WB’s are better than their ranking, their continuity hurt by injuries – they have every chance of getting thru to a WC semi via a relatively easy draw, from there they can beat anyone on the day because they have a strong line up that can muscle up and also be dangerous on the break.
It’s disappointing the AB’s were so vulnerable to giving up a big lead which they rarely do.
Maybe it’s at least partly due to IRB rulings to make more games more contestable, which is working! In this case it was due as much to poor discipline – yet again – and poor decision making on the break.
Reiko’s still improving there and Caleb Clarke, as good as he is on the break, seems way off the mark – defensively also.
We slipped off a lot of tackles as a whole.
Foster seems to be looking at Jordie at 12 for Eden Park, Beaudy15, so their forward thinking seems set about Jordie as 15, not Will Jordan.
Pity if they won’t at least give Jordan a 15 shot at Eden and could also give RTS game time over moving Jordie to 12, RTS strikes me as a guy that’d take his chance – at very least play with composure and accuracy.
Seems were gonna stick with a core 15 and build their combinations via game time up to WC and fair enough too, therefore any chance to impress has to be taken.
Could maybe equate being given a start after waiting so long, as a kind of pressure in some ways comparable to finals footy, some guys failed that test, hard ask though it is I guess.
Hoskins was too passive and similar to Pita Gus and Fainganuku who were nervous and mistake prone, will now find himself out of contention, for guys who get stuck into the physical contest and bring it from minute 1, perhaps Jacobsen plus Blackadder next year and Grace might yet prove himself in an early ‘23 test.
Akira is still there on the periphery more as the player he could and should be, than what he actually puts out on the park.
Papali’i hasn’t shown bench impact, hasn’t nailed it as an out and out challenge to Sam Cane. I hope he gets a start at Eden Park but is now at risk of a shuffle of Ardie to 7 and Jacobsen 8 – which like Hoskins appeared to be, would be an interesting prospect.
Jacobsen is the kind of smart, composed and committed player to muscle up and grab his opportunity.

It’s in the rule book so who should be surprised a ref knows the rules?
Foley got warned and didn’t respond, don’t let the ref think you’re trying to take him on, AB’s got penalised twice in lineouts for not following refs instruction.
Foley, whether deliberate or just being too slow in the situation, was actually wasting time, at a very significant time in the match which made the act more relevant – that’s the context.
It wasn’t an incorrect call – nor unjustified, since he warned the guy first and it’s always down to refs call – a mistake by Foley not to listen and only significant for when it happened in the game and the fact AB’s had last say, otherwise would hardly have been remarked on.

That was a very lucky AB win, not because of the reversal for time wasting, that could have happened any time in the match for obvious time wasting like Foley was doing, plus he’d been warned so poor decision to take the ref on.
AB’s were lucky because they gifted the game back to WB’s through poor discipline. Can understand most defensive penalties but giving them away when we were on attack is really damaging, needlessly gifting back possession and position from a position of control. to a team left with no option than outright attack.
We also took the ref on, didn’t adapt to his rulings thus gave away repeat penalties, lineout and scrum, both of which we were actually dominating.
Other thing is poor decision making after making breaks, we just didn’t finish very well or be accurate. As much as Caleb is an offensive beast, I wish he had Sevu Reece’s decision making nous.
There’s so much experience in this team, that I don’t know why they’re in this situation of having to ‘grow’ – 5 years post Lions tour but this was another test where we took a step back, so failed the level of consistency we need.

With Ryan and Schmidt’s influence AB’s have fixed their coaching issues. It’s a settled team in selection and combinations, that should only get better.
WB’s ontoh don’t have this, their A team selection needed time together, injuries stymied that and also exposed a lack of depth. Unsettled and haven’t built a base level to grow off.
As much as they‘ll lift for the challenge, hard to have full confidence and belief in where they’re at.
I don’t see them getting very close, since AB’s have been hurt by lack of intent and commitment too often lately and have to be up for this, as their next progression – consistency – plus all the silverware is on the line.

I wonder why after 3 years under Foster and with so much test experience in the ranks, this team is still ‘building’. Compared to what Foster started with, it’s actually gone backwards to have got into this place of needing to ‘build’
Last week Fosters half time talk not only didn’t see us build from territorial, possession and set piece dominance, rather we went backwards from the first half, nor was Cane taking the reigns on pitch to change strategy or adapt to what was in front of them/coming from Ref, nor demanding or showing composure – dumb penalty that late hit.
Similar leadership weakness from other senior players, lineout broke down, nuggie plays like going thru motions compared to passion of old, Ritchie’s playmaking didn’t show up.
If the players really believe in backing Foster, why did they show such poor composure and lack of finishing of the game?
Lack of confidence in the direction they’re getting?
Mounga, Whitelock, Havilli – all stepped up to back Foster – at the expense of Razor!??
This week, I hope Papali’i’s time on park will be compared to Cane’s.
All said, it’s not the same coaching group as was, Ryans still quite new, Schmidt more so – given a bit of time, the overall coaching and performance consistency ‘should’ improve with those names – tho I fear the same unwavering confidence in his way of thinking, will make Foster less open to changes in selection thinking and tactics – when he should be stepping back, handing more off to Ryan and especially Schmidt, given both take the backs but all that time since Lions tour Foster hasn’t cracked rush defences.
It is our DNA to play more open but we’re not smart in implementing it and establishing platform.
After all that’s gone down, they need new voices in there post WC regardless and I fear NZR will be too slow moving to lock Razor in prior.

