The All Blacks hope referee Joel Jutge will be prepared for more opposition delaying tactics when they face England at Twickenham on Monday morning (NZ time).
New Zealand have a perfect five from five record in tests the Frenchman has officiated, most recently the 35-17 July defeat ofSouth Africa in Wellington.
After that game All Blacks coach Graham Henry accused the Springboks players of feigning injuries to slow the pace of the game.
Despite talk from both sides of a new English attacking verve, the hosts are likely to try and slow this test in any way they can, turning it into a contest that suits their powerful forward pack.
They did it effectively last year at the breakdown according to coach Graham Henry, stemming the All Blacks' attacking style as they just held on for a 23-19 win.
"Last year we had a problem because one side stopped at the tackle and the other side went through and cleared the ball. So there was a different emphasis from the two sides and the referee found that difficult."
It was the All Blacks who ultimately suffered at the hands of Ireland referee Alan Lewis, having three players sinbinned at various stages in the final quarter.
Another method used by teams to slow the pace of a game is to question or complain with referees about their decisions -- something last year's touring Lions adopted but which other international teams also employ on occasion.
The International Rugby Board is attacking the issue this week, threatening the punishment of penalties to players -- including captains -- if they remonstrate about decisions.
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw was aware of the IRB's efforts but hadn't been told to address the referee any differently. He awaited with interest what Jutge told him under the Twickenham grandstand before kickoff.
McCaw agreed with the IRB's intentions.
"When there's a lot of talk, it becomes quite frustrating," he said.
We want to play a game that keeps flowing, there's nothing worse than stopping and starting.
"There's no point questioning (the referee) unless it's at the right time. That's something I work on as a captain, you're never going to change his decision."
