KIWI RIPS INTO WALLABIES V ALL BLACKS TEST PREVIEW

Round 5 of the 2024 Rugby Championship will be played this weekend and the first game of the round will be played in Sydney between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks.
In this Pre Game show on Inside Rugby with Mark I give my raw opinions on what I am feeling before this game.
I take a look at the team selections, what we should be watching out for during the game, and what major mistake I think the All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has done in my opinon.
I look forward to hearing your views on this game. What way do you think it will go. Both teams are needing a win after losses in their last round of the competition.
As a retired Kiwi living in Mexico I am just trying to play a small role in helping the great game to grow across the world.
You can help in the following ways.
1. Subscribe to the channel.
2. Give the video a like.
3. Leave a respectable comment.
4. Contribute via Super Thanks
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Thank you and enjoy your rugby.
#allblacks #wallabies #rugbychampionship

[@SihleFani-t6i]

Gyz if you follow Rugby ,you will know what I'm talking about ,in this case Razor is under pressure, he want to make sure that he doesn't make any mistake, he knows very well that his job is in danger gyz, so it's a must win game against Wallabies no excuses, it's my opinion ☝️

[@miaslouw7895]

I disagree - hes lost the championship now is the time to experiment and prepare for novmber tests

[@nzfreeski]

He’s not at risk - ABs will hold onto the bledisloe

[@EGM534]

​@@nzfreeski i wouldn't put it past Razor to lose the Bledisloe. He's lost the freedom cup for the first time since 2009, lost the Championship for the first time since 2019, most ever put on us at home and held tryless for the first time in a number of years

[@rileyfreeman9726]

Don't be a fool.. His job is not at risk. If they were to sack Razor, they'd have to pay him out fully which they can't afford and replace him with a coach that doesn't have the qualifications he does.

[@rileyfreeman9726]

If he loses the bedisloe then NZRU will replace his coaching core and introduce their own coaches to pair with razor.

[@allblacks9100]

Razor stll not giving the youngsters a chance ,he's not showing the confidence i thought he had and is in fear of losing . I want the ABs to win the 2027 world cup and razors has to start being bold in his selections.

[@BraziwiSteve]

He’s given debuts to Tosi, Bell, Darry, Sititi, Hotham, Ratima and Proctor, and given big minutes to low capped players like Tamaiti, Aumua, Finau, Blackadder, Perofeta and Tele’a. Not to mention regular starts for DeGroot, Vaa’i, Clarke etc and the return of Sevu, we can see a gradual change in selections which is smarter than just swapping the whole xv.

[@frankvsnschalkwyk6030]

Again this unnatural realiance on Barrette brothers started the Lions tour, asif All blacks have no position based instead of multi position. Conrad Smit like Proctor With ALB WILL BE AWESOME, BUT JA SAL DIESELFDE GAAN.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@BraziwiSteve If I may respectfully respond to your comment. Of course only sharing how I see it. I for one are not suggesting swapping a whole bunch of players. Yet we see certain players who have been disappointing in several games, to name a few DMAC, Perenara, Telea, Reece, and yet we see them back in the mix again. Players like Love havent got a go, and Proctor played against Fiji, did a great job and then he´s gone again. The point is by rotating players even in the big games you get the answers your looking for. Darry stepped up, Vaai stepped up, Williams stepped up, Sititi stepped up, (he should be at 8 not 6)

[@frankvsnschalkwyk6030]

True that

[@frankvsnschalkwyk6030]

​@@BraziwiStevemiskien is j reg, ek maybe to in a hurry

[@thatplantguy]

I mostly watch these videos for the old guy exercising in the background. Dudes living his best life.

[@Goggawie]

@@thatplantguy 🤣

[@dawidmaree5002]

🤣🤣🤣

[@dawidmaree5002]

AB debutant

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Well thanks for watching, I will make sure hes in all future episodes

[@TheBlackJersey]

Mate. Calm down. This was always going to happen. Razor is picking up the pieces from 8 years’ worth of damage done by Shag and Fozzie. If we’re going to take losses under this coach, let’s just get them over and done with as it’s happening now. Razor has a growth mindset and unlike Foster, will learn from what’s happened.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@TheBlackJersey is my passion upsetting you. Taking losses is one thing, learning from them is another. Lets see where things are at after the Wellington test, a venue where we are 2-9 in recent history.

[@Trajan2401]

Nothing like 2 rugby analysts going toe to toe 😁.

[@TheBlackJersey]

@@Trajan2401 the difference here is that I work for a professional team and know what it takes to build one. He’s having a moan because results aren’t instantly turning up out of nowhere. We mustn’t forget that Razor’s Crusaders didn’t necessarily start off being a “dominant” side either, they just simply worked hard and faced weak competition. Most people (me included) expected instant results from Fozzie because he was continuing everything from Shag’s time. Contrast this to the fact that Razor has done as expected and picked 9 uncapped players this year, he’s gone so far to cap 7 of them.

[@user-ki1vb2rt1e]

Another blind Canterbury fan. When you're so obsessed with club level rugby, you forget about international rugby standards.

[@craigrik2699]

@@TheBlackJersey eh? Razor was handed a champion team, rinse and repeat! Unless Razor's been on Mars, not following what's been happening in the AB's and what's available within the NZ stock of players, not much has changed? Not too flash a start for Razor, Dec 2 will tell us how this season went. I was never convinced about him ... too late for me though, and it seems for AB rugby

[@pietersmith9745]

Good opinion. Appreciate the input. Good show. God bless. Love from SA.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Thanks for watching!

[@MarcWithersea]

Nice candid analysis, with classy respect. Thanks from SA for another sharp vid.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@MarcWithersea thank you, glad that you enjoyed it.

[@Vega-hp1vp]

Yay, old boy is back. We should give him a name. Ok he's gone again

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Señor Legend

[@uniqueaerialvideoltd2863]

The Mexican Sweat

[@Jase1000-p2f]

Its bewildering to me that Razor hasnt introduced some more players after our last tests against the boks.Depth depth depth.Some players in this team have had a dozen tests to prove themselves and have come up empty surely giving a player 1 test to prove themselves isnt much to ask especially recently with all the Ls we are taking at least we could of blooded a few more players .It seems more of the same from Razor which weve had for years now.I cant help but think if Jamie joseph and Tony brown were in charge Im pretty sure those 2 wouldnt bend to outside influences which are maybe involved in Razors decisions ?im not sure but Razor the All Black coach seems nothing like Razor the crusader coach which is who I thought we would be getting.Ill back Razor to the hilt cause hes our coach I just hope he takes the shackles off.I 100 percent agree with everything youve said on cane, dmac and the midfield!!!theres a doco on youtube when Razor coach the baa baas against a new zealand 15 ,Razor is in a team meeting for the baabaas talking about dmac who was the 10 for the nz 15 Razor clearly says to the baabaa lads"when dmacs under pressure he tries to win the game by himself and makes mistakes"!! You should check it out its not a bad doco but im wondering what Razor sees differently in dmac now.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@Jase1000-p2f a fair comment, and its pretty fair to say we all want Razor to succeed, so lets see what happens through until the end of the year and then all take a deep breathe and see where we are at. With the selections for this weekend I feel we are not going to learn a lot.

[@TPRugbyfan]

I suspect Razor won’t want to ease the youngsters into test rugby away from home . He’s particularly adept at getting teams loyal to him which requires showing faith in experienced players to come right and boosting the confidence of young inexperienced players by not applying the sink or swim strategy. We are impatient and anxious for change but he was selected for his man management skills and creating a lasting dynasty so let’s trust his instincts . For now at least!!

[@insiderugbywithmark]

I'm with you, and I get it. If losing three of the last 4 games is part of the journey and a guy like Sam Cane who won't even be there next year is still part of the plans how is loyalty helping us at this point in time.

[@TPRugbyfan]

@@insiderugbywithmark When it comes to Sam Cane or TJ who are off to Japan at the end of the year, the plan is probably to use and benefit from their experience within the camp for now and to only drop them to the bench when an alternative player’s form is undeniable . So Ratima comes in & TJ goes to the bench . But ask yourself which of the loose forwards is similarly putting their hands up as better alternative to Cane at open side ? I had hoped that Billy Harmon was going to get a decent chance to impress with the ABs !