Last year watching Dane Coles bafflement and frustration after the loss to France, which backed up the prior week’s loss to Ireland, I wondered if we just aren’t good enough – because we really weren’t in those games, which was very unusual for AB teams.
Now I wonder if the AB’s aren’t beginning to think that themselves, after watching Sunday’s press conference with Ian Foster and Sam Cane – who both were extremely down and kinda at a loss I thought.
I too thought Ellis Park was a line in the sand turning point, which they’d build from.
The test of a coach’s abilities is how he adapts to change by finding new ways, after 3 years apparently we’re still ‘growing’ i.e. Foster hasn’t found a way.
However, with Jason Ryan already making a difference and Joe Schmidt on tactics and backline, that should become a good coaching team and get there soon enough to win the Rugby Championship imo.
AB’s now have Razors 10 odd years right hand man, who built the Crusaders forward machine if you will – and ironically (and cruelly unlucky for Razor) Ryan’s influence in the Ellis Park forward effort probably saved Ian Foster’s bacon.
If Ritchie is going to be a better playmaker than Beady, I didn’t see it against Puma’s and we so need direction and astute kicking, with a bent to see space and kick for territory from 10 , however both do OK with front foot ball.
So, I wonder why dominating the Pumas scrum and (mostly) lineouts wasn’t enough for this AB team, which used to win, even when losing big on possession and territory.
I think it’s because we lost the breakdown and that’s now the most important and influential aspect of the game under today’s rules – given all top test teams have very effective defensive structures.
If we want to find ways to break rush defence, we first have to win the breakdown and that area is becoming a case of the team with the larger intent and physical commitment on the day, wins there, stunts their opponent’s game and gets a stronger call on the match shots.
It’ll soon be a case of some tests being won on penalties, like the boring old days of 10 man Rugby.
I heard Foster describe Cane as a fetcher, if that’s so, I wonder why Montoya and Kremer did so much more fetching/ jackling than him?
Ardie’s shown he’s a fetcher but I don’t know who else fits that bill in NZ Rugby. Papalii? Tom Robinson? – too small for test Rugby?
Frizzell has claimed 6. Sotutu has been effective over the ball in SR, good off back of lineout and scrum too, or possibly a workhorse like Grace, maybe Jacobsen at 8? With Ardie then at 7.
Because Sam Cane, facing tough asks of the strengths of a Captain, hasn’t taken the bull by the horns and shown pro active, in game, influential leadership, so I don’t see how we lose anything changing to a less experienced captain at this stage, as Sam isn’t influential as a player either, he’s past his best.
Unfortunately, Ian Foster seems to stay loyal or maybe fixated on his favourites and asks/hopes for better instead of making the hard cut when it was needed e.g. slow with Mooar, Plums, now Sam.
Imo finding the most effective loosie combination is more vital than ever, with emphasis in choosing those guys that win in the breakdown contest.
Just as Rugby league coaches like Farrell and Edwards had a huge influence on rugby defence, breakdown play has become a specialist skill and matters so much to the outcome that it also needs innovative coaching input and thinking, if we want to take the lead again.
AB’s need a specialist breakdown coach – don’t know whoever in NZ might be best suited to a new role like that? – because all the players find themselves over a breakdown at times, including backs, who often just lean over the ruck not quite sure what to do.
A player like Mark Telea, a more complete but just as hard working, Sevu Reece type but stronger in air, is also great over the tackled player.
To me, Clarke, Talea and Jordan at 15, given the potency of his incisions (he sees little ball on the wing) is a better set up than a less effective Jordan at 14 – if Talea proved to be as strong in the air under pressure as Jordie (who doesn’t bring as much offensively)
I think Schmidt’s reputation for being astute, needs to come to the fore, in his role as selector too.
Not giving Vaii more game time is a mistake because Whitelock and Retallick can’t play so many games and be at their best as when younger and are more injury prone these days.
Shannon Frizzell has been very injury prone and imo Scott Barrett is next best 6 because Akira doesn’t step up.
We need big bodies like Vaii who throw it around and Scott Barrett is running himself into the ground playing too many consecutive big games and giving it everything.

