Given the atrocious conditions, along with the typical ‘windy Wellington atmosphere, the All Blacks should just be applauded for keeping it tight in the forwards against Ireland and playing a well-constructed game. Never mind the 19-11 margin they won by in the end. Perhaps I did not give the Irish enough respect with my ridiculous prediction of victory by 25 points.

There was good individual stuff and collectively you couldn’t fault their efforts in such trying circumstances. A perfect example of keeping it tight was the pick´n´drives; that was obviously scribbled on top of the list on the coaches´ clipboards.

The big boys certainly looked like they had a lot of enjoyment executing this straightforward but effective strategy, namely the Samoan powerhouses Neemia Tialata, John Afoa and then John Schwalger, who picked up where they left off.

Imagine a full compliment of All Blacks Samoans available for the Manu team that is bound to take on the All Blacks at New Plymouth next month. In a perfect world, this is the line-up: Muliaina, Wulf, Laulala, Nonu, David Smith, Toeava, Moa, Kaino, Masoe, Collins, Filipo, Nick Williams, Afoa, Mealamu, Tialata. Reserves: Mahonri Schwalger, John Schwalger, Tuiali’i, So’oialo, Senio, Stanley, Anesi.

But back to the game. Without being too biased, the All Blacks were always going to win if they stuck to their game plan, just as you would expect a dominant team like the Crusaders to produce the goods to win a high-pressure game in their own backyard - as demonstrated in their recent home Super 14 final.

Captain Richie McCaw once again led by example and more than made his presence felt for the umpteenth time. Rarely do you witness a player who is consistently brilliant, impressive and admirable, as in his already complete arsenal. And McCaw does it all himself.

I’ve seen some incredible highlight footage of basketball legend Michael Jordan’s feats, so why it has taken a little too long to compile a similar tribute to Richie McCaw’s successful career thus far is anybody’s guess. Ahh, that’s stating the obvious - he’s yet to win a World Cup which is the pinnacle, the ultimate recognition, the summit of Mount Everest, as the late Sir Edmund Hillary would tell anyone who dare to listen.

McCaw’s partner in crime Dan Carter was back to his blazing best. If there is ever a perfect kicking game that is required and expected of a playmaker, then there is no better exponent, period. Carter definitely has the all-round skills and displays the confidence and ability to dictate terms, which naturally explains why he is arguably the best player in the world. He can hoist deadly bombs, grubber kicks with pin-point accuracy, kick goals from all angles at an extremely high ratio, on top of his sublime running game and superb defence. We should be grateful that such players exist in the game.

Now, whenever someone slices through the defensive line and makes a good break, nine times out of ten a result will ensue – and that’s exactly what happened when Carter broke through and Ma’a Nonu completed the momentum. That’s what good players and good teams should do.
Carter also produced a classic grubber kick later in the match, only for Sitiveni Sivivatu to let it slip beyond his grasp. Had he not gone for the player and instead use the slippery grass to glide onto the ball, he would’ve come up with his second meat pie right there.

Graham Henry was ecstatic at the boys’ performance and considering the difficult playing surface, let alone the ever-present raindrops like it’s been continuously haunted by the old Athletic Park underneath, it was indeed a good win that was morale-boosting. I stress the importance of this because as heartbreaking and gut-wrenching as it sounds, there is no doubt that the World Cup shock still hovers amongst the players and they will be wary of what is expected of them from here until 2011. It’s unfortunate but that’s reality!

I’m not sure if there is a cause for celebration but there was also a slight indication of the rotation policy being ignored, considering the same line-up has been selected for this weekend’s game, apart from a forced change due to injury [Greg Somerville in for John Afoa].

The powerful Sione Lauaki is on the bench but I’d prefer that he started at No.8 and shift Jerome Kaino to the blindside position. Otherwise, they’ve rightfully been given another opportunity to ‘redeem’ themselves - hopefully on drier track.

I take the All Blacks to beat England by 20 points.

Footnote: There was an interesting column in our tabloids with the incomparable McCaw rated a better player than the magnificent Michael Jones. I have to agree with this sentiment. Despite their respective eras of supremacy (Jones from the mid-80s, Josh Kronfeld the mid-90s and McCaw ever since), they’re all considered all-time greats. Then again, a back row of McCaw at No.8, Kronfeld at No.7 with Jones chiming in at No.6 during their prime would have to be the most destructive combination in history.