I can only wonder, given the New Zealand team's selections for this round, who is singing off which hymn sheet.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

It's been a worthwhile series against the French but I still have a worry nagging away at me about the development of our players.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

On the day it was announced that Rene Ranger would start his first test for the All Blacks in three years, the Blues player finally confirmed his move to French club Montpellier.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Some subtle structural amendments and more time in training were credited with the vast improvement in the All Blacks' defensive effort - the unquestionable area of excellence that allowed them to hold France scoreless for the first time in history.

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.