The World Champions head to America and the United Kingdom in what is the ultimate live fire training run, for in less than 12 months the All Blacks will re-tread the same soil as they seek to defend the Webb Ellis Cup.
The paradox for New Zealand is that their first Test, against USA in Chicago next up, is followed by World Cup host’s England a week later.
This mirrors the fears that the All Blacks ‘soft pool’ in the 2015 tournament, an immense insult to Argentina, may be ill preparation for the knockout stages, something that caused some issues for the side in 2007.
The Rugby Championship winners play the United States, England, Scotland and Wales to round out their 2014 international schedule.
BIG GAME
The All Blacks match at Twickenham will be a monster barometer for both nations, with the World Champions playing the World Cup hosts on the ‘cabbage patch’, and the victor will fire a major shot coming into the quadrennial tournament.
New Zealand comes off a fixture in Chicago which is mixed preparation considering the Eagles position as the 18th ranked team on the planet, while it will be England’s first autumn international, just after Stuart Lancaster has updated his EPS squad, with the Premiership starting with some electric matches so far – providing the Red Rose with plenty of form players.
- Sat 1 Nov 2014 United States vs New Zealand – Chicago
- Sat 8 Nov 2014 England vs New Zealand – Twickenham
- Sat 15 Nov 2014 Scotland vs New Zealand – Murrayfield
- Sat 22 Nov 2014 Wales vs New Zealand – Millennium Stadium
EXPERIENCE TO BE RESTED?
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw will play a part in every match, but whether or not the most capped Test player in New Zealand history plays a heap of minute’s remains to be seen.
With the likes of Ma’a Nonu and Tony Woodcock out injured, and doubts over the frame of Daniel Carter, the management of New Zealand’s talisman will be important.
The 33-year-old playing legend will creep further towards George Gregan (139) and Brian O’Driscoll (141) marks in Europe, but with the skipper being such a crucial part of 2015’s plans, expect the icon to have his workload reduced.
KEY AREA
Hooker Nathan Harris will likely play further rugby, with the one-Test All Black the second least experienced squad member after debutant Augustine Pulu, and among the three hookers (alongside Dane Coles and Keven Melamu), there are 13 players who play in the tight five.
Five props – Wyatt Crockett, Ben and Owen Franks, Charlie Faumuina and Joe Moody – show a focus on maintaining what is a strong New Zealand scrum, with Faumuina and Moody part of a new breed that is generally unknown to the global analysts.
The two are recognised for their efforts around close quarter combat.
Add to this five lock forwards – with Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Patrick Tuipulotu and Jeremy Thrush boarding the plane – and it becomes apparent that this is a major part of the team’s planning for this trip.
If the truism that all games are won up front, then the inclusion of so many heavy infantry up front indicates that the All Blacks will likely focus on the dark areas of rugby combat.
BIG QUESTION
While the World Champion’s mental resilience has become almost legendary, they haven’t been able to tear opposition to pieces, with the exception of a remarkable win at Eden Park against the Wallabies during The Rugby Championship earlier this year.
Coming back in the dying moments might be exciting, with the recent Brisbane Test mirroring the Dublin outing, but in the psychological heat of a World Cup knockout match Steve Hansen would prefer his team to take hold of the match early rather than leaving things to the last minute.
NEW FACE?
Augustine Pulu comes into the squad for the second time, and it is likely that the livewire Counties halfback will make his Test debut.
Aaron Smith’s influence has become so strong that it appears there is daylight between him and the chasing pack, something not common when looking at other positions in the squad.
If Pulu can transfer his style, very much a grab the game by the scruff attitude, to the international arena, then the All Blacks will have yet another option at nine.