All Blacks touch down in pursuit of Grand Slam

PREPARE for lift-off when flight NZ1 touches down at Heathrow Airport today — the All Blacks will be in town.

The Tri-Nations champions and Lions conquerors are about to embark on one of rugby's toughest assignments that, if accomplished, would complete a momentous year for coach Graham Henry and his players.

A Grand Slam tour of Britain and Ireland has not been achieved since 1984, when Andrew Slack's Wallabies saw off England (19-3), Ireland (16-9), Wales (28-9) and Scotland (37-12).