All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has acknowledged that telling veterans TJ Perenara and Beauden Barrett they were on the bench for the Test against the Springboks in Cape Town was a "tough conversation".
In seeking to bounce back from last weekend's defeat in Johannesburg and retain the Freedom Cup on Sunday morning NZT, Robertson has selected rookie Cortez Ratima, who has played five Tests, at halfback ahead of Perenara, who has played 85.
Will Jordan, who has started at fullback only once in 34 Tests, will wear the No.15 jersey ahead of Barrett, who has played 129 Tests.
"It's a tough conversation," Robertson said. "They're great team men and have been around for a long time … if they need to come on and finish the job they will.
"You need to be really respectful in those conversations and talk about the reasons why, but they understood. They want to start, they want to be out there for the majority of the match, but it's just how we finish the match which is the key."
Apart from dropping Rieko Ioane to the bench for the defeat against Argentina in Wellington, Robertson has resisted the urge to be ruthless with his selections, but, metaphorically speaking, he has bared his teeth a little more in Cape Town.
Last weekend's final quarter in the 31-27 defeat at Ellis Park was a big issue for the All Blacks, although they were hampered by a yellow card to Ofa Tu'ungafasi and some of the decision making by their game drivers.
The major problem for the All Blacks is that final quarters have been an issue for most of the year. For whatever reason, they have not finished games well — apart from their victory over England at Eden Park in July — and it's not surprisingly something that Robertson is keenly aware of.
It also contrasts with the Boks and their "Bomb Squad", their notorious reserves who revel in their own identity, unlike the All Blacks, apparently.
It was a message repeated by midfielder and vice-captain Jordie Barrett, who said: "We didn't finish the game well last week and we haven't for a few weeks. Hopefully we can close the game out in the last quarter if we get the opportunity. It's been a big focus for us."
In all honesty, that's not the only focus for the All Blacks and Robertson, who has taken a punt on the future with the selection of Ratima, 23, and blindside flanker Wallace Sititi, a 21-year-old about to start his first Test after coming on as a reserve in his previous two this year.
The other point of note about the Chiefs player, who is replacing the injured Ethan Blackadder (hamstring), is that he normally plays No.8. "It's a big change but I've prepared well for it during the week," he said.
Sititi, a North Harbour representative, began the year as a development player for his franchise and is now about to start a Test against the world champions. "I'm still feeling a bit overwhelmed but I'm just excited and keen to get into it," he said.
Robertson has not doubt about his potential. "He's a hell of an athlete and built for these sorts of games," the head coach said. "He's a great defender with a great skillset and we've been impressed with him over this month and believe with Ethan's injury it's his time."
Robertson, also unable to select Caleb Clarke (back), another who excelled in Johannesburg, confirmed loose forward Luke Jacobson had been selected on the bench ahead of a fit Dalton Papali'i, unavailable for last week due to a thumb injury, and Samipeni Finau, who was on the bench at Ellis Park.
Robertson is not only hoping for more consistency throughout the 80 minutes from his players, he's hoping for the same from the officials. Englishman Matt Carley has the whistle this week after Ireland's Andrew Brace made several big calls against the All Blacks at Ellis Park.
He will also be expecting a response from his men, something that Jordie Barrett suggested was coming.
"Obviously there's a bit of disappointment lingering from last week and we want to right a few wrongs," Barrett said. "It's been a good week so far … it's another big challenge against a very good side."
Robertson was unaware of the Boks' line-up when he spoke to the media on Thursday night but was expecting more of the same in terms of attitude.
"When you're the world No.1 you always turn up," he said. "We expect everything. They have creativity in their group as well. It will be another hell of a Test match."
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