Try time for New Zealand's Colin Slade during the victory over South Africa last Saturday © Getty Images

All Blacks coach Graham Henry summed things up nicely giving his team a “7 out of 10” for their dominating 40-7 win against an under strength South African side in Wellington.

From a fans point of view it was pleasing to see members of the squad who might not be first choice selections step up and make the most of their opportunities in New Zealand’s first Tri-Nations game this year.

Wingers Cory Jane and Zac Guilford both bagged doubles and looked dangerous every time they touched the ball. They had plenty of space to operate in with Dan Carter in imperious form (goal-kicking aside) taking advantage of mismatches in defence against lumbering tight forwards. He took the ball to the line more than we have seen from him recently and controlled the game at a level no other No.10 in world rugby can currently match.

Adam Thomson has now surely secured his spot in any of the All Blacks’ World Cup match day selections for the knock out stages. He is not likely to start any of those big games, but with a robust and athletic performance at No.8 he has now proven he can cover any of the loose forward roles if required off the bench.

Henry would also have been happy that lock Ali Williams took another step up after his effort last week against Fiji - after over two years out of the black jersey due to injury. He was dominant in the line-outs and at re-starts and remains a lock with unparalleled skills in open play. He and Brad Thorn will be ‘Uncle Ted’s’ go to guys come finals time.

It looks like he is still deciding who will start for NZ in the 12 and 13 jerseys with the incumbents Nonu and Smith and newcomer Sonny Bill Williams all causing headaches for opposition mid-fielders.

This weekend’s Bledisloe Cup match against a confident Australian team will be a tougher challenge but I don’t expect the Wallabies to break their decades old Eden Park hoodoo.

An attack minded All Blacks side, bolstered by the likely return of Kevin Mealamu and Kieran Read will kick things up another gear and win with plenty left in the tank.

James Marshall