Hugh McGahan: Intensity lacking in victory

Shaun Johnson did not have a particularly good game. Photo / Getty Images

I am not too excited about the performance of the Kiwis against the brave Bravehearts of Scotland. Early domination of an eager opposition followed by a scratchy second half display lacking a killer instinct - a quality that is paramount if we are to retain this World Cup.

Unfortunately this was a game we were expected to win convincingly and reputation can only be harmed in these fixtures. Win well and no one praises you because of the expectation. Win ugly and the criticism comes thick and fast. A loss doesn't bear thinking about.

New Zealand still have to find consistency. They are showing signs of being able to play a structured, predictable format when required and this works well when they maintain control of the ball and complete sets. It's a default mechanism to fall back on when they start to get loose and play high-risk football with the inevitable incompletions.

When we want to play the low-percentage plays and control the ball, we become imaginative and are hard to hold down.

We witnessed this against the Scots and the team showed cohesion; enough to worry the English and Australians. But, as we know, the latter will provide a stricter policy on defence and maintain it for much longer periods.

The qualifying games were the time for the Kiwis to seek long periods of control while building combinations. I don't think we have been able to achieve that and maybe the easier ride through qualifying will leave us short with one, hopefully two, games to go.

Stephen Kearney showed visible expressions of dissatisfaction while the game was in progress, yet publicly communicated his pleasure at how the team played. Sometimes the gulf between the public statement and private communications with the team can be huge.

Shaun Johnson did not have a particularly good game yesterday, failing to fire with kicking game and in general play. He was quiet from a playmaker's perspective and his kicking floundered under pressure, yet support of his runners through the middle was good. Please Shaun, take the line on more.

Dean Whare was invisible and must have a presence to shut down England's outside backs.

The defensive qualities of this Kiwi team were tested by the enthusiastic and unpredictable play of the Scots and, at times, were left grasping.

The Kiwis didn't play with the intensity required to win back the title and, as stated, the easy passage through qualifying may come back to bite us.

The form of the important men is good; Kieran Foran, Issac Luke, Josh Hoffman (or Kevin Locke), our wingers and our forward pack are playing well. But, as we all know, we need all hands on deck.