KEY POINTS:
On Sunday, we should be celebrating a convincing All Black win over South Africa.
And I believe we will be, providing the All Blacks play smart test match football. By that I mean put the pretty, expansive stuff in the bottom drawer.
Free-running, sexy rugby won't be on the menu at the World Cup and I'd like to see the All Blacks get back to sensible, hard-nosed footy so close to the tournament.
There are two tests left before the World Cup. Time is short and we still aren't sure what the first-choice test XV is.
In my book, Graham Henry and his fellow selectors should have had their best XV together for a few weeks now. But this team will be good enough to win against a sub-standard Bok team.
I'm pleased Keven Mealamu is back at hooker, ditto that Keith Robinson is fit again and gets his chance at lock. Troy Flavell didn't quite cut it in his appearances.
I know the selectors like Reuben Thorne against South Africa, but Jerry Collins should be at No 6 tomorrow night.
His combination with Rodney So'oialo and Richie McCaw is crucial to the way this All Black team functions. Thorne's inclusion means next week's final Tri-Nations test against Australia at Eden Park is the last chance for the best loose forward trio to fine tune before heading to France.
I had thought Byron Kelleher was the preferred halfback. Piri Weepu's selection for tomorrow's test makes me wonder.
And in turn I can't help think that is not making Dan Carter's life any easier. He must wish the first-choice No 9 would be sorted out so he could have the same, familiar face to work with behind the scrum.
As for Carter, the All Blacks must get the ball in his hands, allow him to run the game. Cut out having others as first receiver.
Carter is the quarterback in the All Blacks' game, and a great one. He's not playing badly, but he's below his best standards right now. He'd benefit from some consistency inside him.
And I can't fathom why Joe Rokocoko and Sitiveni Sivivatu aren't paired on the wings. They appear to be the pick of the wing options. They should be playing tomorrow night. To hear the selectors say Doug Howlett needs more rugby I find bizarre.
For all that, I believe the All Blacks will win well, providing they stick to a tried and trusted template.
They must do the basics well, kick to the corners, kick in the air to JP Pietersen - a new, unproven test fullback - turn the South Africans round, and use plenty of driving, pick and go forward play.
Do that, and the points will come.
In a sense the All Blacks are on a hiding to nothing. If they want to silence the public and media rumblings of their recent form, they need to win well. A scratchy, narrow victory won't do that and as for a defeat, heaven help us.
And what of the Boks? Jake White has said about 10 World Cup spots are still to be finalised, and he'll be looking at his players to see who is still running, who is still up for it in the final quarter, and especially if the score is mounting against them.
He'll be keen to see a strong display by hooker Bismarck du Plessis. John Smit is his first choice skipper, but he's injured. White will want to see what du Plessis has to offer.
Although halfback Ruan Pienaar is a fine player, White will want to see more from him, and he'll take a good look at Pietersen at fullback, although I suspect he's a Percy Montgomery fan.
Defensively South Africa will find it tough at Jade Stadium. You can't put defensive patterns and strategies in place in a week and that's what White is having to do with a group of players, may of whom won't be at the World Cup.