The AB’s aren’t plunged back into crisis.
Unfortunately, we aren’t dominant anymore and it’s the greater intent on the day that decides if we win or lose because there’s like maybe 6 or so top test nations that can all beat each other any game.
You can’t deny that defensive performance from Argentina, worked so hard and deserved it.
It’s interesting the effect league coaches since Farrell and Edwards have had on Rugby, now Kidwell too it seems. I’d like to see a Joey Johns type specialist, using short tactical kicks in behind the defensive line. They used to be called grubber kicks! Seem to be a largely forgotten tactic.
AB’s are trying too hard, getting off side and making other cheap discipline penalties under pressure of it.
Aren’t confident going into contact, for fear of being isolated and turned over, it’s why we push passes, lack composure and make handling errors.
This game showed our need for effective jacklers, or maybe more coaching of the team as a whole to be better over the ball. Maybe you need specialist breakdown coach these days?
I think Sam Cane is a bit limited to just being a defensive 7, we need a 7 more effective over the ball also. Not sure if that’s Papalii, perhaps Ardie at 7 and a tall, mobile 8, also good over the ball.
Cody Taylor is way off his game and Dane Coles looks finished, we have to bring in Aumua, I’d guess is next best.
I thought we’d see consistency after Ellis Park but still a little away, think AB’s will squeak the Rugby championship tho.
This is a very different coaching set up with Jason Ryan already making a big difference and Joe Schmidt will in time and I think this AB team will grow and be very good come WC, still not dominant but more complete, cohesive and consistent. I think going into a WC a bit underrated would be good for them.

Jacques Nienaber (61%) has a worse winning record than Ian Foster’s underwhelming by AB standards (67%) and Freedom cup stays in NZ.
We finished over the top of them because we ran them round in the first half forcing early subs.
We were able to run them round because we didn’t make so many handing and passing errors.
We made less errors because we had parity or wins in the collisions and over the ball, pressured their kick game, so played much more on the front foot.
I get annoyed with media etc, describing Boks as a monster, huge pack etc. in total 7KGs heavier than ours and that’s about usual, for either Boks or AB’s pack every time we play.
Why it’s taken this long to rediscover our forward mojo may be players not responding to Plumtree’s coaching for whatever reason that they gave him a bad review because they haven’t been playing with this level of intent until now. Early days but looks like Ryan deserves credit for the improvement.
Easy to be wise after the fact but some selections up to now proved wrong, including Foster keeping Plumtree/Moar on after their poor player reviews.
Our ‘old’ props were ponderous and mistake/discipline prone and we weren’t playing our best and only in form hooker. Frizzell is a go forward hard yards non shirking step up from Akira.
Ritchie made a difference but didn’t have to work off back foot ball like Beaudy had to, prefer Ritchie starting tho.
Foster has probably done enough to keep his job since a win and loss away was the acceptable minimum and at Ellis Park to keep the silverware is a pretty special achievement.
The players strongly back him and they should know. Credit to him for handling all the criticism and pressure with class, however his challenge now is consistency at the level they showed plus improvements.
Imo he should still be up for review and possible replacement at end of season, if we revert back to inconsistent patternlessness from here, Ellis park being a line in the sand level near where we should be at from here on and building from.

