Vital for All Blacks to be up to speed

With such a short lead-in time to prepare for two Tests against France, the All Blacks were under pressure to make sure combinations gelled quickly.

All Blacks forwards coach Steve Hansen said it was vital the side made the most of this week's camp in Auckland in readiness for the first Test against France on June 13 at Carisbrook in Dunedin.

"We've got to get it right fairly quickly," Hansen said.

"We know they will be physical, that's the way they play and we also know they can be dangerous with the ball in hand.

"Defensively we've got to react. With the new rules I think switching from defence to attack is going to be important. Just as important will be when we steal ball, going from defence to attack and taking those opportunities.

"Early in the season we have really got to focus on our tasks and do them well."

A lot of experience in the loose was gone with flanker Richie McCaw and No.8 Rodney So'oialo out of the side.

"Jerome [Kaino] has been there for all of last season and played particularly well. Kieran Read is a very mature young man, obviously with not a lot of All Black time but he toured with us in November, so did Liam [Messam].

"Liam spent a lot of time at No.8 this year, he's comfortable there and he slots in for Sione Lauaki when he gets subbed [for the Chiefs] and Read has done the same for the Crusaders.

"I think Thomm [Adam Thomson] has played like an open-side flanker all year really, his turnover ball at the tackle is outstanding. He's just got to work on his lines. We've got Richie talking to him, you couldn't get a better bloke to give you one on one and Lats [Tanerau Latimer] has been tidy all season.

"I think the big task they have got is getting them to operate as a threesome as opposed to individuals," he said.