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@antonypaterson2051 Got you, thanks so much for sharing this, helped me understand where you were coming from, I get it, and yes, agree. There is no real Cane replacement that I can see and there lays some of the problem.

[@hikurukutai]

He did the sink and swim with Satiti

[@markreilly105]

@@hikurukutai and Sititi swam big time

[@2msystems740]

Great stuff, Mark. Like your views, probably because I agree with most of it.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Ha ha thanks for that. Appreciate the support

[@phoenix55]

Razor is trying to find that winning culture he had at the Crusaders. At the Crusaders he would give opportunities to new guys and they would all fit in seamlessly into the team because they were winning. He's now searching for his best 15 and in a team(ABs) that's not performing well. I think bringing in guys slowly is frustrating but it's probably best. Each Test now feels like a Q&A - I hope he gets it right.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Very interesting comment thanks for making it. He had a mighty stacked inventory at the Crusaders yet as you said, still searching in many positions in this team.

[@michaelironside8707]

The difference is Razor inherited an already super successful franchise from a Blackadder and Blackadder from Dean's before that. These coaches have never had to really rebuild a team from scratch, and their lack of faith in selecting and developing our local talent is shown by their refusal to move on from players who are well and truly overstayed their welcome.

[@hikurukutai]

@@phoenix55 this ain't the saders it's test rugby

[@ungarr]

@@michaelironside8707you gotta be kidding, Blackadder never won a trophy, Razor steps in and they never lose a trophy. The problem lies squarely at the feet of NZR and our weak domestic competitors, iron sharpens iron, our players aren’t hardened like they used to be. The All Blacks were the best because we had the best domestic rugby but those days are firmly in the rear view mirror

[@CharlieElise-y8t]

Hi Mark always enjoy listening to your insight of rugby especially with the ABs and I couldn't agree more with your comments regarding the selections for this game.Razor has been too conservative,past All blacks coaches have made the same mistakes,BE BOLD.Give the young players a chance they are the future.I would put Sam Darry at lock,put Vaii at 6,Savea at 7,Sititi at 8,bring Lord and Hotham to the bench,we've seen enough of McKenzie at 10 and he's definitely not the answer, why not give Plummer a go.I would bring on the reserve Props n hooker at the same time,there's your mini bomb squad,let's hope it's a competitive game,go the ABs!!!

[@micahmoobeavs]

Cheers for the update. With selection issues we need to be careful it's not an overhaul. A few tweaks here and there. DMac is running out of time and we have little option until RM available. Reiko and Jordie not clicking. But it could be the game plan that's not working there. Reece on wing. Why what impact. Would rather have gone with another loose forward for energy and power. Fingers crossed

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@micahmoobeavs thanks so much for your recent sub, and for this comment, great stuff. Agree, selections ought to be tweaked, and after 3 losses from 4 games some positional issues need changing as you highlighted. Lets see how things unfold Saturday.

[@DerekChaplin-mu1gc]

RM only option? To be number 1 you need at least 2 world beaters in every position. Not seeing that with AB's!!

[@insiderugbywithmark]

spot on.

[@glenjohnson7690]

Razor needs to unleash his secret weapon: that absolute beast of an athlete in the background of these videos.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

I will let him know

[@glenjohnson7690]

@@insiderugbywithmark Do it! It'll solve the DMac issue (though I like DMac at 10, while awaiting Richie's return)...

[@NickWilliamson-o1p]

Mark, while I share your frustration about new players not being tried, I think we need to respect (and support) Razor Robertson. He had phenomenal success with the Crusaders and proved himself to be an accomplished coach. Maybe he knows more about this than we do and we need to show some humility. We don't know what is being said in those off field conversations or what is happening within the squad and at training. There is a lot that we don't know. One thing I have learnt in life is that it is easy be be a critic but it is a lot harder to actually have the responsibility. I think we need to take a step back and give Razor time to get this team going really well. There is enormous pressure on him to start winning. That said, I enjoy listening to your views.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Nick thank you so much for the comment. Balance is a great thing, so I will share these thoughts with you. Asking questions around why the All Blacks Head Coach is not making bolder selections is not a disrespecting him at all, in my opinion. As a rugby fan who pays for tickets to view games, and supports teams across the world, we are also a voice in the global rugby community, a voice that bounces ideas, and share opinions like we all do. We are not the coach, and as you rightly said we do not know what is going on behind the scenes. And also this is what I believe below. Anyone wants to aspire to be the coach of any of the worlds leading sporting teams it comes with the territory. There is nowhere to hide, and there shouldnt be. There is a huge global audience, investors, sponsors and players livelihoods on the line. As raw as it may sound, you are either made for it, or not. Rassie and Andy Farrell are showing clearly how to manage it, and not let it manage you. Thank you for the comment, and its all said with respect.

[@NickWilliamson-o1p]

@@insiderugbywithmark Thanks very much for your reply Mark. I am coming around to your way of thinking. I was disappointed with the All Blacks collapse against Australia and am frustrated that the All Blacks coaches don't seem to be willing to admit that there is a problem: it's all down to "fine margins" apparently. I don't know if you watch Kenneth on 'Rugby Bru' on KZbin. I was impressed by his analysis of the Australia game. His views are pretty much in line with yours. Nick.

[@justinpreid]

Scotty Dog is proving to be Foster 2.0. I understand that we don't have world class players ready to run on. However, Beaudy at 10, Procter at centre and Love at 15 would've made me very excited. Reece on the bench? He better make some decent contribution cause he's been dire this year.

[@craigrik2699]

Well, to date, Foster 1.0 has done a lot better then this 2.0 version?

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@justinpreid thanks for sharing your view

[@kennethmacibela4463]

I still hold the view that, New Zealand plays smart rugby in the world due to their philosophy of the game and talent growth However, this time around, leadership is their weakness. I agree, selection is a problem. Playing players out of position is another. The new coach seems to be lacking courage to make unpopular decisions.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Thank you for the comment, I can not disagree, nor want too.

[@robvandenheuvel128]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, asking some good questions. Razor’s selections smack of a coach fighting for his role. How would things look if Razor was unrestricted in his selections ? NZRU, and their Australian counterparts, are not doing enough to compete with other codes. As South Africans we know that our beautiful game would be stronger with strong ABs and Oz. Perhaps some tough conversations needed with the administrators. Your thoughts?

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@robvandenheuvel128 thanks so much for the comment, and for asking some questions. Perhaps the question that needs to be asked of Razor is, what is actually trying to do? , does he want to develop the best 36 players he can, including the overseas based players, OR is he trying to build from what he has, or is he in search of a new team, I dont know. In regard to your point on other codes and the competition they pose. I dont buy into this one, and heres why. Australia won two world cups during a period of NRL in Australia that was huge. Same with AFL that hasnt changed, what has changed is the way Rugby is administered in NZ and Australia, big difference I feel. I hope that adds some value.

[@edwinukama4830]

Beauden is one of the best fly half’s the AB’s have seen. I wonder why they just don’t bank on him being the permanent, reliable pick at 10

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@edwinukama4830 thanks so much for sharing your view, many in the comments say that Beauden Barrett has been tried and never delivered consistently at No 10.

[@OnlineSuccessCoach]

Agree with you completely Mark. Even though Im a Bok fan. My question would be... what will the ABs learn from this test if they win? They have mostly used the same group of players for the two tests vs SA... he should have a good idea what these guys can produce. If they win v Aus... with this team.. its to be expected. So Im not sure he can take much from it. But if he tries a new 10 / 13 , for example..and they stand up and produce a great performance.. that then starts to grow his squad depth

[@insiderugbywithmark]

One hundred percent with you, and that's exactly what I have been saying. I am not saying, and never have, that you need 10 new players in the team, but look at the key positions and see what is not working and change it. Well put, great comment thank you

[@CRUSHENGLISH]

Not blooding new players. Well said Mark, from your namesake!

