The All Blacks No.8 Kieran Read says victory over England in London this weekend will give New Zealand a psychological edge heading into next year's World Cup in England.
The All Blacks had their first full training in London Wednesday morning as they ramp up their preparations for Sunday morning's Test at Twickenham, the site of next year's World Cup final, which is less than a year away.
Kieran Read who will captain the All Blacks in their first match against the United States in 23 years. Photo: Photosport
Apart from the two players who returned home following Chicago, the squad is fully fit, with replacements Colin Slade and James Parsons slotting in immediately.
Read believes the victor of Sunday morning's match will land a sizeable mental blow to their beaten opponents.
However he says the English may take more from this game ahead of the World Cup than they would. Read feels the All Blacks will be in good shape next year no matter what.
He says there is plenty of emotion around this game, but they use that emotion to play well.
Wing Julian Savea is expected to return to the All Blacks starting line-up for the clash with England, reforming his potent combination with Read.
Julian Savea scores a try in New Zealand's test match against Argentina in Napier on Saturday. Photo: PHOTOSPORT / Andrew Cornaga
Read says Savea is a great finisher and it's his and the teams job to get him the ball.
Savea has scored eight tries in four matches against the English.
The injury-hit All Blacks have had another scare with flanker Sam Cane floored by a heavy knock at training before receiving assistance on what appeared to be a back injury.
Cane started in Sunday's 74-6 victory over the United States in Chicago, and the Chiefs No.7 is unlikely now to be included in the matchday 23 for Sunday morning's clash.
Prop Wyatt Crockett and flanker Jerome Kaino, who are recovering from shin and foot injuries respectively, both emerged from training unscathed.
It has been suggested that Dan Carter could start at first five against England.
The England rugby selectors are hopeful lock Dave Attwood will be available to face the All Blacks this weekend, despite his fiancee going into labour.
Attwood missed their training session after leaving to be with his partner, but is set to return to camp later in the week.
England forwards coach Graham Rowntree says it'll be fine, they'll play it day by day, but he expects Attwood to be back at the end of the week able to train a happy man.
Attwood has won the bulk of his 12 England caps as a replacement, but Rowntree says the two-metre, 118 kilo lock deserves the opportunity to start against the All Blacks at Twickenham.
The England team is named Thursday night.
With second rows Joe Launchbury, Geoff Parling and Ed Slater all unavailable because of injury, the uncapped George Kruis is on standby to line up alongside Courtney Lawes in the starting XV should Attwood not be available.
