ODT Online rugby writer Jeff Cheshire offers his thoughts on last night's All Blacks' 28-27 victory over England at Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium.
The All Blacks showed their intent early on, looking to play a fast-paced game when they got their hands on the ball.
They were not able to breach a well-organised English defence in the first half that was once again up fast and scrambled well when the All Blacks did break the line.
As the game progressed they looked to hold onto the ball a bit longer and build some phases. This paid dividends as it forced the English to back-pedal, meaning they were unable to come up so quickly and had players out of position in the line because they were not able to organise themselves properly.
The All Blacks scored some outstanding tries at the start of the second half, but they largely came from the manipulation of the defence, meaning the backs were running at forwards and wrong-footed them more easily.
The English, on the other hand, did try to throw the ball around and play a faster game. However, when they tried to do this they often found themselves going backwards, being swallowed by an aggressive All Black defensive line.
In the first ten minutes they completely dominated the game, leading 10-0 and having all the ball. During this period they kept the game tight, using a well-executed maul off their lineout to build pressure, which the All Blacks eventually succumbed to.
Given the success they had with this, you would have to think they may have been better off persisting with it for a bit longer, as the expansive game plan did not quite come off.
Second half is crucial in the stadium
What we have seen over the past few years at Forsyth Barr Stadium is that it is generally the second half where games are won. Games there are always played at a fast-pace, meaning you have to be that much fitter to keep up and remain organised. And so it proved.
After going down ten points early, it was important that the All Blacks just kept playing as it was inevitable that gaps would open up for them in the second half.
Notably it was early in the second half where England's defence was exposed the most, the period just before they made the bulk of their substitutions. The reserves were able to come on and add some extra energy, but it was this period that was the most crucial and was where the All Blacks proved superior.
Improved set-piece
The All Black set-piece was much improved from last week. They had the dominant scrum for the majority of the game and executed well at line out time.
Pushing an England scrum around is never easy, as they are a rugby nation who pride themselves on the strength of their scrum. But that the All Blacks did, getting a good hit in and following this with a powerful shove.
When changes were made it did not function quite so well, which is undoubtedly a concern, but you have to be pleased with the way the starting pack stood up in this area.
On their own ball the lineout went well too. They kept it reasonably simple and this worked well. Early on they found Brodie Retallick at the front with ease, working their way further back as the game progressed. The only issue with the ball to the front was the flat, wide pass to the forward runner directly after, as this put the runner under a lot of pressure. This is not a biggie though.
They got some good drives going and hit the line well from the ball they won.
Attacking threats with point of difference in backs
The key to the attack is not just that there are so many lethal weapons in this team, but that they all threaten in a different way.
You have Julian Savea, a wrecking ball running one-on-one up the wing and comes into the line well to attract the attention of two or three defenders. There is Ben Smith, so good at spotting a gap and fast enough to get through it, while having the uncanny ability to step out of tackles. Cory Jane with his skill and strong fend. Ma'a Nonu, who was back at his best, stepping well to create a weak-shoulder in the defender and spinning well to break the line. Conrad Smith running great angles and so proficient setting his men up. Aaron Smith, Aaron Cruden and Beauden Barrett all sum up an opportunity well and can take the gap when it is on.
It is so much harder to defend against team that has this type of diversity. Implementing a strategy to shut them down is not easy, as there are so many ways the All Blacks can counter whatever is being done.
The English plan of rushing up has worked well, as they are trying to stop these men getting the ball in the first place. But with threats coming into the line and the likes of Savea drawing defenders, there are always going to be overlaps if the All Blacks can hold the ball long enough to make them count.
Ben Smith
This is perhaps not an original thought, but how good was Ben Smith?
The man was outstanding playing at fullback, so much more in the game than when he has been used on the wing, and such a more potent threat.
Perhaps his biggest moment though came on defence, running down Manu Tuilagi in the dying stages of the first half to save a try. In hindsight, this was almost a match-saving tackle. Had England scored here, they would have taken a 17-3 lead into the break, which would have been very hard to pull in.
Going in 10-6 was far more palatable and would have created some sort of doubt in the English minds.
Even when Israel Dagg comes back, it will be very hard to drop Smith from the No. 15 jersey. While Dagg's catching and kicking game remains the best of any fullback in the world, his presence on attack is nowhere near that of Smith's and his defence is poor.
Smith on the other hand has an adequate catching and kicking game, but surely deserves a chance to stay on. After all, the worst that is going to happen is that you have to go back to Dagg and shift Smith back to the wing.
