All Blacks wary of loading English gun

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FAVOURITES: The All Blacks pay a visit to Twickenham rugby ground during the captain's run.

All Blacks in England

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All Blacks prop Owen Franks shows off an eye injured at training ahead of the test against England at Twickenham.

All Blacks prepare for England

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The All Blacks have toed a line somewhere between respect and reverence this week as they've watched, with no little anxiety, their opponents for Twickenham tomorrow belittled by their media and besmirched by almost anyone who's ever caught an oval ball.

At another time, the New Zealanders might have taken great delight in the position Martin Johnson's England side have found themselves in this week - somewhere between a rock and a hard place as their shortcomings, limited game-plan and lack of attacking ambition have brought the critics out in force.

It's a stark contrast to the bulldog spirit and unbounded optimism that usually accompanies England's prospects at Twickenham against anyone, the All Blacks included. The sense that the gallant troops will rise to defend the fortress has been glaringly absent this week as a tone of the inevitable has surrounded the buildup to the test.

Perhaps it's the seven straight victories the All Blacks have recorded, since they fell beneath the sword of Martin Johnson's wonderfully robust 2003 side in Wellington; but more likely it's the severe limitations the English have shown as they've wobbled to a defeat by Robbie Deans' limited Wallabies and the most unconvincing of 16-9 victories over a below-strength Argentina last weekend.

Regardless, the All Blacks are uncomfortable with their almost unbackable favouritism, and the over-riding pessimism emanating from the English scribes. They recognise a rallying point when they see one, and they know full well the under-siege English will come out with fire in their bellies and retribution in their minds.

There's also the small matter of the All Blacks' game not exactly humming along itself - a fact that's been conveniently ignored by the British press this week as they've painted a picture of the New Zealanders needing only to take the right turn towards Twickenham from their hotel in leafy Richmond tomorrow to take their record to a perfect four-from-four on this northern tour.

All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw admits he's tried to stay away from the pre-match coverage. "If anything, all it does is load their gun for them. I know what it's like when that happens. It brings out the best in you. We haven't been totally happy with the way we've gone, regardless of what's happened in their camp, and we want to make sure we put a good performance together."

McCaw's right, of course, to look inward. It's where the All Blacks must get their focus. They've played well in parts of all three tests thus far, but wins over the Wallabies (32-19 in Tokyo), Wales (19-12 in Cardiff) and by the second-stringers over Italy (20-6 in Milan) have been stuttering rather that stupendous.

"We've played well in parts for the first three tests, but I feel like there's room to improve... we feel we're not far off and it would be nice to nail those opportunities we get," added the skip. Wouldn't it!

But McCaw is also wary of an England team searching for its identity. He sees parallels with the All Blacks' own mid-year struggles. "They're almost there, but not quite. They're trying things that don't quite come off, and pressure builds and you keep a team in it."

The talk out of the England camp has been quietly determined. By and large they've taken the criticism on the chin. Vowed to respond as best they can. Inwardly they'll be seething.

"We have a united group of players who are determined. They know they have to play better," said Johnson, the hero-to-zero figure who's copped much of the blame for the current malaise. "We know the pressure is there but you deal with it - that's what test match level is all about. This is a united group of players who are determined, but they know they have to play better."

But can they? And will they be allowed to do so? Two big questions that will be answered come 2.30pm local time in south-west London.  

The All Blacks have confirmed that Waikato's Aled de Malmanche will be the backup hooker and with rain forecast for the London area tomorrow prospects for an expansive game appear to be shrinking. For all the talk about rugby needing to entertain, this remains a match both teams desperately need to win.

ENGLAND: 15 Mark Cueto, 14 Matt Banahan, 13 Danny Hipkiss, 12 Ayoola Erinle, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Jonny Wilkinson, 9 Paul Hodgson; 8 James Haskell, 7 Lewis Moody, 6 Joe Worsley; 5 Steve Borthwick (capt), 4 Simon Shaw, 3 Duncan Bell, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Tim Payne. Reserves: 16 Steve Thompson, 17 David Wilson, 18 Louis Deacon, 19 Tom Croft, 20 Danny Care, 21 Shane Geraghty, 22 Mathew Tait

NEW ZEALAND: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Zac Guildford, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan; 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (capt), 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock. Reserves: 16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 John Afoa, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Jerome Kaino, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Tamati Ellison.

Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (Sth Africa).

5 KEYS TO ALL BLACK VICTORY

Quell the early fury: England will charge into it from the off. The All Blacks must absorb, and then take the puff out of their sails with a timely response.

Make Jonny a non-factor: The England No 10 can only make an imprint if the All Blacks give away front-foot ball and kickable penalties. Discipline and muscle are needed.

Get the attacking mix right: When it's on, ball must be moved, because this big England side won't want to chase black shadows around Twickenham. Dan Carter is paramount here.

Set-piece solidity: England have no chance if they're matched, or bested, at scrum and lineout. Quality first-phase ball will be gold for the All Blacks.

Put doubt in their minds early: This is an England team under the gun. If their early fire is doused, and they find themselves in catch-up mode, they could unravel.

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