The All Blacks are waging war with multiple injuries two weeks out from the Rugby World Cup but coach Steve Hansen says there’s nothing to panic about.
Hansen revealed a fresh batch of “slight niggles” in naming his team to face Tonga in Hamilton on Saturday, their last Test before mounting a defence of the Webb Ellis Cup in Japan.
Injuries to Crusaders pair Richie Mo’unga (shoulder) and Jack Goodhue (hamstring) had cropped up during the Bledisloe Cup series last month but Hansen said fellow-backs Sonny Bill Williams (calf) and Rieko Ioane (calf) were also affected, along with flanker Sam Cane (hamstring).
With lock Brodie Retallick carrying a shoulder injury that isn’t expected to heal for at least a month, Hansen adopted a cautious approach with those who weren’t 100 per cent.
The crunch opening pool game against the Springboks on September 21 was to the forefront of his thinking.
“The key for this game is that we want to give as many people as we think we’re going to use against South Africa, game time,” Hansen said.
“And obviously there’s some guys we didn’t want to use, because they’ve got slight niggles.”
There are five personnel tweaks to the team who demolished the Wallabies 36-0 at Eden Park three weeks ago.
Mo’unga’s injury has forced Beauden Barrett to return to his familiar role at five-eighth and prompted a recall for veteran fullback Ben Smith.
Smith gets a chance to prove himself in his 80th Test, following a dip in form that resulted in his axing for the second Wallabies clash.
Hansen backed the 33-year-old to put mounting pressure to one side and play with the confidence.
“I want to see Bender just being Bender – trust his instincts and don’t over-think things, just get out there and play, big smile on his face and enjoy it,” Hansen said.
“The problem is he’s lost his own inner self belief.
“It’s a fine line, self confidence. It’s about a couple of things going right, and then you’re away again.”
Inside centre Ryan Crotty and halfback TJ Perenara are the other promotions in the backline.
Hansen said it was critical for Crotty to get game time, having only returned to provincial action last week, two months after fracturing his thumb.
Lock Scott Barrett is among the reserves after serving a three-week suspension for his no-arms tackle on Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper in Perth.
Uncapped Josh Ioane is also on the bench, covering five-eighth in Mo’unga’s absence. The 24-year-old is the only player named who isn’t part of New Zealand’s World Cup squad.
ALL BLACKS: Ben Smith, Sevu Reece, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Kieran Read (capt), Matt Todd, Ardie Savea, Sam Whitelock, Patrick Tuipulotu, Nepo Laulala, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Res: Liam Coltman, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Angus Ta’avao, Scott Barrett, Luke Jacobson, Aaron Smith, Josh Ioane, Jordie Barrett.