Three key questions: Should All Blacks be concerned with Barrett's kicking?

Beauden Barrett was good in open play but struggling off the tee against Namibia. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Herald rugby writers Wynne Gray and Dylan Cleaver answer three key questions following the All Blacks' win over Namibia this morning.

Should the All Blacks be concerned that Beauden Barrett, the back-up kicker, only slotted five from nine conversions?

Dylan Cleaver: Yes. He's a terrific first-five and an invaluable utility, but he's shown unreliability time and again from the tee. Granted, the misses were wide out, but you've got to be kicking a couple of them, particularly in tight games.

Wynne Gray: Up in the coaches' box, kicking coach Mick Byrne will have been grimacing at some of the strikes. But now they have test match examples to work on rather than training ground practice. Carter is still the business but Barrett needs to improve his strikes.

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What does Michael Cheika write in his scrapbook tonight re the All Blacks?

Dylan Cleaver: I know it sounds trite, but Cheika will not be looking any further ahead than England and Wales. However, if he comes to review the footage later on in the tournament, he'll not that if Aaron Smith is not playing, the All Blacks lack stability behind the breakdown. He'll also note that several All Blacks are not particularly disciplined and that a simple field position game followed by New Zealand infringements could keep the scoreboard ticking over in threes. He'll note the effectiveness of the rush defence so far, but won't count on the All Blacks still struggling with it by the time they're due to meet.

Wynne Gray: He'll get out that yellow marker pen of his, to match the Wallaby kit, and highlight breakdown and halfback squeeze as the pressure points for his team to attack ABs. Will also put red rings around Hooper and Pocock as his men for the job.

What do you make of all the TMO stoppages? The game ran for 20 minutes longer than it should. Is it ruining the game?

Dylan Cleaver: Yes. There was one period there in the second half when the removal of fingernails with pliers seemed a less painless process. It's a bit of a dilemma though. Everyone wants accurate decisions, but we want them in as close to real-time as possible.

Wynne Gray: Don't mind if they get it right. Try-scoring movements need to be checked but the game should carry on elsewhere with judgement mistakes from officials and players. Only TMO should be for foul play, sinbin,red card.