Wynne Gray: Errors erode Muliaina's AAA rating

Mils Muliaina's test match errors are at odds with his usual ultra-high class. Photo / Getty Images

Mils Muliaina and mistakes. Until this season those issues seemed mutually exclusive but the All Black fullback seems to be undermining that theory.

He was in the clutch of defenders swatted off by French five-eighths Francois Trinh-Duc as he scored from a scrum play in Dunedin, outgunned by Cedric Heymans in his classy run in Wellington and swept aside by Berrick Barnes for the Wallabies' first try at Eden Park.

There have been other errors that afflict every top-level test player but these were rare major blemishes for Muliaina.

Since he made his All Black debut in 2003, Muliaina's minimal error rate has coincided with his consistent high-quality performances. His work was so reliable that when the selectors found themselves in a dilemma, they turned to Muliaina to bail them out of problems on the wing and at centre as well.

Those decisions were a compliment to his class, skills, temperament and versatility. He may be the best All Black fullback of the modern era because of his breadth of skills, vision and feel for the game.

Christian Cullen's incomparable attacking clout was a delight, Leon MacDonald was totally fearless, Jeff Wilson lit up games with his style, Glen Osborne and John Timu showed their high skills while John Gallagher refined the role at the opening World Cup.

But Muliaina brought the whole package.

He had the speed to match it with anyone, the positional nous to organise teammates, attacking instincts which added a new dimension to the back three, an improved kicking game and a safety record with a triple AAA rating.

His value was emphasised when he was promoted to lead the All Blacks in Richie McCaw's injury absence. He had his problems leading an under-resourced group against the French and Italians and while he remains the best fullback in the land, Muliaina's contributions were not of his usual ultra-high class.

The All Blacks this season have lacked true quality but they grabbed a valuable chunk of self-belief after their opening Bledisloe Cup win against the Wallabies. After they found a sympathetic Barnes - Berrick rather than World Cup Wayne - who butchered a second try, the All Blacks regrouped.

Stephen Donald got into his work after a sticky start. He is battling and competing hard but like any Australian spinner following the great Shane Warne, Donald suffers because of comparisons with the sidelined Daniel Carter.

Donald knows he will be under more heat when Carter recovers, possibly when Luke McAlister rediscovers some rhythm and perhaps if Aaron Cruden delivers in the NPC. So he wants to play, he wants to test himself.

He stunned the All Black medicos with his recovery from a hamstring problem and showed his main strength is between his ears. No matter how good your skills, without that mentality, without that grit, international sport is a no-go zone.

* Wynand Oliver has been called into the Springbok squad because of injuries to midfielders Jaque Fourie and Adi Jacobs.