OPINION: So the All Blacks completed a test series win against the French in Wellington on Saturday night, but the method of victory raised more questions than answers about the direction Steve Hansen has this team pointing.
The French out-muscled, out-passioned and for the most part, outplayed New Zealand for the majority of 80 minutes, all the more remarkable given they played 65-odd with 14 men.
So what have we learnt?
Well a lot, but three things in particular have peaked my interest as this side heads towards a World Cup in 18 months.
- Kieran Read has to be fit or the All Blacks are in trouble.
I'm sorry Highlanders fans but Luke Whitelock is not good enough to play No.8 for New Zealand. He performed reasonably well last week but didn't exactly stamp his mark on that match.
But on Saturday night he went missing when the going got tough. He made zero impact with ball in hand, dropped off a few tackles and was embarrassingly gassed by French replacement prop Gomes Sa in the dying seconds. He lacks the athleticism his brother Sam has in spades, and with that comes a serious lack of pace.
Everything Whitelock doesn't have, Read does. Both are good front-on defenders, but that's where the comparisons end.
Read must stay fit as the resources aren't great in the backup department.
Akira Ioane is talented but still a bit loose, although a better option at this stage than Whitelock for me.
In the modern game the role of the no 8 is so important in getting your team on the front foot and providing something more than a solid tackler and decent lineout option which is all that Luke Whitelock offers.
- Ryan Crotty is Conrad Smith 2.0
Actually he provides even more value than the great Hurricanes centre, as he can cover 13 just as adequately as when he plays in his preferred jersey number 12.
Crotty is an absolute brick wall on defence, stabilising an All Black backline fill of exuberant youth. The 29-year-old has been sensational in the first two tests of 2018, providing precise option tacking, leadership and game smarts. Crotty should be one of the first names on the team sheet every week.
The only question is, where does he play?
Shag and the boys enjoy a big dose of SBW, who by all accounts is a decent shot at starting next week, but Crotty quite frankly is a better player - very different, but better.
I think the best way forward for the All Blacks midfield is a Crusaders pairing of Jack Goodhue and Crotty.
But no matter what the ABs brain trust decides, Crotty has to be in the mix every week.
- Brodie Retallick is the best lock forward on the planet.
Um… but he didn't play last night, you say.
That's my proof. I just can't see the big fella allowing the French to dominate the All Blacks like they did up front. He is a physical, athletic, technical, quick and powerful package that influences every game of rugby he plays.
Scott Barrett has by no means performed poorly, he's been excellent, but Retallick has X-factor that can change a test in a flash. Be it a big tackle, a tackle bust, a lineout steal or an individual piece of attacking brilliance.
More importantly I think the Chiefs lock makes Sam Whitelock a better player, which is crazy considering how good the stand-in captain has been the last fortnight.
Here's hoping Retallick can recover from his injury quickly because I think he could very well dominate the Rugby Championship.
Brad Lewis is a sports producer for Newshub.
