Aisle be back: ABs in Japan and NPC Finals

I’m struggling to muster enthusiasm for the Japan thing. That bit where one part of the All Blacks play a pretty meaningless further Bledisloe match, then another part full of players most of us have never seen before, play the Japanese national team.

It’s no-one’s fault except the Wallabies that they don’t set the pulse racing. As I’ve said before, we play them way too often these days, and frankly, it’s not actually helping them nor the prestige of the Bled.

So as a fan, you’re left with this faux feeling. It’s a money generating exercise, and heaven knows that’s needed somewhere.

Then there’s the need to acclimatize to the setting of Japan ahead of the World Cup. Very laudable, very wise. But again, about as exciting for fans as watching the proverbial dry.

Again there’ll be some residual interest in seeing how the new blood goes and how some different combinations might gel. All very valuable for the coaches and team, and totally reasonable. Not excitedly salivating territory though.

I know I’m sounding very cynical, but these two weeks scream nothing more than the world revolves around the World Cup. It’s the way it is now and has been for quite a while, but man, it is a poor substitute for something with real gristle.

The upside at least is that after Japan there are two real test matches coming up, or at least the Ireland game. Who knows how good or bad the English will be?

As they say, wake me up when we get there.

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Midfielder Sonny Bill Williams has been named to play in his 50th Test, a special milestone in a career which started in November 2010 when Williams made his Test debut against England.

The squad also features the return of several key players from injury. Joe Moody returns from his thumb injury and back into the number one jersey, while fellow prop Nepo Laulala is also back, named in the run on reserves. Liam Squire returns to the number six jersey while Brodie Retallick will make his return via the bench.

In other changes from the last Test side, TJ Perenara will start at halfback with Aaron Smith providing impact from the bench. Ben Smith moves to the right wing to make way for Damian McKenzie at fullback. Matt Todd provides loose forward cover from the bench.

Kick-off is at 2.00pm on Saturday. That's local time - so 7.00pm our time.

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Here’s hoping that Auckland can cap their season by whipping Canterbury this weekend.

As it will always be in the NPC, these are two young sides, and these are not the red and blacks of past seasons. Some how however there’s a suspicion that they will find a way to win at Eden Park.

If they do, then well done. But Auckland rugby has been such a train crash for so long, that what the national game needs is the Queen City to start feeling gangbusters again. Another title to Canterbury won’t help much.

I do like the way the game will be thrown open for free this weekend – and perhaps with the Bledisloe then showing on the big screen.

How much better to have maybe 20,000 or more watching than the usual 5,000.

As for the Lions, they still clearly have work to do. Galling to be outmuscled last weekend. Is this the destiny of all Wellington teams these days? Stellar backlines but so-so upfront.

It’s a puzzler. The raw material surely is there.