Ali Williams: Minnows' strength good news for ABs

One of the big features in the early rounds of this World Cup has been the performances of the perceived minnows.

In previous World Cups, the lower-ranked sides were good for about 40 minutes, possibly 50, before they ran out of steam. Now it looks like they can be competitive for 60, maybe 70 minutes in some cases, and it's brought a new and welcome dimension to the tournament.

Some of the individuals in these sides could earn a place in just about any team in the world. A few of them really are good. A few of the Georgian forwards are big men and technically good and the skill level of most of the Japanese boys has been impressive.

This is good for the All Blacks. There has obviously been a lot made about the weak pool in which they have found themselves.

Before the World Cup, there was some concern that, after the All Blacks had played Argentina, they wouldn't be tested in any meaningful way until the quarter-finals.

That's what happened in 2007. Back then, I think it's fair to say Romania and Portugal were nowhere near the level Georgia and Tonga have now reached. Even Namibia, for that matter, were considerably more competitive than anyone forecast.

And that's why I think the All Blacks are content with their pool. Georgia have a really good scrum, and are going to put a fair amount of stress on the All Blacks there.

They are also going to use their rolling and driving maul because, again, it's good and that's how they play.

Tonga will put some pressure on out wide by using their physicality, and will also get off the line well and use a rush defence. That's going to put the All Blacks under pressure in specific places at specific times.

These sides have developed to the point where they can do that. They can put one or a few specific elements of the All Blacks' game under pressure, which is ideal.

That's what the All Blacks want and need. They have to answer different questions about facets of their game and these matches will be far from the waste of time many seem to think they will be.

The All Blacks maybe not so much played well to beat Argentina - although they did in parts - but they managed themselves really well to win that game.

Argentina were good. I know Juan Martin Hernandez Lobbe well having played with him at Toulon and he's got a great rugby brain. As for Juan Martin Hernandez, he'd be about the most skilful player I have ever seen. The Pumas strangled the All Blacks and also played some good attacking football.

World Cups are about finding a way to win and that's exactly what the All Blacks did. When Richie McCaw and Conrad Smith were both in the sinbin, the team stepped up. They solidified, came together and worked collectively. I really liked that and thought Sonny Bill provided the impetus when he came on to get the game back on track.

That character and desire will be crucial, as knockout rugby is defined by that.