Dunedin turned on a blinder for last weekend's pulsating 30-28 Springbok win over the depleted All Blacks last Saturday.

Unfortunately the only thing it couldn't provide was a stadium of true world-class.

The southern city deserves all the credit it has received in the wake of the lead-up to the second match of the Tri Nations.

The locals were hospitable, as always.

Local shops were decked out in All Black and Springbok colours, one of many initiatives which ensured it was impossible to miss that a major test match was in the offing.

And that is certainly something that Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington, who have also hosted tests to date this season, have not been able to lay claim to.

What was missing was a stadium that does not evoke a cringe factor when compared to other grounds which host top-line rugby.

Regardless of some of the romantic clap-trap mentioned when it concerns Carisbrook, the ground is a dog and the sooner the powers that be in Dunedin can get on with building their proposed new stadium the better.

If the locals down south weren't so keen to support test footy, then Carisbrook should not even be on the test radar.

It is a poky, dingy throwback to a bygone era.

And when the new stadium is built - touch wood - then hopefully whoever is in charge of the hospitality on offer will also ban the sales of canned beer.

Aside from the archaic state of Carisbrook, the only blemish on a stunning four days in Dunedin was the sight of smashed students hurling cans of beer in the direction of the Springbok reserves bench, situated just in front of the terraces.

Most other grounds in New Zealand have realised canned beer sales and major sporting events don't go hand in hand.

Hopefully those down south will finally catch up if Carisbrook is to host a test in 2009.

To issues on the field, it is clear the All Blacks have to revert to selecting a specialist openside flanker for the July 26 clash against the Wallabies in Sydney.

Inspirational No 7 Richie McCaw remains doubtful with his injured ankle.

The loose forward trio of Rodney So'oialo, Jerome Kaino and Adam Thomson were out-muscled and out-played at the breakdown by their South African counterparts on the weekend.

So'oialo did his best to try and stem the tide.

But Kaino was a disappointment after seven days previously being a standout at No 8 against the Boks in Wellington.

And Thomson, who started well, seemed to be guilty of trying too hard and in the process gave away a clutch of costly penalties.

If McCaw is unfit for Sydney, then the time is right for Daniel Braid to be recalled for his first test since 2003.

That would allow the brute force of Sione Lauaki to start at No 8 with So'oialo on the blindside.

What do you think?

Is Carisbrook getting too long in the tooth to host top rugby?

And if you were on the All Black selection panel, what would your loose forward trio be for the July 26 test against the Wallabies?