All Blacks: Stick to the basics still rings true after win

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen. Photo / Getty Images

When rugby coaches review matches with their squads they distil their appraisal to a few video clips.

They will get into individual instruction but group tuition zeroes in on specific pieces of action.

Coach Steve Hansen acknowledged he had overdone the detail for the opening test with England and that had caused some All Black confusion.

Maybe he needs to dial back even more when he considers the patchy start and soft finish the All Blacks displayed in their second test victory in Dunedin. They had a much stronger set-piece platform this week but for long segments that possession did not translate into more accurate production. Jerome Kaino bruised foes with his battering runs and defence while there was a lack of assurance from his sidekick loosies Richie McCaw and Liam Messam.

That infected Aaron Smith's work at halfback. Several kicks went north-south to derail momentum and Smith was castled on one promising run to remind him it's better to pass than dummy.

The lack of early crisp possession jammed Aaron Cruden until the flow came after halftime and the All Blacks found their tempo with three tries.

Much of the work came from the old K.I.S.S theory about rugby (keep it simple, stupid) where fundamentals are the greatest weapons.

We got a third quarter from the All Blacks where there was superb attention to those fundamentals and they claimed three tries after strong forwards and backs interplay.

The danger had passed, England were beaten and the All Blacks' resolve eased.

They were not in any danger of defeat but two late converted tries to England left a muted edge to the win.

England will feel that their best group of players will be much sounder for that match and more attuned to the All Blacks style for the tour finale in Hamilton on Saturday.

Motivation will not drop.

England need a late tour reward, the All Blacks want to equal the world record for test victories.