When Jordie starts Jordan plays wing and Sevu usually doesn’t play at all .
I see Jordie as our backline weakness, he’s a good player but that’s it, not offensively dangerous like Jordan is at 15. And Jordie is less good in any position other than 15, so it comes down to, does Jordie bring more than Caleb Clarke, or most likely Sevu Reece, who plays wing if Jordan goes back to 15.
What Jordie brings is commitment and accuracy under the high ball he gives it 100 but he’s not an incisive runner nor astute kicker, despite having a long boot.
When Jordie plays at the expense of Reece, who brings pace, smart finishing, astute decision making, high work rate, we lose more all round and offensive/attack wise with Sevu not starting imo.
If we aim to play a more open style – and its clear we can’t match NH type tight style nor is it our DNA to play that way – we have to play our best runners/attackers, in their best positions.
Once ALB returns, I think our backline play will become more settled because the backline rugby nous and composure increases. Even though I’d prefer ALB at 13, I think Reiko has to start 13 for his offensive threat and maybe ALB at 12 sets him up better.
Beauden has tried hard, put his body on the line and done nothing wrong but he’s also not shown great game management under pressure, we need to try something different in Ritchie’s stepping and jinking runs and wide passing.
I’d like to see us use the short grubber, to put doubt in the line speed commitment being thrown at our predictable, repetitive attack pattern.
Given our weakness taking high balls I’d also like to see tap backs of those to supporting players rather than going for the catch (including short from our own kick offs) – ball might not always fall kindly but we’re flat out losing the aerial catch contest anyway.
Bower has established himself, some of De Groot, Newell, Ross even Lomax should prove to be better, younger versions of Tavao/Tungfasi/Laulala, I don’t think experience there counts for much when those guys are being found lacking in mobility, skills and discipline, plus Moody will be back sometime too.
Unfortunately, Akira doesn’t bring the hard edge he’s capable of, to the big games imo.
If we’re gonna accept a loosie that prefers playing the wide channels then Sotutu is a better bet, for his better lineout work, greater skill set and mobility and greater composure imo, than Akira.
It’s one thing to have big bodies on the field but they have to perform and Akira doesn’t stand up to the toughest players/teams.
imo Akira should have been told he’s playing for his AB place, to motivate him to lift to next level, or not if he can’t find the mongrel that Kaino found after being dropped.
Imo right now there’s more promise in Vaai at lock, with Scott Barrett taking over 6.
Sam Cane (sorry for him and all he’s gone thru for black jersey) is on borrowed time, if Ardie was to take 7, Sotutu comes in at 8, very good off back of scrum and obviously his mobility.
You get a lineout of 2 locks plus 6 and 8 jumpers, Ardie the surprise ball or running off the back.
It means instead of purposeless, unproductive kicks down the middle and up and unders that don’t suit our skill set, we can actually pin the touchline for field position and also use our lineout to attack opposition throw ins.
Hard decision to not start Papalii though, probably a future AB captain but bench players maybe play 30 minutes to starters 50, so only starting from bench isn’t so big a thing and actually a specialist position imo where player must bring instant impact and accuracy and pace of fresh legs, saw that from Papalii in SR final.

We’re being consistently and repeatedly same way outplayed and out coached.
Some of that may be because we don’t have so many dominant players as we used to but it’s more a challenge to coaching.
Really good coaching would utilise the best the AB’s have and mitigate the weaknesses.
A loss would be acceptable, if the team was playing a discernible, coherent game plan – our fast mounting string of losses, for a long time now, are disappointing, unstructured, undisciplined, uncomposed, poor performances.
Imo this loss is a big confidence hit to AB’s, they could’ve thought the long, covid tour last year explained poor ending, Ireland produced something special whilst we’re ‘rusty in july’ this year but Boks are our bellweather and we were never in the game, shut out and dominated and our skills broke down…again.
Confidence can be greatly restored by the coach being the ‘fall guy’ which in fact he is, Foster hasn’t performed.
The endless positivity coming from him that we’re on track, growing, and on our way to getting ‘there’ etc. just isn’t the case.

We’re stuck in neutral, wheels spinning, the same mistakes under pressure, frailty in the air and beat ups at the breakdown.
This team has actually gone backwards under Foster, compared to where they were in his first year in charge. There’s still lack of cohesion and coherent game plan and it’s apparent he doesn’t have any idea as a coach, how to change it up.
There are certainly difficulties in the way today’s game favours a tight game over the AB’s more open one, that’s a challenge to evolution which shows if a coach has it or not imo.
We’re stuck in Groundhog day. Repeating the same old Foster, over and over again to WC, when it’s not working now, for sure won’t work then! – from a poor hand, a change of coaches right now, is our best bet imo.
If Robertson takes over after SA, it’d be unrealistic to expect him to deliver a WC next year, got too far behind, treading water under Foster.
But I don’t have much faith NZRU under Robinson are forward thinking, here’s hoping they don’t buy into the predictable Foster line after most likely, 2 Bok loses, that SA was a success because ‘we showed improvement’
imo NZRU should’ve already told Robertson and Foster privately, that Robertson was no 1 to take over post next WC, regardless of how it goes down, if Foster was somehow still retained as coach to WC (cost saving or Robertson avoiding poison chalice as it were) – because Foster’s overall record over a lot of tests now obviously doesn’t stack up.
NZRU being slow and predictable in choice last time, we lost good coaches to overseas, hopefully they’ve learnt not to be so slow and so arrogant. Coaching AB’s may be a plum job but there are others.
Right now, England is a better bet for Roberston to win WC 2026, than AB’s, a job that would also leave him wealthy for life – and he said he doesn’t much care which way around it comes, if really? aiming to coach 2 countries to WC wins.

If excellence wasn’t expected of AB’s they wouldn’t feel so much pull to meet those expectations.
Aussie underlying apathetic expectation that WB’s can’t be up to dominating, wouldn’t cut it in NZ.
AB’s have a legacy to live up to. It’s because they currently aren’t trying hard enough or being good enough, to meet or raise that bar, they’re copping it now.
AB fans know when the team is performing below where they should be and rightfully demand answers and solutions, pronto, and a lot of egos getting bruised on the way, is par for the course in this situation in a country mad about Rugby.
Wouldn’t happen in aus where WB’s are accepted as second best by WB fans it seems from comments here – know how it feels to be WB fan etc.. rather than – looks like AB’s are there for the WB taking this year.

