KEY POINTS:
All Blacks rock Jerry Collins has warned against expecting a seamless buildup to the rugby World Cup.
Medium-term injuries to locks Ali Williams and Keith Robinson in Saturday night's 61-10 record humiliation of France have placed some early-season speed bumps on New Zealand's path to the Cup and Collins pointed out more such problems could strike at any time.
And even though the All Blacks improved on their 42-11 first test defeat of France, Collins said a constant upward graph in performance shouldn't be expected in a marathon season.
"We've got another 11-12 test matches this year. It's a good start but don't be surprised if we come back a step because you just can't expect a team to be hitting the spot every single week," Collins said.
"Obviously some weeks will be better than others.
"It's early and you want to get the cobwebs out as early as you can. But some things worked today and some things didn't."
Saturday's test against rugby minnows Canada is another no-win exercise in which any faults will be highlighted more than the glut of points expected at Hamilton.
A week later comes an enormous step up in quality, their Tri-Nations opener against South Africa in Durban.
Collins was unconcerned at the prospect of being without Williams and, probably, Robinson for the duration of the Tri-nations.
He said veteran Chris Jack and Blues captain Troy Flavell stepped into their boots with aplomb on Saturday.
That pair have been bolstered by the promotion of Greg Rawlinson and the uncapped Ross Filipo from the Junior All Blacks.
"We've got some good footballers," Collins said.
"We don't lose much with Troy and Jacko came in pretty late and played like Jacko.
"I don't think there's too much concern. Other blokes will step in and grasp the opportunity.
"It's not like you're playing club rugby and asking someone to come up from senior first and play in the premiers."
Collins set the tone at Westpac Stadium with a powerful charge over the top of No 8 Sebastien Chabal. He followed up with a crunching 20th-minute tackle on the French hard man, with both collisions leaving Chabal with shoulder damage that reduced his effectiveness.
Captain Richie McCaw said such early hits knocked the fight out of the inexperienced visitors.
"We put them under pressure there and some of the turnovers resulted in tries. That's what kills teams, if you can do that," McCaw said.
Assistant coach Wayne Smith said little could be read into the size of the All Blacks win, nor could France be written off as World Cup prospects as their team would change enormously for that tournament.
"They tried really hard ... but all their stars are at home. When they come back in, it'll be a totally different kettle of fish," Smith said.
Looking beyond the World Cup, one notable aspect of Saturday's win were the dominant performances of forwards Carl Hayman, Anton Oliver and Jack and halfback Byron Kelleher, who are all leaving for European clubs next year. Exciting second five-eighth Luke McAlister is also still weighing up his options.
- NZPA
