Umaga gets behind development

All Blacks captain Tana Umaga has backed coach Graham Henry's decision to use their forthcoming trip to Europe to blood young players and leave veterans such as halfbacks Justin Marshall and Andrew Mehrtens in New Zealand.

Two years ago, a young inexperienced group undertook a similar trip under coach John Mitchell and captain Taine Randell, when Mitchell opted to leave 16 - mostly Canterbury - players at home to rest.

While Marshall has been critical of the development concept, Umaga believes that, as it did in certain circumstances in 2002, it could prove to be beneficial.

"We left a few players behind (in 2002) but there were players who did come through, Keven Mealamu springs to mind. He developed and he's the number one hooker now," said Umaga. "I can see the merits of it and I'm glad I'm going."

Henry is resting just three players - Marshall, Mehrtens and Auckland first five-eighth Carlos Spencer - but he has lost a number of others, including locks Simon Maling and Keith Robinson, prop Kees Meeuws and number eight Xavier Rush, who are either injured, moving overseas or have lost form.

Umaga, a veteran of 61 Tests, is unconcerned about leading a relatively inexperienced group of 32 for Tests in Italy, Wales, France and a match against the Barbarians.

He knows he will be able to call upon the help of the recalled former All Blacks skipper Anton Oliver, and he also has the experience of Mealamu, prop Greg Somerville, lock Chris Jack, wing Doug Howlett and vice-captain Richie McCaw - to name a few - to rely on.

"It's not so much a burden on any one person, it's a shared thing throughout the team. We still have some very experienced players within this side," he said.

"It's all about the young players making the transition into the team, getting around them and getting to know them and impart some of our knowledge about All Blacks history and rugby and trying to make it smooth once they get into the team.

"These guys are going to be very nervous and once they get onto the pitch we probably won't hear from them - they won't say anything.

"For us to develop as a team we need them to be relaxed and feel like they should be there, and they're exactly where they should be because they've earned it."