Next week's Bledisloe Cup and Tri Nations decider was shaping as a 'colossal' game, All Blacks coach Graham Henry said after the 33-6 win over South Africa in Christchurch on Saturday.

"It is a huge Test match next week, it will be great for the game, great for the All Blacks and great for Australia," he said.

Henry pronounced himself 'reasonably happy' with the All Blacks stop-start win.

"We got better as the game went on. There has been a big improvement in two Tri Nations games.

"We played most of the rugby and looked like scoring most of the tries. The score is a fair reflection and think it is a good step forward," he said.

He made the point that the New Zealanders needed to take more time in sighting the player to who the pass is intended.

South Africa had played as it usually did, with big heart and big backbone, Henry said.

"They don't lack in character, it is just another reflection of the heart in South African rugby.

"A lot of questions were answered," he said.

Henry added that it was often difficult coming off a loss to get things cranking up again.

Captain Richie McCaw said the All Blacks created plenty of first half opportunities, the linebreaks were made but the passes didn't always go to hand.

That was a little bit frustrating but he said it was much better to be creating chances but not scoring, than the other way around.

Backs coach Wayne Smith said by his count there were 26 All Blacks line breaks to four, and when the All Blacks were on their game, the side nailed those.

"And it's not far away," he said.

Smith added that first five-eighths Dan Carter showed he was on the way back to his best touch. He had been aggressive and he had seen space well and his first half kicking was exceptional.

Sportal