Wynne Gray: Echo of woodward in Henry's rallying cry to All Black fans

It was spooky to hear All Black coach Graham Henry urge spectators to get their tickets for the Carisbrook test against the Springboks.

The comparison with Sir Clive Woodward's entreaty to Lions fans was too uncanny.

Woodward told Lions fans to fly Downunder because their side was about to produce something special.

We all know where that ended.

At least Henry's side has retained the Bledisloe Cup in Sydney, a feat the coach said should set up a colossal match in Dunedin against the Boks, one which should be the pivotal test in the Tri-Nations series.

Henry could applaud the All Blacks' ability to recover from another weak start to pummel the Wallabies 30-13 and retain the Bledisloe Cup.

But quite how he would reconcile the side's careless frills in this match with their massively relentless defence is something that must perplex the All Blacks coaching panel.

Henry and sidekicks Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith will break down the side's strengths and weaknesses.

Entries should be fairly even in both columns.

They should also offer the context that victory had been achieved against a Wallaby side ravaged by backline injury and one starting to get a few wobbles.

This season is about sorting out some perspective after the All Blacks mauled the Lions before being unseated themselves in Cape Town.