Richard Loe: ABs getting win formula right, next comes style

All those people complaining that the All Blacks have been boring and colourless in their tour test matches need to turn the TV off, have a lie down and not wake up until the Super 14 kicks off.

If that's the kind of rugby you want, then that's the plan. For me, test match rugby is the best there is - and that's what the All Blacks have been playing.

They can't win, can they? They played silly, naive rugby against the Boks in the Tri Nations and got hammered and many complained about dumb rugby. Now they have done exactly what was suggested - improve in the forwards, tighten up, get possession, play position, kick the penalties and counter-attack when the opposition has to attack.

That's what they have done - and if it isn't perfect yet, we shouldn't expect it to be. They have had to change how they play so they have a better chance under the stupid rules the game is now governed by. That takes time.

I was also surprised by England, and so were the All Blacks. They had these great, big fat 'po pos' in the front row and I expected them all to run out of puff and for the All Blacks to run in four or five tries in the second half. They didn't - because the English were determined they would not pass.

But, for me and anyone who plays international rugby, it is all about winning first. The style can come later and I am sure it will. England did better than I thought but no one can tell me they ever looked like winning. On the rare occasion they looked as if they might be close to scoring, Dan Carter tackled whoever was carrying the ball.

It's not easy playing five or six test matches on the trot - just in case anyone was in any doubt. They have re-adjusted so well and played to rules which encourage defence that the debacle against the French in 2007 was the last time anyone scored a try against them in the Northern Hemisphere.

They're a long way from perfect but people who bitch and moan about the All Blacks not scoring tries need to give it a break. You don't get bonus points in these test matches. You win or lose. The Wallabies missed a kick and lost - and look at the trouble they're in.

You didn't hear the South Africans bitching and moaning about "boring" when they were beating everyone - although I wouldn't mind betting there's a bit going on now they are losing.

It seems to me the All Blacks are going in the right direction. At the beginning of the tour, I said they had three goals - to win; to dominate; and to finish opponents off. They are doing the first two consistently but not the third. It will come.

In fact, I have picked the All Blacks by 12 points in our punt-a-thon competition on the radio. By the time you'll read this, you'll know how wrong or right I was. The All Blacks have chosen their best side and, while I would normally grizzle about Neemia Tialata being chosen instead of Owen Franks, I have to say Tialata has earned his place. If Franks comes off the bench if Tialata gives his all, it will give the French plenty to think about.

Sure, the French beat the Boks but I thought the Boks were poor; worst they've been all season.

The All Blacks are primed for this one, with confidence tracking up and they are ready for a battle - and the French can drop their rag when they are favourites and things do not go according to plan.