Justin Marshall's Chalkboard: How the All Blacks will break down the outside channels

This opening match at Wembley is a great way for the All Blacks, and in particular Ben Smith, Nehe Milner-Skudder and Julian Savea, to get into their rhythm. Photo / Getty

For their World Cup opener against Argentina, I believe the All Blacks will pick as close to a full-strength team as they can, which means there is likely to be a back three of Ben Smith, Nehe Milner-Skudder and Julian Savea.

Having that firepower there will be a good thing because the All Blacks will look to break down the Pumas in the outside channels.

There is likely to be space there on Monday - just as there was in Christchurch in the Rugby Championship in July. Then they tried to use the ball next to the touchlines on what was a cold night but they were a little lateral in trying to get there too early. A couple of times Dan Carter went for cross-kicks because there was space there - sometimes when you see that space you want to get the ball there quickly but that's not the way to manipulate defences. If you don't do it in a way that holds the defence, the opposition players will drift and shut you down.

I'm highlighting this because this test at Wembley is a great way for the All Blacks, and in particular Smith, Milner-Skudder and Savea, to get into their rhythm.

The outside backs are a traditional strength of the All Blacks and Savea needs to get the ball in his hands early and often. Milner-Skudder could show that he will be a real star at this tournament and Smith is one of our most important players.

The more often we can get a player like him in the game with the ball in hand and with a bit of time and space the better. The All Blacks need Smith to continue to front up in this tournament and if he does he will be a game breaker.

Clearly the All Blacks will want to get physical because that shows intent, but they shouldn't base their attack in that inside channel. You have to hold defenders there but what I've seen from the Argentines is that the place to break them down is on the oustide. Make their centres and wings and fullback tackle, tackle, tackle, and opportunities will arise.

My drawing highlights the outside channels and the good way and bad way to get there. In getting the ball wide the inside runners have to make sure their first few steps are straight, so the defender cannot push off early. Not every player has to do it - the work has to be done on the inside - and if it's done properly the All Blacks will find themselves in space and with opportunities to score.
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