Would have much rather have been able to write World Champs win, with the result being the same, but we won't go there...

Anyway, the first real test of the season for the All Blacks, and a pass with flying colours.  They were tested physically for 80 minutes by the Steroid Brutes of Boerland, but the young side came through the baptism of fire on the right side of the ledger by 11 points, 19-8.

The intensity of this test was frightening.  I am currently watching the Aussies play the poor Frog side, and that looks even softer than the club rugby I was watching this afternoon.  But then that is a nothing match, a warm up for the Aussies, and a holiday for the the Frenchies.  Anyway, this All Black versus Springbok test, what a beauty.

Like most tests, and even more so in tests against the Boers, who usually have nothing but a big forward pack that bullies teams, this game was won up front.  The All Black eight, every man-jack of them were superb.  A dominant scrum, which is a mental as much as a physical battle set the tone here, and that was carried through to the loose, where the All Blacks had to worry about low flying Botha's off the ball more than anything the Boers had to offer on the ball!  It was willing to say the least at the breakdown, and the Boers did snaffle their fair share of turnovers too, but their backline, with Butch James bossing the show at ten was unable to capitalise.  The All Blacks on the other hand had no trouble exploiting turnovers, and it is testament to some superb defence, from both sides in fact, that only two tries were scored in the match.

While the scrum was dominant - led by 'Myth' Woodcock at loosehead, the lineout started like a house on fire, before crumbling into a pile of embers like a burnt house...  It was not pretty, and even worse, in the ten or so minutes that Mealamu was on the field, he lost at least three of the seven that went awry for the All Blacks.  Certainly something to work on - mind you, what's new there, the All Black lineout is always something to work on!

I won't go on about the match, we all saw it, or will at least have read about it on the web or the Sunday papers, so a few random thoughts on the Boer players from this test - I will write up the All Blacks in their traditional ratings article later...

So, the Boers, starting with el capitano Smit.  He looked fat.  Too much red wine and snails in France, he didn't look fit at all.  Good thing to not have your test players in Europe perhaps he?  Hold that thought even more so when you look at Matfield's test match.  The 'worlds best' lock pairing certainly looked second rate.  Was Matfield on the field?  You knew his partner in crime Botha was there, constantly ten yards off the ball looking for an All Black to bash, but Matfield didn't even seem to be that close!!  Perhaps big Victor is still running on Paris time...  Come to think of it, while on the field before being subbed for being too fat for his own ankles, Smit was rivalling Botha in the niggle stakes.  His facial of Thorn leading to the big leaguie standing and dumping the portly one to the ground, starting an all in brawl - good stuff though!!

The Boer loose trio, all 50,000 caps of them.  First half terrible, second half much better.  Burger invisible in the first spell, back to his normal game in the second.  The other two loosies, empty jersies.  Bring on Spies and Kan-whatsisname, and then there will be a fear factor to the trio.

The Springbok props, as expected, bested in the scrums, despite being ten kilos a man heavier each, and invisible around the field.  No longer can you carry pie eaters in your side, it is just taking a longer time for some nations to realise this.  Fingers crossed Gatland at Wales dumps his fat bastard props shortly too, or at least buys them an Ab King Pro each for Christmas!

The Bokke halfback was sharp, as was their fullback Jantes under the high ball - although after taking a few of those high kicks his option taking afterwards was wanting.  Januarie at nine though was razor, he made Ellis's life a misery behind the All Black pack, even with the black eight getting the nudge on the Boers most of the time.

Butch James seemed too busy looking for cheap shots on Carter to remember to play some rugby in between.  Steyn when he came on looked much the better player - far more dangerous anyway, and was about half a metre back from landing a drop goal from almost his own ten metre mark!  de Villiers showed his class, especially when setting the speed freak Habana away for his try.  Jacobs was not found out either, tidy, doing most things right.

Habana was dangerous every time he got the ball, but the other wing, Nganya, well, you could have left his jersey on the coathanger in the changing shed and got just as good a game out of it...  A but harsh perhaps, but he offered nothing.

So as expected from the Boers, physicality plus, but little else.  They are most happy when it is cudgels at five paces.  However, this All Black can match the physical of the Boer side, but outweighs them in the rugby nous department by a country mile. 

Expect a smarter game from the Bokke next week, but also expect the All Blacks to step up a notch or two too.  I can't wait!

And a good stoush just now in the French v Aussie test, one of the Aussie locks finishing with his eye closed, and being penalised for starting the fight - loving it!!