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Not on Saturday he didn't. One half-decent run I remember with under 10 minutes to go - that's not going to cut it. Add to that defensively he's not big enough for an 8 - he gets run over. Against a big physical team like Argentina or England he's a liability as a starter.

Well the ABs certainly got an absolute lesson in test match rugby. It reminded me a lot of the 2019 RWC semi - you could tell early on the ABs were in big trouble. Says a lot about the current AB coaching team - same game plan - same flaws - going nowhere. Argentina were wonderful. Low...

NZ teams depth will take a hit in 2022 when the NZ-Pacific side comes in.

Agreed - combined table can be easily read as the 5 Aus teams and the 5 NZ teams during this trans-tasman comp only - given they aren't playing common opponents.

Yeah nah. Akira deserved his start - and killed it.

I will also be melting down

I think truth lies somewhere in the middle - you'll see Akira start at 6 in the final game in 2 weeks.

Positives: S Barrett and Perenara dropped from the 23 Negatives: No Akira. Dude should be starting at 6.

Hook. Line. Sinker.

https://www.allblacks.com/news/sky-super-rugby-aotearoa-draw-announced

Auckland have a huge injury toll at the moment and have already locked up first spot on the ladder so based on Canterbury's performance last week I actually expect Canterbury to win. I wouldn't be surprised to see Auckland send down a weakened team.

Based on Super Rugby Aotearoa form yes but not based on their AB tests in 2020. Beaudy's two performances at 15 have been far superior to Jordie's one start at 15. There's question marks over Jordie's acceleration and positional play at 15 in test rugby.

Congrat Wallabies fans. Well deserved win. Brought the intensity on both sides of attack and defence and were just tidier across the board in a scrappy game. One Wallaby who in particular who stood out to me was Paisami. I thought he was magnificent - perhaps 12 is his spot. In fact the 9-10-12...

Jones starting at 7 for Auckland tomorrow. Something feels very right about that.

And i'm just providing context.

That's deceptive - that was the 3rd test and France had one foot on the plane - under the roof in Dunedin it was perfectly suited to DMac. As an AB fan I would not want DMac starting at 10 in a test.

Yeah I think the Wallaby game plan is pretty simple - focus on defence and keep the ABs under 20 points ala Wellington and naturally you'll be in the game and be able to apply pressure.

Finally Akira Ioane to get a test cap. So pleased for him.

Add Jacob Pierce as another one - he has had an enormous Mitre 10 Cup, was strong when he got his opportunity at Super and he is a big man at over 2 metres tall.

Here is some food for thought. Mounga is only just now starting to put his stamp on test rugby. He is 26 and debuted for Crusaders in 2016. Lolesio is 20 and only debuted in Super Rugby in 2020. He needs time. I remember a young Aaron Cruden debuting at 10 for ABs in 2010 in Sydney and being...