BEST PERFORMANCE
Might have to call this one a tie, as not one of the nine tests delivered a real All Blacks masterclass. They were mostly very good in the second test against the Pumas at Eden Park — really physical in the pack, and quite efficient in the backs. And the last of the domestic tests, against an admittedly poor Wallabies team, at least featured some glimpses of decent All Blacks rugby. Miraculously, they also scored points in the final quarter.
WORST PERFORMANCE
A worrying number of the nine tests featured chunks of really scratchy stuff from the All Blacks. The winner (or loser) of this category by a nose is the loss in the first test against the Pumas. The All Blacks made some shocking mistakes and really lost control of the game.
BEST THREE PLAYERS
1. Codie Taylor. The veteran hooker appears to have found his second wind. Any suggestion he could be under threat from Samisoni Taukei’aho (injury) or Asafo Aumua (inconsistency) for the No 2 jersey has been put to bed.
2. Tupou Vaa’i. Stepping up big time after the departures of second-row greats Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock.
3. Caleb Clarke. Very clearly now the No 1 winger and most potent offensive threat.
ROOKIE RATINGS
A+: Wallace Sititi. A star is born.
A: Cortez Ratima. Strong, exciting, and set to be in the squad for a long time.
B: Billy Proctor. Looked good in his one start but needs more opportunities.
B: Sam Darry. Two test starts and plenty more to come.
C: Noah Hotham. Nice cameo in San Diego. One to watch. Highlanders should have kept him.
C: Pasilio Tosi. Work in progress. Just getting here has been an amazing story for the former Stags loose forward.
• George Bell (25min v Fiji) and Harry Plummer (3min v Wallabies) will need more opportunities.
THE COACH
Crusaders fans: Do not doubt the legend of Scott Robertson. He deserved the job and he will make this team great again.
Everyone else: Um, please explain. We were sold the idea of this bloke being a magician. What is the grand plan? And what was the story with the Leon McDonald debacle?
THE BIG QUESTIONS
2. Doesn’t this still feel like Ian Foster’s team? When will Razor really make his mark?
3. What was behind the shocking inability to score in the final quarter for so long?
4. Is it possible to clone Wallace Sititi?
5. Damian McKenzie or Beauden Barrett from this point?
6. What happened to Mark Tele’a and Dalton Papali’i?
7. Any bolters for the end-of-year tour? And what is the point in taking TJ Perenara and Sam Cane?
8. How many more tests will the All Blacks lose this year?
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
October 26: v Japan, Yokohama
November 3: v England, Twickenham
November 9: v Ireland, Dublin
November 17: v France, Saint-Denis
November 24: v Italy, Turin
Season so far
The record
Played nine, won six, lost three.
• Scored 262 points (29.11 per game), conceded 175 points (19.44 per game).
• Beat England 16-15, beat England 24-17, beat Fiji 47-5, lost to Argentina 38-30, beat Argentina 42-10, lost to South Africa 31-27, lost to South Africa 18-12, beat Australia 31-28, beat Australia 33-13.
• Caleb Clarke (seven), Will Jordan (four), Ardie Savea (four), Sevu Reece (three) and Mark Tele’a (three) scored the most tries.
• Damian McKenzie scored 94 points through one try, 22 conversions and 15 penalties.
