Wynne Gray: Questions remain about attitude

Ben Smith in action against England. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The niggle continues even as the All Blacks continue their marvellous unbeaten stretch.

It's not a complaint, more of a misgiving, a twinge about their ability to go the distance. Not the immediate target of equalling the world record for 17 consecutive victories this week in Hamilton, rather the last lap of the quadrennial race to the next World Cup.

Delivering such an observation suggests carping for the sake of it.

However, the All Blacks are always about improvement, their mantra is always to go to the next level, to work on the pieces of minutiae which go into the grand puzzle of international rugby. They will have rewarded themselves with a good night in Dunedin and celebrations about repelling a strong England side and, once they settled, delivering plenty of strong quality rugby.

The set-piece was cohesive and accurate and there was a compelling list of interplay on attack when they got into a rhythm after halftime. Aided by a tough sinbin decision against Owen Farrell, the All Blacks were too good with the ball as they burst into that dynamic interplay few other sides can replicate.

The reservations are about the All Blacks' attitude and whether they have absolute ruthless instincts to combat their opponents and then, if they get the edge, grind them into the turf.

After the awkward start at Eden Park, they knew all the areas they had to fix and if any of them went off task the coaches and selectors would have given them plenty of reminders. Future places were at stake.

New Zealand as much as the All Blacks zeroed in on Forsyth Barr Stadium to watch the response. A disciplined accurate start was imperative.

In the fourth minute referee Jaco Peyper had them on a sinbin warning for repeat offences.

Fortunately England squandered several chances. After a charge-down, Danny Care chose the short side with his backline all out wide while a touch short of the interval, from a turnover, Manu Tuilagi was well short of pace to be a test wing when he was run down inside 60m.

When the All Blacks got a similar chance after the break, Ben Smith showed his attacking clout was as sharp as his defence to round out the turnover try. The All Blacks banged on 15 points and conceded three before Farrell went to the bin and yielded another converted try. That was the game. Then take your pick. Either the All Blacks took their sprigs off England's throat or the visitors, back to a full side, pricked more holes in the hosts' temperament. You had to admire them for their mettle.

Most sides would have buckled and bombed the last 10 minutes. England bit back with two converted tries and also had the resistance to hold All Black captain Richie McCaw up over the line.

This has been a real test series and the sort of examination which will benefit both squads ahead of the high altar examination in October 2015.