John Drake: Plenty to prove

COMMENT

An All Black wish list. It's mine, but I reckon it might also be the way Graham Henry and co are thinking.

The new All Blacks have had a very encouraging start, on and off the field.

The management have been happy to share the team with the public, and have been reasonably open with the media. But hey, they can't tell us everything.

So here goes.

1. The new-style formation of the backline needs to fire and give the outsides more room to show what they are capable of. New systems take time and this one requires skill and speed from all, and hasn't really come off yet. We've scored a few tries so far, but probably not quite in the way the All Blacks planned for them to happen.

So let's hope for a dry-ish ground. If it doesn't come off this time, however, we may have to revert to a deeper formation. This is our last chance to get it right and gain confidence before we take on the brilliant Aussie backs on a hard track in Sydney.

2. Go, Carlos, go. Carlos Spencer has played adequately but not with the panache and gifts we know he has. It would be great if he is instructed to let rip tomorrow, and in particular have a few runs from broken play - he may be the best in the world at that caper.

A confident Spencer, free of shackles, can rip the guts out of the opposition. So go to it, Carlos. Show us what you have got. We want to see all the tricks, and some accurate tactical kicking - the kind of stuff we know you can do.

3. To new forwards Greg Somerville and Jerry Collins - step up to the plate, fellas.

Somerville has had it all his way, until Graham Henry and Steve Hansen turned up. He was probably more surprised than the media and the public when he was dumped. Well, Greg, it's time to get back on the bike. You are supposedly in there for your scrum ability and that's great. But we want to see more of you around the field. Be more dynamic, get excited, add more at lineout time, make an impact. Make the decision over whether you or Carl Hayman start in Sydney a tough one.

Jerry - everyone is saying you are a one-dimensional player with limitations. Rubbish. You have more to offer than smashing into opponents and pulling off the occasional big hit. Support Marty Holah at the breakdown, dominate the back of the lineout in the air and more importantly on the ground, run around guys rather than through them, and show us your tactical nous and leadership. You've got the lot, so don't just rely on a couple of your tricks. Again, put some pressure on Jono Gibbes.

For this team to succeed it needs all of the players to be pushed. Quite frankly, the experiment of giving other players such as yourself a chance against Argentina didn't come up trumps. Show us that you are better than that.

4. As for the rest - last Saturday was great, but that's history. There has been a pretty average build-up this week, what with injuries and illness. This is a real test of your ability to re-focus and perform. There is a feeling that the Springboks are easy beats, but I don't think so this week. And All Black teams of recent years have tended to crack under pressure every now and then - and often when we least expect it. Don't let it happen this week, guys, because it will be back to square one if it does.

5.... finally, to Richie McCaw. Listen, mate. You are vital to this team. Holah has been great, but we really need you. Go and play for your club but if you are not 100 per cent, then get out of footy for a while and have a decent rest. Let things take their course. We want you 100 per cent fit, and fully confident.

What about the Springboks? This outfit is better off than in the past because the management and selection policies have been well structured. Despite talk of player strikes, etc they appear to be a happy team, all wanting and trying to do the same thing.

Their forwards are physical and at times brutal. They have added X-factor class in John Smit at hooker and Schalk Burger on the flank.

Smit is all class, with skill, power and a fine rugby brain. Burger is on form and confident. If his tight five get going, he could be a real nuisance.

The All Blacks will need to be aggressive and smart to get on top. Behind the pack, the Springboks are trying to add more to their game, and have had some success, but still have a fair way to go to match Australia and New Zealand. They are strong in set-piece defence, but can lose their formation when things become unstructured. Come in Carlos.

This is a tough hurdle for the All Blacks. I just hope what I believe is the Henry wish list will come off.