All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen had promised us "re-establishment", and not "rebuilding", in this launch of the post-Richie McCaw era.
In front of a sellout crowd of 46,270 at Eden Park, Naholo − on this their first hit-out of the new international rugby season, was equal parts inspiration and frustration, much like the All Blacks themselves as the world champions as they took what seemed an inordinate amount of time to shake off the rust − finished strongly as the All Blacks shake loose a quality Welsh challenge to prevail 39-21.