By MARC HINTON - Stuff
Last updated 22:09 19/06/2010
Last week it was the fresh-faced rookies who hogged the All Black headlines. This one, against a legitimate Welsh challenge in Carisbrook's final hurrah, some experienced old warhorses took their turn to bask in the limelight.
Dan Carter was simply superb, illuminating a great occasion with one of those top-drawer displays of his that only he seems capable of delivering. After an indifferent Super 14, this was the Cantab well and truly back in world's-best-No 10 mode as the All Blacks positively strode to a 42-9 victory.
Last week Carter had very much launched the return to form; but last night it exploded into the stratosphere. This was a hugely influential display from a man who was near perfect - he chose his options brilliantly, and at times inspirationally. His change of pace and footwork were sublime and the Welsh will surely long remember this night that Carter tormented them at nearly ever opportunity, before he left the field with 10 minutes remaining, and 27 points to his name.
But this wasn't just the Dan Carter Show as the All Blacks eventually showed they can take apart 15 men just as emphatically as they can 14, or even 13. Not far behind the maestro were some other experienced All Blacks, men like skipper Richie McCaw, locks Brad Thorn and Anthony Boric, hooker Keven Mealamu and wing Joe Rokocoko who all thrived as the New Zealand game went up a gear or two.
Theirs were telling contributions all and should be lauded every bit as much as the six debutants' efforts were last week in New Plymouth.
But it didn't end there. Off the bench Tony Woodcock finally awoke from his seemingly season-long slumber to remind us of his quality, while Richard Kahui came in for 40 minutes of quality football to reinforce why he was such a highly-rated All Black before injury set him back a little.
It's going to be interesting next week if Graham Henry can find room for him somewhere in his starting lineup.
Though the final difference ended up being of a similar nature to last week's romp over the Irish; this was a much more meritorious victory against a Welsh side who gave this thing a good shake in the first half.
The All Blacks faced long periods of pressure, but worked their way out of it splendidly. And then they lit up a famous night for this southern citadel of rugby by producing some scintillating attacking rugby when it counted.
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In the second half when Carter, twice, and Kahui blitzed the tiring Welsh defence with brilliant runs to the tryline, mixing exquisite changes of pace with dashing footwork, the 28,000 who packed the ground started their night-long celebrations early.
They came to party, and apparently so had the All Blacks.
It wasn't all the old hands, of course, even though they very much set the tone. Victor Vito came through his first test start pretty damn well, Israel Dagg absorbed a testing first half mostly safely before staggering off at the break with a head knock, and Benson Stanley did all that was asked of him, and only blotted his copybook with a couple of handling errors.
But really, this was more like it after the folly of New Plymouth when Ireland self-destructed early.. A real rugby test. A fitting way to say bye-bye to the old ground and a much more telling measure of these rejigged All Blacks. We even had Kapa o Pango to add a bit of spice before things kicked off.
The Welsh certainly accepted the All Blacks' challenge early on after an appropriate - and rare - unleashing of the team's personalised haka. They say they only use it on special occasions these days, and this was certainly one of those as Carisbrook hosted its final rugby test after 102 years as an international venue.
It was appropriate, too, for it was here back in 2005 that this stylised haka - complete with its controversial throat-slitting gesture - was unveiled for the first time. The Welsh last night stood and respected it - as they do - and then answered in the appropriate fashion.
With a ton of pressure. Yes, this was test rugby as we know and love it, 15 against 15, tight, tense and at times terrific. The All Blacks may have eventually broken the shackles, but make no mistake they spent much of the first half under the blowtorch.
Wales dominated the opening quarter and stretched their hosts to the limit on occasions. But this side featuring so many newcomers to this level held firm and produced a classic half of All Black rugby - they scored from their only two forays deep into enemy territory, and kept their own line intact with some committed and systematic defence.
It was past the quarter-hour mark before the All Blacks fashioned their first foray into the Welsh red zone, though they did score from it beautifully when Jimmy Cowan took a quick tap and Mealamu's trademark low body position and leg drive saw him score his second try on this ground.
Later Cory Jane punished the Welsh just past the half-hour mark when he dashed, and then jigged, across after Conrad Smith had fashioned a clever ruck turnover from deep. That made it 15-6 after it had had been practically all Wales in the first 40.
And then they did what quality All Blacks sides have done through the ages. They came out after the break and turned this match on its head. Suddenly it was the men in black applying the pressure, asking the questions.
Carter's dazzling individual try early in the second spell - from a 95m move that the maestro launched from near his own line when he elected to feed Joe Rokocoko rather than relieve pressure via the boot - started the ball rolling and as the Welsh finally tired, the All Blacks made them pay with withering efficiency.
On a night when an old ground said goodbye, surely some old All Black faces reminded us all that they remain class acts of the highest order. Fitting really.
KEY FEATURES
Defining moment: Carter's first try early in the second spell. That well and truly turned the tide
Star man: Carter. Simply sublime. What slump?
What the ABs did well: Defended. And attacked. OK, they played bloody well all-round
What the ABs need to do better: Um, maybe start a little better. But that's being picky, and their first-half defence was very, very good
Who's smiling: Graham Henry. Good call to keep this outfit intact another week, and they delivered for their coach
Who's nervous: Maybe Ben Franks. Woodcock looked a man keen on winning back his starting jersey
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