The All Blacks have made two changes to their starting lineup for the 2nd test against the Boks.  One was enforced with Rene Ranger replacing the injured Rocket Man while the other is a slight surprise with Piri Weepu starting in front of Jimmy Cowan who is riding the pine this week.
 
The other change to the 22 man squad sees the magical Israel Dagg take the place of the often injured Richard Kahui.
 
The reason I say it is a bit of a surprise is that even though Cowan did not have his best game in the black jersey he has established himself as the number one halfback over the past 18 months & Weepu has been demoted to an impact role from the bench.  In fact the last time he started was against Scotland on the 2008 end of season tour & has made 13 appearances as a sub since then.  According to the selectors this was part of a plan?  Maybe the Cowan injury had more of an impact.  Probably the fact that its Piri's home ground came into it as well?
 
Anyway you can't blame them for making only minimal or enforced changes given the superb display last week.  This week is likely to be all about revenge again this time with the Boks having their desire for it.  Whereas the All Blacks had to wait almost a year to avenge their defeat in Hamilton, the Boks have only had to wait 7 days.
 
Before the test at Eden Park I thought the 2nd test in Wellington was the more important of the two tests as one team was going to be after revenge after a loss in Auckland. The challenge now for the All Blacks is to maintain their intensity from last week to combat what will be a very fired up Springbok outfit.  As previously stated the South Africans have taken last week's loss in their stride given this second chance this week.  However another loss before heading to Brisbane will have them under the blow torch from their demanding press & public (doesn't that sound familiar).
 
The key areas really remain the same for me;
 

• Wet weather conditions - more than likely to play a part in the Windy city.  Maybe Weepu's kicking game has been preferred for this reason.  The Boks really miss The General in this regard.

• Lineout - Can the All Blacks repeat last week's effort or more importantly will the Boks be as bad?  I doubt the later will occur & the Boks will look to bring their rolling maul in to play more.

• Intensity at breakdown - Goes with out saying - Burger will lead the charge for the Boks.  Can the All Blacks repel it again?

• Goal kicking & to this I add tactical kicking - I don't buy into the tactic of continually keeping the ball in play with long range kicks (especially if your lineout is working well).  Missed touch cost the All Blacks 6 points by my count last week.  Morne Steyn will need to perform to a higher standard as Januarie simply doesn't have a good kicking game.  Also tactical kicking is only as good as your chase - the Boks need to rectify the holes they left last week.

 
So given all that I expect a very tight encounter.  I hope that if the weather is poor the All Blacks play good percentage rugby rather than "trying to advance the game" which they keep talking about.  Last week will count for little if the All Blacks don't back it up this week so that motivation should just be enough.
 
All Blacks by four points.