Win or lose - either can help

Joe Rokocoko has been tryless in his last seven tests, and the All Blacks' task will be to open up space for him tonight. Ross Land / Getty Images

Continued success has brought some misgivings for the All Blacks.

They take a 12-test unbeaten sequence into tonight's game against the Wallabies in Brisbane, where another triumph will settle the Bledisloe Cup and maybe the Tri-Nations, halfway through that competition.

But the tangible spoils of victory are being measured against the merits of defeat. It is a subtle balance for the All Black selectors, who are testing a range of players, strategies and tactics in their buildup for the next World Cup.

Performances have been mixed, but the victory march has been sustained. The All Blacks have not lost since falling to the Springboks in Cape Town last year, and there is increasing concern that an unchecked results sheet is not the best education going into a World Cup.

Coach Graham Henry believes advantages are to be gained from defeat, and he would prefer those lessons were absorbed now than at the World Cup.

"You probably dissect your game more, and that's important, making sure everything you're doing is running smoothly.

"When you're winning all the time you may gloss over some things," he said. "For the good of the side it'd be good to lose a couple."

There was no traitorous element in Henry's comments, just an alternate viewpoint and a nod to history as the All Black selectors explore a multitude of options in their longhaul World Cup strategy.

Henry is wary of the notion that the All Blacks are imperious outside World Cups but vulnerable during tournaments.

No All Black team or coach would ever "tank" a test, and while Henry was extra-cranky yesterday at the Wallabies, he would inwardly, at least, applaud them if they nudged past his side tonight.

In a wide-ranging blast, Henry railed against the "arrogance" of the Wallabies who questioned the protocol of the Kapa O Pango haka and he censured local media for being more interested in smokescreens and side issues than the test.

There is more fervour about this test than any other this season. The sparring has gone up a notch for what is the pivotal international.

The All Blacks will want to impose themselves again in the scrum and build on the prowess they had in Bledisloe I in Christchurch. If loosehead prop Tony Woodcock and Keven Mealamu can unsettle the bulky Rodney Blake, the Wallaby wobbles will be transferred throughout the side.

Conversely, the Wallabies will go to their lineout with confidence in their jumpers - Daniel Vickerman, Nathan Sharpe, Rocky Elsom and George Smith.

They got some drives going in Christchurch and will aim to disrupt the All Blacks, who have been patchy in claiming their own ball.

It is one area the Wallabies will target, and one they will study for the All Black coaching response and the comeback from the Chris Jack/Ali Williams partnership.

Both sides know if they retain possession they have to use runners to tie up their midfield opponents on defence, a ploy aimed at opening up space for the world-class wings.

Joe Rokocoko has been quiet on the left wing this year, starved of ball or unable to find enough room to weave his magic.

He has been tryless in his last seven tests after a withering 30 tries in his initial 26 internationals. He burned the Wallabies and Boks in the middle of last year's Tri-Nations programme, and the intent is to get him much more involved tonight.

Implementing that plan is the responsibility of the forwards and Daniel Carter. Momentum and quick possession will give Carter a range of choices to use the width of Suncorp Stadium. Attacking snipes from halfback Byron Kelleher should also be used to upset the Wallabies defensive rhythm.

This test counts for a great deal.

Strong teams survive blast-furnace inquisitions. Who will crack? Who will keep their composure?