Wynne Gray: Test rugby the winner, thanks to England

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The test series with England has been a big success. For that we must acknowledge the contribution of the visitors as much as the All Blacks. England have been a genuine threat at the fag end of their gruelling season.

They have reciprocated the intensity the All Blacks deliver when they visit the Northern Hemisphere at the end of each year and have shown all of us they will be a huge threat when they host the next World Cup.

Crowds have filled Eden Park and Forsyth Barr. Waikato Stadium is booked to capacity for tonight's tour finale and the nation has hummed with rugby dialogue throughout June.

Many dislike the interruption to the Super 15 as it is heading towards a climax but if hosting a test series is the only fit in a busted flush schedule then we want to see some worthwhile competition interruptus.

Since the last World Cup, Ireland, France and England have visited as part of the revamped three-test roster.

In 2012 Ireland got smashed 60-0 in their last test and France slumped 30-0 in the middle of last year's series. So far, a resurgent England have forced every last drop of resistance from the All Blacks.

They have delivered inquiries across a range of areas which will provide as much benefit for them as for the All Blacks.

England are using this last offshore expedition before they host the World Cup to filter their players and get an even better handle on what suits them and what makes the All Blacks tick.

When England put their feet up at home, coach Stuart Lancaster and his assistants will unravel the tour then reassemble the men and ideas they believe best fit England's approach to the 2015 World Cup.

The All Blacks will review their work in June, settle on any adjustments which have to be made for the start of the Rugby Championship and check the talent list through to the end of the Super 15.

Daniel Carter, Charles Piutau, Luke Romano, Sam Cane, Joe Moody, Steven Luatua, Nathan Harris and Liam Coltman will be in the selectors' eyeline to evaluate their return from sabbatical and injury or whether they have made shifts in their work.

There will be others in the squad whose cards will be marked for better or worse after the last weeks on tour.

Tack on a group including Frank Halai, Tom Taylor, Jeremy Thrush, Francis Saili, Luke Whitelock and Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen who added "former" to their All Black status this month and the run to the next squad selection will heat up even further.