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With there being a final in 2021 - that increases the likelihood of someone else winning it other than the Crusaders.

Blues have paid their dues - they had Michael Collins as starting fullback for multiple seasons......

Jordie doesn't do his core roles just fine for a wing. He isn't taking high balls, he doesn't show pace, he doesn't have footwork. Clarke was useful on the weekend helping to break down the Argie defence as he is a threat that has to be accounted for often by multiple defenders. There were two...

I think the truth lies somewhere in the middle. The hype machine went into overdrive after Eden Park and he has found out that tough test match defences are tougher to crack. Having said that - he did a hell of a lot of good things on the weekend - he had the most carries in the team and aside...

Now that the season is over I thought i'd add a few players where stock went up and a few players where stock went down across the AB season Stock Up Akira Ioane - The new starting 6. Terrific in both his appearances - was arguably the best All Black on the field during the time he was on...

Akira was sensational. Big ball runs, big defence, winning lineouts, stole lineouts, won other turnovers. The AB 6 jersey is his.

Tasman deserved winners. Auckland did well to nearly pinch it actually considering the cards and the lack of possession and territory. Hickey is proper shit. Canes signing him is ridiculous.

Perenara fronts the press and bangs on about how they don't change how they prepare and the internal pressure is greater than external pressure. Very much seige mentality and insular. With how he played in Brisbane he is lucky to be on the bench. A microcosm of the problems with the 2020 ABs.

Whetton is definitely a level above Wykes - he played really well for Highlanders after they lost their starting locks this year (Dickson, Parkinson) and has carried on with a really strong Mitre 10 Cup for Auckland. Good size, busy player, uses his frame well. Good signing.

Told you Akira would start in this one. However, yes, otherwise a very average team. Plenty of talent on the bench who should be starting or not even in the 23 who should be on the bench.

Yep. All teams are on 6 points but the Wallaby points differential is awful due to Sydney Bledisloe.

There's also Scott Barrett - i'm not a huge fan but he's certainly a preferable bench lock option to Grace.

Bridge is out for months. Rieko or Jordan should be 14 with the other taking DMac's spot. Also - i'm a fan of Grace but I wouldn't have him covering lock - he's only 190cm tall.

There needs to be some changes - the so called best XV has big flaws. They are currently running a loose forward trio of 2 opensides and a non physical 6....asking for trouble against a physical Pumas outfit. The AB right wing is not a winger - he's actually a 12 but this coaching staff...

He let it slip when whinging about the Ta'avao penalty. Ta'avao got shouldered in the back a mile off the ball and he tries to claim it's not foul play - if that happened to a Tasman/Crusader/Cantab....

Northland and Auckland into their respective finals. Auckland bloody lucky to get a home final with how they have played this season but always enjoyable to listen to TJ in pain when Auckland win. That Northland pack has some seriously hard workers. Unfortunately some blindside flankers in...

Papali'i got 12 minutes off the bench in Sydney. As great as Ardie is in terms of highlights - there's serious question marks over his effectiveness against physical packs at test level. He started at 7 vs England in the RWC semi and offered nothing.

I don't think Foster will work it out. It's fixable - but not until this coaching staff is gone - it's clear they have no idea what they are doing. It's just been announced they are sending PUJ home early - that makes no sense to me!

Ofa will be ready for round 1 Super Rugby 2021. Suspended for the 2 Argie games and 1 Blues preseason game.

Yep Auckland's starting XV wasn't too bad but their bench was really weak. Kind of explained how the game went. Fihaki certainly looks useful - hopefully gets some time for someone during Super Rugby.