All Blacks: Three questions

The All Blacks perform the haka ahead of the Rugby Championship test match against the Springboks at Westpac Stadium in Wellington. Photo / Getty Images

The Herald's rugby writers answer three questions from last night's All Blacks v South Africa test match at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

1. What will the All Blacks need to do differently when they head to Ellis Park next month?

Patrick McKendry: Build momentum by keeping the ball. They didn't do it enough last night and they will be looking forward to a dry track in Johannesburg. I don't think it was a coincidence that the All Blacks played their best game of the season in the best conditions - the demolition of Australia at a dry Eden Park.

Gregor Paul: Improve their kicking game and lift the accuracy. Tactically they were pretty good - but for the fact they started to kick too much and at the wrong times and in the wrong places. That had a major effect on their continuity and ability to apply pressure.

Daniel Richardson

: Treasure the ball. Ball retention was a lost art at the Cake Tin and it hurt the All Blacks. Their kicking was miss-timed with alarmingly regularity but their turnover rate was also costly. A touch of patience would serve them nicely in South Africa.

2. If the injuries at loose forward persist, do you stick with Steven Luatua or give Sam Cane a start and shift Richie McCaw to blindside?

PM: Luatua for me. He gives the All Blacks an added dimension in the lineout, allows McCaw to stay at No 7, and Cane has been excellent as a replacement. Cane's fresh legs and busy style are just what the All Blacks need in the last 20-or-so minutes.

Richie McCaw scores the All Blacks' only try of the test. Photo / Getty Images

GP: Steven Luatua went pretty well - although he may be upset with the way he dandered across the field when South Africa scored their try. Other than that he delivered plenty and Sam Cane works well coming off the bench to play in tandem with Richie McCaw. Nope - start with the specialist and then lift the tempo with Cane later in the piece.

DR

: Luatua's lineout offerings are too good to pass up. If he can channel what he brought to the test-match arena last season, the All Blacks might be able to unleash something special. Luatua has all kinds of talent and he must be nurtured. Give him another start against Argentina at the very least.

3. Are we any closer to a unanimous verdict in the Aaron Cruden-Beauden Barrett debate?

PM: Not really. Cruden didn't control the game as he would have liked, but the conditions were difficult and the Boks were putting on tremendous pressure. Barrett added extra spark when coming on and that formula works best for the All Blacks at the moment.

GP: It's not really a debate that needs to be solved as such. They are both going to play in every test for which they are picked. Barrett does have the ability to bring impact off the bench and that's a specific skill the All Blacks like having up their sleeve. Cruden will continue to start.

DR: Cruden is the proven starter with a track record of winning test matches for the All Blacks. Barrett's ability to offer something unique from the bench is something that should be valued. Barrett may well be the future but his lengthy apprenticeship is something that will be appreciated in the long run.