All Blacks attention slowly turns to France

While Japan will play the All Blacks in their next test in Hamilton, already talk is beginning to drift towards France, likely to be the host’s toughest pool opponent.

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Indeed, Les Bleus could constitute the most difficult round robin game the All Blacks have ever played in World Cup history, although they were paired with England in the 1991 and 1999 tournaments.

France play Canada at Napier next up, but both that game and the All Blacks’ fixture at Waikato Stadium will in some respects be dress rehearsals for the famous ‘rendezvous’ at Eden Park – advertised in Paris just days after their Cardiff win four year’s ago.

For the All Blacks, the big question will be whether or not the selectors opt to give players opportunities to push for claims – as Sonny Bill Williams, Richard Kahui and Israel Dagg were against Tonga.

This does fulfill squad dynamics and give all players a chance to perform on the biggest stage, but this comes with the sacrifice of continuity in selection.

Or will a ‘full strength’ team be given a trial run before facing France?

This would then in theory enable the All Blacks to freshen up their team against Canada prior to the quarter finals.

Further to this is one of the biggest landmarks ever witnessed in All Blacks history, with captain Richie McCaw one test away from becoming New Zealand rugby’s first centurion.

Senior players who didn’t play against Tonga will enter calculations, namely front line players such as Keven Mealamu and Conrad Smith, while others including Zac Guildford, Andy Ellis, John Afoa and Mils Muliaina will get a crack.

With Dagg putting heat on the 98-test fullback, surely Henry will give his long serving custodian a chance to reply with a statement of his own.

The only certainty given after the Tonga match was that centre Smith would likely start against Japan.

There is also the return of injured players, with Adam Thomson now available for selection after his elbow was cleared.