Rugby: Views split on English game plan

Martin Johnson. Photo / Getty Images

Audacious attack or adherence to the "kick and clap" creed usually associated with Twickenham's residents - mixed messages abound as England plot to halt the All Blacks' Grand Slam rugby quest at the first opportunity.

Martin Johnson unveiled his 22-man squad yesterday but the team that actually turns up on Sunday remains a matter of conjecture.

While Nick Easter envisaged the continued development of an expansive approach pioneered on their tour of Australia in June, old habits seemingly die hard.

The No 8, one of England's most damaging ball carriers, had barely contained his excitement regarding his teammates' offensive capabilities before defence coach Mike Ford sounded a note of extreme caution.

New Zealand and Australia might lead the way in exploiting rule changes that foster a more open, expansive mode of rugby less than 12 months out from the sport's global showpiece but for Ford the ability to stifle means eventual superiority.

The free-flowing rugby of this year's Tri-Nations tournament has no relevance for Ford who vowed England would revert to type against the All Blacks who have had their measure for eight consecutive tests since Wellington, 2003.

That blustery night in the capital, England, despite Lawrence Dallaglio and Neil Back overlapping in the sinbin, edged the arm wrestle 15-13 - a scoreline from heaven for Ford and devotees of his no-risk rationale.

He baulked at the bottom line delivered by the Southern Hemisphere's finest this season - a 100 per cent increase in tries scored compared to 2009.

"Three of those matches averaged 77 points and to me that isn't test rugby.

"Even on Saturday, which was a fantastic game, there were 50 points," Ford lamented when critiquing the Wallabies stunning 26-24 victory over the All Blacks in Hong Kong.

Undeterred by the fact England scored just one try in 240 minutes of rugby in November last year, Ford maintained defence was the priority against the All Blacks.

"We want to make this a good old-fashioned rugby game.

"Whatever you think that means, we know what we think it means and we're pretty confident with what we can do defensively," he said.

Even a change in law interpretations at the breakdown could not sway his belief.

"Everyone's talking about how many tries there are and how exciting it is but we are confident we can stop that.

"When we haven't got the ball we are going to endeavour to produce one of the best defensive performances ever."

Easter, however, declared England would persevere with the free-spirited approach which produced that 21-20 victory at Sydney in June.

"We're going to try and play with tempo and ambition and the unpredictability that suits how rugby is now being played," he said.

Richie McCaw, meanwhile, was unsure what to make of the contradictions emerging from the England camp.

The reality, he suspected, lay somewhere in between the polarising opinions of player and management.

England would provide an immense physical challenge - and irritation - at the breakdown but were no longer constrained by 10-man rugby, according to the All Blacks captain.

"They still kick, that's one thing they do well, but they showed against the Wallabies they had the ability to use the ball."

In McCaw's assessment six-test halfback-cum-fullback Ben Foden typified England's new breed.

"He's got some real ability with the ball in hand. In the past you'd expect the ball to be kicked back at you," McCaw said. "They've now got the attitude to have a crack first."

While there is no confusion about the All Blacks' desire to play attacking rugby, there was an element of doubt about which personnel would be entrusted to implement it against England.

When the 22-man squad is released today the immediate future of the uncapped Sonny Bill Williams will be clarified.

The high profile rugby rookie ran at centre in the test backline in place of Conrad Smith for the majority of the All Blacks' opening training session.

His presence might have been designed to aid his assimilation process - or a hint at a bold selection by head coach Graham Henry.

- NZPA