Not vintage All Blacks but I see an underlying pattern of improvement

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The team is not connecting quite as well as it should, Dan Carter is way off his top game and certainly not ruling the roost as he has done (is he another Christian Cullen - let's hope not!) and there's a lack of "oomph". Definitely something missing from the team last night as they beat South Africa 33-6

However, I see it returning in fits and starts. The last 10 mins or so were definitely closer than the first 70 mins. Lot's of positives from various players - Joe, Doug, Chris J, Rodney and others, all played well. And, of course, there's no point peaking now with 8 more games to go before being proclaimed World Champions, is there?

My only real concern is Daniel Carter ... he's not ... something. I don't know what it is but something isn't jelling in the world of D Carter; he's not as sharp, doesn't seem to have the space he used to (that could be, of course, that he's being closed down by the opposition) and isn't the "midfield General" (to quote a gazillion rugby commentators) he has been. Don't get me wrong, he's doing OK (6/10) but he'll need to step it up against the Aussies, French and Boks in a few months time.

The 'A' team will be on show next week for a massive Australia game ...

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