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Thanks MARK

[@bingleification]

I'm thinking Sam is in to get that 100 caps, and I don't know if I disagree with that decision because he's not that bad, but get your point, we do need to inject some new men and ideas into the back 3. I'm happy mostly with this team as we can not drop this game, especially with Wellington being a 50/50 stadium for us. Good, actually great front row bench!! Enjoying the shows Mark, and the delivery, keep it up!

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@bingleification hey thanks so much for the comment, love it. A couple of things if I may. 100 caps, a reason to keep a player in the side? Wellington, the ABs have won 2 from their last 9 games there, no where near 50%, concerning figures eh.

[@jasonedwardledburynewzeala9897]

You are Bang on bro. Find the right players in there right spots. Test them. Study combos.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@jasonedwardledburynewzeala9897 Thank you kindly

[@Mako-V]

100% agree woth everything 🙌 💯

[@insiderugbywithmark]

OK thank you

[@emilenaude3918]

Hi Mark. Firstly, appreciate your show so much mate. You are making a noteable impact amongst us rugga fans. A few notes from me to you mate: Agree with the confusion around the NZ selections. Lots of talk around change and hard conversations. NZ don't have any enforcers in the backrow anymore. Think Kano, Collins, Brooke, Kronfeld, Mccaw. One feels that it is almost illegal to criticize Razor. To be completely honest, the man can barely string words together after his losses. No disrespect but winning multiple Superrugby titles in your own country after saying that South African teams are not on-par looks a little bit weak right now.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@emilenaude3918 appreciate the kind words about the show thank you. You make some good points about the back row and that was the ABs DNA, thats gone I feel. There is of course a fine line between what feels is constructive feedback and opinions and that of pure criticizing. Lets see what happens this week before we engage either option :-)

[@molapotsasanyane9855]

I believe in a powerful physical inside centre, like Ma'a Nonu, Stirling Mortlock, Jean de Villiers and Sonny-Bill Williams, because sometimes an inside centre has to straighten-hard and smash a hole in a defence, or attract multiple defenders, to create space and chances for the outside backs. Especially at test level with these well marshalled tough defences with their high line-speed. For that reason, I don't like Anton-Lienert Brown at inside center, he's neither powerful nor physical.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Great point.

[@kanecampbell3145]

Once the ABs are fully healthy we'll have a solid bench: De Groot (Williams starts) Samisoni Tuipolotu (Vaai starts) Cane (Wallace, Blackadder, Savea starts) Cortez (Roigard starts) Ioane (Proctor starts) Narawa/Talea

[@insiderugbywithmark]

OK great, thanks for sharing.

[@duncanwcraig9668]

This will be my ninth NZ vs Aus clash in Sydney. 2002 26-29 2003 50-21 2003 10-22 (Rugby World Cup) 2008 19-34 2009 19-18 2010 24-23 2012 27-19 2013 47-29 The ledger is 6 wins and two losses for the All Blacks.

[@ramondrongonui1024]

Razor and Jason Ryan match up with the coach to coach, which I'm looking forward to seeing master vs. Apprentice . (AB fan)

[@insiderugbywithmark]

OK

[@footyfin]

Mate - I think many NZers just need a reality check here. Boks are back to back world champs, justifiably, and at their peak right now. They are setting the standard globally, and innovating. NZ are number 3 right now. That's life. So NZ did well to have two narrow losses to Boks in SA. There is no shame in that. I think NZers generally seem very quick to turn against their own after a loss or two. NZ dont have any god-given right to number one or world champion status. Super rugby needs a massive overhaul and NZR probably need some new faces (new CEO) and fresh ideas. Look at the key 2023 AB players no longer pkaying for ABs. Dont blame Razor - thats the easy thing to do.

[@Sentz89]

You know one thing for sure is this team is bringing the cup home. But I geuss our selection here will take any top 5 too. As a AB fan and nzlndr I think my brothers want to see an experiment selection to put more than 60 on the wallabies even if it wasn’t a rank 9 we were playing. For me we are taking no chance whether we put 60 or win by 1. We just need to bring the cup back home and it’s all respect. We don’t take it for granted and we may have a one silverware left in the cabinet but we have more than one cabinet. Nothing but respect to the wallabies but we are coming to bring the cup back home on your home soil. May the best team win my friend

[@footyfin]

@@Sentz89 cheers mate ... But it's obvious that NZ will retain the Bledisloe... Again

[@Sentz89]

@@footyfinthe painful memories from 98 to 02 with the legends we had still burns today, You never know mate. but if it’s not a tight game I hope Joe can light the flame that Rennie was building on. Definitely a semi final team in 2023 for me

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@footyfin ¨Mate¨ lets have a closer look at your comments. 1. No reality check needed. All Kiwis acknowledge right now that the Boks are No 1, there is great respect between the two nations and that is absolutely in place today. 2. ¨Turn against their own after a loss or two¨ The current All Blacks have lost 3 of their last 4 games, many Kiwi supporters are saying, based on watching those games its perhaps time to try some new faces in some key positions, thats all. 4. I think if you went to NZ you would learn that as a people we are way more humble that what you are assuming. 5. Yes NZ Rugby could do with some key positional changes. But no one here is close enough to the coal face to know who and what they are. 6. Its not about blaming Razor, its about asking the questions, why isnt this or that being done as rugby fans for the last 100 years have done so. Enjoy the games mate and thanks for your comment.

[@footyfin]

@@Sentz89 cheers mate. RWC semi finalists in 2027? Now that would be serious progress! We can only hope 😉👍

[@chrisweitz6784]

Hi Mark, see the guy that will leading the Haka is busy with his warm-up

[@insiderugbywithmark]

He is, every day.

[@hawkprecision7878]

Hi Mark, good team. As I said in a previous comment I was in NZ all of August and saw we still have a big talent pool of players. I would swap the whole backline out for new players. I was expecting a whole new fresh All Black team under Scott Robertson, haven't seen it yet.

[@samgreer8274]

The All Blacks win. The Wallabies will need several calls from the ref go there way to make it a close game. I think the ABs will win well for the first game but the second game will be closer.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

OK, thanks for the predictions, lets see how they go.

[@stevecoffey1914]

Hi Mark. Do you watch the NPC? Joshua Jacomb is a good example of a very promising Number 10. I hope that Razor has the vision to take him on tour. Like you, I'm a bit surprised and disappointed that Razor seems so timid.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@stevecoffey1914 Hi Steve, NPC no, not yet. Will attempt to check out some games. Thanks for the heads up on Joshua. Lets see where we are at with Razor at the end of the Northern Tour, those three games will be huge for his CV I am picking

[@chill3561]

Hi Mark, thanks for your thoughtful analysis. I particularly agree with your comments about Jordie and Reiko, both great players but they just don’t make the AB standard as a combo. They have had their opportunities and this game was the chance to try ALB and Proctor, JB as fullback and Reiko on the bench to bring pace late in the game. Reece doesn’t do that for me, Cheers, and go the Blacks!

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Thanks for the feedback and for the comment, yes yes yes

[@eyeofrage7025]

Scott might be a good leader of men, but for me the good Captians are always in the Refs ear asking questions and highlighting things, both the last two ABs captians are to quite with the Ref. Look how chatty Siya was with the Ref

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Thanks for sharing that. Interesting point

[@gc4610]

💯 this. How is the message from the training etc. being maintained on the field if the Captain and VCs are quiet? Looking at Scott in post match interviews it’s evident his body language is of one who isn’t comfortable to be a leader.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@gc4610 very good question, and one that I do not have an answer for at this point in time. I am not feeling it with SB as Captain, but hey, thats just me. Hope he proves me wrong

[@lawrencekleyn3914]

Mark with your knowledge they should make you the strategist of the ABs😉

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@lawrencekleyn3914 ha ha, not looking for a job, just a rugby fan having fun, thats it.

