Forget Spygate, it could all come down to Carter

Daniel Carter's kicking has been unerring but his all-round game poses even more threats for England. Ross Land / Getty Images

Accusations of spying and forecasts about scrum explosions have dominated scrutiny about tomorrow's Grand Slam decider between the All Blacks and England.

After two test starts at prop Andy Sheridan has been anointed as England's scrum colossus while the All Blacks have been barking about undercover agents filming their training sessions. Both claims have added extra colour for this Twickenham international, they have created an extra edge for the duel between the World Cup holders and the Grand Slam contenders.

But the reality of this contest is probably more mundane.

It may swing on the interpretative whims of referee Alan Lewis and his rulings about decoy runners, legitimate tackles or technique at breakdowns and scrums.

If the match is close, the All Blacks should take plenty of succour from the goalkicking form of Daniel Carter who will start his first test at Twickenham. The first five-eighths last missed a test kick on July 2, a sideline conversion during the second Lions test in Wellington.

Since then, Carter has peeled off 21 straight successes to break the previous All Black record of 16, set by Leon MacDonald at the last World Cup. Carter's consecutive test match success is second on the world record list behind Jared Barker of Canada who goaled 33 kicks in 2002 before he had a blemish.

Carter's mark is outstanding given his layoff with a broken leg and his return against Wales where several of his eight successes were from the extremities of the sideline.

But the 23-year-old is a massive threat to England with his speed, tackling and invention. The hosts will be extra wary of Carter but any extra attention paid to him will carry the danger of leaving other attacking avenues for the All Blacks.

The heat will be on the tourists to compete favourably with England at the setpiece. England will look to squeeze the All Blacks at the lineout and scrums, to kick for territory and to dull the tempo of the test.

It may be their only plan but unlike the Wallabies, the All Blacks have learned the scrum is not just an excuse to restart the game, it is a genuine contest for superiority. The lineout work from Ali Williams has also given the tourists strength.

The contrast on attack last week between the Wallabies and England was marked, with England struggling to be one-dimensional. Their back three have some zip, the midfield attack is artless and ungainly.

They also lack some looseforward unity with Lewis Moody and Pat Sanderson both more suited to the openside while the All Blacks have defined their roles more acutely.

England are rated as outsiders to derail the tourists but the All Blacks were also longshots to win the 2011 World Cup hosting rights.

Recent tests show how England have dealt the All Blacks some cruel blows. They won at Twickenham in 1993 when they disrupted the All Black lineout and, as underdogs, they forced a 26-all draw in 1997 against an All Blacks side which had been omnipotent all season.

They won in 2002 and then travelled to Wellington a year later for another victory despite having two forwards in the sinbin at one stage.

The All Blacks trusted their new style last year against France and must do that again tomorrow. Any stagefright and England will profit.

But the manner of the All Blacks' march through Wales and Ireland, the pace, intensity and skill with which they attack their games earmarks them for another triumph tomorrow.

Carter has a deadly boot but he also has the intuition, timing and poise to unleash his dangerous team-mates.

Each All Black backline reserve and others who can't make that group would fit easily into an England selection. If that difference plays out tomorrow, the All Blacks will have overcome their biggest Grand Slam obstacle.