The bold and the dutiful
All Blacks making half the errors of the New Zealand Maori.
And the All Blacks’ scrum will not bend like the New Zealand Maori did either.
What the All Blacks turned on against Samoa was special and an ominous sign for the Lions.
It was a quality Samoan team who will give Wales plenty of issues next weekend. The likes of Tusi Pisi, Tim Nanai-williams, Kahn Fotuali’i and Kieron Fonotia are world class operators.
But they had no chance of slowing down the constant barrage of All Blacks attacks.
It was not about breaking tackles, but exceptional vision and passing and great knowledge of when to run, when to straighten the attack and when to pass.
Expect a very similar All Blacks team for the first test against the Lions.
Anton Lienert-brown has the centre jersey locked up, Aaron Smith did enough to secure halfback and Sam Cane was busy at openside flanker.
The All Blacks still have Dane Coles and Kieran Read to return and both will start if they are fit.
The outside backs should remain as Israel Dagg, Ben Smith and Julian Savea.
Dagg and Smith will be necessities for the All Blacks to take care of the Lions’ kicking game.
It is that kicking game that has dealt a blow to Nehe Milnerskudder’s chances of an All Blacks recall during the tour.
Milner-skudder is safe under the high ball, but his lack of height saw him targeted during the 2015 Rugby World Cup final - the last time he wore the black jersey.
If the All Blacks were to gamble on the Milner-skudder, expect the Lions to counter with one of their giant wings like George North contesting every kick that comes his way.