No Pacific holiday for All Blacks
All Black coach Steve Hansen will use the upcoming Test against Samoa and the Rugby Championship as a trial for the World Cup.
Hansen, speaking to the media after naming his team to face Samoa in Apia on Wednesday, said he wants to field as many players as possible – either this week or in the Rugby Championship Tests against South Africa, Australia and Argentina – before his World Cup squad is named at the end of August.
He described Samoa as an "ideal challenge" to start their build up and has taken no chances with his forwards selection naming an eight with a combined 634 caps.
It is the same Richie McCaw-led pack that started the World Cup Final four years ago – with the exception of the now retired Brad Thorn, whose place is taken by Luke Romano, who already has 17 Tests under his belt.
However, the backline has more of an experimental look – given the absence of several seasoned players from the Hurricanes and Highlanders, who were involved in the Super Rugby Final at the weekend.
Israel Dagg has won the fullback slot, despite missing most of the Super Rugby season because of injury.
Outside scrumhalf Andy Ellis is Test centurion Dan Carter at flyhalf, to guide a backline that features Sonny Bill Williams and Ryan Crotty in the centres, along with Charles Piutau on the left wing and George Moala on the right.
"It's really important we establish this is a big Test," Hansen said.
"If we rock up there thinking it's about sunscreen and a holiday we will get thumped," the coach said, adding it would ideally take the All Blacks out of their comfort zone ahead of the World Cup.
"It presents us with things that we haven't had in front of us before, which I find great.
"I love those challenges because you find out about people in different circumstances.
"How well do they cope? How well don't they?
"When we have to name this [World Cup] team we want the people on the bus with the best mental fortitude in the group, because it's going to take a lot of mental fortitude to win the world Cup."
Wednesday's Test will be the first time the All Blacks have played Samoa.
The All Blacks have won all five Tests played against Samoa in New Zealand, with the closest result being 35-13 in the inaugural match in 1993 and the biggest margin being the 101-14 scoreline in the most recent Test in 2008.
