- New Zealand prove they are the world’s best team during autumn internationals
- Wales and Scotland have come close to exposing chinks in their armour
- But the young and remarkable Rieko Ioane shows why the All Blacks are the best
- They haven’t been perfect in 2017, but they have blooded a dozen new All Blacks
Hats off to New Zealand. There was a feeling they might be vulnerable at the end of a long season and missing some big name players in Cardiff, but yet again they produced something special.
Everybody is trying to find chinks in their armour and occasionally you think you might have identified something — Scotland went toe to toe with them last week by playing at a high tempo for 80 minutes — but the truth is New Zealand are still the best team in the world.
Saturday was typical of good New Zealand performances. Wales extended them for 50 minutes but crucially didn’t take their chances.
New Zealand’s Rieko Ioane was the star as they blew a resilient Wales side away in Cardiff
The 20-year-old proved the All Blacks’ position at the top of world rugby is in safe hands
New Zealand always have world-class players in their side and they invariably produce the magic moments at exactly the right time.
It was the remarkable Rieko Ioane with his second try the moment of the weekend.
We will find out on Sunday night in Monte Carlo whether he wins the world young player of the year and indeed the world player of the year awards.
New Zealand have had a tough year and been hit by injuries and unavailabilities.
They haven’t been perfect, but they have lost just twice and blooded a dozen new All Blacks. They are only going to get better. We have all been warned.
New Zealand have come through a transitional period with flying colours this year