New Zealand Maori have essentially ditched player rotation as they eye a potential Pacific Nations Cup rugby "final" against Australia A by fielding their strongest side against Samoa in Hamilton on Saturday.
After opting for vastly different lineups for wins over Tonga and Fiji, head coach Donny Stevenson today settled on his preferred 22 for the match at Waikato Stadium - a forerunner to the final round assignment against the Australians, the tournament's other unbeaten side.
That trans-Tasman match in Sydney on July 6 is likely to decide the title although the Australians still have to play Tonga and Fiji.
New Zealand Maori struggled at times against both Pacific island opponents and are also taking nothing for granted against a Samoan side yet to win a match.
Despite losing 17-34 to Fiji and 15-20 to Australia A, the Samoans arrived in Hamilton today with a squad laden with World Cup representatives.
They also appear a step ahead in terms of continuity, with their starting 15 featuring just three changes from the lineup in Sydney last weekend.
The Maori, meanwhile, made 10 personnel and positional changes, with Stevenson admitting there could still be some of the teething problems evident in two scratchy victories.
"From now on we have to try and establish combinations, especially around some critical pairings," he said.
Stevenson highlighted the loose forward trio, inside backs and midfield as areas most in need of solidifying.
Tournament-ending leg injuries suffered by Daniel Braid and Stephen Brett in the quagmire at Lautoka made that task easier with openside flanker Tanerau Latimer and first five-eighth Callum Bruce now clearly the first choices for those roles.
Former All Blacks halfback Piri Weepu is also restored to the starting lineup in the only other significant change to the back division.
The pack has undergone a makeover with only All Blacks lock Jason Eaton retaining the same jersey from last week.
Stevenson has chosen a new front row, Ross Filipo is back at lock for Issac Ross while co-captain Liam Messam has been restored to the blindside flank, allowing Thomas Waldrom to play off the back of the scrum.
While Stevenson indicated rotation had effectively ended, he said the front row was an exception with "not much" separating the favoured trio of Keith Cameron, Hikawera Elliot and Bronson Murray from the likes of Ben May, Aled de Malmanche and Jacob Ellison.
"There's an element of rotation about that and the guys know where they stand," Stevenson said.
"Some will get a couple of games, some will get three."
Braid's replacement, Scott Waldrom, has been named on the bench with Stevenson unconcerned about the Hurricanes flanker not having played since the Super 14 semifinal on May 24.
"Scott assures us he's ready to go, he's been in camp with Taranaki," he said.
Samoa feature a host of familiar names, including former North Harbour halfback Junior Polu, longstanding Highlanders lock Filipo Levi and Taranaki prop Census Johnston.
Former Kiwis and New Zealand Warriors rugby league wing Henry Fa'afili, named at centre, adds another interesting dimension.
The team management revised the squad to that announced yesterday and although the original starting line-up named remains intact for the match at Waikato Stadium the seven-man bench has been confirmed.
New Zealand Maori team, v Samoa in the third round of the Pacific Nations Cup at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Saturday:
Dwayne Sweeney, Shannon Paku, Tim Bateman, Tamati Ellison (co-capt), Hosea Gear, Callum Bruce, Piri Weepu, Thomas Waldrom, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam (co-capt), Jason Eaton, Ross Filipo, Bronson Murray, Hikawera Elliot, Keith Cameron.
Replacements: Aled de Malmanche, Jacob Ellison, Hoani MacDonald, Scott Waldrom, Chris Smylie, Jason Kawau, Zar Lawrence.
Samoa team:
Gavin Williams, Esera Lauina, Henry Fa'afili, Anitelea Tuilagi, David Lemi, Eliota Sapolu-Fuimaono, Junior Polu, George Stowers, Semo Sititi, Daniel Leo, Chad Slade, Filipo Levi (captain), Census Johnston, Loleni Tafunai, James Johnston.
Replacements: Simon Lemalu, Taligatuli Moala, Kane Thompson, Alafoti Faosiliva, Uale Mai, Roger Warren, Gasolo Salima.
Two reserves were missing when the match day squad was released while halfback Notise Tauafo has been omitted.