[@markosullivan6109]

Can’t agree with you here mate. This is our strongest team, (personally not sure about Sevu) but they need cohesion and game time together, not just for the Aussie games but for the massive Northern games against France, England and Ireland. We need to build our winning culture again, strongest team should play most games

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@markosullivan6109 right back at you mate, dont agree with you either. This so called ¨strongest team¨ has lost three of the last 4 games. How are we to know what our strongest team actually is if Razor is not prepared to bite the bullet in some key positions and give those guys a go, after all, he knows what he can get from this team. Change 10, 13 and 15, put Sititi at 8 and Ardie at 7 and see how that goes. That could be the strongest team. Thank you for your comment

[@ericbreeden411]

Hey Mark, I'm watching the game right now. Let's take a look at this. Let's move Caleb Clarke into 12 and pair him with Proctor.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@ericbreeden411 could be a master stroke.

[@paperfoxradio]

Crazy that proctor isn’t getting a sniff.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Agree, I am not sure why

[@camwells9726]

I’m starting to think maybe the nz public have been a bit duped with their expectations of razor , His success at super rugby speaks for itself and I’m not debating that , But it’s more in the area of what type of coach he is , I think lots of people were expecting all this innovation with razor , what I’m starting to think on reflection , his coaching style with the crusaders was more more based around being safe and efficient.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@camwells9726 I enjoyed reading your comment, thank you for making it.

[@derekng9766]

Like we both agreed a few days ago, Razor's gone for mostly the tried and true. I think maybe a few of those changes you mention will happen in BledII, as long as we secure it. On DMac, whilst I agree its less than favorable for him, I think he might have a good go against this type of opposition. He's more familiar with them and the defense is less stifling. My working theory is that Razor is trying to recreate the dual pivot that worked with Beaudy and Mounga last year. I actually get the feeling sometimes Razor doesn't trust DMac to run the show entirely against quality opposition, hence Beaudy always at FB. Was thinking last night if I was in Razor's shoes what I'd do, and Id maybe unleash the bench and do some positional swapping ie. Beaudy at 1st V and DMac at 15 in the last 20. Swap Ardie to 7, Sititi to 8 and Jacobsen as fresh legs to 6.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@derekng9766 heres one for you. The All Blacks have won just 2 from their last 9 games in Wellington, you really think he is going to change things up against that record, and being the last game before the Northern Tour?

[@derekng9766]

@@insiderugbywithmark I think he might IF and thats a big IF, we do it comprehensively in Sydney. Wellington has a poor record but away from home may be considered tougher. I also don't know how Razor is against hoodoos. There's a few theories bandying about at the moment - on one side you have the 'field your strongest, most experienced team with as many mins under the belt as possible to get them to gel' and on the other is 'throw in fresh faces/change it up'. I think the key performances Razor took away was this team winning against England and getting bloody close to SA, with the margins on the latter being pretty thin. So he thinks that more time with this team nucleus and his coaching is the way to go. Can I argue against that? No, I don't have skill or record. Can we, as amaeur pundits, definitely say Ardie at 7 or Procter at 13 wouldve made the difference in SA? Again, no. I'm with you though, if he was going to do it, Sydney wouldve been the testing ground. But the baying NZ public would never forgive him if he lost the Bledisloe.

[@DGkWW]

Shaun Stephenson has the attacking ability and has a good kicking game, could be the solution to the fullback position.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Defensively fragile ?

[@boondog8504]

Like most others I am baffled that Razor is not more adventurous. Surely this would be the year to blood some more up and comers. Perinara is past it, and though Dmac is occasionally brilliant, perhaps he might be better at FB? What other 10s might in the frame?

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@boondog8504 nice points, We have lost 3 of the last 4 games and we appear to be still struggling with selections. So the question must be, what did we learn from those games?

[@vernonmoodaley7858]

100% Mark. Why are everyone ( we fans) can see things that professional coaches are not seeing. Razor are being ask kid glove questions by Kiwi journos and even than he deflects it. Keep on referring to picking players that can play multiple positions if a regular goes down. Yet it haven't happened so far ,so why select for an unknown. Extremely frustrating. ABs have picking poor teams since the 2017 Lions series. We in a rut.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Hola. No doubt about it , it's a difficult job and many reasons why you or I are not doing it. Let's see what happens this weekend. 3 out of 4 losses from last 4 games a new direction needed

[@leightonkeutenius4455]

Exactly nz press hit soft ball questions and razor and co hit them outta the park with cliches all too buddy buddy crap

[@leightonkeutenius4455]

Razors crusaders picked themselves week in week out , there was debate they were better than the abs at one stage . Now for the first time he has to pick from all the super rugby sides and he’s lost . He’s picking fosters team who had horrific record breaking losses and are using 100 % the same team . The Billy Proctor syndrome or Ngnai Laumape case when they told him develop you’re game and started kicking through defences beautifully to upskill and got dumped for good . He would of been absoloutly destructive at 12 and any team in the world he would be first selected . Love you’re honesty and channel bloody good stuff one of the best mate …

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@leightonkeutenius4455 thanks for this comment, appreciate you. Here´s a snipert for you. I never lived in NZ throughout Razors reign with the Crusaders and didnt really keep in touch with it, so when he was appointed to AB´s coach I had little or no reference point other than knowing he won a bunch of Super Rugby trophies with a stacked AB like team at the Crusaders.

[@greghalse130]

Hi Mark I like your channel. With all the discussion around players playing in different positions I thought to share a funny hypothetical conversation with Will Jordan.; What sport do you play? Rugby Union. What teams do play for? For provincial Canterbury, for Super rugby Crusaders & for international the ABs. What position do you play? I play Fullback except for the ABs. Ok, so for the ABs? Winger. So you are selected as a Winger? No, I am selected as a Fullback. Oh, so you are selected as a Fullback but play as a Winger? Yes. Well then, who plays at Fullback while you are the Winger? Beauden Barrett. So he is selected as a second Fullback? No. He was selected as a number 10. Ok, so he plays Fullback. Who plays number 10? Damien Mckenzie. So then you only play Winger in the ABs? Yes. Out of my 35 tests, 33 have been at Wing. So you are a specialist Winger? No I just learn on the job so to speak. Apparently I am the envy of all the Wingers around the world because I score on average a try per game. My 2 tests at Fullback I did not score a try. Well then, I suppose you will play Fullback if Beauden is injured? No. If that happens, Damien will play Fullback. Or they may use another guy in the team, Stephen Perofeta, who also a Number 10. So what you are telling me is that you are selected as the Fullback but played at Wing and the Number 10 selected play at Fullback? Yes. It is all about making the team, not about what position you play.😅

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@greghalse130 Greg, with this you have won ¨Comment of the Month Award¨ brilliant. I dont have any official award system, so just please accept my smile and appreciation for this one, well done sir. Check out the community page here on the channel

[@Kittz1301]

Hi Mark. My take: Razor probably is trying to win first game so didn’t want to risk with wholesale changes. However, I agree with you in that this first year for him is actually the perfect time for him to try new players almost everywhere and play 1-3 games with those combos. EOYT I hope he rests a lot of the old guard or he plays them in critical matches: Ireland, England and France.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@Kittz1301 thanks so much for SUBSCRIBING YESTERDAY. Appreciate it alot. OK, here is a question for you. What if, one of the ¨old guard¨ in key positions get a bad injury? who covers and what time on field have they had to go into such clutch games.

[@Kittz1301]

@@insiderugbywithmarkI don’t know. Never looked at it that way. I guess I’m also an old thinker in thinking we still need a player with experience to start. However, now that I am thinking about it: maybe he should risk it so that the young players are tested. However, some of the other pundits are saying he mustn’t try be like Rassie. I am not sure what to think. Rassie’s method of changing 10 players for a game is 😯 I didn’t know SA had that much depth. I stopped watching Currie Cup honestly because all the big names don’t play anymore. However, I’m impressed honestly. I guess Razor will never know the depth and stocks NZL have until he actually can throw out the tried and tested book and risk it and make 8 changes to start off with. Throw them to the wolves & let’s see what NZL players are made of!!!

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@Kittz1301 OK I hear you. Dont forget a huge difference between where Rassie is with his squad and Razor. IMHO a few changes in key positions for the ABs will tell a lot. No need for wholesale changes, there are some good things that are working.

