Sean Fitzpatrick: Preparations for next World Cup could not be going much better

The All Black team to play Ireland highlights two major elements - how settled they are with their squad and how much depth they have developed.

That's a great position to be in two years from the World Cup. They had a tough test against England but made seven changes for Ireland - and you can't point at any area and say they have been weakened.

They have come a long way in two seasons. For example, in recent times we would all have been wringing our hands about the loss of Dan Carter but now you don't hear a peep about it. It's like that throughout the squad with the exception of hooker and the midfield; a fine position to be in.

It means they can work on their shape and their game. I am not saying there won't be any changes come the World Cup - injuries and other variables will always be a factor - but the All Blacks know the core of their squad.

At prop, Wyatt Crockett has come in for Tony Woodcock and the fast-developing Charlie Faumuina also gets a start, with the two Franks brothers on the bench. At lock, Luke Romano is back. He was in the No1 locking combination with Sam Whitelock before Brodie Retallick began playing so well.

In the loose forwards, Richie McCaw and Sam Cane are taking care of 7 while Liam Messam, after a fine season, is rested and Steven Luatua comes in. They are well served at 8, especially with Jerome Kaino to come back as Luatua, Messam and McCaw can play there should Kieran Read be absent.

There's room for a bit of development at halfback, maybe. Aaron Smith has a fine delivery but it will be interesting to see how TJ Perenara does off the bench. He comes with the reputation of having a big running game and that might be a good thing. With the analysis these teams do on each other these days, variation is valuable.

The rest of the backs - aside from the midfield which is still a bit thin - are also settled and largely proven.

Ben Smith will have a very interesting test against Gordon D'Arcy and Brian O'Driscoll. They can be a real handful on their day. At fullback, they have Israel Dagg, Cory Jane, Charles Piutau and Ben Smith. Not bad. Smith has done well enough at centre (it's more difficult than most realise) but maybe the All Black selectors will also look at other options next season.

That's the other huge advantage the All Blacks have. During the next Super Rugby series, the franchises will all be working closely with the All Blacks. Sir John Kirwan, Mark Hammett, Todd Blackadder, Jamie Joseph and Dave Rennie have all been part of this and there is no other country which can claim such synergy between the national and club teams.

It certainly doesn't happen in Britain or France, the Australians might be better at it under Ewen McKenzie but it hasn't been great in the past and you can say the same about South Africa and the fact they have to select many players from overseas clubs.

The All Blacks are in a really good place, ideally situated to build towards the World Cup and becoming the first team to win back-to-back titles.

They showed how far they'd come in that test against England. In my opinion, 12 months ago the All Blacks might have lost that test. The England forwards did exactly what we thought they'd do - they shut the All Blacks down.

The All Blacks did unbelievably well in terms of defending and standing up to the pressure. That was the difference between these All Blacks and those of 12 months ago. Every team that plays them now is moved to play the game of their lives - and they seem to be coping with that pressure well. We can be satisfied with the All Blacks' performance this year, especially if they wrap up that unbeaten season against Ireland tonight.