WELLINGTON—New Zealand have delayed naming their team for Saturday's final Tri-Nations match against Australia as they consider making changes in the wake of last weekend's loss to South Africa.
All Blacks selectors have resisted the temptation to wield the axe so far this season but assistant coach Wayne Smith said changes could now be made with the honour of avoiding finishing bottom of the standings at stake.
"I don't want to say there's any element of panic but it's the reality that we've got a big test on the weekend and we've got to pick the right people to go out there and do it," Smith told reporters on Tuesday.
"We just want to make sure that everyone's earning the jersey, earning the right to be out there and is able to execute more accurately than we've done."
The All Black players were put on notice that changes were likely during a grueling two-hour training session on Tuesday.
None of the players have been told what the starting line-up against Australia will be and were on edge after the coaches experimented with a handful of different combinations during practice.
"There's a certain point when you've got to make some tough decisions and that's where we're at," Smith said.
"Just by not naming the team and changing them around at training, that puts them on notice."
The team was due to be named on Tuesday but the players faced the prospect of a sleepless night with the side to be announced on Wednesday, and even senior players warned their places were in jeopardy.
"Some players here have had a lot of opportunity this year," Smith said.
"But some things never change, it's not how many games you have in the jersey, it's what you do in it that counts.
"We've just got to make sure that we're raising th e standards and if that means changes in personnel, then that's what we'll do."
South Africa beat New Zealand 32-29 in Hamilton last Saturday to secure the Tri-Nations crown for the first time since 2004.
