One new cap in Maori All Blacks team named for second Samoa test

I think this article raises some good points but it's written from the point of view that the players go out there and just decide what to do when the ball gets to them. I think Jordie and Reiko are there because they are both very effective ball carriers and that's what they are being asked to do. I don't think they have a series of elaborate plays that require all this interplay between 12 and 13 and that Jordie and Reiko are such limited players that they just put their heads down and go into contact instead.

I think Holland in particular is really learning on the job, and it shows. He will be jettisoned at the end of the RC if the attack continues to flounder, and if he survives that he will be on notice for the NH tour.

They finally found a way to consistently outflank the rush defence, only to find out they had been outfoxed again by a better coach and the Springboks had switched to something similar to what they ABs play when they drift and scramble. Every promising break on the outside had the ball carrier met by 4 defenders - and they weren't ready for it, no support on the inside to come against the scramble or run on to a centring kick - everything organised to play last week's game again.

The ABs were not significantly outplayed as the close score lines show, but they are half a step behind in this game of cat and mouse with the Springboks.

The two pivots don't necessarily have to do anything special, just execute their skills and decision making when the try is on. For example they both handled in both of Clarke's tries, and I think in getting us into the 22 for the Taylor try. I thought we found quite a few holes and certainly more than this Saturday.

You also miss the fact that most head coaches are not in tracksuit.

So if you want to blame someone for the Argentina disaster, why not take aim at Lord Laurie not Joe?

Agree Argy could well win their home fixture v the Boks and prevent a clean sweep by SA. They could even finish above NZ by doing so!

In saying that, Hamish makes a few valid points. The backline was poor in the second matchup, both tactically and from a selection standpoint.

Razor gave himself a real home goal by completely changing the back three. In the first test they were effective as a unit, with each complimenting each other well. Until the meltdown. Jordan and Clarke appear to be our best wing combination by a long shot, with different but lethal attacking skills giving us more options on the offensive.

Obviously Clarke was unavailable, but a smarter move would have been to shift Reiko out one, and leave the other spots untouched.

To change all three was a disastrous move. Reece and Tale'a have shown already this season they are a poor combo. Reece has been completely underwhelming in particular at this level for a long time, and Tale'a seems a shadow of the fine winger he was for a couple of seasons. Add to that, both have a bit too much sameness about them.

As much as I'd love to see Jordan carve it up from 15, the reality is it seems far too easy to nullify his attacking influence by tying him up at the back. Unfortunately for Jordan, he is arguably our best 14 by quite a distance, and can exert his influence far more easily from there. His try scoring record attests to that. So perhaps he should stay there.

For now Barrett remains the best available choice at 15, despite his flaws. I worry he has rediscovered his penchant for attempting a miracle chip kick with every touch. He was looking sharp for a few games without that nonsense. Also as a supposed leader, he was notable by the absence of his leadership at the death in the last two games. Clearly depth needs to be built in the 15 Jersey, I don't see BB being the answer in 2027.

Hamish has a point regarding Jordie and Ioane, they are both run first types of players. Jordie is a frustrating case - on the one hand he was our best back on the field; he's competitive, aggressive, tackles well, kicks, and takes the ball up hard. The type of player a coach loves. But he is such a blunt object. He's slow, has no step and doesn't feed his outsides much. Mind you, if he had a better distributor outside him, perhaps things would look much better as a combo.

Hopefully Razor learns from his little experiment last weekend.

Not sure that Dalton was 100% fit but a tag team with Cane certainly makes sense against the Boks.

Dalton Papalii is also injured, and I am sure that Sotutu will be back and will replace Sam Cane or Samipeni Finau. Sam Cane most likely due to his age.

Frizell still has another year in Japan (I think?)

Newell is excellent at Super level just hasn't adapted to international level yet.