Inga Tuigamala: Forget final quarter, All Blacks were class

Benson Stanley of the All Blacks offloads the ball during the rugby test match against Ireland at Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth. Photo / Getty Images

Opinion

Let's get one thing clear, the criticism of the way the All Blacks performed in the final quarter against Ireland last Saturday was unjustified.

When you've got a lead like that against a team that is under-manned, it is difficult to retain the intensity.

Instead of worrying about a couple of flaws that slipped in late, we should be congratulating the All Blacks and the coaching staff for a brilliant start to the international season.

I absolutely loved what I saw against the Irish and expect a continuation against the Welsh in Dunedin tomorrow night.

One of the most pleasing aspects of the win in New Plymouth was the way the debutants slotted into the team. The performance of Benson Stanley in particular was outstanding.

A few weeks ago I picked him as a potential wild-card for the All Blacks and he's exceeded even my expectations.

He is rock solid in the backline and exactly the type of player Graham Henry needs. He straightens up the attack and is a solid defender, but the thing that gets overlooked is that he has some lovely touches - just like his uncle, Joe.

To me, the onus is now on Ma'a Nonu to play his way back into the All Blacks No 12 jersey - he has to oust Stanley from the position. The jersey should not be Nonu's as of right.

That's going to be a pleasant headache for the selectors because a change in personnel means a change of style in the backs. When Nonu plays, most of the responsibility for getting behind the defence falls on his ability to break the line. He's a more explosive player than Stanley and he is relied upon to crash through the wall of defence.

With Stanley in the backline, they had to find other methods of getting in behind Ireland and I really liked what I saw from those around him.

I enjoyed the performance of the other debutants, particularly Sam Whitelock scoring with his first touch of the ball, and I'm pleased to see they will get another run this week against Wales. The goal should be to get them as worldly as possible before the tougher tests in the Tri-Nations.

To be honest, I don't think Wales will offer anything more than Ireland. I like the way Warren Gatland builds up his tourists, but I don't see them as having the physical power to take the All Blacks on up front or the skills to test them with an expansive game.

So more of the same please, Graham.