Who can stop another ABs Slam?

So the All Blacks have another chance at a Grand Slam after launching the quest safely against Scotland. Who then is the biggest obstacle in their path to sweeping the four Home Unions for the second time in three years? Duncan Johnstone and Marc Hinton make their picks.

ENGLAND – Duncan Johnstone

I have a feeling the quest to be just the third All Blacks team to complete the mighty Slam will go right down to the wire.

England are the last opponents and there's little doubt that down the years the men in white have been the most tricky side for New Zealand, particularly at Twickenham.

They have a habit of frustrating opposition at their beloved headquarters with an ability to stifle teams and then do just enough to win.

Of New Zealand's six losses to England, four have come at Twickers while even John Hart's mighty 1997 side could do no better than draw in London.

Wales will be an interesting equation given the Warren Gatland factor and the fact that they managed a Grand Slam of their own in the last Six Nations.

But they have had their share of internal problems in the buildup to this busy November schedule and the Boks will soften them up in the leadup to their clash with the All Blacks in Cardiff.

So I can't go past England as the biggest obstacle in the path of the All Blacks on this tour.

It should be a fitting finale to the tour and the added spice comes with this match being the inaugural encounter for the Hillary Shield.

There will be more than a little pressure on the All Blacks to win this.

The thought of the Poms getting their hands on a shield bearing the name of arguably the greatest New Zealander is something that doesn't sit well with me and I'm sure I'm not alone on that front. Ask any All Black who they hate to lose to and most would opt for England.

England have been an ordinary outfit over the last four years or so, despite getting the chance to defend their World Cup in last year's final in France.

I suspect that will change now that they are under the inspirational leadership of Martin Johnson, the man who led them to their first Cup glory in 2003.

Doubts remain over Johnson's coaching ability. But he has plenty of specialists around him and it's simply his presence that will lift England.

He is a man who will demand nothing but the best from England and there is no doubt that there usual efficiency up front will lift a notch or two under his tutelage.

By the time the All Blacks arrive at Twickenham we will have a better handle on the new-look England team. England will have had tests against South Africa and Australia, as well as that promising opener against the Pacific Islanders.

They will either be smashed up or tuned up. I suspect it could be the latter.

Countering that is the prospect that the All Blacks' game will also be nicely honed.

If Graham Henry's team can avoid injuries to key players as they work their way through Scotland, Ireland and Wales, they should have every chance of repeating their 2005 Grand Slam achievement in London. But, as history acknowledges, it won't be a cake-walk.

 

WALES – Marc Hinton

I've got to say such is the parlous state of northern hemisphere rugby at international level, I can't see anyone preventing Graham Henry masterminding his second Slam in three years. But if there's to be a banana skin there somewhere, I'd look more towards Wales than England.

Sure England have the talismanic Martin Johnson back in charge and, granted, things began pretty impressively at the weekend as they breezed past the Pacific Islanders with plenty to spare.

But a cobbled-together islands outfit with most players well passed their use-by date is one thing, a well-oiled All Black machine another altogether.

Plus, this is a new-look England outfit still very much finding its feet in the international arena. The next three weeks, when they host the Tri-Nations sides, is, I believe, going to be a reality check for the World Cup runnersup.

By the time the English have gone through the grinder against the Wallabies and Boks, they'll be prime for the plucking by an All Blacks side that will be fired up to end their year in style at Twickenham. Plus there's a certain Hillary Shield at stake, on top of a probable Slam, that will pique the motivation.

But Wales could be the potential pitfall. Warren Gatland is an excellent coach and he, more than anyone in the north, understands what it will take to beat the All Blacks.

Don't read too much into their opening defeat to the Boks either. As has been more than well documented, Gatland wanted his players together earlier than he got them. In fact, he needed them in full preparation mode to have any chance of toppling the world champions.

But at least he has them together now, and with the hitout against the Boks under their belts, and a sharpener against roadkill Canada this weekend, they'll be primed to face the All Blacks in the defining match of their November programme.

Gatland showed the deeds he could get the Welshmen to perform in the Six Nations championship and by the time the All Blacks test rolls around, I reckon he'll have his men ready for one more huge effort.

It's doubtful whether they are skilful, or strong, enough to knock over the full-strength All Blacks, but I can see the Red Dragons, in front of those passionate fans, giving this test a hell of a shakeup.   

The Welsh do have the creative type in their backline to score a try or two which you need to put the New Zealanders on the back foot. To put doubt in their minds. Their challenge will be to win the sort of ball up front that their speedy, but small, backs will need to have any chance of finding holes in the All Black defence.

I'm pretty sure the All Blacks will Slam again. And once more prove how decidedly average northern hemisphere international rugby really is. But they would be wise to be wary of Warren and the Welsh.

They've been warned.

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