What biased Canterbury journo Knowler really means is "please resist rotating the Canterbury AB's". Knowler is happy for Kaino to be rested but don't interfere with the loose forward mix of McCaw and Read. Last time I checked No. 6 was a loose forward! Why not rest Read and don't tamper with Kaino and McCaw. Why not rest the aging Brad Thorn, he'll be lucky to make RWC 2011 if he's not rested soon. Maybe give Afoa a run instead of Franks. Of course not...they'e Cantabrians! It seems everyone else is expendable. Notice also how its the "legacy of the McCaw led" side and not the "legacy of Henry's coaching".

PHIG #3 Why all the fuss about Hosea Gear...this is why:-1. Joe Joe aint scored a try this season 2. did you see what Hosea Gear did against England playing for NZ Maori? 3. He was lead try scorer in NPC last year and will be again this year...your arguments are very week!

Here we go again, Good on ya Henry, I hope you rotate and fail, Wreaking our winning streak, Now I remember why I dont like you..

@Rugga Fan #3 you could not have got your assessment more wrong if you tried. The All Blacks conditioning coming into the last World Cup was absolutely key to us not performing.

We had a long season in 06 where we sent a full squad to the northern hemisphere, we then decided to sit out most of our players during the Super 14 and they became Gym and Sprint bunnies. During this time we had injuries to Mil Miliania, Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Kevin Mealamu, Keith Robinson to name a few. This is all typical of gym related injuries. We then pulled together the guys for the Tri Nations and we played against 2nd string South African who had come of the Super 14 competition well conditioned playing rugby, with proven combinations and a winning momentum. If you want guys conditioned to play rugby have them play rugby - Ritchie McCaw was the first one to say post the 07 world cup that was what the All Blacks lacked.

The other point about rotation again was a massive problem. Regardless of how professional the game is it has been proven time and time again that combinations between. Hooker and the lineout jumpers, 9 and 10, 12 and 13, 13 and 15 and the back three are things that work best when they are instinctive. This instinct comes about by consistent selections. This is absolutely critical to a players confidence also and again Aaron Mauger made a big point post world cup on both these important points. If you have a look at the positions I have highlighted above the line out and the midfield in particular have been positions that have let us down time and time again.

The positive news I think about all of this and also the main benefit of keeping on the same coaching staff is that they seem to also have acknowledged that these decisions last world cup were mistakes. I think the All Blacks have had a lucky season this season. We have played a lot of rugby against 14 men and the game in South Africa was perilously close to a loss.

I think the rest for the players that is described in the article above is about right on the mark and the small amount of rotation in particular around key positions for these end of year games should serve us well.

The key is not to over do rotation or reconditioning, ensure the "A" players know that they are that the "A" players, keep combinations instinctive and have the players conditioned mentally and physically to play rugby and we on the right track.

Jimmy Cowan better than Weepu? You dreamer.. Cowan is too slow, takes an age to make a decision. Weepu 1, Cowan shouldn't even be 2.

Sick to death about people (mianly if not only lions supporters) calling for Hosea to be in the team. the guy is not AB material and proves it time after time. He is big and runs fast so what. Can't tackle, can't take the high ball consitently just hangs out on the wing not looking for work... and can't kick i have seen props with more all round skill than him... Let it go

I just hope whoever pulls on that Black jersey plays with the passion it deserves and beats the Aussies. I don't want to sit in ANZ stadium again after an ABs defeat and listen to how great the Wallabies are.

So many armchair experts.

How about we let Graham Henry, Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen decide.

They seem to be making a lot of good decisions this year.

If you want to coach, I suggest you all become coaches and if so, a tip would be to leave your regional and personal biases behind.

Put the best we can out there.I think with Cruden taking Dan Carters place is enough at this stage.When the NH tour begins then start blooding players.As for Hosea Gear i've watched him in itm and can see change in his play,not scoring as much but workrate and defence are improving.Hope he gets a chance for end of year tour.

I really do think leave the team as much as possible. The way it works at the moment is close to perfect. The starting 15 gets stuck in and do their jobs, every one of them, and then our reserve bench adds impact and spark as the game goes on. Most of the players have proven so far that they can handle it at the top (Franks bros, whitelock, dagg). Playing Cruden this weekend I agree with though, because with his extra experience we will have almost every position on the field covered with more than capable backup. Bring on 2011