Donal Lenihan: New Zealand show attack power and South Africa dazzle as they lay down marker

Damian de Allende of South Africa. Pic: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Getty Images

ONLY one place to start this opening column of a rugby season — and, no, that’s not Munster for a change. There will be plenty of ebbs and flows on that topic anyway over the coming months.

From an international perspective, the season is set to be dominated by the journey to next year’s World Cup in Australia. With that in mind, the focus for me over the recent fallow months was firmly set on New Zealand’s fascinating tour to South Africa.