TOBY ROBSON - The Dominion Post
Major changes to their own test side are of less concern to the All Blacks coaches than the improvements and adjustments they believe Australia have made since the teams last met.
First-five Aaron Cruden, blindside Victor Vito and fullback Israel Dagg are expected to be named in the run-on side today, with Piri Weepu and Owen Franks both in line for test recalls.
But All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith said the team's game plan was dictated less by selections than an analysis of the opposition.
"We make adjustments for every game. We have a general approach to the game which I think everybody has been able to see, but tactically there are things that you alter depending on who you are playing and what you want to achieve.
"We also have an expectation that, no matter who is there, that won't change. We wouldn't change so much for the people we are bringing into the team. It's more for the opposition we are playing.
"We will be playing the same way with Aaron as we would if Daniel [Carter] was playing. We haven't made any adjustments there."
In other words, the coaches give the side the plan and they are expected to use the skills that got them selected to execute it.
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