[@Kittz1301]

@@insiderugbywithmark I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS & commentary. I’m a South African who is both a fan of Springboks and All Blacks. I do love NZL rugby (case in point NPC & Super Rugby).

[@ebola2.0]

I totally agree with you Mark. Its important to renew the team and give new players a chance. All eyes should be on 2027. They must be willing to loose matches to get there.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Thank you. The thing is the different selection choices may actually win you games. You don't know if you don't try.

[@RexJebamoney]

Agree with you. The problem might be the problem. May be he’s trying to get some victories under his stewardship. Disappointed with the team selection. Totally opposite approach to the Boks. What is the story behind Scott Barret as Captain. Should have been Ardie! Let’s debate!

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@RexJebamoney when a team is losing there typically appears more questions than answers. So I hope many of them will soon be answered.

[@petermoore6251]

Good stuff Mark 100% right mate. I think Razor really has to grow some. Start again like the baby Blacks in 1986. That team for tomorrows game against the Wallabies, is garbage.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

And thats a great point, its not about bashing Razor. Try things and see how the cookies crumble, build the depth in key positions, this game was a great opportunity for that.

[@Hatunrumioc]

Does the NZRU have a reluctance to play players who aren't on the higher contracts? To keep the best players they need to offer contracts that stop them going overseas and if they pay all that money do they feel the need to play those guys? Or are the contracts performance/selection based? Also, what happens to the silver lake money and was it not enough to keep the likes of Frizell in NZ? I'm pretty clueless as to how the finances work

[@insiderugbywithmark]

I am clueless on all you have asked, maybe someone else here knows.

[@TamScott-v4f]

I tell you what if he looses the Bledisloe it will be a no go for ABs. They are not underestimating the wallabies that's why we have some experience in this team. However in the second game I see him putting in younger players like even Hotham just as an example

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@TamScott-v4f allow me to play devils advocate.....that so called ¨experienced team¨ has lost 3 of their last 4 games. How are we to know a team with some key positional changes in it would not be a better team, thing is, we are just not finding out. Also remember, ABs have won only 2 from their last 9 outings in Wellington, cant see Razor playing around too much based on that.

[@robcrocker348]

Howzit Mark hope all's good that side of the pond, in my humble opinion the reason why Robertson will keep loosing is simply that he's predictable, Rassie will always be the benchmark setter

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@robcrocker348 Hola Rob, all good thanks mate, hope with you too. Lets see how things pan out this weekend for us both. Enjoy the rugby.

[@dlucian8636]

Well, I think first of all we have to use some critical thinking here. Scott Robertson is the coach for a reason. He EARNED his spot and that has to be respected.(even tho jokingly I "hate" the Crusaders because of they're winning streak) So there's the professional vs amateur thing going on on youtube that I think people forget. Also, he is there with the athletes every day and he also has a team of professionals giving him advice on the status of the players. I can completely understand if he wants to go with this team all year and give them a proper chance, maybe with some minor changes.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@dlucian8636 hey thanks so much for sharing your opinion here, great stuff. Enjoy your rugby.

[@DerekChaplin-mu1gc]

AB's need to accept that rugby is now an eighty-minute game played by 23 players, seems in NZ it remains a 15-man approach, all about the starters. No points in final 20 in the last 3 or 4 games. Surely this tells a story!!

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@DerekChaplin-mu1gc good point, it is something that has been noted I believe, we are yet to see the results, maybe this weekend. Thanks for the comment

[@bobbyfly-sl7ng]

I agree with selection and blooding new players, the real headache for razor is how do you balance that with winning? NZ rugby arm chair experts don't like there team losing. This has been repeated by experts through out time "you learn more from failures" look at the all blacks team under foster at the world cup and compare that same team against Ireland in wellington completely different because they had time together to learn and grow. I firmly believe NZ had some of the most talented players in the world Razor needs time but the arm chair experts wont give him that.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@bobbyfly-sl7ng agree with the theme of your comment, its a balancing act. Lets see how things unfold, both for Razor and for rugby fans :-)

[@davidpells4298]

I wonder a bit about Scott Robertson..Has he really been in a position where he has to build a team at elite level..? As Saders coach he was incredibly blessed with many all time greats ..My sister could have coached that team to SR titles ..Also now taking on the ABs in a flux time of world rugby.. How much longer can NZ hold onto insular selections and trade restraints by excluding overseas based players ? ..You cannot swim against the tide ..Superugby is no longer able fully prep and develop either ABs or The Aussies to the rigours of Test Rugby ...So NZ and Aus have to encourage not discourage players to go abroad ..There will not be a massive player drain ..European and Japanese Clubs already have pick of the World's best and limited spots on offer . If both NZ and Aus continue to hamstring export of its players maybe ..Can't believe im saying this but The RC might no longer be the best option for SA or Argentina....Scott is learning on the job and yup finding it tough but is he being hamstrung by outdated policy ? Honest question ..Cheers Mark ..Respect your work ..

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@davidpells4298 great post, really enjoyed reading it, thanks for putting it together. You ask some very valid things. Without knowing the inner workings of NZ Rugby we just dont know do we. If I were Razor I would had done my due diligence well and truly before accepting the job to make sure that all of the pillars of support were going to be in place, lets hope he didnt take the job because he just wanted to be the ¨All Blacks Coach ¨.

[@samkohi8705]

I agree with you that the focus is the next world cup, but I cant imagine how much pressure you would feel as an AB coach, I mean lets face it if he loses even one of these games against Aus the angry mobs and pitchforks will be out, 2 losses to SA already then its on to France, England, Ireland yikes.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@samkohi8705 its a great point, but, if anyone wants to aspire to be the coach of any of the worlds leading sporting teams it comes with the territory. There is nowhere to hide, and there shouldnt be. There is a huge global audience, investors, sponsors and players livelihoods on the line. As raw as it may sound, you are either made for it, or not. Rassie and Andy Farrell are showing clearly how to manage it, and not let it manage you. Thank you for the comment.

[@samkohi8705]

@@insiderugbywithmark No, thank you good sir for the great content, you know your rugby!!

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Appreciate you

[@Formakiwi]

Fear of losing the Bled the sane year as he surrendered the RC title has to be keeping Scott Robertson up at night. If it happened, he'd be known as the mastermind of the ABs worst season in over 20 years.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@Formakiwi the pressure must be on, but lets not give up on him yet. We all hope he comes good.

[@FrozenSurf]

@@insiderugbywithmark comes good? Let’s look at the facts. Razor inherits a team without strength in depth due to huge players moving abroad. ABs lost by fairly small margins against the boks who are clearly the world’s best. Back to back world champions. Huge strength in depth and a coach that’s been there for years. The negativity is actually excruciating. They were finding their feet against England, and got results. Fiji posed no problems really. Loss to pumas was a low point. Emphatic victory in the next test. Dropped 2 losses away against the world best. By small margins. Quit with the negativity. World Cup is a long time off. Should beat the Aussies 2-0. Can be rightly disappointed if it’s 1-1

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@FrozenSurf hey thanks for sharing your opinion, despite the tone, AB´s lose to Boks when should have won both games. Mis management of the bench in game two really showed, and playing a No 10 who is simply not up too it had a big impact on the series as well. The emphatic victory against the Pumas was good for 45-50 mins then the Pumas got their act together won on the scoreboard for the remainder of the game and the AB bench was MIA. Dont construe constructive opinions as negativity, you want to be the best rugby nation in the world, then constructive feedback and inputs is the first thing you need to embrace as a team. ¨World Cup is long time off ¨ , failing to plan will result in failure

[@markreilly105]

@@insiderugbywithmark I agree, and you can't be all that happy with the England matches and as I've said before, right coach but awful selector. I'm no Barrett fan, but if you want to play an experienced player at 10, Barrett beats Dmac every time. We were good for 50min in the first South Africa test but lacked discipline throughout. In the second, bad use of the bench and tired discipline from some players lost us that one. Aren't you able to replace a player who is injured during the warm up? James Slipper was in the SR semi final.

