All Blacks' call up for Parsons, Slade

The All Blacks, still on a high after the novelty of their week in Chicago, and performance at the end of it against the United States, have arrived in London in readiness for a quite different test against the might of England at Twickenham.

One player who will help them prepare for the first time is Blues hooker James Parsons. It might only be a temporary arrangement - Parsons brought in after playing for the Barbarians against Australia at Twickenham on Saturday following Nathan Harris' ankle injury against USA at Soldier Field - but for him it is a vindication of his decision to turn down several overseas offers in order to chase his dream of a black jersey.

Dane Coles and Keven Mealamu are likely to keep him out of the action this weekend, but Parsons' call-up is a foot in the door and the result of a lot of hard work. He will remain with the squad for the remaining tests of the year against Scotland and Wales.

Slade to make grade for injured Jane

As reported in the New Zealand Herald this morning, Colin Slade is the other addition to the squad, the Crusaders first-five called in to replace wing Cory Jane, who has gone home with a hamstring problem.

Assistant coach Ian Foster said today Parsons was an obvious choice to replace Harris as he was in London anyway and had had a recent game under his belt, but that he had earned his spot despite the fact he hadn't been included in the recent "apprentice" scheme of hookers which has included the likes of Harris, Liam Coltman, Rhys Marshall and the injured Motu Matu'u.

"He has played well for the Blues, he has done well for North Harbour, and we're looking forward to getting him in here," Foster said of Parsons.

"One reason why James wasn't brought in last year is that he was a bit small. But we've met with him this year and he set himself some goals about size and strength and he has ticked those goals off really well."

All Blacks braced for full-scale assault

Slade also played for the Barbarians in their 40-36 loss to the Wallabies, but unlike Parsons could get some game time at Twickenham - possibly from the bench where he can also cover fullback and wing.

"He's been with us quite a bit in the Rugby Championship anyway and he's played really well," Foster said. "He was unlucky to miss the squad, so he will certainly come into contention."

From the novelty of the new frontier in the States to the familiar sights of London and a test against an old foe they have played three times already this year, the All Blacks are looking forward to locking horns with an England team who haven't played a test since that June series in New Zealand.

"We feel we have tweaked and changed quite a bit since the the Rugby Championship," Foster said.

"We've got no doubt that we've been studied hard, they'll come up with a few things, that's the nature of the game, but we're just excited about it. It's good to be here.

"We've had a great week in Chicago, I think it's freshened us up a little bit. We're excited about the next three weeks and quite frankly there's no better way to start it than here at Twickenham, it's a great place to play. We know they'll be gunning for us, but equally so it's a big game for us."