Graham Henry has named his first test team of 2009, and for the second consecutive year it is a radically changed squad which many say has an air of vulnerability about it.

 

Unlike in 2008, where a European exodus tore the heart out of the All Black team, this year injury has torn the nucleus from not only the side, but Henry’s leadership group.

 

The All Black coach, who will be coaching his 64th All Black match, has explained that four of his six on field leaders from last year’s Northern tour are missing, in a team that features three debutants and six players with less than 10 test matches to their credit.

 

All up, it is an All Black team with just 356 tests in their starting XV, the weakest New Zealand test team in many years.

 

To truly put this into perspective, the players missing through injury are Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dan Carter, Rodney So’oialo, Richie McCaw, Jerome Kaino, Conrad Smith, Richard Kahui, and Ali Williams. 

 

At least six of them first choice All Blacks, and a small but elite group that equals 325 tests experience.

 

But most of whom—with the exception of Carter and Kahui—should be fit for the Tri Nations.

 

Only seven players featured in the starting XV against England last year are in the test team to play France; and only three players, Tony Woodcock, Mils Muliaina and Joe Rokocoko, featured in the corresponding clash against France in the quarter finals of the 2007 World Cup.

 

They will contest a French side only missing first choice captain Lionel Nallet, Morgan Parra and Imanol Harinordoquy; all ruled out prior to the original squad selection.

 

The first twenty two men of the squad arrived in New Zealand last week, complete except for the players in the Top 14 final featuring Perpignan and Clermont.

 

Those last eight are en route to New Zealand, with the exception of Aurelin Rougerie and Julien Bonnaire, who were ruled out after picking up injuries in the domestic French decider.

 

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