Carter's fans have been over-optimistic. The man isn't running any more and when you take that out of his game, it is too easy for opponents to mark up on those around him.
Unlike Richie McCaw, he's chosen to coast towards this World Cup at times. Now, he is also making errors. I'd say he's in trouble.
Smith is just soooooo predictable, in a good way to a degree, but not in the creative attack department.
On the Sydney showing, instead of mounting a big challenge for the No13 jersey, the booming Malakai Fekitoa looked - unfortunately - confused about his role.
The All Blacks aren't quite as good as the win-loss record and ranking and PR avalanche makes out. Australia are a bit better than a lot of people thought, but they still have a few soft spots and selection issues.
With a bit of luck, we are in for one heck of a Bledisloe Cup decider, which is what international sport should be all about. A one-sided transtasman rugby contest isn't a good thing.
Apart from that: Nehe Milner-Skudder could be a revelation on the wing. The All Blacks must stick with the little magic man.
Here's what I can't work out - the big picture. Is this an All Black team in serious decline and trouble with its World Cup defence, or one which suffered a blip?
There has been a touch of arrogance in the preparation, with Steve Hansen and his mates running the selections like a chess game without establishing a core side. The way SBW was able to run around Sydney with his gushing league power broker mates last week was insulting. Has the world gone mad?
I'm not brave enough to make a prediction for Eden Park.
History says the All Blacks will roar out and smash Australia. Common sense says this Aussie team - with Michael Hooper and David Pocock outstanding in Sydney - is too good for that to happen especially if they adjust their backline selections. The Wallabies deserve more respect than that sort of prediction, after a stirring, battling victory.
There is actually a tiny sneaky feeling that the Aussies can win at Fortress Eden Park and if they do, it's time to tip our hat to them. They are the enemy, but they've been through a long, rough Bledisloe Cup patch.
Some thoughts on the Warriors
The Warriors were shameful and embarrassing against St George Illawarra in Wellington. That team, playing that way, won't win another NRL game.
But this season was over for the Warriors a long time before the Dragons beat them up.
These are not cure-alls but definite head scratchers.
Andrew McFadden's dropping of Konrad Hurrell is hard to fathom unless there is something we don't know. Hurrell needs as much first grade time as possible to get his career back on track, and for him to remain confident his future is still at the Warriors. At least he's a threat. Hurrell is a potential world beater while replacement Jonathan Wright is marginal first grade material.
McFadden wants the club to give him [McFadden] time, through all the ups and downs, to deliver the goods. He should afford Hurrell the same protection.
Listing Ben Matulino as a second rower is bizarre. Yes, he was formerly a second rower, but Matulino is now the club's premier prop and a test front rower. And that's where he should be leading the attempted revival from.
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