[@markreilly105]

We were told that Razor was capable of making the tough decisions for the good of the team. So far, the tough decision has been to get rid of the only assistant who challenged him. Everyone else is a yes man. No manager, team leader can make good decisions without someone who gives a different perspective and Razor got rid of that person. Maybe that was the real conflict, MacDonald wouldn't just say yes and gave his opinion. May also be why Razor is so conservative.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@markreilly105 lets see where things are at by the end of the Northern Tour. I think we will all be in a better position to assess the reality, I thank you for your contribution through this comment

[@ericdawson7097]

Good show thanks Mark. One point I ask why do you not back DMac? I wonder if he is being compared to Richie Mounga who is not around? Beuden Barrett has always been reliable and a good no.10 but I do also like him at FB or even off the bench!

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@ericdawson7097 Hey Eric, great question. Heres my response. I dont compare players as such, I think that can be misleading, as they are often playing different opposition, different conditions, and even different team mates. I dont back DMAC as a starting 10 because what I have seen of him when he gets pressure he loses his sound game management thinking, and it also affects his kicking, passing etc. I dont think BB is the answer either at 10 for the AB´s. As we head toward 2027 RWC I would like to see various 10 options being trialed so we can see if there is a natural born winner there. I hope that clarifies a bit.

[@erikjohnsen9205]

Great analysis as usual.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Thank you kindly.

[@angusaitchison8378]

Sounds like everyone is panicking. If you didn’t expect a bit of pain and a few loses over the next 2 years you don’t know international rugby. The Boks are going to going to lose some experience in this RWC cycle as well and go through the same thing. Razors got this 💯

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@angusaitchison8378 thanks for sharing your opinion, great stuff.

[@donnybrascocoliogne819]

Good to see TOSI in the reserves, just wished that PROCTER was in the backline reserves aswell.....😪 WE SHALL SEE HOW IT PLAYS OUT FOR THE ALL BLACKS THIS WEEKEND 👍 "UP DA MIGHTY ALL BLACKS " ❤☝💯🇳🇿💯☝❤

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Yes great to see Tosi in there. Let's see how it pans out for sure. Thanks for the comment

[@jasonedwardledburynewzeala9897]

I Totally agree with you.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

OK thanks

[@napintasboli7939]

From phills mark superb show😁🖤💯💪🏉 Agree foward pack looks strong better impact bench-- i like cane think All blacks lack leadership with scott barrett🤔 Backline 10 to centre🙄 once against no change-this was game go plummber-- jb or alb paired with proctor💪 been given one start shone💥 jordan -- clarke best pairing wings- to me dm 15 bb on bench Loves injured?? Yea we should win by20& but we will learn nothing-- This was the game to make changes😗🤔

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Cant argue with that, thanks for the comment

[@petrusvanderMerwe-o9k]

AB must put the past behind them not dwell what was game changes constantly yesterday in past build for wc be brave i agree with you🎉🎉🎉🎉😅😅😅

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@petrusvanderMerwe-o9k nice comment, thanks for making it

[@jameshartzenberg5763]

Hi Mark. I'm with you man. A win will be a false sense of security. Agree when you mention " rewarding players that doesn't do the job ". TJ belongs outside the playing 23. Would have prefer ALB and Proctor combination as midfield starters. Underperforming midfield starves the wingers from opportunities. I do believe that your recommendations regarding certain areas and positions will be full filled.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Thanks so much for the comment. Many of us share similar views and at the same time Razor needs to be given a chance. We've lost 3 of the last 4 games. We are going to Wellington next weekend with a 2-9 winning record at that venue. If players are not doing the job change them

[@SueRoycroft]

@@jameshartzenberg5763 Roigard, Ratima and Hotham are the future just stick with them.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Yip indeed, thats how we are seeing it

[@marcusspiers9964]

We will see Aus fall away after the first 30, but I expect them to quite physical for the first 20 or 30.this is a must win game and I think we will see a few players get their chance of the bench in the second game.And by the way Mark,who!, is your man that is going to play better at 10. It’s no good bagging a player and voicing he should be dropped if you don’t have a confident player you think would play better. Don’t forget we had very small margin losses against a formidable world no 1 team. Early days mate don’t panic

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@marcusspiers9964 hey mate thanks for the comment. Ok, looking at what you shared. I have said in several videos that I would try Plummer, or Love at 10 even Perofeta as some others have suggested, just to see how they go. With DMAC you know what you will get, a guy whose ok when the forwards are going good, but a guy who cracks when under pressure by top teams and rush defences. Our thoughts are very different I see, and I respect that. In my world if you want to be the best in the world at any sport then 3 losses in 4 games and two near misses in two others is not acceptable.

[@marcusspiers9964]

Fair enough mate,I just believe if your forwards can’t deliver your backs are stuffed no matter how good they are.As we saw when England did it to a very good ABs team years ago in the World Cup that shocked all off us.Im not sure any of your choices at 10 would realistically shine when under pressure. I think Plummer is the choice for back up and possibly take the 10 jersey IF! he proves himself in big games. But remember all his play has been from a very dominant blues forward pack.what are your thoughts of Mo’unga returning?. I hope the rest of your choices get a run especially Procter.Your choices for the loose forwards is definitely what I would like to see.Enjoy the game

[@Ivanos-p4n]

Gidday Mark, as you said, this is a safe team. Razor is scared of losing the game. He’s put himself in no man’s zone unfortunately.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

I tend to agree, thank you for the comment

[@timmado8441]

I actually think the team is fantastic.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

OK great, lets see how they go.

[@7mmmagnum505]

This is my Aussy AB Team My AB selection for BC 1 T Williams C Taylor T Lomax S Barrett T Vaii S Cane (7) (Capt?) A Savea (6) (Capt?) W Satiti (8) N Hotham (9) B Barrett (10) A Lienert-Brown B Proctor (13) C Clark (11) R Ioane (14) J Barrett (15) A Aumua E De Groot P Tosi P Lakai (6,7) P Tuipulotu D McKenzie (10, 15) C Ratima (9) R Love (10, 12, 13, 15)? H Plumber (10, 12, 13, 15)? D Papalihi (4, 5, 6, 7)? H Sotutu (4,5,6,8)? Need to sort gameplan out, and everyone needs to understand it. Leadership is key here, we are missing it. Get back to basics, talk, communicate, leaders lead, huddle, breathing….to many individuals, act like a champion team, not a team of champions. Target their vulnerabilities, use your strengths……be adaptive and flexible. Make it the hardest 60min of your life, and when the change happens, make it the best 20 of yours. Tama tu Tama ora🦾 ​@@insiderugbywithmark

[@jamesthomas8376]

Your right he has to be conservative and win the next two games. Its too late though to flood the team with the new inexperienced guys. Iaone should not start. ALB has been good and should be given another chance. Dmac has hardly done anything wrong and B Barrett has made his share of mistakes. Forget about Harry plumber yet, he needs to be integrated slowly. Proctor should be on the bench, Savea at 7 sititi at 8 and 6 could be Blackadder when fit. Scott Barrett as been ordinary, agreed. Cant chenge the whole team for the sake of giving the new guys a go. They will get their time. I dont know how any real allblack fan could ever want a loss for his own opinion to be right.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@jamesthomas8376 hey thanks so much for your comment, and heres my reply to clarify a couple of points for you. No one on this side of the keyboard is suggesting wholesale changes to the team. But after losing 3 of the last 4 games lessons have been learned. Sorry, but DMAC did not measure up against the Boks, not just my opinion, hundreds of comments here agree. And in regard to your last sentence, Hmmmm, you really missed the point.

[@jamesthomas8376]

I respectfully disagree about Dmac, He missed a crucial kick, but so did Mounga in the WC final. B Barrett is awesome but has his own demons under pressure.. He kicked possession away in the dying seconds in the first test against the Springboks. Plumber has no international experience, so can't be used in these games. Yes Telea and Reece have been aweful. TJ also has had some brain explosions, thus razor has benched him. I prefer the measured approach, but time will tell. Thanks for your channel Go AB!

