Replacements set benchmark for ABs

Change at first five-eighth, centre and fullback. No worries.

The All Blacks’ ability to survive a major backline reshuffle in the first test win over the Lions again highlighted their bench strength and seemingly bottomless depth.

Losing two senior starters - Ben Smith and Ryan Crotty - to injury and changing three of seven backline positions in the first half would cause most teams major disruption. But after a period of adjustment, the All Blacks settled in and kicked away.

The Lions were confident of matching, or bettering, the All Blacks bench. But it is clear this remains a point of difference. Not only did Aaron Cruden, TJ Perenara and Anton Lienert-Brown add impact so, too, did Charlie Faumuina and Wyatt Crockett. The front-rowers’ first combined act was to demolish the Lions scrum.

Directly from that shunt Kieran Read showcased his skill to pick the ball up and offload in the same action, and Rieko Ioane finished his first in the corner.

So often over the last five years we’ve seen the All Blacks run over the top of teams in the final quarter with the bench coming on to lift the tempo further. Given the depth at the Lions disposal, that was supposed to be different.

‘‘I can’t comment on their bench but I was very happy with ours,’’ All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said.

‘‘We work hard at trying to have a seamless operation. It’s not just the 23 either - our extra players who trained with us on Thursday did an outstanding job and put us under massive amounts of pressure similar to what we thought we’d face on Saturday.’’