At the final whistle of the first All Blacks-British & Irish Lions Test in Auckland last Saturday, my immediate thought was how much Brodie Retallick had stood out.
He was absolute world class and I thought to myself: New Zealand Rugby needs to get whatever contract they have got, throw some extra figures on the end of it, and sign him up for the rest of his career. He is only going to get better and he will end up one of our greatest players.
Going into the Test, I made the point that we had to win the physical battle, we had to knock the defence backwards and get our attack on the front foot, and we needed the likes of Jerome Kaino to step up; but crikey, Retallick was the man who stepped up, led the charge, and the rest of the team got in behind him.
He was the one clear, shining light, the hero the country of New Zealand needed.
The Lions were in it, and we had a really good Test match on our hands, but the way the All Blacks played was absolutely sublime and there was no-one going to beat them that night. I've never seen the All Blacks play with such pace, intensity and accuracy. For someone like Codie Taylor to pick that ball up off his bootlaces -- what a great pick up.
Not so great is the whingeing going on from both sides; there's a lot of it, and it's getting a bit tedious.
There's a bit of a verbal battle going on with the coaches, and you wonder why they have to. It's a hard job for these guys. They're in such a spotlight. After everything they do, after every training run, they get a microphone stuck in their face and they've got to make a comment.
Sometimes you make the wrong comment. Warren Gatland made the comments about Conor Murray, but I don't think any player goes onto the field to actually maim, or take out a knee; It's just not in their make-up.
Then for the likes of the New Zealand Herald to pull the clown photo out again is just ... guys you're the joke. It's the same joke you pulled out with Wallabies coach Cheika, and what you are wheeling out is quite insulting. Grow up!
We've got ourselves a great battle, and it's a great time. New Zealand is abuzz with the Lions supporters. They're fun, they're a really good bunch, and I'm sure they're enjoying the rugby and New Zealand, which is cool.
Wellington will be a huge event. This is the final; ultimately that's what it is. New Zealand are one-up, and the series is on the line now. The Lions have to win in Wellington and then regather.
There were a few injuries in the New Zealand team after the first Test, and there was huge interest in whom the All Blacks would name in the back three.
I thought they might go go with Aaron Cruden at first five-eighth, and put Beauden Barrett back at fullback to replace Ben Smith, because that's the way most of the first Test was played. But I'm really glad they left Barrett at No. 10 because he's the best No. 10 in the country and we do have some pretty good fullbacks and wings. The talk going into the last Test match was who was going to play on the wing; Rieko Ioane got the nod, and he did alright.
Israel Dagg has gone back to fullback, where he started his Test career, and that opened the door for Waisake Naholo. I'm glad they went with Naholo because of what he did for the Highlanders against the Lions and because he's been in great form. Dagg, Ioane and Naholo: What an attacking back three that is, and it's exciting for the All Blacks to know it's not the end of the world when they lose a world-class player like Ben Smith because they've got some pretty good options.
As far as the Lions are concerned, Warren Gatland has made four changes. However, you can make changes but you have to ask is the outcome going to be any different? Is there anyone in the Lions squad who is going to add that much X-factor to a side that has been performing pretty well?
I just believe the All Blacks were so classy last Saturday that, if they can keep that form, or improve, the All Blacks are only team that is going to beat the All Blacks. And I'm sure that won't happen against the Lions.
Looking at the Hurricanes game, it highlighted a point of difference between the northern and southern hemispheres.
When the Lions have opportunities, they take their points when they are on offer. It is winning rugby if you build a scoreline, if you keep chipping away. If it is three points, it is three.
The Hurricanes were guilty of wanting to play this exciting Super Rugby brand of rugby with bonus points and all the rest of it. But after deciding not to take three points at halftime -- and they had opportunities from two penalties, right out in front on the 40th minute, but opted for a driven lineout instead only to come away with nothing - they deserved to draw that game if not lose it.
Had they taken the points, it would have been a different story and I'm sure they would have had a different mindset because they came out and scored first. That would have put them within six points and playing for a try that would have got the lead.
The failure to take the points was dumb. But in saying that it was a great game of rugby.