New Zealand coach Graham Henry on Tuesday made 10 changes to the team that beat England when he named his side to take on France in the first of two Tests in Lyon on Saturday.
His decision to ring the changes from the side who outplayed the reigning world champions 41-20 at Twickenham had been widely anticipated.
”We felt it was important to have fresh legs for this match against the strongest team in the northern hemisphere,” Henry said. ”We basically left New Zealand with the idea to try as many players as possible in the first two Tests.
But both Henry and backs coach Wayne Smith insisted that the tourists want to win both games against the French, the second coming at the Stade de France in Paris on November 18.
Proof of this they said is in the fact that key players flyhalf Dan Carter, flanker and skipper Richie McCaw and winger Joe Rokocoko are all in the line-up for the Lyon match.
The other two players to play for a second straight time are props Carl Hayman and Tony Woodcock, who this time will bookend experienced hooker Anton Oliver.
”We dropped three wingers so one winger had to play [to explain why Rokocoko, who played against England, is in the team again]. We chose an experienced first row, because we think we need it in this Test against probably the best scrum in the world”.
Henry paid tribute to the French, who are favoured to meet the All Blacks in the World Cup final in Paris a year from now, and he said that despite the record win over England on their home turf, there is still room for improvement in his side.
”Individually we were OK, but collectively we had a few problems,” he said. ”We were pretty rusty defensively and didn’t get into position quickly enough.”
Smith was equally as effusive about the talents of the French squad, saying the games against them will be the biggest of the year for the All Blacks.
”The idea is these 10 [new] players play, we review the game against England and this Test and we mix it to make the best team for Paris. But we want to win in Lyon and in Paris,” he said.
The All Blacks reserves will be named later in the week, pending a decision on the fitness of prop Neemia Tialata. First five-eighth Nick Evans was not considered for selection due to injury. — Sapa-AFP