Mitchell plan kicks in, but watch out for the Wallabies

WHAT a difference 80 minutes makes in this rugby-crazy nation. By the time Allan Rolland signalled full-time in the All Blacks match with South Africa on Saturday, most of New Zealand's rugby sceptics had been blown away - along with the Springboks.

Monday morning's talk back shows were full of "I told you so" and "we always knew John Mitchell was on the right track".

Personally, I have always believed Mitchell was constructing, albeit slowly, a serious team. But having watched all three Tri-Nations teams in action, the eventual competition winner is still far from certain despite the crashing wave of Kiwi optimism.