Unlocking the counter-attack key for All Blacks

BY TOBY ROBSON IN LONDON

Space.

One team will be desperately trying to create it, while the other will be trying to close it down, when New Zealand take on England at Twickenham tomorrow.

The All Blacks feel they are close to unlocking the counter-attack that has been stilted by the kick-heavy nature of test rugby.

England first five-eighth, Jonny Wilkinson, is sure to give them the chance to test their progress.

The All Blacks have poured time into the art, changing their mindset on this tour, to see opposition kicks as a possession platform rather than a defence mechanism.

But for counter-attack to prosper in the current environment it requires an increased demand on precision, particularly at the catch, and at the subsequent breakdown.

The All Blacks have discovered that space to attack is not where the ball lands, but often on the fringes of the opposition chase line.

To exploit that opportunity players around the catcher must scan the field to find the space.

Multiple passes are often required to get it there, but under pressure there is a big margin for error.

"We don't just want to kick it straight back and get into a game of aerial ping pong," young wing Zac Guildford said this week.

"We want to have a look at our options after the first kick and assess it's not always about kicking because there is space in other areas."

The heat is on improving fullback Mils Muliaina and senior wing Sitiveni Sivivatu to spark the attack. The more men behind the kick the better and the onus on loose forwards and midfielders to drop back and help their wings has increased.

All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw said increased kicking had not changed the objective, but had provided less opportunity.

"It's still about being able to create quick ball and win ball, but if you are going to get less time to go to that breakdown, then you have to nail it each time.

"If instead of nine or 10 chances you only get four or five breakdowns, then they have to be spot on, that's the way I look at it.

"When it's in the air and you are going back, then you have to work out the way you can have the most influence."

It has been impossible to escape the bounce in the All Blacks' steps this week.

They believed they were close against Wales and deserved at least two more tries than they scored.

They are also growing tired of the drone of criticism of the game and would dearly love to give it a shot in the arm.

They have crossed the line just four times since leaving New Zealand, but believe they are building in a similar vein to last year's end of year tour when they beat England 32-6.

As with all test matches this one will begin in the trenches.

England is a desperate camp with a desperate coach in Martin Johnson and will be physically up for the match.

Johnson has signalled his intentions by selecting grizzly men like 36-year-old lock Simon Shaw and bulky second-five Aoolye Erinle.

Firebrand Kiwi-born hooker Dylan Hartley, and even big wing Matt Banahan, have a reputation for fireworks and no quarter will be given in close.

The All Blacks have prepared accordingly, prop Owen Franks leaving training yesterday with a cut and swollen eye in a reflection of the intensity of the build-up.

England has erred in selecting a second-five who will try to crash and bash at the All Blacks line.

Erinle showed his naivety during the week when he spoke of a potential defensive weakness at first-five, clearly unaware Dan Carter rarely misses a tackle.

If the battle up front is won and territorial advantage established, the All Blacks may look to open this match up and bring the pace of McCaw and blindside Adam Thomson into the match.

All Blacks hooker Andrew Hore joked he was more concerned about rainfall on his North Otago farm than at Twickenham, but a dry track would certainly help the All Blacks. Whatever the weather, the All Blacks were close to their best in Wales.

They look to be closer in London.

KEY AREAS

SCRUM: Young prop Owen Franks will need to step up if the All Blacks are to justify a week of intense scrutiny on the scrum laws. They may have been right, but the world will switch off if they cannot dominate their opposition at the set piece.

THE MIDFIELD: England has plumped for an inexperienced second-five in Ayoola Erinle and may pay the price. If the idea is to hit the ball up around first-five, England will discover Dan Carter can tackle in an area that is not far from Richie McCaw's grasp. Ma'a Nonu, similarly, won't be able to run through Jonny Wilkinson.

DAN v JONNY: The two pivots will control their side's fates. Wilkinson is a class act and like Carter he will kick for the corners, for space and at goal with accuracy. The point of interest will be how the two men balance their running and passing games. Wilkinson is a keen defender and if he focuses on Nonu on the drift defence, Carter may fancy his chances.

COUNTER-ATTACK: As sure as the grass is green England will do plenty of kicking. The All Blacks have focused hard on turning that opportunity into attack. Zac Guildford, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Mils Muliaina need to be at their best or the tactic could backfire against a fired-up English chase line.

- © Fairfax NZ News