KEY POINTS:
Trumpet blasts: watch out you Kiwis, we're coming down there to show you what real rugby is about.
Already that seems to be the accompanying theme for England's twin-tests against the All Blacks, a series which starts in 28 days at Eden Park after the solitary drive-by international against Ireland.
Never mind that the All Blacks will be without nine of their World Cup squad because of injury or overseas contracts. England are uncrowned masters at invoking the excuses clause with the absence of Jonny Wilkinson, Phil Vickery, Lewis Moody, Simon Shaw, Mark Regan, Harry Ellis and Co, already noted while Jonno will be coaching them by phone from his wife's maternity ward in Leicester.
But almost in the same breath there is a warning that England will show the All Blacks how to scrummage, especially as the Super 14 has been such a flaky series under the new law variations. Have they not watched the Blues get down to business at the scrum or the Crusaders when they have sent out their top artillery? But the noises go on, even though England have not won either at home or away in five years against the All Blacks. The last victory was at Wellington in foul conditions when an England pack, down to six men because of sinbinnings, held out the All Blacks scrum.
That was a massive effort and a blight on the All Blacks. Accepted. But to continue to believe that will recur shows an ignorance about the progress that scrum guru Mike Cron has made with the All Blacks.
It's reminiscent of the hype before the Lions tour in 2005 ... remember that? Okay, okay, before you whistle off the emails about smugness and arrogance consider an All Black pack of Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Greg Somerville, Jerry Collins, Ali Williams, Brad Thorne, Richie McCaw, Rodney So'oialo.
Plenty of power, experience, technique, combination and understanding. Clearly no pushover.
England's scrummaging power through the deeds of the massive Andrew Sheridan and Co is no myth but it has been based on work they have achieved against a modest Wallaby frontrow.
There is some disquiet that a dispute about performance-related player payments could put England's tour at risk. If that happens, perhaps the Classic All Blacks could be persuaded to continue their trip which starts with a match against Leicester in a week then moves to play John Kirwan's Japan side.
The Classics can claim most of the All Blacks World Cup exports and others such as Marty Holah, Josh Blackie, Scott Robertson, Troy Flavell, Angus Macdonald, Simon Maling, Craig Newby, Reuben Thorne, Justin Marshall, Mark Robinson, Tony Brown, Scott McLeod, Carlos Spencer, Andrew Mehrtens, Keith Lowen, Isa Nacewa and Lome Fa'atau to help out.
Come to think of it, a game between the old and the new might be more interesting than tests against England.