[@SioneDunk]

This side could do very well in this test but sadly as you state Mark its about growing the new stocks coming through. There's a high probability this might happen as the Wallabies have a long road ahead of them to becoming what they once were. I think if the ABs win convincingly I'm not sure thats a good thing because it'll validate selections and keep players/coaches comfortable certainly take pressure off them. I completely agree with your statement re S Barrett. He is an outstanding world class lock. His leadership is in question. Capt should be Savea who is proven leader and take the burden off Barrett. Barrett is also not a blind side flanker. The back line selection is simply uninspiring - J Barrett and Ioane have actually played to a degree which justifies dropping them out of the playing squad completely which should be a good thing for them both long term. Ioane sadly is like Jordan, being played out of position. He's a proven winger and is being let down by positional selection. DMac hasn't fired at 10. He hasn't serviced the midfield or attacking pods like we're used to with Mo'unga which flows onto the 3/4s. Jordan at wing continues to frustrate me I know you disagree however I find your logic applied to his selection at wing to not stack up (respectfully 😊). Hes a full back through and through and earned his ABs selection as a full back. Easy to judge on his recent outing in Cape Town and write him off there. In that test specifically the back didn't fire. Like other we want given opportunities, he should be granted additional opportunities as well at 15. Overall though Mark, I can't fault your general outlook. Selection at front row is great, locks are great and loosies need to be gigged around with the likes of Finau given another crack at 6. Setiti is an exciting prospect I hope if the event he has a poor performance people don't immediately write him off as a one hit wonder. I would have loved to have seen B Barrett, Clarke, ALB, Proctor, Ioane/Narawa and Jordan in as the backline with Hotham, Plummer & Love given consideration into the bench. Oh well lets see.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Hola @SioneDunk Lets agree to disagree on Jordan. The backs are where the roots of the problems are, and so far, except for 40 mins at Eden Park they simply have not fired. As we all know, a general at No 10 is required and DMAC just isnt that guy. We have to really think how BB will be used come the big dance in 2027.

[@SioneDunk]

@@insiderugbywithmarkThanks for your response! Agree to disagree, I can live with that :) Forwards have been great. Interestingly enough, DMac at 15 is a better option given his play style as his effectiveness under the high ball. The backline combinations is where attention is needed. Keep an eye out for a guy wearing an old 96 CCC ABs jersey in the crowd. Cheers!

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Keeping eye out.

[@ricardoprovan5159]

The RCH is already cooked. 1 SA - 2 AB or ARG (miracles are are far and in between...) - 4 AU. Tky Mark!

[@insiderugbywithmark]

OK thanks

[@janvanderschyff9374]

Great show Mark🎉

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@janvanderschyff9374 thank you

[@neilshrekpurves4521]

I think Slipper and Alaalatoa will find the going a bit tough against the All Black bench, and that's possibly where the All Blacks will win it

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Great point. Yes yes yes.

[@clibo1]

Razor is under pressure but i wonder who is his team that he is focusing on beating, or is it New Zealand must win evey single match against everyone? Rassie inherited a struggling Springbok team that lost South African support. He stuck with them through those initial losses, clearly targeting the All Blacks and how to win against them. Now he has loyal players keen to return the favour even hiding injuries 🤫

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Thanks for your sharing, an interesting read

[@ManMountain1974]

This is a must win game so I can see why Razor has chosen this side. I think the next game maybe a chance to try a few new things.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@ManMountain1974 so you think by putting in pretty much the team that lost you 3 out of the last 4 games will do the business? , then go to Wellington as the next venue where the All Blacks have won 2 from their last 9 games.

[@andradelucio2125]

Agree with your comments Mark. Wallabies almost caused an upset. Am quite disillusioned with NZ rugby. Razor was touted as the “saviour” of the ABs, but I beg to differ. Think ABs were better off with Ian Foster even though he was heavily ridiculed by the press: at least he took them to the RWC 2023 final. Razor for me is out of his depth; I really hope he is watching your clip and actively listening to your advice especially your comments about NZ captain - I think Scot Barrett’s priority should be to keep the scoreboard ticking over, particularly in a close game like Bledisloe 1

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@andradelucio2125 thank you very much for the solid. comment

[@scottwarren1839]

Spot on with your selection. The razor is not got his act together

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@scottwarren1839 thank you, lets give him a chance

[@scottwarren1839]

The point is the championship is over after the defeats in SA . This team will probably beat the Australia 2-0. And if he then decides to play a similar team against France, Ireland and England he will be in for a different story and unfortunately his first year in charge would have been wasted

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@scottwarren1839 OK, I hear you, but we might also have egg on our faces too.......enjoy the game, and thanks for the comments

[@joebradley7595]

Nick White has been selected to bait Scottie Barrett into a card!!

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Ha ha, could be

[@garethmilton3557]

With half the kiwi public wanting blood every time we loose it's no wonder Razor wants to be conservative and stick with old players.....if we want to experiment with fresh blood and try new things then we need to be prepared to take some losses and not line the coach up in the cross hairs when we do

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Agree, ignore the Kiwi public. Try new players in key positions and see what they bring or dont.

[@terintomoana5037]

Why do they ignore Rickatelle? He’s way more consistent than Amua.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@terintomoana5037 yes, seems to be hellbent on sticking with what and who he has.

[@paddyshanahan3950]

13:49 btw Ruben Love got injured in that ramfury shield match against Tasman

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@paddyshanahan3950 thank you for that, yes, I have since been made aware of it, thanks for the comment

[@2msystems740]

Even with these conservative selections, AB's will have a 40 to 50 points daylight between them and Wallabies. Would have liked Proctor, ALB in and Cane, Jacobson out. Yes, Bauden or Dmac off bench. With Billy Harmon, Ruben Love, in the mix.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Interesting comment, thanks for making it. Reuben Love is injured by all accounts.

[@kpm25]

Mark for the ABs to be number 1 again they need to think outside the box and try unconventional methods, similar to how, for example, the Korean Olympic Archery teams consistently get the majority of gold medals... Also we need to be able to call on ABs on overseas contracts, if necessary with certain restrictions/ conditions. Otherwise they'll start to keep slipping down the rankings which is to be honest, plain embarrassing as a NZer

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Thanks so much for sharing your view. Some good points

[@anrichrossouw]

The irony of Razor calling his bench "impact" - meanwhile they're not able to maintain a lead or score any points in the last 20mins of games

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Point nicely made.

[@anrichrossouw]

@@insiderugbywithmark point was proven again in today's game. You'll probably bring this up in your next video?

[@nzfreeski]

Mark, I agree with the critique of TJ, I would also love to see Sititi at number 8 and Ardie at 7. I think Jordie is a solid 2nd five, the weakness is 10, 13. Need to get Mounga back (picking he’s back next season given DMac French contract discussions)

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@nzfreeski thank you kindly. OK, here´s one for you. What if Mounga gets a bad injury, what are we doing to sure up the inventory. Not much in my eyes.

[@frankvsnschalkwyk6030]

My prof use to say PEOPLE FORGET THEY 4GETTING, EVEN WITH RICHIE M WE LOST TO IRELAND AND PUMAS, SO CONSTENT IN LOST WAS STARTING NEW TREND THREE BRTHERS IN TEAM. AND I WAS GREAT FAN BECAUSE BEAUDEN ROCKED RUGBY WORLD THEN OBVIOUS JORDIE WILL DO BETTER, BUT NOT SURE Y THINGS JUST GO BAD CRITICAL TIMES. MY AVICE REVAMP FROM BEGINNING TO END, BRINGG IN HOSKINS, ESPECIALLY SUPER RUGBY FINALISTS

[@nzfreeski]

@@insiderugbywithmark spot on, need to blood some new players, and have Mounga as number one.

[@nzfreeski]

@@frankvsnschalkwyk6030 very true, Mounga is not a guarantee of success, but he is great in big moments. People also forget he turned the game in a WC qtr final against Ireland. Mounga and a revamped 10 is the best way for me - Mounga is young. I'd also get Frizzel back to add punch to some amazing young forwards we now have.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@nzfreeski many have said, not me, that Frizzell runs too hot and cold.

