Kiwis wary of shift in form
2008-09-02 15:48
New Zealand - The All Blacks believe even a 5% shift in form can produce the 45-point hammering South Africa dished out to Australia in Johannesburg.
But they are confident a heavy win against Samoa at Yarrow Stadium on Wednesday night won't see them fall into the same trap that tripped the Wallabies.
South Africa's 53-8 win at Ellis Park on Sunday caught the All Blacks by surprise with coach Graham Henry having predicted a Wallaby win.
He based that on their win in Durban a week earlier which had consigned the Johannesburg Test to a dead rubber as the Tri-Nations will be decided in Brisbane next week. Some have suggested the Wallabies threw the Test, or at least didn't care about the result, but Henry said the scoreline was indicative of elite rugby.
"Obviously the Springboks were right on the edge and the Australians were not. That wee bit of difference in attitude makes a difference.
"When you have rugby of that nature and that quality, when you have one side not quite there and the other side is, it makes a huge difference in the result."
Convincing
Henry pointed to the All Blacks' game against Australia as proof and as a warning that they could not take the Wallabies lightly.
The All Blacks were soundly beaten 34-19 in Sydney in the first Bledisloe Cup test, yet a week later were just as convincing in their 39-10 win at Auckland's Eden Park.
If the All Blacks do run through Samoa on Wednesday night, there might be a concern that they get ahead of themselves next week.
"The game on Wednesday is going to be a challenge for the individual to make sure they are professional and do the job right. It's a matter of them preparing correctly," Henry said.
"The game in Brisbane is a winner-takes-all. You can't get any bigger than that."
Henry has made three changes to the team that started in the 19-0 win against South Africa in Cape Town last month. Skipper Richie McCaw (ribs), wing Sitiveni Sivivatu (ankle) and lock Brad Thorn (hamstring) were not considered. Prop John Afoa, who was a reserve at Newlands, is also out with a sore shoulder.
Blindside flanker
Henry said it wasn't worth risking the quartet with Australia around the corner. Ben Franks has been brought in to cover prop, but Henry has picked his playing 22 from his original squad.
It meant no call-up for Daniel Braid or Kevin O'Neill with Adam Thomson to start at openside and blindside flanker Jerome Kaino covering lock.
In McCaw's absence, Wellington's Rodney So'oialo will captain the All Blacks in his 50th Test and Chiefs' Sione Lauaki joins the reserves.
Henry said he expected all four injured players would be fit for the Brisbane Test, especially his talismanic skipper.
With so much riding on that Test, Henry was confident a big win against Samoa, coming after Australia's hiding, wouldn't see any complacency creep into the All Blacks.
"We were pretty poor [in Sydney] so you just have to cast your mind back to that. It's the last time we played in Australia [and] we got beaten soundly. We don't want that to happen again."
Meanwhile, Samoa have named their side for Wednesday night's Test and it's hardly full of household names.
Former Highlanders lock Filpo Levi will captain Samoa in their first test against the All Blacks since 2001, with former Hurricanes and Wellington flanker Semo Sititi at openside. Others who have garnered a bit of attention in New Zealand are No8 George Stowers and reserves Junior Poluleuligaga and Romi Ropati.
How they lineup
New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Richard Kahui, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Anthony Tuitavake, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Rodney So'oialo (captain), Adam Thomson, Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Anthony Boric, Greg Somerville, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Neemia Tialata, Sione Lauaki, Piri Weepu, Stephen Donald, Isaia Toeava, Rudi Wulf.
Samoa: Alatasi Tupou, Reupena Levasa, Pale Toelupe, Jerry Meafou, Esera Lauina, Uale Mai, Notise Tauafao, George Stowers, Alafoti Faosiliva, Semo Sititi, Chad Slade, Filipo Levi (captain), Heroshi Tea, Loleni Tafunai, Simon Lemalu.
Reserves: Lafoga Aoelua, Roysiu Tolufale, Maselino Paulino, Simaika Mikaele, Junior Poluleuligaga, Roger Warren, Romi Ropati.