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Jason Pine: A few questions ahead of tonight's test

Author
Jason Pine,
Publish Date
Sat, 13 Jul 2024, 3:06pm
The All Blacks perform the haka before the opening test of the season against England. Photo / Photosport
The All Blacks perform the haka before the opening test of the season against England. Photo / Photosport

Jason Pine: A few questions ahead of tonight's test

Author
Jason Pine,
Publish Date
Sat, 13 Jul 2024, 3:06pm

A few questions ahead of tonight's second AB's v England test: 

What would have been the biggest areas of focus for the AB's this week?  

Three things. 

One: The collision areas. England trumped us there last week. 

Two: Finding a way to combat England's rush defence. Cross-kicks are one way, but quicker, slicker ball is another. 

Three: Lineouts. Not good last week, both with connections and throwing. Codie Taylor and Asafo Aumua have big nights ahead. 

Will Damian McKenzie change his pre-kick routine after being timed out last weekend?  

I doubt it. Kickers are metronomic with the way they prepare for kicking. 

He'll also have a shot-clock on the big screen, which would have been very handy last weekend.   

How will Cortez Ratima go on debut?  

Good, I think. He's been a quality Super Rugby halfback for a while now and looks every inch a player who'll go well in black. 

He'd want to as well, with Noah Hotham also now in the mix and Cam Roigard on the improve, competition for the halfback spots is about to intensify. 

Will England break the Eden Park fortress?  

It feels unlikely. 

Something happens to the All Blacks and visiting teams on that patch of grass, how else can you explain the last 30 years?  

Only 6 of the current All Blacks 23 were even born when France scored the try from the end of the earth in 1994. 

It felt like England's chance was last weekend. 

So, who wins and by how many?  

All Blacks. And for me, more comfortably than the one-point victory that started Razor's reign in Dunedin. 

I've got them by 10 this time. 

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