Wellington - New Zealand will rest at least four key players for Saturday's Tri-Nations Test against South Africa in a decision which is unlikely to win favour with all of its supporters.
Assistant coach Wayne Smith confirmed on Monday that Crusaders forwards Brad Thorn, Owen Franks and Kieran Read and Blues hooker Keven Mealamu will be released from the All Blacks squad this week to recuperate from tiring Super Rugby campaigns.
Smith said the All Blacks coaches were sticking to a plan to manage the workload of players to ensure none burned out before the World Cup. But New Zealand fans have been wary of such policies since 2007 when a similar move to rest players backfired at that year's World Cup.