Richard Loe: Time to mix and match against the Scots

Dan Carter could do with some game time along with some up-and-comers or those who missed out on the England test. Photo / Getty

This morning's test against England was always the big one for the All Blacks on their northern tour but the last two tests are still critical building to next year's World Cup.

Against Scotland next week, I would give starts to players who missed out on the England game or young, up-and-comers who can use it to put pressure on the incumbents. One who is not so young, Dan Carter, needs game time and it would be interesting to see him play inside a midfield combination of Ryan Crotty and Malakai Fekitoa.

The final game against Wales, I think, could be used as a chance to play the form XV. The selectors could use it as a way to reward those who have been performing well without, of course, being silly and overworking some players or weakening the team.

Although All Blacks management won't ever say it, they might well look at this weekend's game between Wales and Australia and work out what they can get away with against the Welsh.

Someone pointed out to me this week that perhaps there are warning signs around the All Blacks 12 months out from the World Cup, that a handful of narrow victories could be papering over some cracks.

It's true this could be said, because they might have gone into this morning's test against England with four defeats already this year. The key word is might. Apart from the loss to South Africa, the All Blacks weren't beaten (obviously, this was written before this morning's game) and found ways to win.

Teams play each other so often these days - today's game was the fourth time the All Blacks played England - and every coach should know plenty about New Zealand given the amount of video analysis available.

The All Blacks have to keep one step ahead of the opposition and that's damn hard.

The All Blacks clearly still have some work to do before next year's World Cup and that's a good thing. I would be concerned if they were peaking now.

What I want to see is the bulk of the All Blacks squad firing on all cylinders by around round six or seven of next year's Super Rugby competition. It will be important the players come home from the end-of-year tour and have some down-time over Christmas before putting their minds to an important year.

One concern I have is whether some of the second-stringers will get enough game time next year. There are few in the squad, like Joe Moody, Luke Romano and Sam Cane.

Cane, for instance, hasn't played much rugby because Tanerau Latimer is preferred at the Chiefs, but is seen as the No2 openside behind Richie McCaw.

Somehow the All Blacks selectors need to convince Super Rugby coaches to play the guys in the World Cup squad.