The New Zealand Herald's Wynne Gray takes a look at an area of perceived All Black strength that has failed to materialise - scrum-half.
"Halfback was always going to be one of the All Black strengths this season. Separating the merits of Jimmy Cowan, Piri Weepu and Brendon Leonard loomed as the most difficult task as the trio made a break ahead of injured former international Andy Ellis.
"Six tests into the season it remains an awkward choice, but for different reasons. Cowan was dragged off soon after halftime in the latest defeat to the Boks before Weepu gave another middling replacement display while Leonard watched from the stand.
"After a sparky Super 14 season ended by a hamstring injury, Leonard has not recaptured that zip against Italy or the Boks in his twin starts. He looks like he needs a regular burst of national championship matchplay to recapture that potency.
"Cowan has been the preferred halfback in the last four Bledisloe Cup tests where he has been abrasive and constructive. He was subdued in the weekend against the Boks and, presumably under instructions, used a strange mixture of box kicks in his own territory."
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