Perfect season for All Blacks this weekend 14 from 14 ?

One of the great strengths of Steve Hansen as a rugby coach is his willingness to acknowledge when he hasn’t quite got something right, and then make the necessary adjustments next time around.

That’s helped him transition a very good team into a great side who, two years down the track, are on the verge of making history with professional rugby’s first perfect test year.

On Sunday , the All Blacks will seek to rack up their 14th victory from as many outings in 2013 by continuing their dominance over Ireland, who have never beaten them in 108 years of trying. They are within touching distance of a feat every bit as worthy as lifting the treasured Webb Ellis Cup.

They will attempt to do so with a lineup featuring seven changes from that which quelled the England fury at Twickenham – two enforced by injury, but the other five entirely discretionary. This is Hansen evolving as a head coach. This is Hansen acknowledging that he didn’t quite get it right a year ago.

This time last year, the All Blacks had also not lost a test – though they had drawn one – as they approached their finale against England at Twickenham. Their hosts had also just dropped back-to-back home matches against Australia (14-20) and South Africa (15-16).

Despite a week complicated by having to deal with the norovirus that ran through the team, Hansen made just three changes between the penultimate test against Wales and Twickenham, only one of which was a straight selection decision.

Keven Mealamu came in for the suspended Andrew Hore and a fit-again Dan Carter resumed in the No 10 jersey. The only selection flip was Brodie Retallick replacing Luke Romano.

Contrast that with Hansen’s approach this week, under eerily similar circumstances. Injuries to Tony Woodcock and Carter see Wyatt Crockett and Aaron Cruden get the nod, but he’s also brought in Andrew Hore (for Mealamu), Charlie Faumuina (for Owen Franks), Romano (for Retallick), Steven Luatua (for Liam Messam) and Cory Jane (for Charles Piutau).

“It would be easy to say we had to pick what we picked because of the virus – and I wouldn’t underestimate how badly it affected us – but even without the virus we would have picked the same team,” said Hansen.

“You’re right, we would not have been as energised as we would if we’d put some fresh people on the park.

“The honest answer is it is a reflection on what happened last year. We need to inject new legs in and hopefully those new legs will bring enthusiasm and excitement about playing and give us the energy levels we’re going to need.”

The attrition element was also factored in. His forwards, particularly, have carried a great load this year and Hansen has seen what happens when you send tired men out to do yeoman’s work.

“We’ve gone round the world twice, this will be our seventh test in nine weeks, and we’ve had some big, physical games. It’s the accumulation of a lot of travel and game-time. We need fresh legs and we’ve got ability sitting there fresh, so why not use them?”

There are two obvious exceptions. Ben Smith has started every test and played all but 49 minutes of them. And Kieran Read has missed only the Japan romp and not missed a second otherwise.

ALL BLACKS: Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Ben Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Julian Savea, Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith; Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Steven Luatua, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Charlie Faumuina, Andrew Hore, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Dane Coles, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Brodie Retallick, Sam Cane, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Ryan Crotty.

– © Fairfax NZ News