Ten All Blacks won’t take to the field at all before the season-ending tour to Hong Kong, where they take on Australia, and Europe in six weeks time, while others re-enter provincial rugby at various stages – several for just one game.
Wales play New Zealand in the climactic match of their tour of the UK and Ireland on Saturday 27th November and will be looking to build on their own performances in the land of the long white cloud this summer in front of a likely sell-out home crowd at Millennium Stadium.
But, since Wales pride restoring close fought 29-10 defeat in Waikato in June, the All Blacks have gone through the Tri Nations Series in formidable form, remaining unbeaten, and Henry plans to maintain that form on tour by resting his key players now.
“We just thought we’d make sensible decisions about players who have played a huge amount of rugby during the Super competition and now the All Blacks’ season,” said Henry. “Most of them are starting players for the All Blacks team.”
Henry has also admitted he is considering travelling north this November without a backup hooker or scrum-half in his squad, to make room for World Cup contenders in other positions.
Touring squads usually take three hookers and scrum-halves due to the time required to fly out a replacement, but the desire to expose certain players to the Test environment could see the All Blacks take a gamble, with just two specialists in each of those positions in a 30-man squad.
“It’s just there’s so many players that we think need an opportunity, taking three hookers and three halfbacks will decrease that possibility,” he said.
“(Prop) John Afoa can play hooker, that could come into the equation. Maybe there’s another back in the squad who can play halfback at a pinch.”
Henry said it was “a possibility” that young fly-halves Aaron Cruden and Colin Slade could both tour as backups to Dan Carter while it is also likely that an extra loose forward tours as the search to find a capable backup to Richie McCaw continues.
Third-choice scrum-half Alby Mathewson would seem most likely to miss out. Hooker Corey Flynn is also not assured of a place with Andrew Hore returning from a dislocated shoulder.
Tickets for the Autumn Series at the Millennium Stadium are available now from http://www.wru.co.uk/tickets Or via telephone at 08442 777888 and to Personal callers: Cardiff Arms Store, 8 Westgate Street, Cardiff.
Saturday fixtures against the Wallabies, on 6th November, the Springboks, on 13th November and the All Blacks, on 27th November are priced at £25, £40, £60, £65 and £70, with the Friday night clash with Rugby World Cup Pool D opponents Fiji priced at just £20 and £25 with a children and concessions available for just £10.
Official hospitality packages can be purchased from just £99 per person for Wales v Fiji at the official Millennium Stadium website: www.millenniumstadium.com
Prices start at £169 for games against Australia and South Africa and from £179 for New Zealand – packages include a ticket located in the best seats of the house, a complimentary match programme and a guest speaker from the world of rugby.
