While England continue to agonise over their record mauling
at the hands of South Africa, the All Blacks are more
concerned about the side effects of another of the rugby
world champions' emphatic victories this season.
All Blacks lock Brad Thorn pinpointed the Springboks 53-8
pummelling of the Wallabies at Johannesburg in August as
proof England cannot be taken for granted when New Zealand
attempt to complete a Grand Slam at Twickenham on Saturday
(0330 Sunday NZT).
Thorn said Australia responded to that thumping when the
Tri-Nations finale played out in Brisbane in mid-September -
New Zealand won 28-24, only after recovering from a 7-17
deficit early in the second half.
"We were very lucky to win that game. It shows what a
difference a week can make - and what a change in attitude
can make," the 33-year-old lock said.
Thorn, whose career has encompassed stints with some of the
most formidable sporting teams in the world, said there was
nothing more potentially dangerous that an opponent coming
off a hiding.
"Straight away from my experience, it's like a bit of a
negative really," he said.
"South Africa has done us no favours. It's going to be real
backs against the wall for the English now.
"They have everything to play for - it's going to be a real
dangerous game."
Thorn continued toeing the All Black line on tour -- express
dutiful respect for the opposition despite their history of
inferiority.
Scotland and Ireland had never beaten the All Blacks in their
103 years of rivalry while Wales last did at Cardiff Arms in
1953.
Of the Home Unions England have by far the most respectable
record against New Zealand - six wins, the most recent at
Westpac Stadium in 2003.
However, the team Martin Johnson captained that day and the
one he now manages are unrecognisable.
While the World Cup winners in Australia were a class above,
Johnson's current squad has only a win over the Pacific
Islanders to celebrate.
A rare loss to Australia at Twickenham followed, then on
Saturday the Springboks - who said pre-match they were jaded
and just wanted to head home - orchestrated a 42-6 hammering.
Ominously for England, Thorn dismissed any notion of the All
Blacks being mentally fatigued ahead of their 15th and final
test of the season. They were certainly full of life at a
pool session at exclusive public school Harrow yesterday.
"We're enjoying our stuff at the moment. We've had Croke Park
(Ireland), Millennium Stadium (Wales) and now Twickenham
against the English.
"It's a real privilege to be paid to do this stuff. We're
weary but we're keen as a team to take on the challenge."
The line-up to play England will be named tomorrow but was
not expected to deviate significantly from the preferred team
that has strung together wins in South Africa and away
against Australia before accounting for the Irish and Welsh.
Centre Conrad Smith was thought to be the only alteration to
the starting side that beat Wales 29-9 last weekend,
available again after aggravating a groin injury in Dublin.
Richard Kahui, man of the match against Scotland and
impressive against the Welsh, could be relegated to watching
the Grand Slam decider from the stands.
Thorn felt continuity of selection was gradually paying
dividends.
"We've had a bit of time together now. We had the team in
against Ireland and the lineout struggled a bit, it wasn't
the flashest sort of rugby but we're slowly developing
combinations.
"The set piece has got so much stronger, the team's really
come together - there's a lot of character there." Johnson,
meanwhile, has plenty of personnel issues to deal with before
naming his team - not least the tortured soul that is
first-five eighth Danny Cipriani.
Touted as the new Johnny Wilkinson, the Wasps' pivot was
booed off Twickenham last weekend - a charged down clearance
gifting Ruaan Pienaar a try marked the nadir of a forgettable
test for the high-profile 21-year-old.
Cipriani has now had a kick charged down four times in five
internationals, an error rate sure to pique the All Blacks
interest.
Johnson has to weigh up whether to persevere with the
talented youngster or risk damaging him forever if New
Zealand - and Dan Carter - run rampant.
He also has injury concerns over New Zealand-born centre Riki
Flutey, prop Andrew Sheridan and lock Tom Palmer. World
Cup-winning second rower Ben Kay has been brought in as
cover.
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