Shhh, there's a test on tonight.

A midweek All Black test in New Zealand.  The way of the future, it just may be - doesn't disrupt the NPC, or Air New Zealand Cup, or whatever it will be called in the future - and when a decent opposition is lined up, these games could be huge.

Due apologies to the Samoan invitational side, but this would be their 2nd and a half XV wouldn't it?  All their decent players battling it out in the opening rounds of the European competitions as we speak.

So regardless, if this is an opposed training run, or a genuine test, it is happening, and it probably is a good thing, as it gives the All Blacks a hit out in match conditions before next weeks test match against the Wobblies - who will be stinging a little from their record loss at the weekend against the Boers.  IF the All Blacks needed a wake up call prior to the Brisbane test, this Wobbly loss, and their need for redemption would be it.

What can we look forward to tonight, and what can we hope for?  Well accuracy I think, and sticking to the game plan that seems to have worked in the last two Tri Nations wins.  And that game plan?  Basically is to kick the stuffing out of the ball and play the game in opposition territory, and collect points from there through pressure, pressure, pressure.  A game plan used by the All Blacks for a 100 years, and something that should never be moved too far from.  Eliminate your own mistakes, and pressure the opposition into making mistakes.  Simple, effective, and bloody hard to do!

So stick to the game plan is the key tonight.  Don't open the game up into sevens style picnic rugby, as that would defeat the purpose of playing this game in the first place.  Lets see good tight playing for position, before the likes of Nonu start trying to do their flash Harry stuff.  Lets see if the All Blacks are disciplined enough to be able to pull that off, in a game that should be a massive miss match.

Another target from the All Blacks should be keeping their tryline intact for the match, something that they should be able to do, but something that will require discipline again.  Discipline to get back like a rabid dog on defence when the line is split, even when the score is 75-3.

And of course the obvious targets of a clean attacking lineout slate, strong scrum, and ccurate breakdown work.

That accurate breakdown work even more important when it comes to players, and one in particular who is filling some very large boots in the seven jersey.  Adam Thomson.  He's dropped well off the pace since his early moments of test rugby, and needs a big game to stay in the picture.  Playing in the unfamiliar position of seven puts even more pressure on the young man.  However, it is not a tough test match to be put into this situation, so if he fails here, it will not be such a big deal.  If he makes a go of the open side commission, it may be a road worth travelling down in future more important matches.  This match sort of like Thomson's first All Black exam,  Pass it, and you can carry on, fail, and that could be the last of the big ginga in black.

There is one other player pretty much in the same boat, and that is Anthony Tuitavake.  He has been found wanting big time in his All Black appearances to date.  He now has a chance to get some confidence up against a side thrown together in less than a week.  Again, like Thomson, fail here, and Tuitavake might become a one season wonder in black.  Tuitavake's main weakness has been his off the ball work.  He should be forced to watch a week of Doug Howlett's test matches, and if he could do half the work that Sideshow Doug used to do, he would be doubling his current workrate...

It appears the All Blacks have named their top side from the players available.  Thorn, Afoa, McCaw and Sivivatu all on the mend from injuries, giving Boric and the above two mentioned players another chance to get more test match game time under their belts.  Boric gets another chance to impress, he is serving his apprenticeship well, and I think he will become a very good All Black lock in the future. 

Expect a mass change from the All Blacks though as the game progresses - I would be picking after 50 odd minutes we will see the like of Carter and Muliaina being taken from the field, and Toeava, Donald and company getting some serious game time.  And no doubt that impact sub that we all love to hate Lauaki will get onto the field at some stage too.  I wonder which team he will make an impact for...

A test match or a live training run in front of 22,000 rugby fans, whatever it is, who cares, we've got some code to watch tonight at 6:30, bring it on!!!

New Zealand 1- Tony Woodcock, 2 - Andrew Hore, 3 - Greg Somerville, 4 - Anthony Boric, 5 - Ali Williams, 6 - Jerome Kaino, 7 - Adam Thomson, 8 - Rodney So'oialo (captain), 9 - Jimmy Cowan, 10 - Dan Carter, 11 - Anthony Tuitavake, 12 - Ma'a Nonu, 13 - Conrad Smith, 14 - Richard Kahui, 15 - Mils Muliaina.
Reserves: 16 - Keven Mealamu, 17 - Neemia Tialata, 18 - Sione Lauaki, 19 - Piri Weepu, 20 - Stephen Donald, 21 - Isaia Toeava, 22 - Rudi Wulf.

Samoa 1 - Simon Lemalu , 2 - Loleni Tafuna, 3 - Heroshi Tea, 4 - Filipo Levi (captain), 5 - Chad Slade, 6 - Semo Sititi, 7 - Alafoti Faosiliva, 8 - George Stowers, 9 - Notise Tauafao, 10 - Uale Mai, 11 - Esera Lauina, 12 - Jerry Meafou, 13 - Pale Toelupe, 14 - Reupena Levasa, 15 - Alatasi Tupou.
Reserves: 16 - Lafoga Aoelua, 17 - Roysiu Tolufale, 18 - Maselino Paulino, 19 - Simaika Mikaele, 20 - Junior Poluleuligaga, 21 - Roger Warren, 22 - Romi Ropati.