The keyword for the second Bledisloe Cup Test in Auckland is “edge”.
The word popped up multiple times in both coaches’ press conferences after Ian Foster and Dave Rennie each made significant changes to the teams that fought out a dramatic 16-16 draw in the first Test at Wellington.
The All Blacks are looking for an enthusiasm injection from a bunch of young players after injuries and idiocy put the line through three experienced campaigners.
Veteran lock Sam Whitelock is out thanks to a head knock while winger George Bridge is sidelined with a pectoral muscle tear.
Centre Rieko Ioane has paid the price for his careless attitude to try-scoring and some defensive lapses.
Lock Tupou Vaa’I continues a meteoric rise to make his All Blacks starting debut at lock while powerhouse wing Caleb Clarke replaces Bridge to get his first starting run after a blockbuster Super Rugby season.
The experienced Anton Lienert-Brown replaces Ioane at centre.
Beauden Barrett’s return at fullback will frighten Wallabies fans but the selection that raised eyebrows was veteran hook Dane Coles being elevated to start ahead of Codie Taylor.
A robust and passionate character at the best of times, Coles’ presence in the front row wasn’t lost on Rennie.
“Dane’s got a real edge to his game so I can see that selection,” Rennie said.
“He’s a real athlete out in the wide channels and incredibly quick for a hooker – they don’t lose much between those two whether they start or come off the bench but he’ll certainly provide a bit more of an edge.”
“Edge” was used more than once by Foster after his debut as All Blacks coach was marked by a “passive” performance.
Asked if the All Blacks needed to make a statement in their last Test at home this season before flying to Australia, Foster was blunt.
“Is it time for a statement? Yes it is. We’re hurting and that’s the way it should be,” Foster said.
“I love these weeks. These are the weeks that there’s a real edge around the camp. Australia put a marker down and we have to respond.”
Foster said the All Blacks did the basics well in Wellington but did them without enough grunt.
“It was the most dominant scrum performance we’ve had for a while and I thought our lineout and drive went really well but our game management of how we used those as weapons was relatively poor,” Foster said.
“We got a little bit passive.”
Foster danced around Ioane’s demotion to the bench, moving the focus away from the try-scoring blunder towards defensive organisation.
“One of Anton’s strengths is decision-making around our organisation and we thought bringing him back in will give us a bit of an edge in that space.”
After being on the edge of defeat last week, expect the All Blacks to take things to a new level on Sunday.
New Zealand: Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jack Goodhue, Caleb Clarke, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (c), Shannon Frizell, Tupou Vaa’i, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ofa Tuungafasi, Dane Coles, Joe Moody. Res: Codie Taylor, Alex Hodgman, Nepo Laulala, Scott Barrett, Hoskins Sotutu, TJ Perenara, Rieko Ioane, Damian McKenzie.