'We know he can play test rugby' Steve Hansen gives ringing endorsement to potential All Black midfielders

Good development of players but similar late fades in several games

Overall a lot of good things to progress

No one really cares or will remember this loss. WC still 3 years away and by then they will be a settled team. Very hard to beat. This is just another click bait article most likely and more than willing to give it a skip

Damian Willemse is an excellent fullback and he is the number 1 fullback. He can play the entire backline positions, except maybe 9, but I'm sure he would be able too if he wanted. No one is taking that away from him, only stand in while he is injured. He is world class and you don't swap that out. He also got wicked dancing feet, great eye for openings, and reads a game like few can, like Willie Le Roux. Also very strong on his feet, with absolute great hands and his kicking game is just as good.

As for Aphelele Fassi. What a great find and he has exceptional talent that Rassie will mould into a world class player. Yet.... He is nowhere even close to Damien Willemse. He has a long way to go to get there, but he is surrounded by great team mates from who he will gain lots of advice and support. He can play wing and fullback and Rassie may just try him out as a flyhalf or centre too. He has the abilities to expand his game. He is for sure a future star, but not yet at the stage to take away Damien Willemse's spot. However, DW start and AF on the bench, that is an awesome replacement. Between the 2 they cover all positions in the backline once AF gets that training. The Boks could go 6/2 permanently if they wanted. 6 forwards, a scrumhalf and AF. I may be wrong, but Rassie will spread AF around.

6 or 7 max!!

They have beaten the worst Welsh side ever and pipped England in OT

They do look attractive to watch I admit but got smashed by the Welsh scrum last week

Look at the areas of focus for Razor and Ryan

Huge player development in the ABs and ABs XV

One might argue that the only scrum more dominant is the Boks? And that wasn’t clear in SA until the bomb squad came on

The bench has been somewhat rectified since then

Can’t compare that Italy team at the World Cup to this

New coach and a very good 6N since then

Frustrating ABs display nevertheless

A number of issues including 10 and midfield attack but we now have 6 quality props

Aumua and Vaai in form when those were major areas of concern

Holland and Taukei’aho to come in

ABs XV played on this tour so I don’t know where the slide is

Perhaps refer?

Not excusing the ABs but massive credit to Italy

If they bring that defensive effort again they will do ok in the 6N

Nothing to stew son.

ALB is equally effective at 12 and 13, so why not have him or Tupaea at 12, and Proctor at 13? God forbid you’d have two midfielders playing at their natural positions! There must be a law in New Zealand, that prohibits that. Small sample size, but Proctor walked on water in his international debut at 13.

But the kiwi selectors seem to love Rieko’s speed, so as long as the horse is fast enough, they decided they’ll teach him to climb trees anyway.

You don’t have a better 10 than BB and Mo’unga. DMac is a more instinctive attacker (almost as good as Mo’unga … almost), but doesn’t have BB’s game-controlling skills. You have and will lose games due to his aimless kicking and spur-of-the-moment inventions none of his team mates are able to read at the international pace. Works okay at Super Rugby level, doesn’t mean it’s transferable to test matches. But hey, suit yourself.