Gareth Anscombe is finally set to play his first match in 761 days

Nobody could complain if he did pick Scotland, unlikely as that might be. The Vunipolas could just as easily have opted for Wales as they played most of their youth rugby in Monmouthshire!

Having said that the Kiwis do have a history of rescuing broken Aussie-based props - Angus Taavao and Tyrel Lomax to wit.

Taniela certainly seems to have hit a lull in his career.

If it was more what you suggest, that it was the opposition that brought the ‘test intensity’ that they couldn’t adapt to, then it wouldn’t have happened in every game like it did.

But Sititi is on the injury bench and will miss most, if not all of Super Rugby, and may not be match fit (or fit to play) in the France series. So Sotutu has a chance to force his way back in. Especially if Savea gets picked at 7. If Kirifi, Lakai, or Papli’i get picked at 7 then Savea will probably stay at 8. I’m sure Sotutu would rather start at 6 than be on the bench, or not in the team. Sotutu’s running game could fit well into a 6 style of game. But does he have the required brutal tackling?

The red card will definitely count against Sotutu. A RugbyPass article in 2024 highlighted that Sotutu had a high tackle height, with the thinking being that that was a reason why he didn’t get in the All Blacks. So, the red card is reinforcing already highlighted problem areas for Sotutu.

Will Jordan himself is a great example of a player who is uncomfortable with his small margins or finding that right balance as he’s been asked by his coach to expand his repertoire. Making so many mistakes is not an indication he’s not a fullback, merely one pushing his boundaries and who needs the practice and time to find out where they are at each level and within himself.

Top forward thinking article Ned👍

He’s either good enough or he isn’t, don’t hold that jersey in from of him like a stick to whack a dog into line you’re not happy with.

Change Sotutu or any player too much and then you end up with what the All Blacks have been, mediocre without any flair or individuality. Boring.

Foster’s tactic of box kicking to try to put pressure on the opponent has been a failure, but I’m not sure Robertson has any answers either, given the poor tactical kicking skills of the NZ players.