Saturday night's alright (best games)
v Ireland, Hamilton,won 60-0Was helped by an Irish side that had played its best game the week before, but the All Blacks were pretty special that night.
Aaron Cruden had an unbelievably impressive first 23 minutes on the field, before going off, and the side just carved up almost at will. Boom young flanker Sam Cane scored two tries in his run-on debut.
v Argentina, La Plata, won 54-15Many fans were worried about this game, and had good reason to after the first few minutes as the Pumas scored the first try.
But the All Blacks simply upped the intensity a couple of levels and ran away with the game.
Every chance that came along they converted and Cory Jane helped himself to a hat trick of tries.
v South Africa, Soweto,won 32-16With the Rugby Championship in the bag, the All Blacks could have put their foot off the pedal against the old foe in what was an intimidating atmosphere.
But a purple patch either side of halftime left the Springboks a distant second.
I guess that's why they call it the blues (worst games)
v Australia, Brisbane,18-18 drawCould not quite get the win but it would have been tough on the Wallabies, as the men in black were well off-key. Too many mistakes and dumb options by the visiting side. The Australians were fired up while the All Blacks were too passive, and option-taking was on the similar level to those picking New Zealand's Got Talent.
v Ireland, Christchurch,won 22-19.
The enduring memory of this game is not of the close win, the guts of the Irish and the inability of the All Blacks to string anything together. No, it was the freezing temperature.
The idea of playing a night game in Christchurch in mid-June is up there with Custer's plan to hoist a surprise visit on those Indians.
It was colder than an Eskimo's outside toilet at midnight. Try to play attacking 15-man rugby in those conditions and it simply is not going to happen.
v Springboks, Dunedin,won 21-11You know things are not great when Ma'a Nonu starts kicking.
Poor goalkicking from the Springboks cost them the game.
Pity the game did not match the atmosphere.
Rocket Man (best players)
Aaron Smith: Made every post a winner. Quick, scored tries when needed and gave his outsides plenty of room. He turned up all over the park and made worries about the depth at halfback disappear.
Richie McCaw: Continues to set high standards. Turned himself into more of a ball runner and creator than the fetcher and turnover king of past seasons. Also good in the air and rarely missed a tackle.
Tony Woodcock: Very, very consistent, never beaten in the scrum and turned up all around the field. His form this year suggests he will be a massive boost when he puts on a Highlanders jersey next season.
Don't let the sun go down on me (All Blacks with questionable futures)
Ali Williams: The lock has a big fan in the coach and when he hits form is a talent. But when was the last time he found that ability?
Piri Weepu: From the penthouse to the outhouse in one year. If the rule about having to clear the ball quickly from the breakdown is brought into international rugby, then Weepu is a goner. He is probably a goner anyway with the youngsters coming through.
Adam Thomson: May have reached the end of the road internationally where his wide-ranging ability has never been harnessed by the All Blacks.
Circle of life (three questions for end-of-year tour and next season)
1) Which veteran player will be first to be dispensed with?
Some of these guys are not getting any younger. See above for a few who may walk the plank sooner rather than later.
2) Will McCaw come back the same player six months-plus on?
And will he come back at all?
3) If a certain veteran lock from Mosgiel plays well next year, could he put on the black jersey again?
