The All Blacks and England are preparing for a battle of brawn in the first rugby Test on Saturday with no suggestion of a try-fest at the renowned ”House of Pain”.
Both sides are agreed that the intenseness of their rivalry dictates it is a match that will be won up-front.
”It’s going to be big and it’s going to be tough,” said England flanker Richard Hill, as both sides took a rest day on Thursday.
For the All Blacks it is a grudge match, stung by losing to England in their last two encounters, spurred by the chance to beat the reigning world champions, and knowing victory will put them ahead of England as number one in the world rankings.
At stake for England is the chance to hammer home their dominance over a side that was once the most feared opponent in world rugby.
Just six years ago here at the Carisbrook ground, New Zealand inflicted their heaviest defeat over England, winning 64-22, but with so much at stake and the prospect of near freezing-point conditions on Saturday, there is little likelihood of a repeat free-flowing game.
”We’re intending to win the game. We may not win it prettily but winning is the objective,” said veteran All Black halfback Justin Marshall, who added that the dew on the ground would also keep the game tight.
”You can’t play as expansively and you can’t be as risky. Those off-loads and little pop passes you want to throw, you have to retain the ball instead.”
A new-look All Black forward pack has risen from the ashes of the World Cup campaign, fielding four players who did not make it to Australia last year, and Hill said England were bracing for a tough battle up front.
”We know that within the pack, it’s going to be a massive game for us. We need to perform if we want to get any edge, whether it’s in the scrum, the lineout or the loose ball situation.”
All Black assistant coach Wayne Smith, who has an acute insight into the England players after coaching the Northampton side in recent years, has no doubt about the ability of the tourists’ forwards.
”The pack is really experienced and tough and they’re coming here to do a job,” he said.
One area of the forwards where the world champions definitely outscore New Zealand is in experience, with their starting eight having played a combined 284 tests.
By comparison, the All Blacks starting pack can muster just 102 caps between them.
Blindside flanker Jono Gibbes makes his debut and number eight Xavier Rush returns to the Test arena six years after his first and only international, while Carl Hayman and Keith Robinson return from the wilderness and muster just 11 Tests between them.
A key match-up will be the battle to secure the loose ball where Hill, with his 68 Tests, concedes he is up against one of the rising greats of the game, Richie McCaw, who has only played 14 internationals.
”He’s possibly the best openside in the world at the moment and very much at the top of his game,” Hill said.
”He’s a great player, particularly around the contact area and has the ability to slow the ball down, if not steal it.
”He will be a general nuisance.”
Hill is one of nine survivors of the England 22 who beat Australia in the World Cup final in Sydney last November, and one of seven from the England side who beat New Zealand 15-13 in Wellington last June.
Teams
All Blacks: Mils Muliaina; Doug Howlett, Tana Umaga (captain), Daniel Carter, Joe Rokocoko; Carlos Spencer, Justin Marshall; Xavier Rush, Richie McCaw, Jono Gibbes; Keith Robinson, Chris Jack; Carl Hayman, Keven Mealamu, Kees Meeuws. Reserves: Nick Evans, Sam Tuitupou, Byron Kelleher, Marty Holah, Jerry Collins, Tony Woodcock, Andrew Hore.
England: Josh Lewsey; James Simpson-Daniel, Mike Tindall, Mike Catt, Ben Cohen; Charlie Hodgson, Matt Dawson; Lawrence Dallaglio (c), Chris Jones, Richard Hill; Simon Shaw, Danny Grewcock; Trevor Woodman, Steve Thompson, Julian White. Reserves: Mark Regan, Matt Stevens, Steve Borthwick, Joe Worsley, Andy Gomarsall, Stuart Abbott, Tom Voyce. – Sapa-AFP