New Zealand v England, Auckland, Saturday 14, 7.35pm local time.

Both sides will have had an eye on the weather reports as well as the opposition after last week's Test that had even the Irish complaining about the cold. For the record the forecast is cloudy with showers and a low of ninw degrees, which is about 30 degrees warmer than Wellington last Saturday.

As a result, the outside backs might even touch the ball at Eden Park, which will suit the All Blacks, who have admirably and belatedly named an unchanged side apart from the inclusion of Greg Somerville at tight-head prop for the injured John Afoa.

Right winger Anthony Tuitavake will be bursting at the seams for a run after being the the coldest spectator in Wellington. Shane Williams of Wales showed last week there is still plenty of room for the smaller man with a great step in the modern era of behemoth back lines, and Tuitavake has the ability to slice through the line, as he proved against the Crusaders in the Super 14.

Ma'a Nonu will also be relishing what could be described as an extended run for him in the All Blacks that now stretches all the way to two successive games. Nonu is still relatively young (26) and you get the feeling that although he puts the fear of God into defenders, deep down he really just wants to be loved after a series of All Blacks rejections in the past. It was noticeable how his error rate diminished at the Hurricanes in the second half of the Super 14 when coach Colin Cooper showed faith in him in the No.12 jersey and the All Blacks selectors are trying to repeat the process at Test level. If they succeed with their investment, the return is one of the world's best line breakers.

Several injuries to key personnel have done nothing for England's cause. Five-eighth Danny Cipriani's horrible pre-tour ankle injury was the headline-maker, but bustling No.8 Nick Easter's return to England from the tour party earlier this week is just as damaging. Winger Paul Sackey didn't even make the trip, so England have handed a debut to Topsy Ojo, who has the pace, and name, we all dream of.

England have only one man in the starting XV who played in the World Cup final defeat to the Springboks, although that really should be one-and-a-half men, given it is 122kg loose-head Andrew Sheridan. The Sale powerhouse has reserved his most destructive performances for the Wallabies so far, but the chances of an England win rise immeasurably if he can exert anything like the same pressure on the All Blacks scrum.

Watch too for his Sale teammate Richard Wigglesworth at halfback, who showed glimpses of real talent in the Six Nations, scoring a try in England's 24-13 win in Paris in his first starting game. Wigglesworth's combination with No.10 Charlie Hodgson at club level will benefit both men on Saturday, as will the presence of warhorse Mike Tindall in the midfield. The elusive Mathew Tait rightfully has his fans, but Tindall, who has had a shocking run with injuries, provides the defensive starch and straight running needed in hostile All Blacks territory.

But England will miss most keenly the presence of new coach Martin Johnson. Johnson is in England to be with his pregnant wife. Director of rugby Rob Andrew has stepped into the caretaker role, but can't bring the galvanising effect of the no-nonsense Johnson, who embodies the stoic, we're-ugly-but-we-don't-give-a-stuff approach of the best English sides.

For the All Blacks, Richie McCaw is the man on the paddock who has that inspirational effect. He was into everything in the 21-11 win over Ireland, and continues to set the standards - along with fellow workaholic back-rower Rodney So'oialo - for his teammates.

The key match-up: Tight-head prop v loose-head prop - Greg Somerville v Andrew Sheridan. The front rows of scrums are mysterious, complex structures understood only by the small club of squat, odd-looking men who form them. These two are life members of that club, and although we can only imagine at what goes on in there, the sight of two Test packs smashing into each other for half a yard of real estate remains one of the most brutal and compelling sights in sport. Somerville has the technique. Sheridan has the raw power. Something has to give.

The stat: Rob Andrew, who amassed 71 caps, never played a Test in New Zealand for England.

Prediction: All Blacks by 12.
TV: Fox Sports 3, 5.25pm, Sydney time.

The teams:
New Zealand: Mils Muliaina (Waikato), Anthony Tuitavake (North Harbour), Conrad Smith (Wellington), Ma'a Nonu (Wellington), Sitiveni Sivivatu (Waikato), Daniel Carter (Canterbury), Andy Ellis (Canterbury), Jerome Kaino (Auckland), Richie McCaw (capt) (Canterbury), Rodney So'oialo (Wellington), Ali Williams (Tasman), Brad Thorn (Tasman), Greg Somerville (Canterbury), Andrew Hore (Wellington), Neemia Tialata (Wellington). Reserves: Keven Mealamu (Auckland), John Schwalger (Wellington), Anthony Boric (North Harbour), Sione Lauaki (Waikato) Jimmy Cowan (Southland), Stephen Donald (Waikato), Leon MacDonald (Canterbury).

England: Mike Brown (Harlequins), Topsy Ojo (London Irish), Mike Tindall (Gloucester), Olly Barkley (Bath), David Strettle (Harlequins), Charlie Hodgson (Sale), Richard Wigglesworth (Sale), Luke Narraway Gloucester, Tom Rees (Wasps), James Haskell (Wasps), Steve Borthwick (capt) Bath, Tom Palmer (Wasps), Matt Stevens (Bath), Lee Mears (Bath), Andrew Sheridan (Sale). Replacements: David Paice (London Irish) Tim Payne (Wasps), Ben Kay (Leicester),Joe Worsley (Wasps), Danny Care (Harlequins), Jamie Noon (Newcastle Falcons), Mathew Tait (Newcastle Falcons).

Ref: Nigel Owens (Wales)