Sean Fitzpatrick: Get the basics right and World Cup victory is assured

The All Blacks played so well against South Africa in the first test at Pretoria that is tempting for all of us to sit back and contemplate World Cup success.

And I think we can. By any measure, the All Blacks are the best side in world rugby right now. We have the best skill levels, athleticism, aerobic fitness, size and depth - and there is no doubt the rotation policy has blooded 30-odd All Blacks in the art of winning under pressure.

But - and it's still a big but - I come back to the lineouts. Some of you may think this is nitpicking but I have one word for you: France.

The French have been quietly watching the All Blacks, analysing, asessing. I was in Paris this week and got a sense of the threat they pose next year. They will be thinking the lineout is where they can attack the All Blacks and prosper.

I do not understand why our lineout continues to be off the boil. Combinations are a part of it and the rotation policy hasn't helped. But I think it is more than that now.

When Robin Brooke was involved, we saw the lineouts simplified. They went back to basics against Australia and it worked. But against South Africa last week, we were back to confusion and poor execution.

I think the All Blacks are still trying to be too clever.

We will win - win everything - if we just do the basics well. When the current All Black coaching panel came on board, they were superb.

Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith came in with Graham Henry and did a fantastic job of righting the wrongs.

They went back to basics. And that's all the All Blacks have to do. We are so far ahead of the opposition in terms of our players, skill, pace and depth that we need only to do the basics right. Do that and the World Cup is ours.

We do not need clever plans, feints and dummies. Just the basics. That's why I can not understand why the lineout isn't working better. Chris Jack is world class. So is Ali Williams when he focuses.

I labour the point because it is on such small things that World Cups can hang. The French are watching and waiting. They are not dumb. They are good at seizing an advantage. On their day, they can beat anybody.

Some people are saying Henry has got through the season without defeat and without showing his hand in terms of game plan. I don't believe that. All the All Blacks have to do is execute the basics properly.

I am not sure what we have to do to get the lineout working right. All I am sure of is that we should not leave this chink in our armour exposed. Fix it, fast.