PREVIEW-Rugby-New Zealand spearhead final assault
LONDON, Nov 28 (Reuters) - New Zealand spearhead the final southern hemisphere assault of the November rugby union international season on Saturday at the end of an increasingly fraught month for the European nations.
Victory for the All Blacks over England at Twickenham and a win to Australia in their test against Wales in Cardiff (both 1430 GMT) would result in a 20-0 scoreline home and away for the Tri-Nations nations over their Six Nations rivals this year.
The All Blacks, seeking a third grand slam, have not had their line crossed on successive Saturdays against Scotland, Ireland and Wales. England, under new manager Martin Johnson, leaked five in last Saturday's 42-6 loss to world champions South Africa.
Johnson, hailed as a messiah in England after lifting the World Cup in 2003, has largely kept faith with a side who have gone backwards in the past month. His one significant change for Saturday's match has been to relegate flyhalf Danny Cipriani, who has given away three tries with charged-down punts.
Cipriani said this week he agreed with Johnson's decision although Daniel Carter, the masterly New Zealand flyhalf, would struggle with a pack as supine as the England eight and outside backs as inexperienced.
Carter has scored 120 points in six tests against England and the home side may have to settle for damage limitation against a team who will have played tests on five consecutive weekends after starting with a win over Australia in Hong Kong.
DARKEST HOUR Continued...
Man walks into his own funeral.