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Pity about the long-term injuries for the Landers, who look a bit thin at Lock and wing. Jona Nareki and Pari Pari Parkinson are huge misses at Super level , Nareki, in particular, running amok this year. But what about freedom vahaakolo? He's always played well, even last year before he got...

Absolutely. We might have won 12 out of 15 - but let's not forget: 6 of those wins came against Tonga B, Fiji X 2, USA without European players, Italy, and Wales (missing a dozen players). We beat the Argies twice - but everyone beat the Argies this year. Don't forget the Argies didn't even...

The biggest problem with the ABs is the systems that we currently have. The players have at times been poor. But they look poor because the systems are mediocre. This was quite a crushing loss - 15 point margin is about right. Last week, the scoreline really flattered us. I hope this brings...

Even as an AB fan it is not difficult to admit that South Africa, the Springboks, are the best rugby team in the world. A tremendously tough season - 1 whole year not playing together. Some of their blokes got hit quite badly by Covid. With more players spread out around the world, they had to...

What a first half between SA and England. A real clash of the titans. So much physicality. England looks worryingly classy, to be honest. They have a lot of young fellas on the pitch who are doing well - their worst is probably Ben Youngs. Malins and Stewart look class, while Marcus Smith...

For the ABs, I thought the media interviews showed a hugely disappointing attitude. Moody thought the pack stood up well and everyone was sore. Moody - the pack was smoked dude. You didn't play particularly well either. The ABs were really lucky to lose by just 9. Is there genuine reflection in...

Terrible performance from New Zealand, but it might be exactly what we need. We have been trumpeting our points and tries this year, but it's deceptive with games against Tonga Fiji and USA. A lot of players played really poorly, and it's quite pointless running through everyone because it is...

There's a distinct lack of size in the ABs back without Caleb. I think Foster has realised that the midfield needs more thrust, and the back that gives them the most go-forward is Reiko. Reiko is a flawed 13, so it comes down to ALB to plug the gaps - ALB is a player who is good but not...

A game of a lot of exuberance but at times, at the expense of thought and execution. Both sides sometimes prioritised a small physical win over the tackler, at the expense of the larger picture of positioning and fluidity. At times, this exuberance translated to complete stupidity. Zander...

With the selection of overseas-based players, the Wallabies now look like they almost have too much talent. While much have been made of the gradual but sure Wallaby decline over the years, especially with the constant competition with NRL and Aussie Rules, perhaps the biggest determinant of a...

Good win for the Boks, albeit close. With the weather conditions, it was always going to be an armwrestle. Wales, especially in the reserves, are very green. But they were a stronger team than last week. South Africa crept home, but it's easy to forget it's been a very tough 2 years for them...

Pretty horrid from the ABs. The first half was shambolic, and the 2nd half got marginally better as the subs came on and the Italians tired. We've been in these games - you are heavy favourites on paper, but somehow the team never quite gets going. Each clink in the process chain is 5%, and by...

Just wanted to give Ardie Savea a little more acknowledgement. He has always been outstanding in attack. First he is extremely powerful in contact, and his post-contact metres are excellent. This is really crucial because that one guy who bends the line sets the entire attack in motion. The...

A word on Wales I don't know how many folks here have been to Wales. Rugby is the national sport of Wales. The Principality Stadium is the epitome of this - it is right smack in city centre, sitting beautifully on the River Taff. I don't know if this sounds pompous, it's not meant to be, but...

I just want to make a small comment on the Japanese rugby team. Among others, James Moore, Ben Gunther, Jack Cornelsen are Aussies. Michael Leitch is Kiwi Pieter Labuschagne, Dylan Riley are Saffas All of these fellas (perhaps only Gunther) would probably not make their home nation. So, is it...

So that AB USA match was a bit of a wash. Beyond the AB performance, I thought it's a good idea to keep pushing into markets like USA and even China. They have big markets which means big advertising and television money, which is good for World Rugby. But you gotta wonder if the ABs going...

It's incredibly annoying to associate criticism with "panicking", or being "written off" in 2011. I think we can all remember the context in 2011. At that time we were without a WC for 24 years, playing at home, pressure mounting. I'm not sure why AB fans are so sensitive to some negativity.

The Springbok game continues to highlight the biggest concern that most AB fans have. It is the same concern that has plagued us since the Lions tests in 2017 which the Irish, English, and Saffas have repeatedly exposed: - we just lack the ability to win the fiercest physical confrontations. We...

Very nervy game. Very nervy. Jordie had a great game. Patrick was excellent when he came on Karl has been very good this season Hoskins brought some energy Quinn brought some physicality Samisoni brought some anxiety Bench made a difference. So much to talk about But before all that, time for...

The root cause of a lot of these errors is not the execution, but the option. For example dropped balls in heavy traffic - yes the players need to be more accurate but we're trying to play the same game even though the defense is up so close.