Hard to know after the All Blacks 42-9 clattering of Wales at the Brook in the weekend but Welsh great Barry John was in no doubt praising Dan Carter as "the greatest flyhalf of the modern era" & bemoaning the Wales 2nd half performance.
 
Why is it that Dan Carter seems to reserve his best performances for the Northern hemisphere sides, particularly the Home Nations, as highlighted by his 2nd test master class versus the Lions in 2005?  Give Carter front foot ball & any room to manoeuvre on phase ball & he can cut you to ribbons.  The acceleration seems to remain intact after the Achilles injury & once through a gap he is devastating.
 
Other noticeable points from the test were;

• It was a lot tougher test for some of this season's debutants with;
  • Benson Stanley turning over the ball twice in confrontation
  • Israel Dagg being bombarded with the high ball (which he of course handled well - no wonder the Crusaders want him) & succumbing to a head knock.
  • Ben Franks being given a tough workout at scrum time by Adam Jones

• While the All Blacks were slow to get into the game in the first half there was always that feeling they would run away with it as travel & fatigue caught up with Wales after a long season.

• Where has this Tony Woodcock been during Super 14 all Blues fans would be asking (though the same could be said from Crusaders fans re Carter)?  One of the most devastating impact performances from a front rower that you will see.

• Yes I know Kahui scored an individual try from about half way but that says more about the Welsh 2nd half effort than his form.

 
I doubt it is going to get any easier for the Taffs this week at the home of the green apple.