So we beat the Bokke B team at the weekend, not a convincing score by any means, but when you drop the ball 23 times in a game, what the hell do you expect.  That is 23 times you hand possession over to the opposition, in essence saying, "Here, you have a go at scoring some points, we don't want to"!

Still in 20 years time when we look back, we'll see 33-6, which in the grand scheme of things is a good win.  There will be no notation beside the match saying "Boer's rested 20 players ready for RWC".  All people will see is a 27 point win, the fifth highest winning margin over the Bokke in All Black history.

Really, who cares about these test results, nothing matter this year, not the Super 14, not the Tri Series, perhaps a little bit the Bledisloe Cup, nothing really matters but the Rugby World Cup, and that is pretty sad, hence Mickey Mouse teams turning out all over the world as teams prepare for the six weeks every four years where the champions are crowned.

But, digressing, the All Black win, slow start, plenty of errors, but also plenty of patience shown, knowing that the opposition will cracj eventually, you just have to keep hammering away.  it might not be the first minute, it mioght not be the 41st, but keep the pressure on, and the points will come - just ask Australia!!  A game of rugby is an 80 minute affair, and the only important minute to be leading is the last one.

There was plenty of good stuff to see though, top of the list, Keith Robinson.  First, he got onto the field, more than he managed with his Tupperware calf muscle a few weeks ago against the Frogs.  It got better from here on in.  He seems to be the only All Black lock who can marshal his lifting pod on opposing throws to compete for their ball, and in this test match, win two off the Boer throw.  Matfield like in that ability on opposition ball.

Also, I don't know how many noticed this, but in the first half, Robinson getting up from a ruck, and 'clumsily, accidentally' standing on a Boer ankle.  Boer cries out, and received treatment for the 'stand' on the ankle.  Fast forward to the score 9-6 to the All Blacks, and the Boers hot on defence, receive a penalty under their posts, 10 metres out.  Boer lock thinks it's time for revenge, so does the same to Robinson, but gets seen, and obviously not as good an actor as the All Black lock.  Penalty reversed, 12-6, and the match going pretty much pear shaped from there on in.

Another good think all the sour grapes and bleating from the Bokke post match about Richie McCaw.  We all know what that means, the All Black captain is now back to top form, and instead of trying to beat him on the field, opposing coaches are using the media to try and subdue him.  Thankfully Refs are not as dumb as we all like to think, and rule games as they see them, not as the coaching staffs and captains want them too.  Although Gregan, 130+ caps behind him seem to have some magical power over officials...

Umm, struggling now for other good things!!  So'oilao stating to be more prominent all the time now on attack.  Finally found his feet at this level - confidence in his own ability allowing him to play his natural game.  Getting through a ton of work as usual, on and off the ball, and breaching the advantage line more regularily, which takes the pressure off the McCaws and Collins's of this world.

Brendon Leonard.  This lad adds more spark to the All Black backline than anyone I have seen for years - perhaps a young Kelleher, circa. 1999 would equate.  But enthusiasm, bullet pass, nose for a gap, great support play, receding hairline, it's a clone of Sid Going.  Certainly deserves more game time, and with both Kelleher and Weepu playing below their usual standards, we might get a look at a new look nine come the RWC.  The Carter have been 'keeping their powder dry' so to speak, perhaps this little keg is part of the dry store?

Dan Carter, six from seven in the kicking department, and tidier around the field too, starting to slip into form too.  Combined well with McAlister (For Sale, contact Dad), and looked more confident all round.  Which will be needed this coming weekend against the full of confidence Ockers!!

Reuben Thorne.  The enigma.  Not a flanker, not a lock, but a bit of both.  Much like Troy Flavell, who is not a lock, and not a flanker.  Played OK at the weekend, but by Thorne being part of the loose trio, we de power it too much.  He is an adequate lock cover though, and adequate loose forward cover off the bench.  But why is this a good thing?  Because it means that Troy Flavell will not be part of the match day 22 when the games count.  Too many brain explosions from the Blues captain for my liking.  Locks do not kick.  Locks do not pass to little backs to take the hit when fielding kicks.  Locks tuck ball under massive bicep and run as hard as they can into the smallest defender they can find, leading into the tackle with every bony part of their anatomy that they can find.  Mr Flavell does all these things wrong.  He has been measured at international level again, in in mine eyes, found wanting.  So Thorne proving that he is able to do the lock/flanker job is a good thing!

Bad things from the test match - handling errors.  That's it.  But a bloody big thing - remove those handling errors, and a score of bloody 50+ points would have been racked up in this match.  Remove errors from the All Black game, that is 'all' that they need to do...