It’s now hard to judge where AB’s are at for SA, Ryan doesn’t have much time to make a difference but the forwards will feel they let themselves down…again!
Thing is, it’s happening too regularly, when it maybe used to be an occasional thing giving less than 100%.
So gotta hope it was because they weren’t connecting or responding or whatever with Plumtree and his leaving is what actually makes the difference.
We can’t win with a shambles of a platform but Boks may be overrated anyway and Ireland was much harder lead in than Wales.
Gotta expect backs against the wall AB’s rise to the challenge and players been speaking out about their confidence and team belief but worrying thing is, they’ve been showing they actually aren’t up to it – aren’t superior to their opponents and don’t dominate or have control like we did back when deservingly no 1.
I’ve not seen Foster bring innovative back play all those years with (underperforming) Chiefs or as Hansen’s assistant, so his backline coaching is a weakness that hasn’t been addressed by bringing in a better specialist coach.
Foster is a man manager and playing group manager, he needs to run the show as that and rely on his coaching specialists and that goes for tactics too, probably Schmidt could fill that, albeit he’s already hired as a strategist but thing is, Foster needs to step back from calling the shots there too imo and basically not be coaching nor game planning. Fat chance of that.
So this is hurtful criticism, some guys opinion, a fan who pays the wages, would you prefer indifference? Pretty dumb to read it, when knowing none of it makes a difference to how you need to hone your game, to run out and do your job at your best – and that’s where your focus should be.

The thing about League is it had a 70 year head start on Union in going professional and managed to grow…nowhere. Not a significant World cup, not in the Olympics, nor Comm games, no significant 7’s world circuit equivalent. The money flows to Rugby in a significantly larger way and the eyeballs and the world wide growth.
So what’s all that about?

Have to hope this is enough to change the way they’re doing things. With Schmidt’s input on strategy and attack, maybe Foster will be persuaded to evolve our attack game, something that hasn’t happened since Lions showed us up 5 years ago and no perceptible change under Mooar.
However, Schmidt coached a pretty conservative style for Ireland and we need to play our more risky but more our dna, more open style, respond better to but not copy NH style, not sure what Schmidt can bring in that respect given Ireland only grew more expansive under Farrell.
The forwards got beaten up by Ireland, lacked set piece structure and cohesion as well as mongrel, so bringing in Ryan for an apparently underperforming Plumtree makes sense.
Plumtree/Mooar was Fosters choice though and really it was Foster should have gone for getting that wrong alone but this way is also the cheapest option for change for NZRU eggheads and probably enough for them to get away with no bigger change but punter discontent won’t stop.

Kicks from the scrum base aren’t our style and don’t work for us because our chase game and aerial work aren’t good enough. It’s not a style we play so much and isn’t our rugby dna.
We have to play the expansive rugby of our dna but do it smarter to reduce the pressure on our handling.
We need to be more patient in build ups and respect territory and possession more.
We have to be better at first up tackles and our defensive structures and may need to get a NH coach for this.
We need to respect territory more, long kicks from 10 or 15 or 12, if Havilli or Jordie moving into 12 at opportune times. Not kicking long down the middle to hand but to touch or turf. If they throw in quickly make them play out of their half – not from our 10 metre line, which is where our pointless box kicks end up and those are handled better by NH teams than us ie. we hand possession back for almost zero benefit.
We need a base structural way we play, setting a platform, going for territory, defensive pressure on them to force mistakes. Our attack game and opportunism is fine, we have the players.
We have shown lack intensity until back against the wall, slow starts are from not being up for it – they don’t play for this coach and he doesn’t fire them up. Henry and Hansen had an edge that players respected/ feared somewhat.
But we do have to muscle up in the forwards, there may need to be some changes – solid reliable accurate and skilled props are Moody (when fit) and Bower, the others are below that level, locks we may need to blood Vaii and Lord as much as possible pre WC. Retallick may be at risk of losing his place.
Taylor looks depressed, not playing with energy and enthusiasm and shouldn’t be picked.
We have to trust its Taukei’aho’s time, takes it up strong and reliable and accurate with his throws.
Cane has to go because he really only offers great defence which should be a loosie prerequisite anyway, plus he’s not shown any ability to demand tactical change ups when it’s not working on field – albeit there’s talent but not great game management and leadership in the backline.
Maybe Ritchie’s a better bet than Beaudy, ALB will be back sometime, Smith needs to get back to his natural game and kick far less.
Papalii 7, Akira and Scott B compete for 6 and keep each other honest.
Ardie is captain and stays at 8.
Change isn’t likely to happen though because NZ rugby most likely won’t replace Foster and he will stick with what he’s doing because he’s not forward thinking – like NZ rugby.
Most likely wallpaper over cracks, Foster getting the some outside coaching support blah blah.
Forget about Schmidt, Ireland were not playing AB dna style under him but are under Farrell.
The progression is Robertson, unfortunately unlikely to happen until after a highly possible WC QF knockout.

