Former All Black captain Wayne "Buck" Shelford is an optimist when it comes to his old team.
Shelford was in Dunedin on Saturday to promote the All Blacks Roadshow, and told the Otago Daily Times he was not about to start panicking just because the All Blacks had turned in some below-par performances against France and Italy.
"I wouldn't say they are playing at the top end of their game . . . but I think we are getting better," he said.
"While it wasn't great rugby, the end result is what it is all about and we got the wins. And the performances on the field will come with a bit more time together.
"We'll see the best of our team when they front up against Australia and South Africa in the next few weeks."
Shelford was reasonably happy with the forwards' work, although he believed prop Neemia Tialata struggled.
The scrum was more solid when John Afoa was on the field, he said.
"I think we've got a good scrum. Our line-out is good as well. We won most of our own line-out ball and if we can win 90% of our ball we'll be happy."
The problem, he believed, was further out.
The All Blacks were clumsy around the base of the scrum and the backline was not functioning well.
One player Shelford would like to see more of in the black jersey is Liam Messam.
Messam was axed when the Tri-Nations side was named on Saturday but Shelford said the athletic No 8 was a "good young bull".
"I think Liam is unlucky not to be there. I don't think he made that many mistakes against the French and I just think he has got a lot of talent and can still make it.
"But bringing Rodney [So'oialo] and Richie [McCaw] back at the same time will bring a lot more experience to the pack."
Shelford is still actively involved in the game and coaches at the North Shore Rugby Football Club.
In 2007 he revealed he was receiving treatment for lymphoma cancer, which is now in remission.
"They call it remission. I just say it has gone and it is not going to come back. It is all about positive thinking and you've just got to get on and do what you have to do."
