Another typically woeful Jones article - always full of wisdom and tactical enlightenment AFTER the event, however his pre-match analysis is invariably well wide of the mark His comments earlier this month waxing lyrical about the man he refers to as "splendid" Charlie Hodgson say it all...

Paul, Christchurch,

Hey Phil Tomkinson, you're not in Narnia. Stephen's record of at least one Kiwi insult per article is intact. It was a little more subtle this time ("I've met all two gracious New Zealanders"), but he is Welsh and they are good at subtle insults. I should know, my wife's a Cardiff girl !

Paul, Marlborough , New Zealand

I would suggest that the only way to beat th All Blacks is to become more skillfull than them. They are a class act and one only has to look at overseas teams to appreciate their contribution upon retirement from the representative team.

Alan Ryan, San Hao, China

Just wondering if the fact that paddy wallace defended well against Nonu despite giving away 2 stone is a relevent point jonesy? or the fact that the (my opinion) over-muscled o'driscoll was at fault for letting the small NZ 12 away for Sivivatu's try is worth noting b4 you remove all small backs?

Dave, enniskillen,

To beat the blacks, you have to get over a few hurdles.1. They hate you and want to disembowl you thats just the backs its going to be ferocious....match it or suffer.
2. Many teams have lost before the step on the park, no place for the weak of mind.Sort out 1+2 then play out of your skin.

Shaun walby, Leeds, UK

Is it possible that Steven's restraint indicates a huge AB win?

AJ, Shanghai,

I am no Rugby specialist so have no opinion on whether you are right or wrong in this article. However the only interesting thing England did in the whole of the last world cup was Tait taking on 5 South African's in the final. If he is surplus then so is the sport.

Dave Williams, Beijing, China

Have I woken up in Narnia? has world peace been achieved?? Has Mr S Jones just written an article which failed to insult All Black rugby and every Kiwi in general??? ......must mean he's over here! Never thought the words would pass my lips but good article.....DAMN

phil tomkinson, auckland, new zealand

I have seen live England win 3 of the 6 wins against the AB and the draw. In the last 20 years English rugby has got better. At the moment the AB's are really hurt and the fans want blood 24/7 or these guys are mud. Don't under-estimate this factor of NZ rugby for the next 4 year -then let us choke

TH, Auckland, New Zealand

I'm not sure New Zealand have big enough stadiums to do a full lap around Kevin!!

Dave, Herts, UK

david russell, Berkhamsted, England

Funny how, when venting ill infromed tosh about the ELVs rugby is a "game for all shapes and sizes" yet when it comes to picking a team bigger the better, regardless of skill...

LDC, Hamilton, NZ

Those in the NH who rave about the superior rugby played up there should think about the following.

5 out of the 6 World Cups have been won by SH teams.

I'm not sure what the stats are when it comes to North v South comparisons in test matches but I'm pretty sure it would tell the same story.

Will, Christchurch, New Zealand

If England get within 20 points will they run vicory lap?

Kevin A, New Plymouth, NZ

Charlie Hodgson? Richard Wigglesworth? Give me a break. Care has got to play, he's simply better than Wigglesworth. Flood is a better decision maker, and bigger than Hodgson. And now Easters injured, why not have Rees 7, Lipman 6 and Haskell 8.

Alonso, Guidford,

Dylan Hartley was seriously outmuscled by the Baa Baas, I very much doubt he will learn more from a bashing from the All Black front row than he would in a winning Saxons team.

Ben Saunders, Beckenham, England

Maybe I watched a different game, in the one I saw the NZ pack outplayed Ireland in all departments, NZ moved the ball out twice and scored tries. The rain and cold saved Ireland from a cricket score. England will have no chance NZ by 40 points

Anthony J, Alton , England

I think the decider between the two teams will be fitness... Englands players are fatigued after a long season where as the AB's are fresh and have been playing at a lot higher speed under the much maligned elvs . The additional fitness should
make the AB's far to strong in the last 20.

Gareth, Wellington,

I would love to see New Zealander Dylan Hartley starting for England. A wonderful welcome to International rugby awaits.

The English will play to their strengths - 10 man rugby, which Jones alludes to above in all but name. May work, but one hopes the Kiwis can counter with flowing rugby.

Grant C, Dubai, UAE

Stephen, your child-like excitement for such uninspiring England combinations is envious. I wish I could share your excitement for this game. England can potentially win if the game deteriorates into a forward arm wrestle and penalty-fest. Here is hoping it doesn't.

GT, Shanghai, China

Went to the All Black/Ireland game, Richie McCaw was outstanding.
Looking forward to being at Eden Park this Saturday night, AB's will need to improve, but should have it over England.

Thanks to the great Irish supporters in Wellington, always great company in Molly Malones Pub.

Micha, Palmerston North, New Zealand

jone's views on rugby union or league are as irrelevant as the current orthodoxy prevailing within the labour party.

Like Brown he espouses an ideology that lacks coherence and fails to deal with realities.

He is a dinosaur and a bore. Just like Brown.

BD MATHERS, birmingham,

Steven my good man, you have suggested that the SH Super 14 is sub standard to the NH comps. Why then are the SH nations beating us again?

I fear my Aussie flat mate is right, that we are one hit wonders when it comes to sport

Matt Braine, London, England

I really enjoyed the match yesterday, thought the ABs played really well. Hate the ping pong kicking, but at least the Irish got the ball behind the back 3 most of the time, preventing quick attack ball. I never really understood that. With Easter out, maybe Haskell will get an 8 start with Croft 6.

Maurice Gedling, Tzavrou, Corfu

"generalship and certain sporting gravitas which is needed at fly-half". It seems strange that you now argue for Barkley at fly-half, who looks infinitely less assured and anything but a general at 10. This whole hate game against Tait and Flood is pathetic and started to bore a long time ago.

Joe, York,

The English might also consider hoisting it high. The ABs back three was hesitant in Wellington and there was some potentially disasterous miscommunication going on under the high ball. On another note, I was shocked to so many powerful forwards graduating from the "cream-puff" Super 14.

Sid, Melbourne, Australia

If we don’t improve by about 200% during the week, your boys will take us Stephen. I’m not just talking you up – England know how to apply and maintain pressure; something neither side was able to do last night.

I'll be glued to it, unlike some of those idiotic fickle Deans "supporters" from Chch

Scottie, Auckland, NZ

Interesting turnaround in your views of this series, Stephen. Only a few days ago you were describing the upcoming tests as irrelevant and moaning that you had to miss a Bruce Springsteen concert. Now you are hailing this as a defining series!!

Pete, Te Horo, New Zealand

It would be wonderfull to see a good old fashioned three match series however as usual the off season tour by a Northern Hemisphere team is devalued by their reluctance to bring their A team or even this year their A coach, why is that? I still remember the tour from hell.....

Ben, Auckland, New Zealand

Spot on about the All Blacks physicality and lineout dominance, Stephen.
Ultimately thats where yesterdays game was won and lost.
Hopefully they can build on yesterday's foundations

Jim Nolan, Dublin,

I share the concern about lightweight wings and centres. But Tait is not so much lightweight as played in the wrong position for England - he is not an international centre. Imagine him coming up against de Villiers in Blomfontein! But he is a smart and pacy player who would do a better job than Ojo

Tony Gold, London, England