The problem is we’re predictable and teams can play a predictable game plan to beat us because ours hasn’t evolved since the Lions showed us up 5 years ago.
We’re still losing in the same way, falling down on discipline, both cards and soft penalty give aways.
You could say it happens when we’re on the backfoot but losing the front foot ball battle is also a lack of discipline, as in lacking drive and intensity and getting regularly outcompeted in the forwards.
It shouldn’t take getting angry at poor performance to motivate, there seems to be a lack of demanding standards of excellence as the base performance level.
Cane doesn’t demand like McCaw and Foster imo relies on last week’s momentum to carry forward into next week’s game i.e. if we played good, we’ll be better next week, if we played bad, we’ll be better next week. The coaching is reactive, not creative coaching nous, that evolves our game.
As much as Foster claims they’re working on developing new game strategies and ways of playing, that’s not happening on field, so it’s just not the case.
We keep falling back into this hole of our attacking game being neutralised by sound well organised defences and strong line speed and still don’t have the composure and /or skill level to handle that.
Our kick game seems to be often mindless, or at best for variations sake, often poorly directed and often purposeless, rather than by opportunity from seeing the kick space or some positional advantage to be had.
Our game plan seems to be unstructured ad lib counter attack, play what’s in front of you etc.
Foster is failing to shape a platform structure that suits this team, albeit not helped by our 10’s showing not great game management and inability to change tactics to how the game unfolds.
As much as there’s talk of leaders in ‘the group’ we don’t have great onfield leaders in a crisis.
For sure AB’s will be highly motivated and play better in Wgtn but on form, including first test also, you have to go with Ireland to win the series, they’re the better overall team, better structure and execution, better ball retention/phase play and they know who they are and what they’re about as a team. Ireland are the team we used to be, without having quite as good player quality or depth to choose from e.g. perhaps 20% of their starting lineup will be kiwis who would never have made the AB’s.
We’re being outcoached.
Foster is right to say the start at Dunedin and the performance was unacceptable but was intimating it was down to the players, however sometimes player don’t respond to the coach. Interesting that the team was more effective first test, when players took the lead, with coaches quarantined.
If AB’s were to win Saturday, it doesn’t make things all right because it won’t address the ongoing lack of consistency in performance of this team. That may be because we don’t have as many world class dominating players as in the past but may also be because the real test of coaching is managing that fact and getting consistent high quality performances within the capabilities of the team and were seeing a team, under this coaching group, consistently underperforming to its capabilities imo. In fact it reminds me of the Chiefs under Foster, for all that time…

Apart from the cards, Ireland just played smarter and more accurate than us and would’ve won regardless, won the front foot and defended better than us.
AB’s said they knew what was coming but regardless, they weren’t up for it and didn’t stand up.
Lack of discipline and also the intensity required, though they lifted and fought hard.
Why we so often start slow is a mystery? Seems to be a thing NZ teams do, was so often the case v Aus teams in super.
High kicks from the base like Aaron Smith was doing in first half, is a negative tactic for us, Sevu and Leister aren’t the most accurate retrieving the high ball.
We still lack composure under pressure and our skills break down and that’s supposed to be our strength. They are actually better at ball retention than us and more composed in building phase play.
I just don’t see the point in kicking long, mid field straight to hand. Kicking it out actually gains territory, either way gives up possession but at least we gain territory from the touch finder – or at least kick to find grass or to cut down the angle for return kicks. Also wonder why we hardly ever kick restarts contestable.
I don’t think we play all that smart and the coaching isn’t coming up with solutions.
If Ireland win the series I’d like to see the coaching team replaced, even though its late. Scott Robertson given a 5 year contract, with 3 year review i.e. not winning wc next year won’t go against him. But I fear Mark Robinson is as vanilla as is Ian Foster, so no change.
Was kind of devious of Foster pre match interview to insinuate officials for the card confusion, when it was clearly the AB’s lack of forward planning that saw Savea off for the rest of the game and the ref having to come over to Shand on the side line to make clear the rules.
Ireland is more like the Crusaders in accuracy, efficiency, structure and skill execution, than the currently coached version of the AB’s are and much respect to Ireland, regardless of 3rd test, the tour is a success, more history made for them.

