KEY POINTS:
An outstanding win by the All Blacks over Wales at Cardiff was marred by their decision not to perform a haka.
This was perhaps the first time overseas that the All Blacks have not performed a haka publicly, and the crowd were not happy.
They felt aggrieved that
this All Black side, so superior in all respects over Wales, had refused to show its traditional haka.
It was an All Black PR disaster.
Wales had wanted to change the order of events before the game and had shifted the All Blacks from their usual position - the last act before kick-off.
So the All Blacks objected and, apparently, performed their haka in the dressing room.
But Wales as host are entitled to run the show. And the All Blacks were far too precious.
Once the game began, it was obvious that the All Blacks were a level above their opponents. All week, Wales had talked up their chances. All week, the All Blacks had reciprocated with how much they respected the Welsh.
It wasn't to be. It was obvious within seconds that Wales were not up to matching the All Blacks. They may win the Six Nations, but they cannot live with the All Blacks at this level of test rugby.
The All Blacks had it all over Wales; in speed, in timing, in precision and power.
They stood out in their strength at the tackle and at the turn-over.
Even the yellow-carding of Richie McCaw could not stop their ascendancy. McCaw now joins a list of All Black captains (Umaga in 2005, Reuben Thorne in 2003) to see a yellow card.
This All Black side has now put 40 points on England, France and Wales; top 8 nations each of them. And they've done it in front of their home crowds.
They have shown Northern Hemisphere sides up close why this All Black side has been so dominant this year.
If there is one stand-out feature of this outstanding side it is their mental toughness. Their steely edge is new. Where two years ago, they may have rested in patches of the game, now they don't.
Their mental toughness can be brutal, imposing. They are relentlessly tough in attack and brutally tough in defence. It is their iron will to win, to excel that has shaken their opponents in the Northern Hemisphere.
And now the Northern Hemisphere sides know one thing: someone, somehow has to beat the All Blacks to stop their march to the World Cup. But, by God, they will have to be tough to do it.
