By Nick Mulvenney
SYDNEY Nov 7 (Reuters) – New Zealand, Australia and South Africa bestride the world rankings and will be confident of showing once again over the next month that the North-South divide in world rugby is very much alive and kicking.
The long southern hemisphere season has taken its toll in injury, however, and several big names will be absent from the sides that look to storm the citadels of European rugby over four weekends from this Saturday.
The exception are the All Blacks, who showed no signs of a World Cup hangover while running rampant through the inaugural Rugby Championship and only faltered in a 18-18 draw with the Wallabies in their last outing.
Coach Steve Hansen’s stated goal is to improve each week and while it is obvious the world champions are far from a finished product, there have been enough glimpses of a ‘perfect performance’ in the making to set alarm bells ringing in Europe.
Hansen’s desire to avoid having a side dominated by players in their mid-30s by the next World Cup in 2015 was also evident in the nine new caps he brought in this year, two of which are likely to be introduced on the tour.
Uncapped hooker Dane Coles has been given his chance to prove his credentials as Hansen contemplates the transition from the era of Keven Mealamu and Andrew Hore.
Scrumhalf Piri Weepu will also be under pressure after being surpassed by the electric Aaron Smith earlier this year with Tawera Kerr-Barlow the other uncapped player in the squad for tests against Scotland, Italy, Wales and England.
Flyhalf Beauden Barrett could also use the tour to challenge Aaron Cruden as the long-term replacement for 30-year-old Daniel Carter.
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