'Scrum Scrutiny' - 5 Talking Points: Scott Robertson's All Blacks Squad to Face England at Eden Park

The injury to the scrum half opens up the door for a debut, with an incoming Chiefs young gun set for his first All Blacks cap this Saturday. Shortly after naming his side to take on England in the awe-inspiring Auckland arena, Razor Robertson spoke to the reporting media and addressed an assortment of talking points from the week. Covering everything from the All Blacks scrum scrutiny to the empowering Eden Park effect, here are the five biggest talking points from Robertson's media session.

The sole change to the All Blacks squad sees Finlay Christie start in the nine jersey, with TJ Perenara ruled out. The scrum half is not expected back in time for New Zealand's upcoming trip to San Diego, California, when they take on Fiji in an exiting international Test. Blues halfback Christie steps in for Perenara, with Cortez Ratima awarded the 21 jersey. Speaking on his advice to the 23-year-old Ratima, Robertson said:

SCOTT ROBERTSON: "'Just trust yourself. Be yourself.' He is a good kid. He is extremely competitive, he likes to win everything. Once he was named, he just got on with it. He has got a couple of pretty good mentors and now is his opportunity."

For the second time since returning from Japan, Beauden Barrett has been left out of an All Blacks starting XV. Robertson utilised the fullback to his best abilities against England, as Barrett exploded off the bench and had an immediate impact at the Forsyth Barr Stadium. However, Robertson has again opted for Blues man Stephen Perofeta to start in the 15 jersey, with Barrett covering both him and starting fly half Damian McKenzie.

SCOTT ROBERTSON: "Yeah very straightforward. There were some great performances and areas where we can get better. The players have been really good this week once we got some cohesion in place and straight into our work. Named the team on Tuesday and have had a couple of days.

"Yeah, everyone knows where the classroom is now. It is like your first week at school. It takes a while to get your bearings and how the teacher runs it and the structure of the week.

"I thought Stephen (Perofeta) was exceptional and really took his opportunity. He just gives us that balance between 10 and 15 when we need to bring on Beauden he understands the game so well. A couple of his early touches gave us the field position that we needed."

A major talking point following the first test in Dunedin, was the way the scrum was handled at key stages of the match. There has been a considerable amount of criticism this week from former front rowers, with Adam Jones, Brian Moore and David Flatman all weighing in on All Black loose-head Ethan de Groot's unpenalised errors.

There were question marks raised around how the referee for the first Test, Nika Amushukeli, went about managing the scrums. The Georgian referee was called out for not picking up on the illegal drives and wheeling offences, with the hope that this Saturday's referee, Australian official Nic Berry, will be hot on the whistle and penalised such offences.

SCOTT ROBERTSON: Jason Ryan (All Blacks forwards coach) has worked hard making sure we’ve got, clear pictures, and what the refs need to see from us. You can always be better in that area, and create dominance, but with good pictures to make it clear for Nic Berry this week."

"It’s an interpretation of the rules, that’s our game, that’s our beautiful game innit. We know Nic and what he likes to see. We’ll give him those pictures as much as we possibly can, and are really clear what World Rugby want to see around the protocols, foul play, breakdown, scrum pictures. We’ve done our homework to make sure they see it."

"The boys do their homework, like anybody. It’s a special, unique contest in our game, the scrum. As soon as there’s an arm that goes out it’s “what’s going to happen next?” and there’s a group of 8 guys that get really excited about that opportunity. It can create dominance if you do it well, if you’re all connected, and so the picture that’s required for that scrum. Jason Ryan has been round a while now, and has put a bit of expectation on our guys to get that right."

"He’s (Fin Baxter) a good player. We watched him through the Premiership, and he’s got a good future."

"They’re all ball players (All Blacks props), have got good feet, can play short at the line. You can see how mobile they are, that’s one thing we’re really excited about, the quality of the athletes that can scrum. It’s unique.

"We’ll have a bit more chance for them to carry, or use the ball a bit more. It’s the same around the line-out. They’re big, tall men, so if we can get some big lifts that’s another strength of ours."

It has been heavily reported in the previewing media, that the All Blacks' 30-year long record of consecutive Test matches is on the line this Saturday. Whilst the series can not be won by England, as the best Steve Borthwick's men can do is draw the two-match event, the focus turns to the long standing record of dominance that the All Blacks have enforced in Auckland.

SCOTT ROBERTSON: "Yeah with Eden Park and the period of time with their successes, it is all about the effort. Everything is earned there. We respect what has been before and now it is our opportunity. It is home. Just the feel of it. People come with expectation and good memories with it."

A two in one to finish off our talking points, as Chiefs talisman Damian McKenzie will again start in the 10 jersey for the All Blacks. There was plenty of discussion around the fly half after the first test in Dunedin, after his infamous penalty attempt was timed out before McKenzie even kicked the ball. It has been confirmed by New Zealand Rugby that a shot clock will be present at Eden Park for the second Test, after the technology was absent from the first match at the Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Furthermore, Robertson was asked about an update on the status of Richie Mo'unga. It is understood that the fly half is interested in returning to the All Blacks fold, despite having signed a multi-year deal away in Japan.

Mo'unga was spotted in the crowd in Dunedin, and is enticed by the idea of linking back up with his former Crusaders coach in the black jersey. However, no such communication has been made between Robertson and his current fly halves McKenzie and Beauden Barrett, about Mo'unga's possible comeback.

SCOTT ROBERTSON: I knew 'D-Mac' (Damian McKenzie) when he was at school at Christchurch, I knew him on a personal front. He’s an incredible pro who works tirelessly on his craft and wants to position in the team where he really drives it. There’s so much in his hands.

"He has got a good temperament. He has played a few games and has been around for a long period of time. He has had injuries and had to be resilient. You know what he is like on the field, he can take knocks and come up with big plays."

"And shot clocks! Good on you Mark Robinson (New Zealand Rugby CEO), Working hard!"

“Never had a conversation with them (Beauden Barrett and McKenzie).” (Regarding Mo'unga's possible return).