All Blacks: Franks adopts myth-buster role

Owen Franks is ready to take on giant England prop Andrew Sheridan. Photo / Getty Images

An eager Owen Franks continues the All Blacks' tracking of the notorious 'Beast of Bromley' at Twickenham on Sunday - the reputed saviour of English scrummaging who enjoys only mythical status in New Zealand.

Franks has been assigned with prolonging an investigation fronted by Carl Hayman and then Greg Somerville when the giant Andrew Sheridan first appeared on the international rugby landscape in 2004.

For the first time in his burgeoning 18-test career Hayman's heir apparent as the All Blacks premier tighthead will be able to differentiate between the aura that surrounds Sale's front row behemoth and the reality of packing down against one of the northern hemisphere's most highly regarded props.

Sheridan's return from a long-term shoulder injury for his first cap since July last year promotes an intriguing set piece battle within a battle as the All Blacks prepare to combat a typically robust England in their Grand Slam opener.

The 31-year-old is the only alteration from the England starting line-up that won their most recent test at Sydney five months ago - an indication of Sheridan's standing among Martin Johnson's set-up.

At 1.93-metres tall and a cut 123kg on the scales, it is a burden the square-jawed Sheridan carries well, though there is no denying his reputation does not carry the same weight among the All Blacks domain.

Selected for the doomed British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand in 2005 on the strength of domestic form and a solitary cap against Canada, Sheridan was best remembered for an attempted punch on Luke McAlister during the loss to New Zealand Maori.

Sheridan received a yellow, and his card was marked for the remainder of the tour - Gethin Jenkins started at loosehead in all three tests; a suited up Sheridan watched from the stands.

Later that year Hayman began exposing the Sheridan myth at Twickenham as the All Blacks completed their first Grand Slam since 1978, the Englishman had another uncomfortable collision with Hayman 12 months later while at Auckland in 2008 it was Somerville that performed an admirable containment role.

Franks is not yet in the class of those predecessors but All Blacks assistant coach Steve Hansen was confident the 22-year-old was capable of curbing Sheridan's impact at the engagement.

"It's a bit early to be comparing people to Carl Hayman," Hansen said when asked to make a comparison between the France-based cornerstone and the young Franks.

"He's only in his second season of test rugby now but he loves scrummaging. That's what he bases his whole game around, everything else comes off that.

"We believe in him and we look forward to the challenge that comes with the English forward pack."

Hansen also gave Sheridan the benefit of the doubt despite his chequered history against in and against New Zealand - and that long break after a shoulder popped last October.

"Sheridan, we know, is a very good footballer.

"He's had some bad luck with injuries so I'm not so sure what his form's going to be like but if he's on his game it's going to be a test for our tightheads."

Naturally achieving at least parity at the set piece is paramount as the All Blacks strive to atone for last weekend's tardy Bledisloe Cup loss in Hong Kong.

While the scrummaging was generally solid on shifting ground, the lineout unit was not as convincing.

Keven Mealamu's first two throws were intercepted and the Wallabies maintained an ability to pressure the All Blacks formation.

"One issue was our quality of delivery and the speed of our lineout," Hansen admitted.

Lock Anthony Boric also noticed those shortcomings from an elevated position in the stands at Hong Kong Stadium.

"There were a few timing issues. We have to speed it (the lineout) up because we were a bit slow coming in and gave them a real opportunity to challenge us."

Remedial lineout work resumes tomorrow when the team undertakes their final serious hit out before Friday's relaxed captain's run at Twickenham.

The All Blacks had a day-off to explore London today though strike action by London Underground staff made sightseeing problematic.

- NZPA