KEY POINTS:
Regardless of what happened in Cape Town overnight, there are certain positions in this All Black squad that are in need of attention.
There is no doubt a core group of senior players are either world class or close to it. In that group I would, of course, include Dan Carter and Richie McCaw, and also Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock, Mils Muliaina, Andrew Hore and Rodney So'oialo.
The future success of this side depends on younger, less-experienced players coming through strongly in the next 12 months. Some, I think, will be able to do that and some I'm not sure are worth persevering with. John Afoa is one player I'm sure can make it.
The first requirement for me when I assess a prop is whether he has shown an appetite and ability to play 80 hard minutes every week. John did that with the Blues this season, forming a good front-row partnership with Woodcock and Keven Mealamu. With the Blues he showed he was improving as a scrummager while mobility has always been a feature of his game.
Whether Neemia Tialata can become that rock solid, consistent performer the All Blacks need I'm not so sure. He just hasn't shown that hunger yet. There were a couple of tests this year where he played well. But that's not enough to become a top-class All Black. The All Blacks are about consistent excellence, test after test. Nothing else will do and Tialata hasn't given that yet.
Same with Jerome Kaino. He's been around for a while now and when these guys have twice as many tests to play each year, I'm puzzled why it takes them so long to mature and become experienced.
Jerome has been too on, off. When he's on, he's pretty good as he showed against South Africa in Wellington. That's the benchmark and if the coaches are going to stick with him, that benchmark needs to be reached more than it currently is.
Anthony Boric strikes me as a player who could become an effective and reliable lock when he's given more time on the paddock. If you look at early videos of Chris Jack, Ian Jones, even Ali Williams, they were like Boric now - a bit of a string bean.
But Boric has come on and played against the South Africans and Australians - two teams with high-quality locking partnerships - and looked reasonably comfortable. He's one player I feel could be nurtured and has an encouraging future. He'd be ahead of Kevin O'Neill, who is an honest Super 14 player but might not have the athleticism needed for the next level.
If the All Blacks are to continue to be the dominant force in world rugby, it is vital some of these younger guys kick in so they start making a bigger contribution in tests.
We saw earlier this year how vulnerable we are if McCaw or Williams pick up an injury. That would be the same with Carter.
We look short of quality at halfback, too. With Brendon Leonard injured we have struggled and while Jimmy Cowan played well in Auckland, I'm not sure he has that X-factor the All Blacks need.
This being the All Blacks, we can't wait too long. The coaches need to start bringing these guys along and we need results.
