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TOULOUSE - It is constantly singled out as a chink in the All Blacks armour but so far New Zealand's lineout has operated with a rare efficiency at the rugby World Cup.
Tournament statistics released after every team had played three games shows the All Blacks level with probable quarterfinal opponents France as the most successful team at securing their own lineout throws.
Both had won 42 of their 44 throws for a 96 per cent rate. Australia were third at 94 per cent.
Less than halfway into the campaign, hooker Keven Mealamu said the start was encouraging but it was too soon to say New Zealand's lineout was infallible.
"The last couple of years we've put a lot of work into it. It's really good to see some fruit," he said.
"But once we get into the quarters, and hopefully we get further, that's when the pressure comes on and we'll look to execute as well."
Mealamu said not every lineout trick had been unveiled so far because the eyes of all their main rivals would be watching.
New tactics would come out when everything was on the line in the knockout phase.
"Teams like Aussie and South Africa, they thrive on that sort of stuff," Mealamu said.
"You can't show everything. You've got to make sure you have something you can go to when you need it in the big games."
Indeed, the Springboks and Wallabies are second and third when it comes to winning opposition throws, behind Scotland.
France are fourth and New Zealand sixth with a 23 per cent success rate, having stolen six of 26 throws.
Another area where the All Blacks lead the way is line breaks, with their 18 easily a tournament-high.
Next are Wales with 12 and Ireland's 11.
Mealamu said that statistic had little value if the breaks weren't finished off, as was often the case in the 40-0 win over Scotland last weekend.
"From a linebreak point of view it's very good, it's just a matter of finishing," he said.
"We're not far away from getting those 50-50 passes sticking and we're not far away from a good performance."
- NZPA
