View photosKEY POINTS:
If that's the result of three years of hard work to get set up for the World Cup then I, for one, am pretty happy with the Bledisloe Cup win over Australia last night.
It was a fine second half by the All Blacks; they retained possession well and a number of their players performed strongly. Daniel Carter controlled the match very well and I thought Richie McCaw was superb in his leadership.
Tony Woodcock was just about my player of the night; he did so much work around the field and slaughtered his scrum opposition as well. Carl Hayman was also right up there and I really liked Keith Robinson's contribution last night.
For me, he's just about the No 1 lock now although Chris Jack also came back strongly in the second half.
Robinson just does so much work and the way he gets around the track is fantastic. A great effort.
You'd also have to say that the replacements did a fine job when they came on - particularly halfback Brendon Leonard and Keven Mealamu. There's no doubt in my mind that the All Blacks have got it right, starting with Anton Oliver and finishing with Mealamu.
It wasn't much of a night for the backs but it was interesting to see us using the same midfield combination for 20-something tests. It's a position that some feel is a bit of a problem area but I think they did well enough last night although Stirling Mortlock gave them a few headaches from time to time.
But, again, you'd have to say that Graham Henry and the All Blacks have achieved their aim of the past few years and that the midfield reflects that too. At second-five, they could go with either Luke McAlister or Aaron Mauger and that's what it's all been about.
Maybe Mauger's experience will just give him the nod as a starter at the sharp end of the World Cup but McAlister is a good player and you could play either of them quite happily.
Centre might be a bit of a worry for some but the All Blacks are getting Conrad Smith back but I think a bigger issue might be the loose forwards.
My worry, when looking at the All Black squad that will be named today, is what happens if we lose players like Rodney So'oialo or Richie McCaw.
If Sione Lauaki is not chosen, I'd worry a bit about who might replace So'oialo at no 8. I am not sure Masoe can do the No 8 job at that level.
They will miss So'oialo because he does so much work, gets around the ground hugely well, and he is so effective at the tackled ball. It's a bit the same at No 7.
It's a question of balance, maybe, and the loosies might be the one area where there is a bit of a question mark about the All Black selections achieving it.
However, it's impossible to be anything but pleased with the way the team was operating in their last dress rehearsal. As they said: Bring on the World Cup.
