KEY POINTS:
The All Blacks have comfortably beaten three of the four home unions without playing to their full potential.
In 2007, Graham Henry was pretty keen on playing "total rugby" and winning the Rugby World Cup in style. Neither was achieved. In fact from the Tri-Nations onwards, the team stuttered for consistency and rhythm.
The reasons and theories have been well documented. This year's All Blacks have been more pragmatic and ruthless in their approach - they have been regularly winning ugly and coming from behind for gutsy victories. Against England, I hope for more of the same to instil confidence about how good this team has become. They have the firepower in most of the crucial positions to let the throttle out and give England a good workout.
What about England? Maybe they are paying the price for allowing so many imports into their club competitions. I believe this English team is the best available. If so, their game is not in great shape and they lack class in too many positions.
Maybe Martin Johnston should have stayed on the corporate gravy train rather than tarnish his immense and deserved reputation trying to prop up his old team. Maybe Rob Andrew and Francis Baron from the RFU are lost for ideas and vision.
The RFU and the England clubs have more players, resources and money than any other nation except maybe France. There has been some success by the clubs in the Heineken Cup but this has usually been achieved with the involvement of players and coaches from other nations. Frankly, world rugby needs the RFU and its clubs to be strong. Sadly for their supporters, I don't think they can start on a path to strength until after the All Blacks have had their way with them this weekend.
The All Blacks seem to have a better scrum, lineout and second phase than their opposition. As usual, their players appear more athletic, fitter and stronger.
The mental hardness, which was a hallmark of the England teams in which Johnson played, seems to have drifted away whereas the All Blacks, after having their frailties exposed last year, seem to have a real mental strength.
Sport is sometimes unpredictable and makes fools out of favourites but this All Blacks team has been winning well without really getting into top gear. England are hurt and will play better than they did against South Africa - but still it will not be enough.
This match will also give us an opportunity to assess the All Blacks' rebuilding progress during the year.
The tighthead vacancy left by the departures of Carl Hayman and Greg Somerville hasn't been entirely solved but Neemia Tialata and John Afoa have showed enough for me to think this will not be a problem area in the future. Behind Ali Williams and Brad Thorn, Anthony Boric has made good progress and there are other young players. A back-up for Richie McCaw and Rodney So'oialo is still a worry.
Jimmy Cowan and Piri Weepu have played well enough but there maybe still room for an up-and-comer at halfback. Stephen Donald needs consistency at Super 14 level to cement his claim to the No 10 jersey while Dan Carter takes a French holiday.
Ma'a Nonu has developed and matured into a very consistent performer, while Richard Kahui has pushed Conrad Smith so much that he is now a formality squad selection.
Things don't look so great out wide. Rudi Wolf, Antony Tuitavaki and Hosea Gear haven't put enough pressure on Joe Rokocoko and Sitivini Sivivatu. Toeava has been consistent enough to now be a sound back-up to Mils Muliaina.
A word of warning, though. Graham Henry has done almost everything asked of him this season and should be congratulated. But the drums are beating for Wayne Smith and maybe Steve Hansen to spend more time coaching in the north. With Robbie Deans, Warren Gatland, John Mitchell, John Kirwan and John Plumtree all out of New Zealand circulation, maybe our coaching talent needs some rebuilding.
