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It's as predictable this time of year as the first frost, the litany of complaints from critics and fans as the All Blacks sputter through the first test of the season.

With about 40 scrums and 20 penalties it obviously wasn't a classic test at Eden Park, but who seriously expected perfection when it's the All Blacks first run for six months?

OK, Les Bleus left most of their stars at home, but Les Vieux ensure the newcomers weren't too short of experience around them. Califano, Magne, and Castaignede mustered 210 caps between them and Ibanez, who came off the bench, another 88.

A damp evening did not help, and once again we have to reconcile ourselves to night footie meaning less than crisp ball-handling.

Even so, the first try was as intricate and neat as you could want to see.

More than any past season, the opening test this year is the first stop on a very long road.

So over to le grand fromage:

"There is lots to work on," said Graham Henry. "That was our first run for six months and the weather opened a few areas that were made worse. But we were creating opportunities and that's great. We will have to nail them next week but if we weren't creating opportunities, I would be worried."

Which looks a spot-on assessment of the 2007 start to me. Perfection in Paris on October 21 is what the ABs need. A 31-point win in the first test, warts and all, looks pretty satisfactory.

Nick Tolerton is The Star's sports editor