The All Blacks look set to rest Richie McCaw and Dan Carter for their tour to South Africa where they will play the Springboks in Port Elizabeth.
The Springboks toured Australia and New Zealand with a second string team and the All Blacks looks set to return the favour.
The All Blacks match against the Springboks is their last match before they kick off the Rugby World Cup and All Black coach Graham Henry looks set to name a 24 strong squad to South Africa.
The match on the 20th of August is the All Black selectors last chance to finalised their Rugby World Cup squad of 30 so they will use the match to have a last look at players.
The injured trio of Israel Dagg, Richard Kahui and Isaia Toeava all played in the ITM Cup over the weekend and will play one more match this week before they join the All Blacks if they aren’t injured.
While Sitiveni Sivivatu will miss the match against the Springboks after he fractured his left eye socket but prop John Afoa has recovered from his own injured eye socket and looks set to travel to South Africa.
Colin Slade is likely to be named in Dan Carter’s place for the Springboks match and Adam Thomson will get a run at openside in place of McCaw.
Coach Henry has hinted that he may also rest other experienced players such as Kieran Read and Brad Thorn.
This is disgusting behavior by the NZers. How can they disrespect the 3N like this? What about the agreement to always play your best [uninjured) team?
At least get them to present sick notes.