Friday 16 October 2015 12:44, UK
Rory Lawson believes there will be a major lift in performance from New Zealand in Saturday's World Cup quarter-final against France.
The All Blacks were the top try-scorers during the pool stages but Lawson was surprised by the number of "uncharacteristic errors" from the World Cup holders.
However, the former Scotland scrum-half believes the last-eight clash with France, who knocked them out at the same stage and venue in 2007, will focus Steve Hansen's side and there will be a marked improvement in performance.
Lawson told the Sky Sports Rugby World Cup Podcast: "I was at St James' Park for the All Blacks' game with Tonga and the first half was really interesting; it was almost like a team run.
"They were at 75 per cent, going through the motions, and if they found a bit of shape they'd break down Tonga eventually.
"Yes, they scored but it was tight at half-time but Tonga should have had a penalty try, and there were uncharacteristic errors from the All Blacks that had me a little bit nervous.
"They're holding a lot back but have they got the momentum to go into a game of this magnitude and not have those unforced errors?
"Can they flick the switch? Given the quality of this All Blacks side, I'd have to say yes. They will have a few moves up their sleeves.
"They've got the monkey off their back by winning on home soil and this is now a sign-off for a lot of these guys who have been around for the last 10 or 15 years.
"That will be the emotion that drives this squad on to success. I still think they're the team to beat."
'Australia a huge challenge'
While New Zealand remain favourites to retain the Webb Ellis Cup, Lawson says Australia are the form team in the competition.
The Wallabies meet Scotland at Twickenham on Sunday and Lawson, who won 31 caps for the Dark Blues, says they must tighten up a defence that conceded nine tries during the pool stages.
"Scotland leaked far too many soft tries against Samoa," he said. "I'm not 100 per cent sure of the reasoning behind that but I've no doubt Matt Taylor, the Scotland defence coach, will have been looking very carefully at whether it's missed tackles or system errors.
"Australia will throw a lot of challenges at you as a defence. They've turned their set piece into a real strength. The driving maul and scrum have given them front-foot ball.
"Ultimately, if you get across the gain line from first phase it's very difficult to plug those gaps. One of the things Australia always use is two lines of attack and they have so many broken field runners.
"A lot of people may have looked at the Pocock-Hooper combination in the back row and felt they're a bit small, but with ball they both contribute massively.
"Scotland will have to be right on their mettle."
