In opting for a core of half a dozen experienced, Super 12-conquering Canterbury Crusaders to play in their home city against the Lions this Saturday, Graham Henry appears to have made a relatively conservative selection. That said, he's also delving into a greater choice of proven combinations and in-form players.
Accordingly, Henry has chosen the more experienced Justin Marshall to play alongside Daniel Carter, with another Crusader at first centre in Aaron Mauger. Furthermore, no doubt mindful of the need for a back-up goalkicker to Carter, Henry has plumped for another experienced Crusader and All Blacks campaigner in the rejuvenated Leon MacDonald at fullback.
This is tough luck on some of those who played starring roles in the All Blacks' unbeaten tour of Europe last summer, which culminated in that extraordinary 45-6 rout of France in Paris.
Byron Kelleher, Conrad Smith and the brilliant, incumbent fullback Mils Muliaina, voted their player of the tour, all miss out to the Canterbury trio, with Smith not even making the bench. Up front, Ali Williams returns, and Keven Mealamu comes in for the injured Anton Oliver.
"This is the toughest and most difficult Test selection I've been involved in in my 13 games with the All Blacks," conceded Henry.
He admitted the Canterbury factor, and that this game takes place in their own Jade Stadium, was a consideration, especially with regard to the choice of Marshall, in his farewell series, over Kelleher. "It was a very close decision but Marshall has played all his rugby in Canterbury. It's his home ground."
Most probably, Marshall's greater physicality close to his pack and the forward exchanges as well as his big-match temperament - in preference to Kelleher's zippier pace and break - were even more important factors, with Henry probably right to expect a fair amount of fringe warfare with the Lions.
Marshall's selection for this one makes unarguable sense.
Henry also believes the presence of Mauger outside Carter, with captain Tana Umaga reverting to outside centre, gives the backline better balance.
"He has a good kicking and distribution game. He is part of a proven combination with the Crusaders and plays the type of game we want to play with the All Blacks."
MacDonald's return to the All Blacks comes after an absence of nearly two years - his last appearance was in the 2003 World Cup. After worrying concussion problems he played in Japan, before returning this season in what Henry described as "extraordinary" form in the Super 12.
"Leon's play for the New Zealand Maori was exceptional as well," said Henry, "His form is such he's forced his way into the line-up ahead of Mils Muliaina, who was the player of the tour at the end of last year."
Henry added: "There are a number of players who have been pretty unlucky really; Conrad Smith, Rico Gear, Byron Kelleher, Jono Gibbes and Greg Somerville, for example. They are playing good football, but we can only start 15."
Hooker Anton Oliver and flanker Mose Tuali'i were not considered because of injury, while Ma'a Nonu - one of the world's outstanding impact replacements at Test level - misses out on the 22-man squad to Rico Gear, the leading try scorer in the Super 12 and another Crusader.
Henry, doing his damnedest to persuade the New Zealand public and media the Lions might actually be halfway decent, commented: "As far as personnel are concerned, this is one of the strongest sides the All Blacks could play."
New Zealand XV
15. Leon MacDonald
14. Doug Howlett
13. Tana Umaga (capt)
12. Aaron Mauger
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu
10. Dan Carter
9. Justin Marshall
1. Tony Woodcock
2. Keven Mealamu
3. Carl Hayman
4. Chris Jack
5. Ali Williams
6. Jerry Collins
7. Richie McCaw
8. Rodney So'oialo
Replacements: Derren Witcombe, Greg Somerville, Jono Gibbes, Sione Lauaki, Byron Kelleher, Mils Muliaina, Rico Gear
First Test: Jade Stadium, Christchurch, Saturday, 8.10am Irish time
