It's pretty cool isn't it?
The All Blacks pronounced themselves "happy" and injury-free, following low-key practice matches on Friday.
The hit-outs against Counties Manukau and Auckland, eight days out from their opening Test in the inaugural Rugby Championship against Australia in Sydney, saw the New Zealand squad members play two 20-minute stints in front of crowd of about 10,000.
They beat Counties Manukau 12-0 in the first match and Auckland 14-5 in the second.
All the tries for the All Blacks were scored by the wings - Julian Savea and Cory Jane crossed in the first match, while Savea and Hosea Gear dotted down in the second, after Auckland scrumhalf Alby Mathewson had crossed early on.
Wearing their blue training jerseys, the All Blacks fielded some unlikely combinations, with coach Steve Hansen's main aim to give game time to players who hadn't experienced rugby since their respective Super Rugby campaigns finished.
Captain Richie McCaw said the short matches had served their purpose.
"We had a few guys that hadn't played much footy for a while and got a bit of rust out but I think it will be good for us," he told TVNZ.
"If anything, it puts your feet on the ground as well and [shows] it doesn't just happen, and to be fair we haven't been together for long and we've got a bit of work to do."
While there were no Chiefs involved, the Crusaders, despite playing in the Super Rugby semifinals, played with McCaw and Dan Carter getting extended runs.
McCaw said to ONE Sport that he thought any New Zealand player would love the opportunity to have a crack against the All Blacks.
"It's pretty cool isn't it?" he said.
"I was just thinking to myself if the boot was on the other foot it would be pretty exciting playing this sort of thing and to come along and watch so it was a nice occasion.
"It was a good run-around."
Kevin Mealamu, with plenty of local connections, said that it was a great game, and said that his fellow Aucklanders were never going to be easy opposition.
"I tell you it isn't easy when you're playing against the blue and white hoops [of Auckland]," the Auckland and Blues hooker said.
"I know there was people coming from Papakura and Manurewa as well so really good to see a good crowd here and it's good to be out here."
Mealamu, who had an injury interrupted season with the Blues, came through unscathed, as did all of the All Blacks including Kieran Read, who is recovering from his rib concerns.
The most capped All Blacks hooker in history said that while he might have been familiar with some Auckland players and some Steelers, they tore into the All Blacks as soon as the whistle went.
"As the good old cliche goes, mates off the field, but when we're out there we're just going for gold," he said.
"They kept us on our toes and that's what we need going into a big test like this so it's bloody good."
Sources: NZ Newswire & allblacks.com
