Smith relishing facing 'one of the toughest teams in the league'

Willis is solid in the lineout but I don't think Borthwick would pick a backrow without a 6'5" blindside.

The rest of us aren’t too far away (some closer than others)

But in reality if we include England Argentina and now Aus rugby looks greatly competitive

Bongis knock on and Lomaxes double bank

These things happen

The fact is the ABs overall have evolved with new players and others like Aumua Vaai and Williams who have progressed immensely

But by and large although it has improved overall our second halves are a massive work in progress

So a B- is about right provided there is no loss to Italy

A loss drops it to C- !!

Remember we could have lost all three games to England but were just slightly better that’s all

I think between Underhill, Curry, and Willis there isn't a huge amount between them. Maybe Willis would be good enough to start, but he wouldn't massively improve the team.

Rassie is a clever bugger, no doubt, but the Boks could play 52 players this year because of the systems they have put in place to find and develop players from schoolboy level up.

Wales lacks this, lacks a Director of Rugby. Firing Gatland won't change this fact. He is an world class coach. If anything Abi Tierney should be shipped out for failing to put these systems in place over the last 11 months.

Therefore Plummer does not deserve to start or be on the bench for an All Black Test if he is not one of the top two in his position. The third best player at a position should only be selected if one of the top two are injured.

This applies to all players at all positions.

The All Black XV team is for player development. The All Blacks should not be.

As good as any backrow on the planet.

Interestingly, last week in Buenos Aires I shared a table with a couple from Toulouse, who were at the Toulon game themselves, and were curious how much I knew about French club rugby. I explained the Brussels weather. They smiled and understood.

Now back in CA, biking again.

There was a time when both of us lost to England and we both hated it. Thankfully those days are behind us. Kudos to you guys, kudos to ABs. But dear old BS seems to hate us Boks. No idea why.

I'm also sure Razor knows his weakness still the 10-12-13 axis and he needs to introduce 2 or 3 new midfielders. J. Barrett and Ioane just do not work well together in attack. One or both need to be dropped from the centers. And its time to put ALB and Havili out to pasture.

Hopefully two or more of Lam, Tupaua, Higgins, Macleod, and Proctor have outstanding Super Rugby seasons and demand a starting spot at 12 or 13.

Whoever thought that 10 would be the weakest position in NZ Rugby. I don't have a clue who is capable of a massive boost in their performance and earn selection from the current 10s playing for the NZ Super franchises and capable of taking a spot from Barrett or McKenzie.

Seem to remember that they spoke to Gustard before appointing Joe and you really have to think he would have come in at a higher level?

The fact that Ben Smith is trying to justify the ABs losses by saying they were almost wins shows how far the ABs have slipped from their peak with Richie McCaw and Co.

Also Richie and friends would have settled a rare loss by winning comfortably the next round.

Now dear Ol' BS is spouting ridiculous statements by saying the other teams were no good. Funny how the teams that were no good somehow managed to beat the 'best team' in Ben Smith's world.

Hm makes you wonder doesn't it?