By Zinzan Brooke Former All Black

AUTUMN INTERNATIONALS 5 November: Wales v NZ 11 November: Wales v Fiji 12 November: England v Australia, Ireland v NZ, Scotland v Argentina Full fixture list

I think New Zealand can do the grand slam, and it will be a massive achievement if they do.

It will be tough and it will be hard, but it would be the perfect way to end a great season for the All Blacks.

The grand slam is one of those things you grow up hearing about as a New Zealand rugby player, even if the chance to do one hasn't come around for a while.

The team I played in unofficially did one in the 1995 World Cup. We had Ireland and Wales in the pool games, Scotland in the quarters and England in the semis.

The two players vital for the All Blacks are Daniel Carter and Richie McCaw

We look at that as a little bit of a grand slam but obviously it wasn't in the home countries.

South Africa came up short last year when they lost to Ireland in their second game.

I think their coach Jake White made a mistake of saying a few things about the Irish before the game.

I remember thinking at the time: 'what a way to motivate the opposition'.

This All Blacks squad have one or two injury problems, but the strength overall is a lot better than others that have tried it.

Five new faces in All Blacks squad

I was surprised with a couple of the players that got in. I thought they would have wanted to go for an experienced team and get the grand slam under their belt.

There are some young players coming in and it will be a great opportunity for these guys to play.

Fatigue will not be a factor. It's one game a week and most of these guys have rested for the first few weeks of the NPC, with some of them playing two or three games and that's it.

NEW ZEALAND V HOME NATIONS v England P 27 W 20 D 1 L 6 v Scotland P 24 W 22 D 2 L 0 v Wales P 21 W 18 D 0 L 3 v Ireland P 17 W 16 D 1 L 0

There are only four games of the season to go. They have enough players so they won't be burning themselves out.

It's just about peaking for the games and making sure that individuals rise to the challenge.

There are no midweek games - just four Test matches in consecutive weeks - and that's all the squad have to focus on.

The down time will be a bit better so the guys can unify socially and become a really tight unit.

The two players I think are vital for the All Blacks are Richie McCaw and Daniel Carter.

Carter is getting back into a little bit of form after his broken leg and I think he has done really well but I think he has to raise the benchmark to the Carter standards he has set himself.

Uncapped Taranaki lock Eaton has yet to even play Super 12

Tana Umaga as captain and Doug Howlett on the wing will also be important. Howlett needs to get back to a bit of form, although in the past few weeks he has looked pretty good.

Lock Jason Eaton is a young guy who probably wouldn't have dreamt of getting on tour.

But he is a raw talent and I think if he gets his opportunity he will go well and thrive in the All Blacks environment.

The loose forward Angus Macdonald was a surprise selection for me. He throws his body around but I think you need a bit more in the line-out.

The time to catch the All Blacks off guard is once the opportunity for the grand slam has gone.

If they actually trip over a hurdle, the next team that plays them will have a great opportunity to win a game.

I fear all the first three games, and that's no disrespect to Scotland. They are weaker than the other countries but Edinburgh beating Wasps in the Heineken Cup might just be what they needed.

Scotland have been a bit of a pushover recently but that win could give a few guys a lift.

It really is a big month. It's going to be a great series. There will be a few scores to settle and it will be really special.

Five new faces in All Blacks squad