Richard Loe: Lineout and locks impress

At times I wondered if the All Blacks had heard the saying "Never give a sucker an even break" as they gave away two soft tries and put themselves under real pressure.

There was simply no reason for Jerry Collins to float his intercepted pass like that and while I did not think Rocky Elsom's try was a try at all, they gave them the opportunity by botching up lineout ball won well.

But the important thing was that the All Blacks rallied and replied - and replied well. The lineout was good - they kept things much more simple - and the scrum was great, even after Carl Hayman went off.

Even though they were down, no one panicked and they concentrated on doing what they needed to do and doing it well.

If Greg Somerville did well when he came on, Tony Woodcock had a cracker. He punished Rodney Blake and the big Aussie was just submitting in the end.

The Australians played well - they were really vigorous and abrasive, particularly at the breakdown, and the loose forwards and the locks are right up to it.

But again, as the old saying goes, it all starts up front and it started and ended with Woodcock.

I remember Tony Woodcock turning up to All Black training when I was involved with John Mitchell and Robbie Deans. Woodcock was hauled in as cannon fodder for Kees Meuws at scrum training.

Well, he wasn't cannon fodder at all. He impressed me then and is impressing me now. his form shows how important it is for front-rowers and all rugby players to have consistent game time.

The other guy who really stood up last night was Chris Jack. It was a tough game in the rucks and mauls and tackle situations and he gave a lot there and grabbed some good lineout ball in the second half as well. You don't see many tests where both locks score tries and the third lock, Ali Williams, helped create Jack's try.

The Aussies also said they would try and bury Richie McCaw and they did. Boy, he takes some punishment doesn't he? Phil Waugh, Lote Tuqiri and Elsom all had cracks at him.

Luke McAlister did well enough and was Johnny on the spot for the winning try but I'd be worried if I was Byron Kelleher. He did not play well and I thought Piri Weepu might have come on even earlier.

Halfback's a worry. Apart from Weepu, I am not sure Kelleher and Jimmy Cowan are up to it at the moment, in spite of the emphasis on depth.

Winger Doug Howlett also had an ordinary game and didn't seem in the same league as Tuqiri - what a danger he is - and Joe Rokocoko, who worked hard but still finds the touchline too much for my liking.

The refereeing, touch judging and video refereeing were also not up to scratch for test level, so a black mark there.