A big factor in why the Chiefs looked a vastly improved side in the last 30 minutes of their victory over the Hurricanes in Hamilton can be found in one significant second-half substitution.

These All Blacks can do anything, it seems, except the one thing they really want - which is to back up big performances with equally big performances.

The lingering whiff of the 38-21 loss to England last December still festers among the All Blacks.

Not for the first time Folau was attempting to prove to new team-mates at a pre-season training session that he had the skills to play their code of "footie".

There are six weeks until the All Blacks play again. Gregor Paul details 10 things coach Steve Hansen would no doubt like to see and not like to see between now and August 17.

Many Australians trace the nation's obsessive interest in sport to the Melbourne Olympics in 1956 when the arrival of broadcast television coincided with the festival.

These likely lads are no strangers to controversy and, at the very least, should be cashing in some of their chips.

George Smith isn't in the Wallabies for the second test with the Lions, and that's a big mistake, writes Wynne Gray.

Richie McCaw - your country still needs you, writes Chris Rattue. I've long believed that the great one has covered up fairly serious deficiencies in New Zealand rugby and the series against France has done nothing to dispel the theory.

Contentment rather than elation flooded the All Black camp last night. Their ability to emerge triumphant against what they felt was the best French performance of the series was being cherished.

As Steve Hansen picks over the remains of this untidy All Blacks performance, he can at least comfort himself with the fact that he is more aware of several things about his players.

Asked on the Lions trip to South Africa four years ago what touring qualities galvanised such a group and spurred team unity, Brian O'Driscoll offered a simple explanation.

A handful of rugby players are born into Lionhood and the very best of them, the creme de la creme, grow to their fullest size in the red jersey. Brian O'Driscoll is among that number.

The dominant theme of the June series has been the Smiths - Aaron, Conrad and Ben - a trio whose value to the national game goes way beyond the respectively increasingly important roles they play for the All Blacks.

Images from the All Blacks second test against France at Yarrow Stadium, 22 June 2013.

Sporting presence is hard to define. It involves aura, charisma and poise.

For Wyatt Crockett, this week represents a victory, if not a breakthrough.

Within seconds of Lions manager Andy Irvine finishing his first test team announcement, journalists' fingers were hitting laptop keys to file that news.

A series win against the Lions will be a massive fillip for Robbie Deans' coaching longevity with the Wallabies.

Auditions for the Wallabies and Lions series are done - now for the main acts.

All Black coach Steve Hansen refuses to enter the debate over claims by former Australia coach Bob Dwyer that New Zealand-coached teams cheat.

French coach Philippe Saint-Andre is now absorbing the pain he inflicted on the All Blacks 19 years ago.

There was a try from the end of the world but Sam Whitelock stole the show in Christchurch.

The series in the bag, the All Blacks will shift their emphasis to preparing for the future this week which is why Ben Smith is likely to be picked at centre.

Richie McCaw said an interesting thing about Kieran Read this week.

There was a time when it was best not to mention the All Blacks lineout around Steve Hansen. In 2009, it was a sick-looking thing, an almost contagious element of the All Blacks that infected all those who went near it.

Improvement across the board was demanded after the first test and it was delivered last night.

The instant form reversals of Ma'a Nonu and Aaron Smith came as no surprise to an All Black coaching panel that has been part-confused, part-frustrated by the tactical vision at the Highlanders.

Rene Ranger's showings off the bench will be greatly pleasing All Black management - and not just for selection reasons.

However much the All Blacks invest in the next generation and empower them to take charge, the spectre of Richie McCaw and Dan Carter will continue to loom large.