Re the tight five, I agree they are an excellent unit. My point was that they will need to be at their best when facing the likes of SA and Arg who are renowned for their work in the tight, and will be looking to prove that the England game was no more than a blip.

Again, re the centres, I am not suggesting that they are going to struggle or are in real trouble should Nonu or Smith fall foul of an injury. More that NZ’s propensity for placing faith in the undeniable talents of young players who remain relatively untried at test-match level may be a slightly dangerous ploy when facing guys as good as AAC or JDV.

Thanks for your responses

I don’t think we’ll see Beuden Barret in the centres unless their are some disastrous injuries mid game. Nonu, Smith, Smith, Saili and Crotty will all be ahead. Whilst Saili and Crotty both have little international experience they are bringing awesome super rugby form.

“There exists a lingering doubt over the toughness of the All Black’s tight five”…. no there doesn’t. Franks, Mealamu, Woodcock, Whitelock, Retallick is as hard a tight five as you’ll find anywhere. One poor game doesn’t change that.

And on Mccaw “his recall sends a poor message to Cane and other up-and-coming Kiwi opensides”… not really. The man is a legend and an institution of the all blacks set up. The other opensides always knew he was going to walk straight back into the set up. I doubt he will be starting but mccaw is a character you always want around the squad.

I go into this in more detail on my blog http://therollingmaul.blogspot.com.au.