KEY POINTS:
I was pleased to read during the week that Colin Meads had asked the All Blacks to play with pride and restore the aura of the Black jersey.
I remember hearing those same words when I was playing. We were told that to play for our country was
not a right but a privilege. That we were caretakers; custodians of a long and proud history and tradition of success.
It was those talks that stirred in me and fired me up - to play for a team that was uncompromising in its search for victory. Last night we saw that from an under-fire All Blacks side. The desperation on display was an All Blacks side who knew losing was not an option.
It was very satisfying to see the All Blacks achieve their edge over a very good Wallabies side by playing the old school brand of rugby that has been synonymous with that tradition of excellence. It also gave me huge pride to see Tony Woodcock score two driving tries and maximise our advantage there.
Has there ever been an All Black prop score two tries like that in a Bledisloe test? Not that I can remember, and it will be something that he will always remember. It set the platform for the win and the flashy stuff only came after the forwards had set the tone.
It is hard to overstate the importance of this performance. I have been asked all week: 'What will they do if they lose?' 'Exactly' I have replied. This result was crucial because the best players in the country are already in the team.
With Robbie Deans, Warren Gatland and John Mitchell all plying their trade overseas, this coaching trio are the best we have. Lose here and we really had nowhere to go. Win, and win at all costs, was the message this week. And they delivered.
This is a test match that could see the All Blacks kick on and become a force in the competition away from home. Personally, the Bledisloe Cup is a trophy I always want in the trophy cabinet much more than the Tri Nations.
I want to see something similar in Brisbane from the All Black forwards. As a unit they have set a new benchmark for forward play in 2008 and need to maintain it. It was the difference in this test and if they can continue to play with such dominance up front then the proud tradition of success will continue.
It makes speeches like Colin Meads' the other day mean something. But more importantly, it goes some way to restoring the pride and the aura of the Black jersey.