DON’T PANIC JUST YET

Only in New Zealand do people get stressed about a 58-14 win.  After a couple of hours of reset scrums, needless TMO calls, and players slipping over New Zealand got their win, and learnt a few things along the way.

Not that you would know that by doing a quick flick around the nation’s websites this morning.

After the first 20 minutes when they came across as a little star-struck, Namibia did what any underdog should do, in that they slowed the game down.  It was pretty South African, but it worked.  As Jacques Burger said, “They’re just 15 guys & you don’t need a miracle to play up against them”.

Some observations.

The two sides of Beauden Barrett.  Now his pace is back he provides such an attacking option from #10, and scored an outstanding try.  His running to the line in the first half in particular created space for those around him.

He also missed four kicks at goal.

Sam Whitelock is a tight forward, and is at his best when he plays like one.

Julian Savea is still struggling to buy a trick.  He did get on the board for the first time this year, and his first try was particularly well taken, but the overall confidence is still lacking.  He looked shaky under the high ball (and other sides will have noticed this) and failed to make the most of the times he was put in space.

Surely Charlie Faumuina must be a starting prop now for the big games.

At the Feathers pub in Wellington there was a collective groan of nervousness when Richie McCaw took the field.  Confirmation that there is once again national anxiety over an injury to the captain.

At the same pub there was general chit-chat during the national anthems.  The haka, however, was viewed in silence and applauded on completion.  In a rugby context it is our national anthem.

West Ham United has certainly got itself a shiny new home complete with chandeliers.  The surface did seem a bit slippery though; that could cause controversy when, say, Chelsea comes to visit.