All Black depth truly awesome

DUBLIN - It wasn't an act of disrespect that the All Blacks fielded what could be construed to be an experimental fifteen in Dublin - it was an act of merciful kindness.

As this tour progresses it becomes increasingly apparent that there is an extraordinary depth of talent in New Zealand rugby.

And how the rest of the world must have watched events in Dublin with a sense of awe and foreboding.

Everywhere they looked they would have seen black jerseys swarming round the ball or the tackled player.

They would have seen 15 players capable of passing the ball off either hand, running at pace or filling in at the breakdown if required.

And what must they have thought when they saw debutant prop John Afoa treat Marcus Horan like a paper bag in the scrum and then flick the ball through his hands with a speed and accuracy not one of the Irish backs could emulate?

His fellow new cap, Jason Eaton, was just as impressive. His shock of blond hair cropping up everywhere, especially in the lineout, where he had the confidence to attack Ireland's throw.

And then there was Nick Evans. Ranked only the third best first five-eighths in New Zealand, his imperious display in Dublin would see him walk into any of the four home nations.

He was composed and accurate with his first touch and set the tone for the All Black performance.

There wasn't the customary process of feeling their way into the game. Evans put the ball threw the hands the instant he got it and the All Blacks stuck with that theme. It didn't matter that they were deep in their own territory.

Ma'a Nonu was the go-to man. His raw power was being backed to break the line and sap some of the energy from what was a potentially troublesome Irish midfield.

But it didn't matter if Nonu wasn't around, there were plenty of other willing takers.

Sione Lauaki, once he got a few clumsy handling errors out of his system and a simply dumb blind chuck over his shoulder, made some big yards. As did Richie McCaw and Mose Tuiali'i, illustrating why the selectors have placed more of a premium on loose forwards who can carry the ball.

It was probably, though, Tony Woodcock who impressed the most with his all-round contribution.

He is the quiet achiever in this All Black pack and looks to take a step closer every test he plays to establishing himself as the world's best loosehead.

He popped up on the wing on more than a few occasions and used his strength and mobility to great effect at the breakdown.

Then there is his tackling. More than a few Irish bodies will be wearing black and blue evidence of Woodcock's ability in that department.

There was so much for Henry to take pride in, yet, it might be worth betting that pride of place will be the defensive effort.

In their two tests so far the All Blacks have conceded just ten points and one try.

That is partly due to playing opponents who are more pop gun than cannon, but it also due to a supremely organised defensive screen that attacks the ball carrier in numbers.

Pushing the defence close for pride of place will be the way the All Blacks have started both tests.

They didn't give the Irish an opportunity to build their confidence and got the scoreboard moving early.

The opening try was a peculiar affair with Sitiveni Sivivatu having the good grace to look faintly embarrassed as he touched down. It was a ludicrously soft score, created when Mosae Tuiali'i picked up from a scrum and tossed the ball with what seemed little regard to its destination.

The Irish stood back, probably convinced Tuiali'i had dropped the ball rather than thrown it with any purpose, and from nowhere Sivivatu casually plucked it from his bootstraps and cantered in unopposed.

Piri Weepu was next over after some nice passing out of the tackle from Eaton and McCaw, and Sivivatu collected his second before the break.

By the time Doug Howlett came off his wing and sliced past the sliding defence, the Irish and the rest of the All Blacks' opponents on this tour knew for sure they are inadequately equipped to compete. They can't even get close.

The hope that All Black coach Graham Henry had committed a grave error of judgement by thinking that he could ditch the side from Cardiff in their entirety and still win in Dublin, was forlorn. Henry's dream of creating two test sides of equal quality is not as far from fruition as some may think.

On the evidence of this morning, it might have already happened.

Result:

Ireland 7 (Horan, try; R. O' Gara con)

New Zealand 45 (S. Sivivatu 2, P. Weepu, D. Howlett 2 tries; N. Evans, 4 cons, 4 pens)

- HERALD ON SUNDAY