ABs focus on Samoa, mostly

The All Blacks are doing their level best to give Samoa the respect they deserve ahead of Friday night’s Pasifika Challenge matchup at Eden Park, but even they acknowledge it ultimately serves as a means to an end.

Of course every test is treated on its merits by these notoriously tunnel-visioned All Blacks.

More so when it’s a Samoan team many of the players hold familial ties to, and who gave them more than a few anxious moments last time they crossed sapelu.

But the reality is this test is only taking place because the All Blacks needed it.

It is the proverbial entree, whetting the appetite before the main course that is the series against the British and Irish Lions which follows over the next three consecutive Saturdays.

It is so crucial ahead of three seismic tests that will command Steve Hansen’s men operate up somewhere near peak efficiency.

The All Blacks, coming out of Super Rugby mode, are notorious slow beginners.

Coach Steve Hansen was making all the right noises when he set the scene on Thursday, after announcing a match 23 that he reckoned was missing only Kieran Read from their strongest lineup. He might have added Ryan Crotty (whose sore ribs are nearly healed).

‘‘Samoa are a quality opponent, a well coached team and they have some quality players,’’ added Hansen.

‘‘We want to start the ball rolling and get away to a good start. We know whatever we do on Friday we’ll be able improve on the following week, hence why we’ve asked for the extra test match.

‘‘We try to respect every opponent we play.

‘‘Whilst the Lions is a dance that’s happening in the background, and we’re watching that with interest of course, there’s a responsibility to the jersey and those who been before us that we After Waisake Naholo’s game-changing turn for the Highlanders on Tuesday, right wing might be the most contestable spot in the All Blacks heading into the Lions series. A strong performance from the 61-test veteran tonight should make his spot safe. go out and take this test match seriously and respect Samoan rugby for what it is.

‘‘They’re a very good rugby team and on their day can cause an upset. We don’t want to be the upset.’’ It’s a fully fledged test match, and these All Blacks have standards to meet, and a new winning streak to get up and running. But at the same time they have boxes to tick, with that larger The talented and powerful former Hurricanes and soon-to-be Bristol line-breaker forms a new-look midfield alongside debutant Kieron Fonotia that will have to be watched. His headto-head matchup against Sonny Bill Williams could be pivotal. ambition in mind. They need to have their cake, and eat it too.

So they need that scrum to dispel any notions that they are struggling with the interpretations of French referees. They need the big men to execute at the set piece, the breakdown and around the field, because there is a dangerous beast looming there.

They also need their combinations to get up to speed fast: Aaron Smith and Beauden Barrett to find their rhythm as the chief playmakers; and the new midfield combination of Sonny Bill Williams and Anton LienertBrown to quickly find their collective feet too.

Some individuals face just a modicum of pressure.

Codie Taylor must grasp the starting hooker’s responsibilities; Israel Dagg is coming off a mighty 2016 campaign, but has Waisake Naholo and Rieko Ioane breathing down his neck for the No 14 jersey.

Ardie Savea gets the chance to showcase his versatility at No 8; while Aaron Smith and Williams will both be anxious to launch new phases of their test careers in the right fashion.

Hansen said Smith got the nod at halfback because of his superior passing game, and acknowledged his back three options are growing.

In essence he will have four wings in action this week, with Naholo having stated a compelling case with the Highlanders, and now Julian Savea, Dagg and (on Saturday with the Maori) Rieko Ioane get their chance to do likewise.

‘‘A win is getting a game of footy, and getting some combinations going,’’ added Hansen on the test’s key objectives.

‘‘The hardest thing to do is bring in a group of people who play in different teams, play different defensive patterns, different attacking structures, and it takes a little while.

‘‘If we can get through the game and start to get those connections going again, get back into the All Blacks way, play with a bit of intensity and pace, with some accuracy, it will be good. And obviously keeping an eye on the scoreboard will be handy too.’’

It is a Pasifika night at Eden Park, with Wales-Tonga launching proceedings at 5.30pm.

But that Lions theme plays hauntingly in the background.