Richard Loe: What the All Blacks need to change

Sam Cane (left) and Israel Dagg to get dropped from the third test against Wales next week in Dunedin? Richard Loe suggests they should be. Photo / Getty Images

A supporter near me summed it up last night when he observed "Gordon Tietjens must be coaching the All Blacks, because they don't like entering the breakdown".

Yes, the All Blacks sealed the series, so congratulations, but it's XVs, not sevens. We're not dominating the breakdown like New Zealand supporters expect. To be fair, the situation requires someone to sit back and take a close look at the tape to pinpoint the problems, but it's an area which needs cleaning up. We're not getting the crisp, clean ball that we should.

At openside flanker, Sam Cane used to come on when we'd been dominant under Richie McCaw. Now it's his turn to dominate. Someone's got to hunt for that ball because if we go to Australia and they have a couple of beavers going at everything, we'll struggle. Maybe Ardie Savea could start.

Now the series is secure, it's time to start others who are brimming with enthusiasm.
The front row might also need changing. I'd keep Dane Coles, but do Owen Franks and Joe Moody need a spell on the bench? We're not giving Aaron Smith enough time to clear quality ball at halfback. The second row's fine - we've got three good locks, judging by Sam Whitelock's strong return.

Overall, the reserves went well, much like last week, but we leaked two late tries. Yes, we had a buffer, but at test level that shouldn't happen.

Throwing forward to next year, Wales have some talented customers in the likes of Jonathan Davies and Rhys Webb. The All Blacks need to be wary long-term for when the Lions get here and those types of players have stronger personnel around them.

Next week the All Blacks need to put the hammer down and stamp their authority before the Rugby Championship.

Aaron Cruden's injury also poses a problem, but even those of us sitting around a dinner table pre-match suggested that the third test would be a good opportunity for Lima Sopoaga. If Cruden's out, surely Sopoaga will be involved.

Elsewhere, I wonder whether a slap around the ears was all Julian Savea needed. He could come back on the wing, Israel Dagg could drop out and Ben Smith could return to fullback.