It was one of those tests where the public reaction has proved far more interesting than the game itself.

That's why I have waited to file this blog.

Commenting on the match immediately afterwards would have been a case of stating the screamingly obvious.

It could simply be summed up as a drab, mistake-riddled game between a second-rate, nervous All Blacks outfit up against the 12th rated team in the world, hell-bent on defence and disruption.

That's why the overall reaction to this forgettable night carries much more intrigue and significance.

As you'd expect, such a wimpish effort from our men in black has evoked a raft of varying opinions.

And predictably, this feedback has again fallen in line with the fears that Graham Henry's foes continue to harbour and the loyalty his supporters continue to show him.

"This is a team going nowhere, down on confidence, poorly selected and incompetently coached," is the refrain that best sums up the thoughts of the doubters.

"This is a team that's missing its stars and because of that, cannot and should not be harshly judged," Henry’s loyalists have put forth.

From my point of view and putting aside my persistent doubts as to Henry and co's strategies, I must say that in this instance, I sway towards the sentiments of the loyalists.

A current All Black team without Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Ali Williams, Rodney So'oialo, Andrew Hore and Sitiveni Sivivatu has to be one very depleted and disrupted unit.

Remove their equivalents in terms of seniority and skills from either the Springboks or the Wallabies and their performances would suffer accordingly.

Was the scatty All Blacks’ effort against Italy surprising given the lack of genuine, experienced leadership, the lack of genuine X-factor skills and the ensuing lack of confidence?

I don’t really think so. Nor should it be surprising to see a fairly dramatic pick-up in performance if most of the heavyweights missing return for the July 18th clash against the Aussies.

That's not to say Henry and co. haven't again come up with another nutty, selection  gaffe.

This time, it involves the mysterious and seemingly desperate handling of Luke McAlister.

Based on prior evidence, there was scant reason to believe that McAlister would have proved a satisfactory solution at first-five until Carter returns.

In fact, the evidence to the contrary is far more persuasive.

It's been no less a judge than McAlister himself who has expressed his preference in the past to play at second-five. So why expect him to excel at first-five?

It’s been no less a judge than Graham Henry himself who has often knocked the standard of club rugby in the northern hemisphere. So why expect McAlister to succeed in such a critical position so early after his return?

And it was no less a judge than Wayne Smith himself who took the rap for playing McAlister out of position at centre against the Wallabies in Melbourne in 2007, only to be hopelessly outplayed by Stirling Mortlock.

Rather than just criticise, I’m offering the three wise men my assistance.

Here's an advertisement I've written, free of charge, for them to publicise immediately.

"WANTED.  ONE HIGHLY-COMPETENT, INTERNATIONAL FIRST-FIVE.

Must have experience, intelligence, confidence, judgment, pace, can kick assuredly off either foot and happy to fill in for a short duration.”

And when Nick Evans applies, put your ill-feeling towards him aside Mr.Henry, request the same special exemptions you requested for McAlister and give Evans the job.

Your thoughts are most welcome, as usual.