All Blacks must battle to cover "missing five"

The All Blacks must again battle to cover for the "missing five" if they are to avoid a start of historically bad proportions to 2009.

On only three occasions have New Zealand begun their season with consecutive test defeats -- by Australia in 1929, South Africa in 1949 and France in 1994 -- but another will be added if France can repeat their Dunedin heroics in the second test here tonight.

Coach Graham Henry has at least named a stronger starting side than ran onto Carisbrook for the 27-22 humbling last Saturday.

The addition of centre Conrad Smith, flanker Jerome Kaino and hooker Keven Mealamu means there are five forwards and five backs featuring from the team who thrashed England 32-6 at Twickenham than six months ago to complete a dominant Grand Slam tour.

The problem for Henry are the five names still missing.

Winger Sitiveni Sivivatu, first five-eighth Daniel Carter, No 8 Rodney So'oialo, flanker Richie McCaw, and lock Ali Williams are five key playing planks around which Henry has forged much of his success.

In their respective places tomorrow are players still cutting their teeth at test level -- Cory Jane, Stephen Donald, Kieran Read, Tanerau Latimer and Isaac Ross.

The groups have a combined test cap difference of 260, that gulf in experience exposed last week by a French team who were committed but by no means of world class standard.

Also, fullback Mils Muliaina is still finding his feet as captain in McCaw's absence, leaving Henry contemplating the steep nature of a challenge that he has never encountered in the home June tests.

"It's good for us," Henry said.

"Nobody likes losing, particularly this group. The big thing is that you learn from it and if we haven't learned from last week's game, we're in trouble.

"It's another week together, a tight group of people. They've worked well this week and there's an edge there."

France will be brimming with belief, confident their forwards can repeat the muscular deeds of last week, shutting down the space for a New Zealand backline who played with greater attacking intent but lacked quality possession.

Smith has returned from injury and is the only new face in the backline from last week.

He sensed a determination from those who had their pride pricked at Carisbrook.

"You go through these times as rugby players. It's a good thing that seven days later you get a chance to make up for it, you don't have to dwell on it for too long," he said.

"Now we can put some things right."

The French world ranking leaped from eighth to fifth and left the All Blacks barely clinging to top spot ahead of South Africa.

Visiting coach Marc Lievremont sensed a belief they could repeat the dose at Westpac Stadium and mirror the achievement of their 1994 countrymen.

However, he has asked his players to ignore history and be aware of the likely New Zealand backlash tonight.

"We don't talk about what happened 15 years ago because it's a new generation of players, it's a new situation. It's totally different," he said.

"The All Blacks will improve in all phases of the game.

"They will make less mistakes. Their passing will be better, their kicking will be better."

France must overcome a miserable record in Wellington to claim the series, having lost all five tests here.

They have shipped a total of 152 points in their last three tests, including a 61-10 drubbing at Westpac Stadium when a virtual third-strength tour party visited two years ago. That remains the most points conceded and heaviest defeat in a French rugby history that stretches back 648 tests.

They lost 37-12 there in 2001 and were hammered 54-7 in the test that farewelled Athletic Park in 1999.