Three questions: How was Carter's comeback?

Herald online

15 Nov, 2014 10:18 PM2 mins to read

Thank goodness for the All Black bench who swooped into save a day that most definitely needed to be saved. If the likes of Julian Savea, Dane Coles and Sonny Bill Williams had been hoping to dander on in the final quarter and have a bit of glory run, they were sorely disappointed. Instead, they were thrust into action on 55 minutes and told to sort out a performance that couldn't have been said to be unravelling as barely a stitch was ever sown.

Herald rugby writers Gregor Paul, Patrick McKendry and Wynne Gray answer three key questions from the All Blacks' 24-16 win over Scotland this morning.

Dan Carter's first start in a year was ......?

Gregor Paul: A bit hard to watch at first. He was strangely error-ridden and tentative. But he fought his way back into a better rhythm and flow. His kicking out of hand was good and his passing game started to come right later in the first half.

Patrick McKendry: Mixed. But it was probably no surprise given the lack of rugby he has had this year. He made a couple of high-profile handling errors which wouldn't have helped his confidence, but the important thing was he came through uninjured.

Wynne Gray: Daniel Carter's first start was memorable for its lack of precision-not that he was on his own.. Three from five goal-kicks, losing the ball in contact, dropping a pass, were stats for man who was not the unruffled character of a year ago.

Which fringe All Blacks impressed today, who struggled?

Gregor Paul: Colin Slade was tidy and energetic. Charles Piutau was excellent - his leg drive quite fantastic and big Ben Franks deserves a mention - he came on and had an obviously positive and meaningful impact.

Patrick McKendry: Jeremy Thrush, Charles Piutau and Colin Slade were very good. Halfback TJ Perenara struggled. The ball has to be cleared quicker.

Wynne Gray: Charlie Faumuina had another strong match and so did his replacement Ben Franks, Jeremy Thrush and Ryan Crotty were solid in general play and Victor Vito promised plenty until his calf packed it in while the others are still fringe All Blacks.

What did you make of Ben Smith's return to fullback?

Gregor Paul: It was okay - a strong pass mark certainly. It wasn't really a game that had ample opportunity for any of the respective back threes to run riot.

Patrick McKendry: Solid, which was important in this test when mistakes were happening time and again. He is a safe pair of hands at the back.