The All Blacks can take a lot out of the first test against Australia. They performed well without ever really hitting their best form, their rhythm and their combinations but they will improve.
They showed that their search for depth is working and to prove that, you only had to
look at the impact their substitutes made when they came on. They also showed that this first team, if it gets some time together, will snap into place very well.
It took them 25 minutes to find their feet and, when they worked out their combinations they always threatened to really cut loose - but it never happened. In fact, if you watched this test match without knowing there had been three played already, you'd have sworn this was the first hit-out of the international season.
But I don't want to carp at them after a 32-12 win over difficult opponents. They meet South Africa in Wellington next and go to Brisbane for the Aussies, which gives them time to build on this display.
Their lineout was much better than the first three tests, the front row scrummed well without being totally dominant - I thought the Aussies hung in there well - and Chris Jack had a cracker for his 50th test. He was a real force around the field for the entire match as well as in the set pieces.
The All Blacks had a bad start, giving away that soft try to Lote Tuqiri and it could have gone septic if they hadn't got their act together. That try jolted them and they were a little bit lucky that Rocky Elsom had a bit of a brain implosion.
He angered the ref early on and should have held his tongue when he got warned and to be yellow-carded after 26 minutes and to be off the field while the opposition scored 14 points...well, his beer won't taste too hot, will it?
But the All Blacks took their chances well and defended well. It was a little bit unusual in that some of the usual stars had comparatively quite nights - like Richie McCaw, Jerry Collins and even Dan Carter. He didn't quite have his kicking boots on although he defended like a real trooper when the Aussies were probing hard. It was a practical rather than a brilliant night for Carter.
Mils Muliaina did well, Leon MacDonald ran tellingly in the second half and Rico Gear always looked dangerous - but they didn't quite unleash the storm they threatened to.
However, the All Blacks can be very happy about the form of the guys who came on. I thought Ali Williams had the best 20 minutes of his season, Isaia Toeava did well when he came on and, all in all, the All Black subs showed that the search for depth has been the right thing to do. They all made an impact whereas the Australians struggled when they took off George Gregan and George Smith.
It was a performance which will make their opponents wonder what they'll do when they get it right on the night.
Opinion by
The All Blacks can take a lot out of the first test against Australia. They performed well without ever really hitting their best form, their rhythm and their combinations but they will improve.
They showed that their search for depth is working and to prove that, you only had to
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