The only change for the All Blacks in their team to face England in this weekend's first of two Tests is injury-enforced, with Canterbury prop Greg Somerville coming into the starting team for the injured John Afoa.

It is a wise move from Graham Henry, who is not only seeking to re-establish the men in Black at the top of the world pecking order – but is also keenly aware of the hostility felt towards him since the World Cup failure and his subsequent reappointment.  One of the greatest criticisms levelled at Henry by the New Zealand public was his stubbornness to essentially have an elite 15 of players. 

The NZRU, never ones to admit their mistakes, have publicly stated that they have misread the public sentiment, and are desperate to win back their discerning public.  Higher public appearances by the nation’s glamour team are being introduced, as well as another Test match scheduling, with the All Blacks to play Manu Samoa in New Plymouth. 

'The All Blacks will not be overwhelmed in the set piece like other teams – and if the English approach the game with a containment mindset, New Zealand will likely run riot'


With a solid test win over Ireland starting the healing process, this was accentuated by All Black captain Richie McCaw’s commitment to New Zealand rugby at least until the 2011 World Cup.

The phantom of rotation may need to come into play in coming weeks, however, with Canterbury stars entering their fourth month of consistent top-level rugby. McCaw and Dan Carter, as well as New Zealand’s premier lock Ali Williams, are too valuable to the international set-up to not be afforded a week of rest before the Tri Nations. 

The settled team is the strongest team the All Blacks could field.  The backline is an impressive looking division, although Stephen Donald must be blooded soon to ensure that the team does not have too much reliance on Carter. The Hurricanes midfield combination of Conrad Smith and Ma’a Nonu will only become classier with consistent selection – indeed, Nonu’s continued international development is crucial to the All Black framework and having the intelligence of Smith outside him promises to settle both his aggression and decision making.

The pack is strong, with McCaw and Rodney So’oialo guaranteed selections in the loose.  Sione Lauaki returns to the bench, which gives experience and destructive power in the later stages of the match.  Anthony Boric will need exposure to the top level soon, with some doubts still remaining over Brad Thorn as a genuine top level jumping option – despite his work rate. 

The front row will receive a solid litmus test this weekend, with the English pack arguably the strongest in the Northern game.

It is difficult to gauge interim coach Rob Andrew’s mission statement for his England team for their two Test series against the Blacks.  His line-up features an astonishing fourteen changes from the team that contested the World Cup final, and 11 changes from their last game against Ireland.  However, the bulk of the team is selected on form from the Guinness Premiership, and is by no means an under-strength operation.

The imposing Andrew Sheridan – the only World Cup survivor – partners Bath front rowers Lee Mears and Matt Stevens. Veteran Steve Borthwick partners Premiership winning lock Tom Palmer is a tight combination that will be at least the equal of the All Blacks engine room.   Wasps flankers James Haskell and Tom Rees form a new back-row combination, while Gloucester No.8 Luke Narraway continues his meteoric rise in the England pecking order.

Charlie Hodgson and Richard Wigglesworth form a Sale Sharks half-back combination that showed good form throughout the Premiership season. Olly Barkley and Mike Tindall form an experienced midfield partnership, with Barkley set to be goal-kicker despite Hodgon’s outstanding form with the boot. In the threequarter line, Mike Brown and David Strettle of Harlequins are joined by debutant Topsy Ojo, who has been in solid form for London Irish this year.

England take the field as the last team to inflict defeat on the All Blacks at home, where New Zealand are currently on a world-record winning streak – their last defeat being a 15-13 scoreline in favour of England. Currently on a four-match winning run against the men in white, the All Blacks have inflicted 22 defeats on them, with an average ten-point advantage to New Zealand. Indeed, no other nation in the world has such an imposing record over the English. 

However, the World Cup runners-up did have a solid Six Nations.  They defeated the Italians and French in their own backyards, and demolished Ireland 33-10 in their last game of the tournament. Their defeat by Wales was disappointing, as they squandered a 19-6 lead to lose to the eventual Six Nations champions.

While they beat New Zealand in 2003, their last visit, the year after becoming world champions, was disastrous, with 36-3 and 36-12 hammerings at the hands of the wounded All Blacks.

England have shown an increased facet of attack into their classic forward-style game in recent months. It was this pragmatic simplicity that propelled them to challenge the Springboks in the World Cup final. However, the All Blacks will not be overwhelmed in the set piece like other teams – and if the English approach the game with a containment mindset, New Zealand will likely run riot.

Despite doom merchants proclaiming the All Blacks demise, they will prove too strong for England - although it will be closer than the New Zealand public would like.

Prediction: The All Blacks to win series 2-0, but second Test will be a narrow victory.