I know it's only the first game and they've "ripped up the playbook", so the attacking shape wil take time, but I was pretty uninspired by the attacking approach/philosophy. Just seemed to be more of the same airy fairy 2016-2021 'yeet it wide asap' nonsense just with better/more experienced backs. It didn't work then and doubt it will work now. Or at least not consistently so.
Second test is in Auckland so would love to see them play some Vern-ball/killdozer rugby (which I, personally, found much more enjoyable to watch). Start Oddjob Aumua and tell him to wreck cnts through the middle on both sides of the ball, just like he did in Super Rugby. He, Tuipulotu, and Savea as the main carriers. Everyone else murdering cnts on the cleanouts, especially that pest Itoje. Could also look at Williams on the bench for extra carrying power in the second half.
A proper power winger. Reece and Telea are too similar for mine. Telea wasn't bad but Reece was clearly better, so retain Reece. If he's avaialble, Clarke would be the ideal replacement as he just needs to rinse-and-repeat his Blues efforts. If he's unavailable, then either Narawa or Rieko. Whichever is more motivated to get stuck into the close-in breakdown carrying.
A proper centre. Rieko can defend but Conrad he is not. Must be pretty difficult to try run around rush defences with a centre who offers almost nothing on attack, even when behind the Blues killdozer. Get one of ALB or Proctor in there. I'd like to see Proctor tbh, especially as he already plays with Jordie but ALB would be good as well.
I wouldn't expect the ABs pack to reach the dominance levels of the Blues forwards - because pummelling the opposition pack isn't what the team is built around, and the English pack is much tougher than anything the Blues faced in Super Rugby - but McKenzie and Perofeta would surely have a much easier time against a rush defence that is back peddling more often (from sustained good forward carries through the middle) and playing with a centre that can setup his outsides.