Willing to lock horns with tourists’ big boys

You have to make sure you have a good understanding of every player — whether it is your opposite or a fullback.

always something to work on, and after last Saturday night’s close first test in Auckland there had been a lot of honesty in the review session yesterday.

“If you get comfortable you should probably not be here. Myself and other members of the team have very high standards and improving is the way we want to be.”

The review had shown there were plenty of places to improve.

“Individual skills were not good enough and we are pretty keen to get better this week.

“Everyone has to do their own review — where they played well and when they need to improve. Working on that will help them and will help the whole team improve. If you do that first then you’re on your way.”

England are likely to bring some established players who did not arrive in time to play the first test.

Whitelock said good sides had great depth.

“They can put out anyone out there and they are still going to have that same passion. Great international sides don’t have 15 or 23 players. They have a large number of players, and they showed that they have great depth.”

The scratchy win last Saturday was marred by some dropped balls and misdirected kicks. But under a roof and assured of a dry track, the All Blacks will look to improve their handling and make better use of possession.

“First of all we have to get our own individual skill set right and if we do that, and sort our own game out, we should be right.”