CHRISTCHURCH: With England not posing a serious threat in their first rugby Test, the All Blacks appear to be treating them as training fodder for the second Test in Christchurch today.

Since that game last weekend, four England players have become engulfed in a claim of a serious sexual assault at a hotel in Auckland, which police in the city are investigating. It has overshadowed much of the run-up to the second Test, with the England players denying the allegation but declining to be interviewed by police. In a statement, team management said the players sought by police for interview had received legal advice not to speak to the officers. No formal complaint has yet been made to police.

On the field, another titanic forwards battle is expected, but All Blacks coach Graham Henry has justified dismantling his winning combination by saying he is looking ahead to the Tri Nations series against Australia and South Africa. His return to the rotation theory, which failed so spectacularly at last year's World Cup, has raised eyebrows in New Zealand as the All Blacks rebuild their squad.

But after defeating England 37-20 in the first Test in Auckland, Henry had no hesitation in blooding new players.

"We had to have a major goal of trying to get better in this Test match and also another goal underneath that, of trying to prepare players going forward into the Tri Nations," he said on Friday. "Some players needed to play in this Test match to make sure when they get the opportunity in the Tri Nations that they are ready.

"So it's just trying to get the balance right of the short-term goal, which is playing the best we can against England on Saturday, and also having 26 guys ready to play against the Springboks and Australians."

The All Blacks have made four changes, including three who will make their run-on debuts.

Richard Kahui, who has played little rugby this year because of injury, replaces in-form centre Conrad Smith, Rudi Wulf starts on the wing, and Adam Thompson will partner captain Richie McCaw on the side of the scrum.

The only other change is fullback Mils Muliaina replaced by veteran Leon McDonald, who survived an injury scare this week when he collided at pace with big lock Ali Williams.

England have made six changes - five in the backs where they were clearly exposed in the first Test, and one in their forwards where Tim Payne replaces the injured Andy Sheridan.

England, who enjoyed some success up front, stirred the pot by questioning the legality of McCaw's tactics at the breakdown, and blamed Neemia Tialata for the debacle of collapsed scrums late in the first Test.