Firstly, well done to the All Blacks. They always seemed "mentally" in control of the game, something that alludes to why we couldn't counter them.

We seem to have a factory-line of big, hard players but this game really highlighted the value that a couple extra grams of grey matter adds to a player. A lot of All Black supporters on the forums predicted that the AB's would maintain through the first half and then increase the tempo in the second. Their forecasts of how Dan's boot would keep them in touch in the first 40 and their supremely skilled backline would stretch us in the second seemed to unfold like a script on Saturday. It was like watching a movie after I'd read the book. Our meagre lead going into the break was only thanks to Carter having the off day that comes along every 10 games or so (how many games 'til the World Cup final)?

During the second half we looked completely headless. I don't know what big Vic was doing but it certainly wasn't captaining the team. Most likely he was at the bottom of a ruck giving Richie McCaw a Panda makeover. The only place we had any ascendancy over the AB's was in the line outs and for some reason our guys believed these needed to be avoided at all costs. Kicks went straight to New Zealand's back three and on the odd occasion that they found the touchline 14 Springbok players would freeze in disbelief until one of the New Zealanders came tearing past with Schalk Burger on his back.

It was spoken about during the latter stages of the S14 when the games were getting tight and it's crucial going into a World Cup. Discipline. The reputation of dirty play that the Springboks, under Jake White, have worked hard to shed returned as they ran out of ideas. It doesn't bode well. Despite the fact that it costs points and men on the field, I've learned through my own experiences that the better a rugby player is the less likely he is to resort to thuggery. Hence, the cowardly display on Saturday leaves me very worried about our ability to play a great game of rugby. Most disappointing was Skinstad's cheap shot on McCaw. I've always liked the guy because I thought he had the brains to compliment his talent. Hopefully he feels equally embarrassed in the aftermath. There's a great amount of pride in the Springbok jersey, especially from the fans, but there needs to be a lot more "honour" in terms of the way a player wearing the jersey behaves.

There were moments on Saturday, albeit very brief and early, where I felt we were in control and had the number of the All Blacks. Naturally we need to extend those to a full 80 minutes. Unfortunately, with Jake deciding to send a B team on tour, I don't know when the 1st XV are going to get a chance to accomplish that before the World Cup.