KEY POINTS:
Not everyone agreed with my assessment that new All Black prop Jamie Mackintosh had a good debut and that Neemia Tialata has not yet convinced as an All Black.
One critic asked me what I was basing my opinion on. Something to do with 78 matches for the
All Blacks over 10 years, I thought.
Presumably those same critics watched Mackintosh against Munster when he played and scrummaged strongly. I believe this kid has the goods; that he'll be around the All Blacks for 10 years or so and play as many games as Tony
Woodcock or even Greg Somerville.
But Tialata has yet to really dominate as an All Black. I think he'll be a little like Bull Allen - play some outstanding matches for his province or Super 14 franchise but might not make a consistent mark in the All Black jersey.
That might sound harsh but I believe it's fair based on performances so far.
Tialata needs to play several tests in a row and for 80 minutes each time.
I'll make another prediction - Wales will not be able to live with this All Black team and, although the All Blacks were expecting the Welsh to play a "New Zealand-style" game (throw the ball about), I don't think they will foot it with the All
Blacks.
Especially if the All Blacks pull back a bit from that helter-skelter, side-to-side, throw-everything-wide approach they showed against Munster and Ireland. It's a clever-enough strategy as not many Northern Hemisphere sides can keep
pace with the All Blacks if they are hitting their straps and displaying their skills.
But I think the beating of the Welsh will be up front. They are not mobile enough and not skilled enough and I think if the All Blacks grind them at the start, they'll be missing later when the ball is spread.
What the All Blacks did against Munster and quite a bit against Ireland was to put only three or four forwards in the breakdown and to try to contain, maintain and retain while freeing up people to attack out wide.
Didn't always work and they got done in the breakdowns a few times. It's a good tactic but can make it difficult to get on top of a committed defence which knows it has to roam wide. It took Brad Thorn to come on late and verbally and
physically take charge. That drive and rolling maul that led to Joe Rokocoko's try is what I am talking about.
Against Wales and maybe England, the All Blacks will, I think, tighten things up because these teams will be expecting the razzle-dazzle stuff. You'll likely read this after the match so you'll be able to see if I'm right.
They just need to tighten up and concentrate on their core roles and they will win more easily. There was a terrible defensive blunder as Munster scored their try when the halfback, Piri Weepu, and the loose forwards, particularly Adam
Thomson, were missing.
The side-to-side stuff is entertaining enough but it becomes very crossfield and it wasn't until Thorn put some power and guts in it that the match was decided.
Rokocoko's was a cracking try. Nine out of 10 wingers would have gone outside but he did Doug Howlett on the inside and I have to say that Mils Muliaina's pass to him was timed to perfection.