Otago Daily Times Online rugby writer Jeff Cheshire looks at some key points from the All Blacks' 36-22 win over Wales at Westpac Stadium in Wellington last night.
Different game, same story
Yet another All Blacks game has followed the same narrative. The interest really seems to come in seeing when, rather than if, the floodgates will open. Last week it took 60 minutes, this week it only took 50. At that point a competitive game becomes a one-sided affair, as the All Blacks lift a gear and take the game away from their opposition. On this occasion it was four tries in 15 minutes which saw the score go from 10-10 to 36-10 in the blink of an eye. The Wales defence, which had looked so solid, all of a sudden began falling off tackles and the All Blacks began attacking with conviction. They showed their diversity and ability to threaten in a variety of ways and from different situations. Twice they struck from long-range and twice from set-piece close to the line. When they are in that sort of mood they are tough to stop, as they showed.
Narrow, aggressive defence
Before the floodgates opened it was a close game in which the All Blacks were forced to work very hard and had to defend well to keep Wales out. They pushed up fast and had numbers in the narrow channels, limiting the time Wales had to use the ball. In contact the All Blacks were aggressive, swarming up and looking to knock the ball runners over behind the gain line. When the opportunity came to counter-ruck, they were similarly aggressive. Consequently there was space out wide and Wales did their best to get the ball there, although that is easier said than done. The All Blacks' drift in the wide channels was far more accurate this week though and Wales were unable to get away up the wings and force the All Blacks to scramble.
Ben Smith, Israel Dagg reach milestone
Ben Smith and Israel Dagg both celebrated their 50th tests with tries, putting in stellar displays. There is no doubt Smith is best utilised at the back, but he is pretty good as a winger too. With ball in hand he was dangerous, showing his ability to beat his man on the outside, while being able to step inside off his right foot to beat the cover. Dagg meanwhile justified his reselection, proving dangerous with ball in hand and making use of his booming punt to get the All Blacks out of their half on several occasions.
The first five-eighth debate
Bad luck struck Aaron Cruden once again, as he was taken to hospital for precautionary X-rays after a tackle saw his neck end up in an awkward position. In the 32 minutes he was on the park he was tidy, although hardly tore the game up. That opened the way for Beauden Barrett, who took his opportunity with both hands and was a key figure in the second half blitz. Does that edge Barrett ahead of Cruden in the debate for who should wear the No 10 jersey? Perhaps not. Barrett's dominance came during a period where the All Blacks typically run rampant, while Cruden was on the park during the early battle. It was from Barrett's kick out on the full that Wales got the field position to score their first try too. Although it is hard to deny that Barrett made huge impression and showed how dangerous he can be at the pivot.
Strong up front
The backs will inevitably steal the headlines with their flashy play, but it was a top performance from the All Blacks forward pack last night. Two tries came from dominant scrums close to the line, which put Wales on the back foot and stopped their loose forwards from getting away quickly. That created pressure and opened up space for Barrett and Waisake Naholo to score. The lineout was good in the second half too, especially when contesting the Wales throw. Around the park they made a huge impact, getting around quickly and bringing physicality in contact. It was that foundation that laid the platform for the sparkling tries and dominant second half.
