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AUCKLAND - One rugby observer unsurprised by the performance of an inexperienced All Blacks front row against Ireland was the player sandwiched in the middle, hooker Andrew Hore.
A bulwark with bookends Neemia Tialata and John Afoa was inconceivable at the World Cup, let alone the appearance off the bench of John Schwalger half an hour into New Zealand's 21-11 win in Wellington last weekend.
Tialata, making his 22nd test appearance, was easily the most experienced of a trio of props, two of whom have made dramatic strides up the pecking order in 2008.
Even so there was still some disquiet that Tialata was named on the loosehead side despite an admission from All Blacks management he was not fully fit.
The credentials of Wellington teammate Schwalger were also queried given his only test exposure was recorded against Canada 12 months ago.
But after Afoa retired with a knee injury the all Hurricanes front row more than held their own against experienced trio of Marcus Horan, John Hayes and Jerry Flannery.
Slushy conditions ensured an uncompromising forward battle and at scrum time the All Blacks rarely yielded an inch, even after Tialata was forced to switch to the tighthead side.
"I've been with them all Super 14 - I've seen how hard they're working, there was never any doubt they were going to get through," Hore said of his fellow front rowers.
Hore was particularly impressed with Tialata who, by his own admission, had an average season with the Hurricanes.
"You can't underestimate him," Hore said.
"He had a great year last year (in 2007) and this year, for whatever reasons things didn't quite click.
"It's good to see they (coaches) showed faith in him and he delivered."
There will be no let up at Eden Park this weekend, or in Christchurch next Saturday, as the English, though depleted, still have the services of one of the most feared props in the game.
Sale loosehead and occasional bricklayer Andy Sheridan is still feted for leading the destruction of the Wallabies scrum in their World Cup quarterfinal and at 1.93-metres and 122kg, he looms as a massive obstacle.
"He's one player they rate as a scrummager. Whoever plays tighthead will have to step up and get into it," Hore said.
With Afoa out of action and Carl Hayman now living in Newcastle, Tialata may earn his second outing against the English, following on from the 10 minutes he had as a substitute at Twickenham in 2005.
All Blacks head coach Graham Henry, to name his side later today (2pm), also has New Zealand's most experienced campaigner Greg Somerville ready to add to his 57 caps if required.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand Rugby Union were given a boost by their captain yesterday when Richie McCaw extended his contract to the end of 2011, enabling him to play a third World Cup.
McCaw never seriously entertained joining the brain drain to Europe or Japan though he admitted a difficult end to 2007 prompted some serious soul searching.
"Last year was obviously a tough year to think too much further ahead but I've had some time (to think) and I'm keen to make this commitment.
"There's more money available overseas but it wouldn't bring the same challenge."
Dan Carter is expected to re-sign with the NZRU later this week once the details of his six-month sabbatical in France from the end of November are finalised.
McCaw hoped the decision to remain in New Zealand would encourage teammates to stay put.
"It's great Dan's thinking along the same lines, there's been a lot of talk about players leaving," he said.
"You have to make your own decisions and hopefully as time goes on there will be a few more of us in the same boat."
- NZPA
