All Blacks used to knocking 40 shades of green out of Ireland

It still seems, frighteningly, like yesterday but eight years have filtered into the ether since Graham Henry named a side to take on Wales in Cardiff before drafting in 15 new faces to go about their business against Ireland a week later.

That decision, the most obvious example of the former All Black coach’s extensive search for new talent at the time, drummed up considerable criticism back home with his accusers contending that the famous jersey was being given away a tad too lightly.

The result, though, was much the same.