ABs must be even better than French thrashing

Kieran Read and Richie McCaw know they will face a tougher battle than last weekend. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The All Blacks have spoken about this publicly and I agree - the most important challenge for them this week was coming down quickly from what was an outstanding performance and victory against France.

It was an incredible performance and it was achieved in the most incredible style - that was not a typical knockout brand of rugby they played. I was actually running through a list of players to single out, but I started with Dan Carter, Julian Savea, Ma'a Nonu, Nehe Milner-Skudder and Ben Smith and then realised I would be going through the whole team.

They all played well and they all had to acknowledge that, then get their heads quickly back into the business of doing their recovery and back into the preparation for what is going to be an all together tougher game.

I would imagine that it wouldn't have taken for long for the senior players to make it clear that the All Blacks wouldn't be remembered for a great quarterfinal performance if they didn't back it up in the semi.

My knowledge of the players, coaching staff and situation is that they shouldn't find it too hard to get their feet back on the ground and motivated to play the Boks.

They have plenty of players who were involved at the last World Cup and who have ample experience of what's important. The difference maybe last week was the mental edge they carried into the game - driven by a genuine fear that they were vulnerable to the French.

That won't change this week by any means. In fact, it will intensify and what the All Blacks will also know is that repeating last week's performance won't be good enough.

They will have to find another level again - particularly at the cleanout. I though the All Blacks were outstanding in that department against France but those South African lads are so big and strong there. That's one of their real strengths and the All Blacks will have to be equally ruthless and accurate - if not more so if they are to deliver the priceless quick ball that makes them so hard to defend.

My assessment would be that South Africa also need to pull a few different strings in this game - and I think they will. They have used their traditional strengths since they lost to Japan - what they are calling a typical South African game - and it has served them well so. But I'm not sure it will be enough to beat the All Blacks.

It's interesting that Victor Matfield is on the bench as that was not the original plan of Heyneke Meyer when he brought him back. He's been willing to deviate and that suggests he knows his team has to offer something a bit different.

The two locks who are going to start for the Boks have been outstanding and they are going to pose a direct and confrontational challenge.

The thing is, though, that could just bring the best out of the All Blacks, too. Brodie Retallick will relish that challenge. As will Sam Whitelock - they both thrive in that sort of game.

Richie will love that too and if Jerome Kaino was outstanding last week, I think this will be an even better performance by him this week.

There will be nowhere to hide and that is exactly what he loves.