Saturday was the first time where the difference in physical size and strength was very noticeable and had a definite impact on the game.
Normally TPN and Palu would spring to mind automatically and we really missed their added physicality on the weekend. S Fainga'a actually made a noticeable difference in this regard IMO when he came on.
Melbourne was a bit like that and parts of the Christchurch game - but you are right: their superiority of power in the Honkers collisions (even on the scrum hit) and their strength in static situations was more noticeable. It was a bit like the U/20 final.
The absence of the two you mention brings a tear to the eye but there will be a dividend out of it: McCalman will get more time at the top level and ditto S.Finger, even if from the bench. Finger's throwing to the lineout was problematic but his tight work was strong as you say barbarian - and his diligence in the loose was praiseworthy too.
Moore played well, and strongly, but TPN is an effing brute and is always going to be missed in the power and strength contests. Having said that, the two Aussie rakes had it over Kev in that department, likewise Pocock over McCaw, but Kaino and Read had the wood on Rocky and McCalman. They were two of the best for the Kiwis and their physicality was a big part of it, especially for Kaino who is stepping into the boots of Collins belatedly but very nicely.
Kiwi BBBT was top lock brute on the night, as he is most nights - and days, if applicable - though his other attributes seem to be waning (said he hopefully). Dear old Sharpie will be one of the first Wallabies jotted down on the team sheet every week but he's a bit of a wuss. I was a bit surprised in the last quarter when he shifted somebody in a ruck and almost had to look up who he was.
Horwill is another we are missing in the brute department and it underlines how much we have missed a true tight head lock this year.
They had it over us in the back collisions too, though Ma'a skews that assessment almost by himself. Sometimes I think that he should get more MOTM awards for his contribution to both teams, but he is usually a net gain for the Kiwis because of his power point of difference.
Part of the brute problem in the backs was that they were meeting the Kiwis in a reactive way, (and why not when Nonu has the ball?). Rush defence has it's risks but we didn't do enough of it. When you rush and get the tackle you can look like a brute even if there's not much of you. Weight is not everything.
