TJ Perenara of New Zealand reacts during the Autumn International match between Wales and New Zealand at Principality Stadium. Photo / Getty Images.
TJ Perenara of New Zealand reacts during the Autumn International match between Wales and New Zealand at Principality Stadium. Photo / Getty Images.
The All Blacks-Wales test from Cardiff produced a range of emotions for Chris Rattue.
Highly impressed
The pace and skill levels in New Zealand rugby are off the charts.
Unless Australia can get its act together, no country has a hope of matching a back division which might have BeaudenBarrett, Richie Mo'unga, Anton Lienert-Brown, Will Jordan and Sevu Reece on the field at the same time. And the fire power doesn't stop there, obviously.
The only way to beat this All Blacks side is to smack them over in the forwards and intimidate them across the field physically, which is certainly possible.
If the game opens up no one can touch them although I'd still rate Springbok Lukhanyo Am's round-the-back pass to create a try against New Zealand as the best piece of skill on a test rugby field this year.
Impressed
The Cardiff stadium and crowd. Wouldn't mind some of that in this part of the world.
New Zealand perform the hakka prior to the Autumn International match between Wales and New Zealand at Principality Stadium. Photo / Getty Images.
Am I wrong?
I remain unconvinced - although a bit less so - about Ian Foster as All Blacks coach. Overlooking Scott Robertson (or not pursuing Jamie Joseph/Tony Brown) was a massive mistake.
But the All Blacks do look very united under Foster and that is half the trick, and probably not so easy when senior players like Beauden Barrett and Rieko Ioane are under massive pressure for their starting places.
One of the big problems with Foster is he represents, and is the beneficiary of, the methods of an arrogant and aloof rugby administration which I can't stand.
He's also had a soft ride so far, playing a lot of weak and poorly prepared sides.
But there was a spring in the All Blacks' step in Cardiff which you can't ignore and a lot of the selection panels decisions are starting to look on the mark.
Convinced (1)
If one player is making every post a winner in the Foster era, it's Ardie Savea as a No.8.
Savea's best loose forward role was open to debate but the matter looks settled.
No. 8 is an iconic position in All Black rugby, where players of different styles have stamped their mark in legendary ways…Brian Lochore, Murray Mexted, Buck Shelford, Zinzan Brooke, Kieran Read.
Ardie Savea can enter the pantheon because he has a rare x-factor. His powerful running with the ball is phenomenal and it's an attribute made for the back of the scrum.
Sevu Reece of New Zealand scores a try during the Autumn International match between Wales and New Zealand at Principality Stadium. Photo / Getty Images.
Convinced (2)
Foster should pursue converting Sevu Reece into a left wing. Pocket rocket Reece and legend-in-the-making Will Jordan are the best wings at the All Blacks' disposal. Rieko Ioane has his moments but he was caught out for pace by a Welsh forward, and he doesn't hunt the game down the way Reece does.
…at the Northern Hemisphere's ability to dominate the direction of the game.
They have all the advantages but do very little with them on the field.
Yes, Six Nations champs Wales were well below full strength, but the All Blacks also had a couple of very good players missing.
Wales, by the end, were rubbish and not even trying particularly hard. The Sevu Reece try contained tremendous All Blacks skill, but there was little desperation in the Welsh cover defence.
Boredom
Even when the score was relatively close, you knew with absolute certainty what would happen in the final quarter at Cardiff. Any chance of below-strength Wales keeping the margin of defeat down disappeared up the tunnel with their injured captain Alun Wyn Jones.
TJ Perenara of New Zealand reacts during the Autumn International match between Wales and New Zealand at Principality Stadium. Photo / Getty Images.
Sinking feeling
Which arrived when the commentators mentioned that the next game was against Italy.
For the record, Italy haven't won a Six Nations game for six years, enduring a 32-game losing streak in the process. They lost their Six Nations contests this season by an average of 35 points.
Cannon fodder is putting it nicely.
Memories
Welsh rugby in the 1970s. It was sheer magic - rugby at its best.
