Carter good, Wales bad

The All Blacks were never really required to play at their very best as they cruised to wins over England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Yes, they were tested on occasion - by England, Ireland and Wales - but they were always able to find another gear when required, often by the name of Hosea.

It will be a huge surprise if New Zealand do not go into the World Cup next year as firm favourites, especially as they are hosting the event. Yes, yes - OT knows we have been here before.

OT cannot decide whether France were truly awful against Australia last weekend, or whether Robbie Deans's side - especially their backline - were brilliant. Probably a combination of both as Les Bleus were hammered 59-16 in Paris.

But there is no doubt the young Wallabies backs have the potential to rip apart any defence despite the reverse against England and the fact Quade Cooper was not at his majestic best.

Imagine a team with the flair and skill of the Wallabies backs, allied to the brutal strength and efficiency of the Springboks forwards. Oh yeah - they're called the All Blacks.

It was a mixed bag for England this autumn, and they may have lost sight of their traditional strengths as they searched for a new identity. But they are blessed with four players who look set to leave a mark on the international game for many years to come.

Step forward Courtney Lawes, Ben Youngs, Chris Ashton and Ben Foden. The defeat to South Africa may have taken a good bit of gloss off England's autumn campaign, but each of these players made a significant contribution and will only get better.

Will Carter's recently-set Test points-scoring record ever be beaten? Unlikely, especially as the Kiwi fly-half has a few years of international rugby left in him. Like the All Blacks, one sensed that Carter was never at full stretch during the autumn, and never had to be.

If New Zealand can keep him - and skipper Richie McCaw - fit for next year's World Cup then surely, surely they will end 23 years of hurt and deliver the Webb Ellis trophy to their long-suffering fans. But then again......

Superb effort by both of these under-funded Pacific islands as they tested the Home Unions to the limit. Results may not have gone their way, but boy do these guys punch above their weight, and they always get stronger at the World Cup after an extended period of time together.

OT can't help feeling Fiji were cheated of a win in Cardiff by some appalling refereeing, while Ireland, England and Scotland certainly knew they had been in a game against the Samoans.

For the record, Fiji has a population of less than one million, while Samoa's is a little over twice the number of fans who could fit into Twickenham.

Heavy defeat to New Zealand aside, Andy Robinson's men continue to impress after securing two wins from three in their November series, including victory over world champions South Africa.

Results did not go their way in the last Six Nations, but they are likely to get a better return for their efforts in 2011 as three of their games are at home. World Cup group rivals England and Argentina will be sweating.

France produced unconvincing performances against Fiji and Argentina, but did anyone expect the European champions to fold like they did in the 59-16 crushing by the Wallabies?

Yes, the Wallabies were good, very good in fact. But any French resistance just disappeared in the last 30 minutes: proud men were chasing shadows and being given the complete run around by the Wallabies' young bucks.

Surely France coach Marc Lievremont's head is on the block: Grand Slams are all well and good, but not when they are followed by heavy losses to South Africa, Argentina and now Australia, as well as a home defeat to Canada.

What has happened to Wales' star scrum-half? Wales have been struggling for some time now and the Ospreys number nine was out injured early in the season, but the spark that made him one of the stars of the British & Irish Lions last summer has deserted him.

When did the IRB change their instructions to "crouch, touch, pause, engage, collapse"?

The scrum has become a complete mess, so much so that broadcasters are now putting the clock on the amount of time taken by this set-piece. Referees have lost control, while players and coaches must take some responsibility for trying to con the official at every turn.

Apart from the obvious tedium of fans having watch re-set scrum after re-set scrum, there is surely more risk of injury to front rows than ever before because so many scrums go to ground.

OT does not agree with every word spoken by commentator Brian Moore, but the former England and Lions hooker knows his scrums. The IRB should take note. They have lost control of the scrums and need to get it sorted before the World Cup next year.

Three defeats and a fortuitous draw is a poor return for a team blessed with the talent of Wales, but aside from the 16-16 result against Fiji OT was not surprised with any of their November results.

Wales have not been going well for some time now: they have won just four of their last 16 games, and one of their last nine. Furthermore, they have a poor record against the southern Hemisphere's big three. So why was anyone expecting anything different?

Would Martin Johnson, Andy Robinson or Declan Kidney still be in charge if their teams had performed so poorly? OT doubts it very much. And yet Wales recently extended Warren Gatland's contract until 2015 - daft or what?