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New Zealand gave Martin Johnson's credentials as an international manager a ringing endorsement yesterday with Graham Henry, the coach, and Steve Hansen, the assistant coach, saying that he is the right man to lead England into the future. They backed Johnson's ability and said that despite their record home defeat by South Africa, England should not panic, even if it is the All Blacks marching over the horizon in search of a grand slam at Twickenham on Saturday.

Henry and Hansen are no strangers to the type of criticism that Johnson is starting to face. They see it as an unpleasant part of the job but one that comes with the territory. Hansen cited his 11-game losing run when he was head coach of Wales as evidence of how low matters can get.

“But if you have a plan - and he has a plan - those in the media, or who purport to know what is going on but don't have to front up, have to be patient and give him the opportunity,” Hansen said. “He will be very good because of the type of character he is. He will demand people come with him. They [England] have had to change the way they play.”

Henry, too, was effusive. “It will take time but he has high standards, he expects high standards and they [the players] respect him,” he said.

“They will go into this game as determined as they have ever been,” Hansen said. “Losing by a big score is very, very painful. There are a lot of very proud people in that team. They will want to impress their style of rugby on us.”

New Zealand, who went to Buckingham Palace for an audience with the Queen yesterday, have made only one change to the side to face England in their fifteenth international of the year. Conrad Smith has recovered from a groin injury that kept him out of the 29-9 win over Wales last Saturday and returns at outside centre at the expense of the unfortunate Richard Kahui.

It is their strongest available side, the one that started against Ireland 11 days ago, and includes Ali Williams, the only player who will have started every match in 2008. Brad Thorn has a cold but is expected to recover to partner Williams in the second row on Saturday, when the All Blacks go in search of only their third grand slam, having also defeated Australia in Hong Kong en route to Europe. “It is up to teams to leave a legacy from their time in the jersey,” Henry said. “Five Tests in five weeks is a major challenge.”

Henry indicated that, a year after his future as coach was in doubt because of the All Blacks' quarter-final exit from the World Cup, completing this tour unbeaten would finally draw a line in the sand. It would repay the faith that the New Zealand Rugby Union had shown in him, Hansen and Wayne Smith as a coaching triumvirate when they were forced to re-apply for their jobs.

Among the rivals for Henry's post was Robbie Deans, the Canterbury coach, who, having been overlooked, was recruited by the Wallabies.

“Robbie Deans is a great coach and it was a difficult decision for them,” Henry said. “I am sure they will now feel comfortable with their decision. We felt pressure in the Tri-Nations. But [having won] that gave us a chance to relax and enjoy the tour.” The sound of New Zealanders licking their lips was almost audible.

England: D Armitage (London Irish); P Sackey (London Wasps), J Noon (Newcastle Falcons), R Flutey (London Wasps), U Monye (Harlequins); T Flood (Leicester), D Care (Harlequins); T Payne (London Wasps), L Mears (Bath), P Vickery (London Wasps), S Borthwick (Saracens, captain), N Kennedy (London Irish), J Haskell (London Wasps), M Lipman (Bath), N Easter (Harlequins). Replacements: D Hartley (Northampton), M Stevens (Bath), T Croft (Leicester), T Rees (London Wasps), H Ellis (Leicester), D Cipriani (London Wasps), D Hipkiss (Leicester).Á

New Zealand: M Muliaina; J Rokocoko, C Smith, M Nonu, S Sivivatu; D Carter, J Cowan; A Woodcock, K Mealamu, N Tialata, B Thorn, A Williams, J Kaino, R McCaw (captain), R So'oialo. Replacements: H Elliot, J Afoa, A Boric, K Read, P Weepu, S Donald, I Toeava.