All Blacks: Trust keeps first-choice players on ice

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen. Photo / Getty Images

All Blacks coaching staff show truckloads of self-belief as bulk of test side rested before clash with England at Twickenham

Trust will be a huge part of the All Blacks armoury when they roll into serious combat against England next week at Twickenham.

They will take the convictions shaped over three years with Steve Hansen and his staff that their skills, plans and fitness are in good shape to take out any side on the globe.

That mindset is no fluke, nor is it arrogant.

The All Blacks have won 34 tests, drawn two and been defeated only twice since Hansen took over. It's a remarkable record which gives the All Blacks self-belief that their layers of hard work, attention to detail and skills will produce dividends.

Shared trust between the coaches and players that they are on the right path has allowed Hansen to give the bulk of his test side three weeks' break before they tangle with England on their home track.

If Ben Smith and Jerome Kaino start at Twickenham it will be their first involvement since they played the Springboks in Johannesburg five weeks ago.

Only two senior men, Israel Dagg and Kieran Read, suit up to start tomorrow at Soldier Field against USA.

Read captains the team and is a certainty to play England while Dagg needs a strong game to underline why his 44-test career should continue. His confidence looks below his best and affects the decisions he is making from the backfield.

Dagg is a fine player but Ben Smith is as well and offers a vibrancy which is infectious for the backline from fullback or wing.

After the All Black selectors sift through players' performances and any medical toll from tomorrow's test, other areas likely to command their strongest attention are the five-eighths and tighthead prop.

There have been murmurs Owen Franks is not bringing as much sting as the selectors want away from his undoubted set-piece value. Referees and front-rows have become more attuned to the new scrum laws and, in June, the contests were pretty even when England toured here.

Charlie Faumuina has a broader skill range and when his game and mind are dialled in, his carry and tackling are great attributes. He lacked consistency and was off his game earlier this season.

His work from the bench in the last two tests against the Boks and Wallabies stood out and more of that for an hour against the Eagles will put him deeper into the frame for a start at Twickenham.

In the absence of the injured Ma'a Nonu, Malakai Fekitoa started the last three tests at second five-eighths. He had a few awkward moments but his direct running and strong defence was a powerful midfield accessory to centre Conrad Smith. That time together must be the basis for a continued partnership against England ahead of other contenders such as Ryan Crotty and Sonny Bill Williams.

Who plays at 10? That question looked redundant until Aaron Cruden missed a team meeting and was left out of the squad travelling to Argentina and South Africa.

The gifted Beauden Barrett played so well he was retained for the final Bledisloe Cup test and Cruden's lack of versatility cost him a bench place. He gets his chance to restate his claims against USA while Daniel Carter is listed to return from the bench.

Barrett and Carter cover multiple positions and Barrett is already on ice to start or come off the bench against England. If Carter sparks then the squeeze will again be on Cruden and the selectors to sort out this puzzle.