Preview: New Zealand v England
The All Blacks will get their international season started against a depleted England side at their Eden Park fortress on Saturday.
The world champions went unbeaten last year, and they are fully expected to continue where they left off against an England side which does not feature any of the players who were involved in last weeekend's Premiership Final.
However, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen does not seem to be taking anything for granted after naming a full-strength side as they look to gain some momentum.
England coach Stuart Lancaster is philosophical about his team's lack of experience, pointing out that they have not had much to draw on since he took over after the last World Cup in 2011.
"We have always operated since I started around about the 200/300 caps per team, every time we started building that up a player like Toby Flood goes out or James Haskell and we lose half our caps with one player.
"So it is the nature of the beast and the transition we have made from 2011. In 2011 we came to the World Cup with about 800 or 900 caps with nine or ten players over 30 in our squad.
"At that stage we made a big change with 15 players out and 15 new players in who had no experience, so it is something that we have been used to," he said.
Although experience is extremely valuable in the Test arena, Lancaster said that it is not the only consideration and pointed to their recent Six Nations effort as evidence.
"It is not the only barometer for what wins and loses games to be honest and we showed it in the Six Nations," he said.
The All Blacks have a formidable record at Eden Park, which Lancaster likened to playing at Twickenham for his side.
"I went to the Blues game last week so it was nice to get there and get a feel for the ground, I'm sure it suits the All Blacks' style and certainly looking from the outside it is a nice, wide, flat track and on a decent evening you can see why the All Blacks would play good rugby there.
"Also if you pack it full of 50 000 passionate supporters you can see why it is a difficult place to go and win, it is probably the same for us with Twickenham," he added.
Players to watch:
For New Zealand: There are game-breakers all over the park, starting at the back with Israel Dagg and Ben Smith who can cut defences to ribbons if given too much leeway. Aaron Cruden will be under pressure to prove he deserves his spot at flyhalf ahead of the in-form Beauden Barrett, whilst Aaron Cruden will be the spark to ignite the backline. In the forwards Jerome Kaino makes his return at No.8 in place of Kieran Read and will want to hit the ground running whilst in the set-pieces lock Sam Whitelock and prop Owen Franks will be key.
For England: Fullback Mike Brown has been in incredible form this year, whilst the return of Manu Tuilagi is a big boost in a fairly inexperienced backline which features the green Freddie Burns at flyhalf. Captain Chris Robshaw will lead from the front alongside the returning James Haskell, and up front lock Joe Launchbury and prop Joe Marler will have to set the tone against a physical All Blacks unit.
Head to head: Both fullbacks Israel Dagg and Mike Brown are capable of producing moments of magic if they are given some space, and in midfield it will be the wily Conrad Smith up against the blockbusting Manu Tuilagi. Captains Richie McCaw and Chris Robshaw will do battle at the breakdown, Geoff Parling will look to disrupt All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock at line-out time and in the scrums Joe Marler will have his work cut out for him up against Owen Franks.
Recent results:
2013: New Zealand won 30-22 in London
2012: England won 38-21 in London
2010: New Zealand won 26-16 in London
2009: New Zealand won 19-6 in London
2008: New Zealand won 32-6 in London
2008: New Zealand won 44-12 in Christchurch
2008: New Zealand won 37-20 in Auckland
2006: New Zealand won 41-20 in London
2005: New Zealand won 23-19 in London
Prediction: England look to be on a hiding to nothing in this one, and whilst the All Blacks may take some time to warm up they should win this one by at least 20 points in the end.
Teams:
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Cory Jane, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Victor Vito, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Malakai Fekitoa.
England: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Marland Yarde, 13 Manu Tuilagi, 12 Kyle Eastmond, 11 Jonny May, 10 Freddie Burns, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Chris Robshaw (captain), 6 James Haskell, 5 Geoff Parling, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 David Wilson, 1 Rob Webber, Joe Marler.
Replacements: 16 Joe Gray, 17 Matt Mullan, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Dave Attwood, 20 Tom Johnson, 21 Lee Dickson, 22 Danny Cipriani, 23 Chris Pennell.
Date: Saturday, June 7
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT; 08.35 UK time)
Expected weather: Partly cloudy but dry. High of 18, wind 20 kph
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Jérôme Garcès (France)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)
