The All Blacks don't need the Eden Park record

I guess people have to talk about something.

In recent days, it’s that the All Blacks failed to beat Italy 100-0 in Wellington. In the time between now and Saturday, it’ll be about Ireland’s past deeds and how New Zealand’s enviable record at Eden Park could be in peril.

Honestly, none of it matters.

The All Blacks are two games into a new coaching era. They’re embedding a new first five-eighth and trying different combinations across the park.

They have some big matches coming up against South Africa and then a Rugby World Cup next year. The rest of their Test schedule is hardly worth a mention.

By my count, the All Blacks have played two and won two so far this season. France provided a stern test, and Italy didn’t, and there’s the rub.

New Zealand was always going to beat Italy. They knew it, we knew it, and Italy knew it.

That’s hardly a recipe for razor-sharp accuracy or total physical commitment. Players become slightly frivolous in their option taking because they know a loose pass or an errant kick isn’t going to affect the result.

And so it was in Wellington. Forty-seven to 17 is a handsome win and, really, you move on pretty quickly.

There’s no bigger picture to analyse and no player who’s hampered their chances of being picked again.

We know Will Jordan and Cam Roigard are exceptional, we know Ardie Savea is full of effort, and we know Ruben Love is a work in progress.

Beyond commending Josh Moorby for being energetic and elusive on his Test debut, there isn’t a lot else to add.

I like that Love’s getting time in the saddle. We can’t yet tell if he’s a step up from Damian McKenzie as a 10, but they’re certainly not dissimilar as players.

They have speed and quick feet, vision and good kicking skills. South Africa will help tell us if Love’s similarly unreliable against elite opposition.

I’m not missing Beauden Barrett; I can say that much, and have been impressed with the bulk of McKenzie’s contributions from fullback. Again, though, this is the Test equivalent of pre-season footy.

Everyone’s finding their feet and getting acquainted, and there’s little to be judged from these two outings.

And perhaps not from events at Eden Park this week either.

I have a lot of sympathy with the views expressed by Ben Smith on RugbyPass this week. Ireland aren’t the team they were, and attempts to bill Saturday as a blockbuster may fall flat.

For argument’s sake, though, let’s assume they don’t. Let’s assume Ireland plays the kind of rugby they did on these shores back in 2022 and beats New Zealand.

Good.

I’m bored of hearing about 1994. It’s no source of personal pride for me that the All Blacks haven’t lost at Eden Park since then, and nor would it be a stain on this team if that unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday.

Records are all well and good provided they’re of the variety Jordan broke against Italy. Otherwise, they’re a potential millstone, heaping pressure upon players with enough to worry about.

The All Black jersey already comes with a weight of history, and no longer having to guard Eden Park with their life wouldn’t be the worst thing for this team.

The Nations Championship is a good concept, and I’ve enjoyed the wealth of quality rugby it’s produced so far. But, at the risk of repetition, it’s World Cups that count, and it’s at next year’s World Cup that this team will be judged.

Whether or not they produced 80 minutes of outstanding rugby against Italy – or manage to do so when they meet Ireland – is neither here nor there.

We can all see this team is better-placed to succeed than they were under Scott Robertson, and everything from here is just a stepping stone towards the World Cup knockout phase.