Thought Aaron Smith had been down on form but his play was extraordinary, incredible passing and split second decision in distribution. There’s no one that could replace him but I hope Fokatava gets lots of game time in this and other games pre WC as no 1 back up.
Potentially great impact from those 3 bench backs.
George Bower was really good, strong in the core role, secure with his hands plus commitment to contact. Prop ball security and mobility is something we needed apparently and now have, from him at least.
Glad Tuinukeafe isn’t picked, no future here, sluggish mobility.
Will Tuipolotu add something coming from a softer competition? Hopefully matured more being away, sometimes lacked fire in the belly. That’ll also be Akira’s challenge in 3rd test because SB made a good fist of it, I think Papalli will be very good in his own way and there’s Grace not to be denied at some stage. Pita Gus has to show it against Boks to make a believer of me.

Want to see better form from Aaron Smith and Codie Taylor. Tokeiaho is No 1 hooker on form imo, they’ve gone with experience and also our strongest prop in Tuinukeafe, since Irelands front row power might be their strength.
Fokatava should be on bench, he’s the future.
Happy with Barrett at 6 after that super final form, imo he brings immediate balance to the loose forwards, have to have the lineout option, go forward and work rate – pack as a whole got beaten by Poms in WC semi, it wasn’t that SB alone failed.
No ones’ claimed the position since Read, maybe Akira’s foot injury has been hampering him lately but the test of Akira is Ireland/Boks, or Tuipoloto takes WC bench and maybe Barrett stays 6, or maybe Gus works out as 6, or maybe Cullen Grace or Blackadder?
6 position is Akira’s to lose if he doesn’t bring it and I hope he finds the lacking mongrel because he should be a more dominant player. The props, locks and centres will sort their pecking order out over coming tests, it’s only 6 position that needs someone to own.
Prefer Beauden starting on seasons form (Ritchie’s stepping later on) but don’t like Beaudy tendency to kick too long – in air, on ground and over the top. Better to miss kicks too short, at least the ball taker gets pressured and not allowed time and space for the return. It’s called contestable! something we seem too often to eschew for some reason? Something Sexton and Ireland will bring, after Maori backfield return lesson.
Reiko’s pace covers any defensive misread and he’s an offensive weapon plus still improving quite a lot. Tupaea deserves 12 imo, been so consistent and reliable – RTS – 2 crucial dropped balls under pressure, Havilli needs space and front foot ball to shine, Goodhue, heady and constructive – could have been Fosters pick but Tupaea also has more growth in him.

Ok so disruption is not a good thing but ontoh AB’s feeling somewhat backed up against wall, is good motivation for performance.
My apologies to the players but imo it’s also good selection wise, that Havilli and Goodhue won’t be available – Goodhue was the incumbent 12, whom a conservative thinking Foster was more likely to have played there V Ireland – played well but not as strongly as Tupaea in the position this year. Havilli can’t be judged on the final where he had go ahead ball all night but should be judged on a season, where when denied space he played ordinary and kicked poorly.
Regrettably, in these defence oriented times, a journey man (improving though) who can bend the defensive line at 12 is the best we can hope for (Tupaea) compared to what we lost in Nonu (though Clarke or Fuinuku in that position could be interesting) – but everyone else has one too – like a Bundy Aki.
12 has become a more of a defend well and bash it up against spread out defenders, in today’s more boring, defence biased game – rules and techniques that have worked against the previous effectiveness of NZ’s more open style of play, to push us down the rankings.
And Ireland will be good at closing down but not produce so much offensively, so what the AB’s need most is parity from the forwards – traditionally that’s not been too much to ask of an AB’s pack – though if they play Papalii at 6 as some expect, our line out is compromised. Maybe was a mistake not selecting a taller Grace in the squad? A mistake choosing squad before super final.
As much as I’m an Akira fan, he didn’t bring it in the dog fight of the final and I’m losing faith he’ll find the mongrel like Kaino/Collins did, to impose his superior strength and skill – he’s letting himself down imo. And Pita Gus also didn’t front up in the semi – but if not choosing Havilli on full season form, probably have to pick Gus for the squad at least, based on full season.
As long as covid doesn’t decimate them further, AB forwards should get general parity and the team should use the ball better than Ireland, should win the first test and the series.
If they lose this series tho, it’ll be a telling confirmation that AB’s have become just one of a chasing pack for No1 spot, which they used to own and confirmation we have gone backwards under Foster.

