Radical Revamp Sends message
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All Blacks revamp 'sends a message' to players - McCaw
By some dodgy Shaky Isle scribe
Captain Richie McCaw has backed the radical revamp of the All Blacks, saying it showed there had to be consequences for bad performances.
McCaw leads out a side that features five personnel changes and two positional changes for the last Tri-Nations match of the season against Australia in Wellington on Saturday night.
The All Blacks need to win to avoid the tournament's wooden spoon and a possible drop to No3 in the world rankings.
The selectors reacted strongly to last week's loss against the Springboks, the team's fourth defeat of the season and one which saw the silverware head to South Africa.
McCaw felt the alterations provided some accountability for a disappointing and frustrating year.
"It sends a good message that if the team doesn't perform there are consequences," McCaw said.
"That's what has happened this week. I guess this year with injuries and stuff it has made it a little bit harder to do that but it has got to the point where that has obviously changed.
"A guy like Adam Thomson has been playing outstanding for Otago so deserves his chance there's no doubt about that."
Thomson gets his chance on form at No6 at the expense of Jerome Kaino who misses out on the 22-man squad altogether along with fellow forwards Isaac Ross and Owen Franks. That trio have been at the core of the All Blacks forwards all year.
The young rookies make way for Otago lock Tom Donnelly, who will be on debut 12 days short of his 28th birthday, and Wellington tighthead Neemia Tialata, who returns after being axed following the two earlier losses to the Boks in South Africa.
In the backs Dan Carter and Ma'a Nonu move in one position to their preferred five-eighths roles with Stephen Donald dropped to the bench. Isaia Toeava gets a recall at centre, and Cory Jane takes over for wing Sitiveni Sivivatu in the only change forced through injury.
McCaw says he is happy with the team.
"Definitely there has been a bit of an edge this week. It was said on Monday that not everyone was assured of just rolling on again so I think that's good and the guys that are coming in get a chance and I think that's good."
McCaw said the lapses in concentration that returned to haunt the All Blacks last week were "unacceptable".
"The coaches have pointed that out and we (the players) addressed that. The big thing is to not dwell on last week. You can't let that get on top of you. You take your learnings and move on."Fairfax
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/a...-players-McCaw
I hear John Mitchell is handing out the All Blacks jerseys...
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Originally Posted by rick boyd
