Analysis: Is there some way of hypnotising the All Blacks into thinking they're playing at Eden Park for every test?
The narrative of Saturday evening's 33-24 Bledisloe Cup result was rather similar to the test three weeks ago against the Springboks, with the most important fact being that the All Blacks won.
There were other things in common, like the withstanding of a comeback and some big-name players stepping up. Here's what else we learned:
The influence of Roigard and Savea
Cam Roigard celebrates his try. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Cam Roigard's return couldn't have come a moment too soon - and that's very much a comment on him, not the halfbacks who have had to fill in while he was injured. Two tries, including the matchwinner, were the result of an incredibly confident attacking attitude that saw him taking quick taps inside the Wallabies 22.
Meanwhile, Savea seemed to be everywhere, as he again produced a landmark test performance on Eden Park. Stuff like this keeps the chatter up about Savea taking over the captaincy fulltime and, if it spurs him on to play like that, it's not hard to understand why.
Set-piece issues continue
Patrick Tuipulotu takes the lineout ball against Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams. Photo: Marty Melville/Photosport
Every week, it seems a new All Black set-piece issue is uncovered, as soon as the last one is fixed. The first test against the Springboks saw the scrum munched, then in the second, the lineout was picked apart.
While both those areas were perfect this time around, the Wallabies gashed the All Blacks forwards for two tries from drives close to the line.
Hopefully, next time out, all the good work can come together.
Depth to be tested
All Blacks Beauden Barrett walks off injured. Photo: Marty Melville/Photosport
Coach Scott Robertson is looking at a large casualty ward going into the last weekend of the Rugby Championship, so we may be seeing a reshuffle next weekend. Key areas of concern are first-five and lock.
The hammer's not coming down, at least any time soon
In the old days, the All Blacks holding a 20-3 first-half lead would eventually mean a 30-point win. That's not the case anymore, thanks to the way rugby is played and other teams just being better, as well as the All Blacks still trying to find their ultimate rhythm.
However, the most pleasing aspect of the win was the bucking of the trend around scoring patterns, which saw the All Blacks strike when they really needed to, as well as holding the Wallabies out when they're at their most dangerous.
Versatility
Caleb Clarke was on track to have an excellent performance, before leaving injured, which brought Quinn Tupaea on, as Damian McKenzie was already playing at first-five. Tupaea is not a wing but adapted really well, fulfilling the need for the bench to be ready for anything.
Bledisloe format needs an overhaul
Fabian Holland and Leroy Carter of New Zealand with the Bledisloe Cup. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
As much as it is fun rubbing Australians' noses in it that they haven't had the Bledisloe Cup since Pierce Brosnan was James Bond, there is one compelling reason why that is. The format is so ridiculously favoured to the holders, it's very difficult for the All Blacks to lose, especially since they (understandably, for marketing purposes) tend to play the NZ leg of the fixture at Eden Park.
Once upon a time, it was a best-of-three series, but really the onus right now should be to make the Bledisloe its own thing outside of the Rugby Championship - for no other reason than it's easily the most famous trophy the All Blacks play for and could generate a massive amount of hype in Australia as a one-off test.
Maybe time to start the Anzac Day discussion again?
