Scotty Stevenson: Lancaster and squad have to be prepared

It says a lot about the confidence of England coach Stuart Lancaster that his first message to fans this week has been "we are ready".

Yes, in spite of the disruption doubtless caused by series-ending injuries to no fewer than nine of his first-string players, plus doubts lingering still over the fitness of at least three more key men, and now news that Dave Attwood could join the ever-expanding list of players who have misjudged the timing of their conception efforts (that ever-expanding list is an unforeseen outcome of the ever-expanding rugby season, one presumes, rather than an indication of the ever-expanding libido of the professional rugby player), Lancaster's latest squad are reporting for duty willing, able, and ready.

Question is, ready for what?

Lancaster has had plenty to watch of the All Blacks since they gave his side a hiding in Hamilton in that final test in June.

He and his staff would have been scheming away during those three tests against Australia, and the pair apiece against the Pumas and South Africans would in most cases offer enough ammunition for even the most casual of analysts to pick apart a side's strengths and weaknesses.

But what will be the All Blacks' go-to against England at the weekend?

This is the nightmare in facing the All Blacks: despite the expert analysis, coaches still have to make an educated guess, pick through the hours of footage, decide what cards the Kiwis have, when they're bluffing, what they're telling, and then go all-in on the game plan big bet.

Get that bet wrong, and you'll be bumming loose change for a tube home, on which you can reflect upon how exactly you got hustled.

Just what side will Lancaster's men face this weekend?

Not once have the All Blacks put together a consistent game plan since the Hamilton match, and even within that series there were adjustments and counter-measures being constantly implemented.

Every team is capable of making adjustments, but the All Blacks, by virtue of being not just the best team in the world, but the most skilful, can do it better than most.

And that - the fact that this England team have been so drastically depleted, and the fact that the All Blacks are the masters of the micro-tactic - makes two things rather redundant this weekend: picking where the All Blacks will point their guns, and trying to sell this match as any indication of what might happen should these teams meet again in the Rugby World Cup.

England are not without ability, and they'll offer a damn sight more than the USA offered last weekend, and there'll be the usual Twickenham tosh about this stadium being a fortress and suchlike.

But the fact remains that we're still talking about a venue that the All Blacks win at more often than not.

They'll win this one, too, not because they hate to lose to the English (though, of course, they do) and not because they are match-hardened by the Rugby Championship (though, absolutely, they are) and not because they have almost their entire squad available for selection, including three 100-test players (though it is certainly a bonus) but because there's no way England will be able to see what's coming at them.

England will think of Australia's heartbreaking defeat in the final Bledisloe Cup test - but the All Blacks were defensively passive at the breakdown because they thought they could force more mistakes.

England will think of South Africa's impressive win at Ellis Park, but they don't have the ball-running forwards to force the same kind of defensive fatigue.

They will think of the boot of Israel Dagg, but last week proved his running confidence has returned; or the forward crash balls supplied by Brodie Retallick, even as the second man line was implemented with such class last weekend at Soldier Field.

That's already an awful lot of thinking. I'm tired just writing it down.

Truth is, I would not like to be in Lancaster's shoes this week.

England are ready, are they?

Well, I certainly hope if that's the case, they're ready for anything.

3 Things ahead of Twickers clash

1. Debate about DC

There's been plenty of debate about whether Dan Carter will or should start the Twickenham test. For the nays: he is 30 minutes back into the test arena, and given what happened here on the occasion of his 100th test last year, he may feel too much pressure. For the yeas: he's scored more points against England than any other player, and his goal-kicking is the best in the team.

2. Mealamu nudges record

Keven Mealamu could hold a new All Black record outright this weekend, should Dane Coles get the starting hooker's spot. Kevvy played a few more minutes than he would have expected last week, coming off the bench for the injured Nathan Harris, and it was his 46th All Black appearance as a substitute. He is tied for the most bench starts with Piri Weepu, and will claim sole honours if he's wearing 16 this week.

3. 397, 398, 399 ...

There could be another record at Twickers this weekend. The All Blacks are looking to become the first team to register 400 test wins and are already the leading team on 399. Only two other teams - France and England - have tasted victory more than 300 times. Having 11 of the squad with 10 or more test tries to their name certainly helps - an all the more remarkable stat when you consider just 43 All Blacks are on the 10 or more tries list.