How they measure up, team for team

By CHRIS RATTUE

ALL BLACKS

Strengths: Wayne Smith's side have got match-winners in Tana Umaga and Jonah Lomu, and Jeff Wilson is looking in good form. Christian Cullen, maybe the best of them all, is missing. His return, fully fit and in form later in the series, would be a major boost.

These players remain the trump card: the All Blacks would look very ordinary without them. The All Blacks built some momentum in their three opening tests, although the quality of opposition was dubious and may have created a false sense of progress.

Weaknesses: The set pieces. The scrum and lineout remain unconvincing; the pack have many players yet to establish themselves and they may struggle to compete with Australia's ball-snaffler supreme George Smith. Tony Brown is unproven and Justin Marshall can be erratic. Smith has rearranged the outside backs going into the first big test - why wasn't Wilson played at fullback earlier? It was a strange call, suggesting jitters in the camp.

MVP: Umaga. While Cullen's not there, Umaga is the player most able to break games open for the All Blacks.

Unknown quantity: Will the talented Troy Flavell prove a match-winner or struggle as an international lock?

Prediction: Runners-up.

WALLABIES

Strengths: The Australians were knocked around a bit against the Lions, but at least they will be battle hardened and have been able to iron out their problems against top opposition. Their locks and loose forwards are their engine. They are good ballwinners and, in Owen Finegan and Toutai Kefu, they have got loosies who continually get their side moving forward. Matt Burke is an ace goalkicker, George Gregan a fine orchestrator. Maybe their greatest strength is a continually growing self-belief. They just don't lose many these days.

Weaknesses: The front row improved with new personnel against the Lions, but is not intimidating. Stephen Larkham's injuries and average form leave question marks at first five-eighths. Australia look vulnerable against the maul, but New Zealand, in particular, and South Africa will struggle to match the Lions' ability in that department. The Wallabies will also have to get over the euphoria of the Lions' triumph, but they should not be caught napping in these days of sports shrinks and buzz words like focus.

MVP: Smith. The Wallaby openside reigns supreme in forcing turnovers and stopping opponents' momentum.

Unknown quantity: Will the Wallabies have to learn different schemes under new coach Eddie Jones, who is a disciple of ball retention?

Prediction: Winners.

SPRINGBOKS

Strengths: The South Africans must rely heavily on their forwards. They have some clever backs, such as Robbie Fleck, but as a unit they don't really compare with the Wallabies and All Blacks.

They've got the makings of a good pack, despite the comings and goings, and will surely know they must rely on trying to overpower opponents in the tight, especially when they select big flankers such as Andre Venter and Andre Vos. The Springboks have their backs against the wall - and desperation can count for a lot.

Weaknesses: The Springboks do not have the matchwinners of their opponents and may be stuck with a forward-dominated game plan, at odds with coach Harry Viljoen's vision of a Springboks team driven by brain over brawn. It's hard to know what effect the turmoil - assistant coach Andre Markgraaff departing, 11th-hour selection changes, quota demands and so on - will have, but the cracks could become chasms.

MVP: Joost van der Westhuizen. The 30-year-old halfback knows what a battle is - after all, he does play for the Bulls.

Unknown quantity:The entire side. The Springboks undergo so many changes (eight coaches in nine years) and dramas, they are hard to get a handle on.

Prediction: Third.