I spoke to a lot of people before the Test on Sunday morning (NZ time), and I was very surprised at how many people thought the All Blacks were in danger of losing to the Irish. So many people thought that this Irish side was going to be strong enough to out-play our strongest side, and that playing at the famous Croke Park in Dublin would give the Irish all the motivation they needed.

Well, I can honestly say that I was not surprised by what happened during the Test. The first half was always going to be tough, as they always are against the Irish. And if that penalty try had not been given, the scores would have been locked at three all - but I don't think anyone could argue that that wasn't the right call.

The All Blacks always save their best efforts against Ireland for the second half, and this game was no different. Joe Rokocoko set up Nonu for the first try after the break in what was a fantastic move, before Brad Thorn charged over for the second try.

It was inevitable that the All Blacks would push on in the second half, and the Irish would be left wondering what could have been. In all honesty, the All Blacks beat them without even getting out of cruise control - while the Irish never really looked like scoring against the solid defence of the All Blacks.

I like the Irish team, and think they have some really talented players, especially young Luke Fitzgerald - but I still feel they have a long way to go before they can beat the All Blacks. The problem is that they spend far too much time kicking the ball away, and when you're kicking to the likes of Muliaina and Rokocoko, even Sivivatu (who had one of his better games this year), you're always going to be on the back foot - and this Test was no different.

Ireland have the talent to run the ball a lot more, and would pose a greater threat if the did run it, but for some reason when they play the All Blacks they feel the need to kick the ball away - and unfortunately for them, they'll never win with that game plan.

And who ever believed that Ronan O'Gara is a class above Dan Carter? They only need to watch that Test to see the damage Carter can do when he runs the ball. It helps that Carter can tackle, too, while O'Gara is a definite weak point in the Irish defensive line. There are few who even come close to being in Carters league at the moment.

Brad Thorn and Ali Williams had outstanding performances (Williams was named Man of the Match, although I thought Thorn was the stronger of the two), and Ma'a Nonu continued to prove that he is the answer to New Zealand's second-five problem. Rokocoko, too, had a strong performance, and continued to go looking for work rather than staying out on the wing. That seemed to spark Sivivatu into action, as he made some of the strong runs that we've all been waiting for.

The next Test for the All Blacks is against Wales, who shouldn't pose too many issues for the All Blacks. It should be another case of too strong, too fit and too good for the Welsh boys to handle.

But, just before that we've got the game against Munster to look forward to, and it's no surprise that the side named has a few new players getting a run. Scott Waldrom, Jason Eaton and Ben Franks all get their first run of the tour, while Alby Mathewson and Hika Elliot will come off the bench. It's a relatively inexperienced side, but there's still plenty of talent there. Weepu will captain the side, which suggests he'll be rested for the Test against Wales.

Here's the side to play Munster:

Cory Jane, Hosea Gear, Anthony Tuitavake, Isaia Toeava, Joe Rokocoko, Stephen Donald, Piri Weepu (c), Liam Messam, Scott Waldrom, Adam Thomson, Jason Eaton, Ross Filipo, Ben Franks, Corey Flynn, Jaime Mackintosh.

Reserves: Hikawera Elliot, John Afoa, Brad Thorn, Kieran Read, Alby Mathewson, Richard Kahui, Mils Muliaina.