What's at stake as Scott Robertson shakes things up in San Diego

By Liam Napier

Opportunity knocks for a swathe of rookies, fringe starting contenders and the collective as the All Blacks soak in the San Diego sun and attempt to deliver a definitive statement to bookend the shaky start to the Scott Robertson era.

A one-off test against Fiji on the California coast is a world away from two knife-edge battles with England in New Zealand’s winter.

Hence the All Blacks’ desire to free the shackles.

Seizing the rare chance to dish out six debuts and usher in 11 changes, with Damian McKenzie, Sevu Reece, Ardie Savea and captain Scott Barrett the only returning starters from the second test victory against England at Eden Park, paints an experimental backdrop to the All Blacks’ final July test.

There are, however, no free passes in test rugby. Everything is earned.

Widespread change often disrupts performance as combinations lack the time to gel but after two scratchy wins, the All Blacks will be expected to win and win well.

“I don’t see it as a hindrance to our performance. We’ve been mixing and matching bodies over the last three or four weeks,” All Blacks assistant coach Jason Holland said of the raft of changes. “Everyone has been getting over their detail. The boys are in really good nick so there’s no worries or excuses around first game in.

“We intend everybody to get good time. With the heat it’s going to be important when the bench gets on they make a real impact.”

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission