Luke who's stalking Carter's jersey

Luke McAlister chips towards Ryan Jones from the British and Irish Lions. Picture / Herald on Sunday

Trying to fill Dan Carter's boots isn't the easiest thing to do at the best of times.

But it was an altogether impossible task for Luke McAlister to live up to his standards last night.

There were the obvious nerves, a case of the dropsies, stray kicks and the occasional poor pass.

McAlister showed glimpses last night of why he is a project worthy of investment. The 22-year-old first five-eighth is clearly a talented player but it is fair to say he had a difficult introduction to test rugby. Yet he grew into the role as the game wore on.

The venue was familiar but the situation not, as he found himself playing in front of 47,500 fans against the Lions - it's a different proposition to playing against the Sharks in the Super 12, and it showed.

Test rugby can sometimes be cruel.

It was perhaps a lack of communication, but he was often overlooked as first receiver, particularly in the first half, and he was guilty of kicking away too much possession instead of trying to unleash an expectant All Black back line.

He often looked to chip the ball behind the Lions backs, much in the way of Carlos Spencer, off the side of his right boot, and it drew similar groans from sections of the crowd. But just when it seemed he had lost all confidence, he pulled out of his attacking arsenal a brilliant run which drew two Lions defenders before popping a perfect pass to Tana Umaga to score beside the posts just moment before halftime.

McAlister will improve, he's too good not to, and that will come from spending time with the All Blacks camp, as he did in last year's end-of-season northern hemisphere tour.

On thing you certainly couldn't question was his goalkicking as he landed a perfect six from six, admittedly, though, five were in front of the posts. McAlister wasn't the only player under the spotlight, as the hulking figure of Sione Lauaki made his first start in test rugby. His work-rate was good, he made some strong runs with ball in hand and put in a number devastatingly big hits that will leave more than one Lions player feeling a little uncomfortable in his seat on the long flight home.

But he was a little inaccurate, especially at the restart, and Rodney So'oialo was often used at the back of the scrum because of his greater experience at number eight.

Lauaki succumbed to a knee injury at half time, to be replaced by specialist open side Marty Holah, and So'oialo was moved back to his more familiar role at number eight.

So'oialo had put in a tidy performance on the open side, as he is generally quick to the breakdown and, as you would expect from the 25-year-old, he was steadfast on defence.

Like MacAlister, it is unfair to compare him to the man he replaced because he is no Richie McCaw.

But then no one is as good as McCaw in world rugby at the moment.

The All Blacks will be better for having played without Carter and McCaw, as they build depth in all positions and they will look back on a terrific series victory.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY