All Blacks: Rugby needs to be the winner at Twickenham - Hansen

The All Blacks agree test rugby desperately needs an open, flowing match when they meet England on Sunday after a series of kick-dominated snoozefests.

As assistant coach Steve Hansen confirmed the All Blacks would select their strongest starting 15 at Twickenham - which would mean up to a dozen changes - he lamented the current state of test rugby.

Despite an electric atmosphere at a packed San Siro, the second-string All Blacks beat Italy 20-6 on Sunday in a slugfest dominated by kicks, penalties, scrum resets and some basic errors from both sides. England's 16-9 win over Argentina at the same time at Twickenham was a poor spectacle and led to scathing criticism of the home side and coach Martin Johnson.

Former England lock Paul Ackford said England appeared as a side "lacking ambition, direction and leadership".

Hansen pointed to the current laws, which encouraged a kickfest. "At the moment kicking has overtaken the game. They tried to change all the rules and halfway through the process they decided to play differently up here," Hansen said.

"They didn't want to play some of them so we've got a hybrid type of game and it's ended up with everyone kicking. They probably need to bring the mark back anywhere on the field, then you can't kick it.

"They've always played differently up here, too, and we've just got to accept that.

"But I think the game of rugby needs a good game; not necessarily just a battle up front but some good ball movement and some good tries."

Hansen conceded his side were not immune to an over-reliance on kicking.

He admitted the All Blacks relied on a safety-first approach in their past two test wins over Wales and Italy, which made it six consecutive Northern Hemisphere tests where they had not conceded a try.

"Sometimes you've got to kick the ball because of the defences and the kicking game is part of opening it up for later on. We probably have been guilty of kicking too much."

The players were also conscious of the need to play an entertaining brand of rugby, No 8 Kieran Read said.

"It's a test match and you want to go out there and win it but definitely you want to put on a performance the fans are happy with," he said. "Rugby's a game that we play for the fans, but you've got to do what you can.

"It's something we strive to do. As the All Blacks we like to play an exciting brand of footy, but sometimes you can't always put out a performance like that."

Read is certain to return at No 8 in place of Rodney So'oialo for his 15th test as the coaches bring back something close to their top lineup.

He was excited about his likely first start on the hallowed turf - he came off the bench in last year's 32-6 win at Twickenham - and denied a suggestion the current brand of rugby was less enjoyable to play.

But he conceded the tackled-ball laws which scare sides into kicking from their own half were as frustrating as ever.

"With the amount of kicks coming into the game, you end up chasing a lot," he said. "As a forward you do a lot of running up and down the field which means you're not in the game as much. The chances you do get to run, if it doesn't come off then maybe you get penalised." With that in mind it will be interesting to see what tactics first five-eighth Dan Carter adopts as he returns from a one-match ban for a dangerous high tackle in a rematch with England pivot Jonny Wilkinson.

Hansen predicted England might try to open the game up.

"They'll obviously take us on up front, they're a big pack and Wilkinson will kick them around the park, but I think they'll run the ball a bit more than those other two sides we've played.

"We always respect them. Twickenham's not an easy place to play and England are a proud side." The All Blacks team will not be named until tomorrow morning.

- NZPA