Regardless of respective population difference, Rugby is no 1 in NZ and 4 or 5 or lower in Aus – that’s the reason why Sky pays more than Stan, it’s a must have, they get the eyeballs and they have competition from Spark.
ONTOH Foxtel could care less about having the Rugby, hence second choice Stan picked it up.
Aus. cannot grow their game with a domestic only competition because it ends up an endless sameness, supported only by the already converted.
Sensible guys like Rennie etc. know that only higher level competition grows skill level.
ARU seem to be hoping WC hosting visibility will lead to some kind of lasting, magic change in public sporting preference. They’d have to win it to have any chance of that – currently ranked no?
So, I think RNZ should hold out as they have been because it’s only bluster, in the hope of extortion working for them coming from ARU.
They wanted 5 teams, NZ didn’t, they got 5 (despite in a good year circa 1 Aus team makes the semi’s)
They need to justify that by raising the money to fund what they wanted and got, not try and blackmail it from NZ.

If in fact serious? this is a really stupid idea from Aus rugby because we saw last year how inadequate the Aus super teams were V NZ after having played only each other and the response V NZ to that this year in lift in performance.
To walk away from playing the major Rugby force in the region won’t work to make the Aus. game stronger.
I think it may be coming out of the new administration getting their nose out of joint at some actions of NZ but it’d be dumb to cut off nose to spite face.
It may just be a bluff to get a more favourable revenue share because it’s only a thought bubble so far.
But beware NZ taking it seriously, Drua, Moana, Japanese and Argentinian sides, would see the greater challenge of playing NZ sides, as better for their rugby growth and with an NPC , NZ doesn’t necessarily need Australia. But the lack of regular competition would hurt us both imo.
It’s been more or less done before and Aus rugby went no where, ending in John O’Neil thanking NZ for keeping Aus rugby alive.
Sensible to look to do what’s actually best for Aus rugby but dumbing down to a weaker competition isn’t the way.
Only way rugby moves from being sport no 4 or 5 in Aus. is highest competition at all levels, driving into test performance capable of winning a WC again. Going all insular won’t improve performance levels to compete against counties where Rugby has a much greater foothold and stronger comps.

Irrelevant comparing backs when Crusaders had front ball all night.
Right from the start Blues forwards got outmuscled/outpassioned by a core group of forwards that proved inadequate in Europe last year and in large part against the Boks. So, a too old Whitelock and a lacking in physicality (against the very top test teams) Scott Barrett will go to WC because the Blues pretenders didn’t stand up when it mattered.
If NZ Rugby is to grow, the Blues needed to eclipse Crusaders for the title otherwise its just the same old AB’s, likely to see the same old, new ranking of circa no 3 in the world. A contender, no longer dominant.

6,7,8. I don’t think Gus backed himself enough in big time last week whereas Cullen Grace lifted and is unlucky but doesn’t offer a point of difference though.
Hoskins at 8, Akira at 6, would leave Ardie and Cane competing for 7 but what about Papalii?
I don’t think any of those last 3 can bring what Akira does as 6’s and he should grow better too.
I think this has to play out on test form, to eventually choose the best combination, which could be determined as late as end of year tour vis a vis WC combo.
I don’t agree with Reason that it’s now time to decide because there are still so many claims – best 6 in NZ is probably Materra! It’s up to some players, Akira being one, to put their hand up as set apart in form, not the selectors, who aren’t seeing stand outs at this point.
It’s not a problem of best player v’s best combo, they’re all so close in form, add in Blackadder and Jacobsen too but at least one of the loosies has to be a factor in the lineout (Sotutu imo and off the back too)
10,12,15. Jordan is the best 15, Jordie however, is too reliable in the air, long boot, hard running etc. to just drop but can’t play 12 or wing, Jordan however is a very good winger and finisher, pace in space and secure with high ball.
12 is Tupaea because he’s effective in that brick wall position, Havilli is ineffective V top teams and Goodhue not as strong as Tupaea. RTS could be a comer with X factor, if he impresses V Crusaders and whatever time he gets V Ireland.
Beauden is 10, a backs bench of Ritchie, Fokatava, RTS wouldn’t be too shabby.
Caleb Clarke is too strong offensively not to be in and has to play his way out by not improving on his (especially high ball) weaknesses. Because Sevu brings a lot but wouldn’t even make the bench and there’s Fuinuku too and Talea waiting in the ‘wings’ imo

If this about more equitable revenue share, maybe NZ can’t call kettle black because AB’s pretty much won’t play England, who won’t revenue share. Can’t know the financial insides and suspect Aus union may be playing hardball which they may not back up with action but I think Super rugby has been much better for both country’s involvement, not only as a spectacle but for the growth of each’s game. The growth in aussie super teams this year only happened as a result of last year – want to live in a fools paradise of not being tested going forward?
I think the increased offensive and often scoreboard pressure the aussie teams have imposed on NZ teams is great for NZ because it’s somewhat akin to what we face against the best international teams.
IMO both Aus and NZ need to be continuously tested against flat, fast defences to grow our skill levels because our potential edge comes through a more open playing style.
Skill levels will drop and both countries games suffer, if they stop playing each other at super level, Aus. more so imo, with no comparable NPC.