Makes you wonder what our backline would have been like if DMac hadn't gotten injured...his injury opened the door for Mounga

@booboo maybe he thinks all Kiwis look the same, cos I'd say Crotty is more likely the guy that brings everything together, I guess its easy to see how he could mix those 2 up though.

@Bovidae yeah the Bridge/Reece thing is surprising given the quality of ball they got vs the Perth backs.

I was more meaning the dual pivots and showing a bit of our hand that was forced on us after the Perth debacle.

@Bovidae and while it is a running joke, I do genuinely think we were keeping our powder dry up until Bled 2, where we had little choice but to roll out some big changes that we were hoping to hold off until RWC.

Thats not to say the Bokke wont have improved either and not have been holding back themselves.

they had a chat with Dwayne on RS yesterday, were talking about some differences he saw in game between then and now...

@dogmeat said in RWC All Blacks v South Africa:

Goodhue's the other that's fallen out of favour.

not so sure, Goodhue has only played what, 9 tests? SO while he has appeared tha heir apparent for the past 2 years, he has played buggar all.

I expect they prefer ALB who is a bit more explosive going forward

If it was a final rather than a pool match I wonder if this side would be much different against same opposition?

@Chris-B seems alot of smarts in that backline too

@Yeetyaah oh I'm not questioning who it is, TBH I think numerous combos of SBW/Crotty/ALB/Goodhue exist and work, but I dont think they have played alot together have they Crotty/ALB, and was prepared for ABW/Crotty

Another combo though, which is probably my main concern.

how often have Crotty/ALB played together? I was expecting SBW/Crotty and ALB on the bench.

11-15 is a bit of a surprise for me, but not hugely surprising.

SBW & BFA on the bench is interesting.