Irish showed up ABs weaknesses

After watching the games on the weekend - I wont start raving about any teams performance but would like to start debate about how to beat the ABs - the Irish showed up the ABs at the ruck and maul on a number of occasions - particularly that Irish no 7 - very good player.

The other thing they did well was their mid-field defence absolutely smashed a number of ABs and even managed to hold up and effect the turnover on a few occasions - similar tactics to Wallabies in RWC. SBW weakness maybe his height in this regard. 

In summary - it appears McCaw is showing his age physically and will be less a threat than ever this year (good news is that ABs will never drop him due to 'leadership' qualities) an obvious plan will be to target him at breakdowns for extra physical attention and watch him become their liability.

Man of the match for me was the Irish no 7 - even though ABs firepower out wide was way too much for Irish team. 

I loved the Irish's physical presence and for me won this aspect of the game albeit cant score tries.....

After watching the game twice I think that your assessment is correct.   As a team ireland is suffering from a rugby disease called "rugby geriatrics" - ie players that is past their sell by date.  Players were huge assets for ireland in the past - but some young blood is essential and that is not in evidence.   As a team they have gone backwards from where they were five years ago.

McCaw is a classic case of "rugby geriatrics".    The constant injuries are a result of that "disease" - but he is also past it and should be replaced asap by the All Blacks.   Maybe some nasty losses would spur such replacement.