The 'Boks go down!

It was a great game on the weekend and hats off to the AB’s for the way they played. When it all comes together they are the most exciting team in the world to watch. The Springboks were off their game but credit must go the home team for taking full advantage. They simply out ‘willed’ them.

A week is a long time in sport and the Springboks will come back. They have too much experience and talent not to. They will also be better prepared with the extra week in NZ.

Mils Muliaina stood out and arguably had one of his finest games in the All Black jumper. The time off with injury seems to have done him wonders. Piri Weepu played well when he came on and perhaps deserves a start but it was a night where it was hard to fault anyone.

The All Blacks squad for Tri Nations.

Happy to see Rene Ranger in the team and still think he might be best on the right wing. Cory Jane deserves a start at fullback if that’s the case but it will be interesting to see how Mills Muliaina goes. I would like to see Piri Weepu get a start also. Hosea Gear would have to consider himself unlucky but talk about depth on the left wing.

Has anyone else thought of Victor Vito at number 8? I'm not sure if he has played there before but has the physical presence. Think the selectors have gone with Liam Messam to cover 8 but think Vito could do the job. Perhaps would have retained Thomson over Messam and had Vito cover 8. Jury still out on Ben Franks but otherwise looks good.

I can’t help but think these are tactical moves by Graham Henry. Perhaps he wants Hosea Gear, Adam Thomson and Zac Guilford to fight hard for their positions in the team because he has a tendency to do this i.e. how bad do they want it? Are they willing to do whatever it takes? The All Blacks are the only team in the world that can afford to do this, however.