with lock Chris Jack and centre Mark Robinson getting through a full session after their leg strains.

Lineouts were given serious concentration, with hooker Mark Hammett sure they would conquer some of the failings against the Wallabies.

"We have been over it. We lost six, they lost four," he said.

"I think three out of my 21 were bad throws, three were a combination of missed calls and lifting issues."

He had not dwelt on the dreadful pass he threw when the All Blacks had a rare overlap.

"It was a shocker. I tried to pass to the man next to me but the ball just went with the wet.

"There was no excuse - you can't have any.

"But apart from that I think it was the best test I have had all year in the scrums and the tight. It was a tough night for lineouts."

After missing most of last year with injury, Hammett said there was no point in getting morose if things went astray in a match.

"After Christchurch we have a better idea on what works. We mixed things up and I think that will help us this week."

The Boks left utility Brent Russell and hooker Delarey du Preez out of their 22, included uncapped loose-forward Hendro Schultz, and named Corne Krige as captain.

Mitchell said he was not fooled by the messy Super 12 form of the South African sides or the departure of a group of experienced players.

"They are left with a group who have shown good progress and who are passionate to play for the Springboks."

Springbok squad: Werner Greeff, Stefan Terblanche, Breyton Paulse, Dean Hall, Marius Joubert, Adrian Jacobs, De Wet Barry, Andre Pretorius, Johannes Conradie, Neil de Kock, Bob Skinstad, Joe van Niekerk, Hendro Scholtz, Corne Krige (capt), AJ Venter, Victor Matfield, Jannes Labuschagne, Faan Rautenbach, Willie Meyer, Ollie le Roux, Lawrence Sephaka, James Dalton.