I was pleased with the forward effort, particlarly the way guys like Mealamu and Thorn stood up in the absence of Mcaw, So’oialo and Williams. The loose forward trio of Kaino, Latimer and Read absolutely deserve another run this weekend and I think both Ross and Evans did enough to stay in the picture.

The conditions were too bad to judge the backs, but apart from Messam, I think we’ve done a better job with the forwards than the Wallabies. Tighthead is still an issue. It seems that Afoa and Tialata will be battling it out for that spot. I thought Tialata lifted his game in the second Test, but a lot of people were conned into thinking the scrums were an issue.

Neemia Tialata, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, Ali Williams, Jerome Kaino, Jimmy Cowan, Piri Weepu, Brendan Leonard, Luke McAlister, Ma’a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Joe Rocokoko and Mils Muliaina are the only players in the current squad that have featured in the All Blacks from 2005-07. Of those only Cowan, Kaino and Nonu wouldn’t have been considered regular starting All Blacks during that period. It has been the loss of those second tier of players to retirement and overseas clubs rather than their lack of quality that has stood out. I agree that Henry had little option last year than to play his strongest test team and OJ has mentioned that Henry chose to neglect the opportunity for future player development on last years Grand Slam tour that could have alleviated the injury problems affecting the team so far this year.

As for the benefit of what is occurring now for All Black rugby, that is premature speculation and won’t be revealed until the Tri Nations begins as well as the end of year tour and next season. The danger is that the core of experienced players have already peaked and won’t improve any further. Those fringe players who through injury are exposed to test rugby sooner than expected (if at all) have a steep learning curve ahead of them, and only some of them will make the grade as you have mentioned.

Every successful NZ side has always been reliant upon a small group of world class players that formed its foundation and their retirement results in a dip in form for the next few years. The retirement of Sean Fitzpatrick, Zinzan Brooke and the dropping of Frank Bunce and loss of form by Andrew Mehrtens and Carlos Spencer in 1997/98 had a profound affect on the All Blacks resulting in our worst ever season that took 5 years to overcome with a new group of players.

Perhaps the Wallabies under Deans and with a change of players are a team that could track a similar path back to ascendancy this season after 5 years without any success.

The Boks are looking the most impressive side to date even with their faltering finish against the Lions last weekend. The last two Lions tours seem to coincide with or inspire the host nation to achieving success in the Super rugby and Tri Nations competitions – 2001 was the Brumbies and Wallabies year, 2005 the Crusaders and All Blacks, 2009 the Bulls and ????

It’s interesting how the public and media on both sides of the Tasman have differing viewpoints with their respective matches against France and Italy this weekend. For the Wallabies this is their first real test of the season and their performance will be a better gauge of their development as well as building confidence ahead of the Tri Nations and for the All Blacks the expectation that a rout against Italy will do the same for them after two tough tests against the French. One thing is for sure the loss against the French will not be the only loss they suffer this year – so will a demanding NZ public acknowledge and accept the challenging circumstances this season or will they simply demand Henry’s head on a platter and bemoan the loss of Robbie Deans. This is a rhetorical question – the answer is obvious isn’t it.