Anxious wait for third test hopefuls

LONDON - The All Blacks prepared for their open training session and date with the Queen with a touch of uncertainty, and for some, uneasiness for the first time on this tour.

Not so much that they would roll an ankle at training or spill a cup of tea in front of Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace, but more for what their coach Graham Henry and his fellow selectors were thinking.

Henry told his 35-man squad who was playing against Wales and Ireland before the team left New Zealand.

So far, so good, in fact, extra good after Saturday's 47-5 romp over Ireland by what was largely All Blacks B, leaving British and Irish media gasping for superlatives.

But Henry now faces the happy headache of selecting his top 15 to play a resurgent England at Twickenham after their 26-16 win over the struggling Wallabies.

Hooker, halfback, midfield and wing appear the only contentious positions on evidence of the past fortnight when Henry names his side early tomorrow.

Anton Oliver or Keven Mealamu, Byron Kelleher or Piri Weepu, Aaron Mauger or Conrad Smith, and which two out of Rico Gear, Joe Rokocoko, Doug Howlett and Sitiveni Sivivatu are the juggling acts facing the selectors.

Those assured appear to be Carl Hayman, Tony Woodcock, Chris Jack, Ali Williams, Jerry Collins, Richie McCaw, Rodney So'oialo, Daniel Carter, captain Tana Umaga and Mils Muliaina. "I've pretty much sorted out my team, I'm not sure about the other three [selectors]," assistant coach and selector Steve Hansen deadpanned yesterday.

"By and large I'd sorted it before yesterday [the Ireland match], but one or two players have asked questions."

Oliver's extra bulk in what is shaping as an epic scrum battle could win him the nod over an unlucky Mealamu, Kelleher and Weepu is a toss of the coin while Gear and Rokocoko should have the inside running for the wing positions despite the two-try hauls by Sivivatu and Howlett in Dublin.

There could be up to 12 changes from the side who strolled past Ireland at Lansdowne Rd.

"The great thing about creating competition is that it lifts the bar. Everybody knows what's required from a performance standard when they get named," Hansen said.

"They know if they're not doing the preparation then someone else will be and they'll get their place."

Hansen said England were very impressive in the forwards against Australia, with giant prop Andy Sheridan doing some damage.

The major edge the All Blacks have had in the past fortnight is their superior physical presence and skill with ball in hand - from prop to fullback.

* The All Blacks coaches have told Ma'a Nonu they expect no repeat of his tackle on Gordon D'Arcy that had Irish media crying foul but saw no action to date from the citing commissioner, Douglas Hunter of Scotland.

The commissioner has 48 hours after a game to cite a player.

Hansen said he had spoken to Nonu about the 50th minute tackle in Sunday's test which upended D'Arcy and saw him land on the back of his shoulders.

He lay on the turf for several minutes before returning to the game after referee Jonathan Kaplan penalised Nonu but didn't deem it a yellow card offence.

- NZPA