Watching Jonah Lomu jog through the foyer of the All Blacks' hotel on Richmond Hill in south-west London yesterday, almost banging his head on an archway as he raced for the team bus, it was hard to come away with the impression that these New Zealanders have arrived understrength for their tour.

Lomu, they say, is fortunate to be in the squad - which says more about the depth in strength of New Zealand rugby than it does about the behemoth's slight decline since he started terrorising defences seven years ago.

The team coach, John Mitchell, was certainly in no mood to accept the criticism that they had arrived with their B squad. 'This team is a reflection of our NPC competition, which has exposed some wonderful talent,' he said. 'Every one of these players is deserving of their place.'

It is the usual fare. The All Blacks do not so much stride through the rugby universe as arrive like meteors. They never knowingly undersell themselves - and Mitchell deflected any notion that England would not take them seriously at Twickenham on Saturday. 'We've just come from a very successful skills camp and I'm pleased with how much progress the guys have made over three days.'

He stepped a bit more cagily around the issue of Steve Devine, who played for Australia at sevens and under-21 level and arrived yesterday with the New Zealand squad.

'I've spoken to my chief executive officer, Steve Tew, and he's been in contact with the International Rugby Board. We should know where we stand within 24 hours. Until that time Steve is still a member of the party and will continue to train with us.'

Mitchell said everyone was under the impression that Devine had gone through the system and was eligible to play for the All Blacks. The IRB confirmed that a decision on Devine's eligibility will be announced 'as soon as possible'.

In an age of increasing interchange between countries in all sports - from players to coaches - Mitchell's return to England, whom he helped coach, was of obvious significance.

'I'm really looking forward to it, to be honest. I'm very proud to be a New Zealander, as I was very proud when I was working with the England set-up. It would be fair to say that my experience of England and their methods has given me this opportunity now. But there's obviously nothing better than representing your own country - and touring with a good bunch of lads. It's a very special place to come, the UK.'

Had he found it hard to adapt to a different rugby regime back in New Zealand?

'The game moves on. It evolves through competitions, and the methods of training have improved over the past three years. And obviously you look at other codes. We're pretty fortunate in New Zealand to be bombarded with rugby pretty much 11 months of the year, and it's a phenomenal place to learn rugby. We've got an enormous amount of competitions, from the Super 12 to the Tri Nations.'

Yet there was no hint here of the tired professional. The All Blacks have arrived in hungry mood, with an eye, too, on their preparation for the World Cup next year.

There is a sense that England are on a hiding to nothing in Saturday's match: lose and it is setback, win and it is victory over what is still regarded by some as a second-string side.

Andrew Mehrtens was as keen as his coach to down play this angle. He observed that England are the team everyone in the game loves to beat - and that this is as much incentive as they'd need to play to their full potential. Even as a one-off fixture, there is no notion that the result doesn't matter.

'England are the team we enjoy losing to the least. You're made to feel it pretty intensely afterwards. To come up short here can often be quite galling. I can't speak for other teams but as far as the All Blacks is concerned there's been no need to put any extra emphasis on motivation when we play England.'

You get the drift.

'I suppose this is what you'd call opportunity,' Mitchell chipped in. 'When you've got young players excited about a big opportunity you get an immense amount of fulfilment when they do well. And we know we won't be short-changed by England. We'd probably feel insulted if that were the case.'

The notion of turnover is all of a piece with the evolution of New Zealand rugby, bleeding young players into a strong team. And if Lomu doesn't bang his head on the arches in the team hotel, he'll have a point to prove on behalf of the so-called veterans.