[@GavinBond-x9e]

Hi Mark I was a fan of ardie at 7 but after watching the aotearoa rugby pod don't think so anymore have a watch think blackadder will go to 7 when fit Dalton just hasn't performed cane best option we have at the moment Would like to see proctor tried but next week if we win this one need alb on bench no one else covers 2nd five eight

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@GavinBond-x9e Hey Gavin, hope you are doing well thanks for the comment. Can I play devils advocate? On Ardie I´d like to see him at 7 now and see what he offers. Do you think its best we stick with Cane knowing he´s going when this is a great time to be trying new things in that position? Next week Wellington,. a venue where the AB´s have won 2 from their last 9 on the ground. Do you think Razor will try things there and risk a loss before heading north? Interested in your views.

[@GavinBond-x9e]

No cane not the future but dalton has had many chances but hasn't stepped up I think blackadder our best bet at 7 now when fit like to see him start there next week Proctor to start at 13 next week reckon on the wing alb on the bench If we win this week we keep the blidesoe don't we?so next week a dead rubber really already lost the championship

[@GavinBond-x9e]

Reiko on the wing suppose to say

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@GavinBond-x9e got it, ok, will be watching and see what happens.

[@lockk132]

To me the issue positions are still ; no6,no 10,no12,no13,no15.We have a pack the match of anyone,the issues are really the backline formation.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@lockk132 thanks so much for your comment. The forwards are going better than the backs, yes.

[@jasonedwardledburynewzeala9897]

Beauden 10 ALB 12 Proctor 13 put Dmac 15 Clarke 11 and at 14 Ruben love

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Many are saying BB is no good at 10

[@Verita1975]

I think the AB do need a bit of a “ losing streak “ .. it’s honestly good for any team in any sport to know that they don’t have a right to win. I don’t think that NZ will ever risk “giving up” Rugby as a sport, but when I watch other shows I get the feeling that some of the commentators have forgotten what it was like to support the ABs before 2011. Look at South Africa they had a horrendous run from 2010 to 2018 and it was only going into a very dark place which caused the changes to happen which has made them the squad they are today. It applies in Rugby in other sports and in life in general sometimes you need to go down before you can go back up again !

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@Verita1975 great comment, thank you for making it. Perfect sense.

[@jameswebb-hl2vu]

Razor should have brought in youngsters he has nothing to loose comming second or forth in the championship is nothing now compared to blooding on youngsters

[@insiderugbywithmark]

BOOM, there you go, yes

[@leightonkeutenius4455]

Best upfront honest channel here great input … Razors crusaders picked them selfs and now he’s got to pick from all Super rugby sides he’s lost . This is Fosters teams 100 % and the Billy Proctor syndrome or Ngnai Laumape case is so similar . Told Laumape to up skill added a beautifull deft kick and got dropped . Any team in the world would have him and imagine how destructive he could of been at 12 with his canes teammate Billy Proctor outside just lethal but no not having that at all .

[@insiderugbywithmark]

thanks

[@davidfife-nm7uy]

Listen to all these lounge room experts telling the national coach who to pick and why. Razor panicking? My god. Wouldn’t matter who coached, the fans are the experts😂

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Not too be taken too seriously..........

[@vernonmoodaley7858]

Quite frankly even beating Aussie are not a marker. Worst case scenario is to lose. A win must be convincing. Anything less abd ABs has problems and I'm referencing the coaching team.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

I agree with you. It's realistically difficult to see what value a win would add for this team selected imho. If he played a bunch of new guys then at least he would have a gauge.

[@ianmasinde7781]

I do not understand this selection. Why is he trying to force things that aren’t working. We need to see new combos and give guys opportunities. When will Hotham and Proctor play !! Sititi needs to be at 8, starting . Reece and Telea are not good off the bench, they need to start or not play at all.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@ianmasinde7781 couple of things, first up, thanks for recently subscribing to my channel, really appreciate that. Thanks for the comment, some sound things there.

[@douglasslade3195]

No need for a winger to come in as impact player or even on the bench AB got 4 other players in the starting 15 who can play wing. 6.7.8. Yes still no trust on the selectors to give it a change around.

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Nice point, thanks for making it

[@Mysterx1440]

When you're the coach then you can pick the team. Until then, how about being a supporter ?

[@insiderugbywithmark]

And how about you understanding what rugby fans do on youtube, chill bro

[@maakstemdik007]

the guy in the background really photo bombing your video with his stretches..

[@insiderugbywithmark]

He is indeed. But he's an inspiration. 90 years old plus and he turns up everyday.

[@maakstemdik007]

@@insiderugbywithmark Wow, that is amazing. Many of us won't even reach that age, let alone be so mobile

[@insiderugbywithmark]

@maakstemdik007 spot on, he is also a very cool dude on top of that.

[@maakstemdik007]

@@insiderugbywithmark It will be interesting if you could interview him and get his views on rugby and staying fit. Sadly many rugby stars of the past didn't even reach age fifty (Jonah Lomu, Joost vd Westhuizen, James Small, Chester Williams etc)

[@TheRickpage]

I don't think Razor is all that innovative as a coach, in fact he’s quite conventional and conservative and tries to keep strategy simple, not a criticism - but Crusaders savvy and astute academy fed him the best players from everywhere. Not to say he’s not a very good coach and recruits good coaches too but he and coaching team are learning on the job at test level. Our backs are too often looking neutered cos we don’t have an innovative attack coach, or even astute attack plans. Bring Paul Feeney on board to coach backline attack, since Leon left. Kick game to compete in air, that’s the bread and butter of BOK’s/NH but isn’t our DNA, we don’t do it well. Moreover, the retrieval rate is abysmal, like 2 from 28, 5 from 32 etc. We’re kicking it away and as much as we may be able to pressure the ball taker, we far more often just handed over possession. There has to be a strategic advantage to a kick that is more than an overall losing jumping competition for the ball - cos ball taker has more protection. Also, negative kick back play to defend leads has cost wins. I’d like to see Jordie kicking our exits plays with his long boot off both feet which is an extraordinary talent and advantage - jordan and clarke pace to stop quick throws. I’ll back any 50/22 attempt even when they fail because they at least jam a ball taker close to the sideline. Clever grubber kick needs a come back, more so than the pop. AB’s have to play a different game from SR norm, more accurate, less kicking, more disciplined. it has to be a more ball in hand game, based around great forward mobility across park both to back up ball in hand and arrive at breakdowns early. Given more time and space and more consistent possession flow, our backs will naturally do the rest - where we play off Dmac’s running game, our dna, and not expect him to play negative kick back. Dmac isn’t the problem, the problem is we are responding to the game style bought to us too much and not imposing our own style enough. That’s down to tactics, strategy and a commitment to play brave - more like we used to. We have the mobility in our young front rows, Darry, Scooter, Vaii and loosies plus oldies like Ardie and Codie are still highly mobile. Ardie gets space off back of scrum and out wide when playing at 8 and he’s our best ball runner. 7 is work hard, clean out, tackle, link sometimes. Cane is there cos that’s what he does - not very mobile, not flashy. All we lacked V experienced Boks was similar experience to finish the leads we had - 2 losses over there is not a disaster requiring massive change but will be growth for this developing AB’s. The Pumas loss much worse, where we showed lack of mental toughness ie. lack of bone deep/experience/impact/discipline and leadership from the so called leaders. Scooter needs time and will look bad when they lose like McCaw was criticized hard as captain back in the day. Love is injured, i would’ve started him at 15 and had Beaudy/ALB/ Hotham bench cos TJ’s discipline is letting himself and team down and he’s slowed down too. Dmac is being developed at the least, as a Mounga backup, still hasn't had many starts at 10 and needs the time granted to Mounga and Beauden to grow into the game player role. Beauden already had that chance and didn't work out at 10, Plummer is a converted 12 and kinda Beaver journeyman type and i’d like to see him tried at 10 against lesser teams to have three 10’s come WC - Perofeta always getting injured? WB’s i think will be hard, if no other reason than the shame they’ll have after Puma’s collapse. But they have a front row that can match up and efficient, reliable and competitive lineout, strong and settled loosies, talented backs as usual. They’ve been lacking confidence but at some point they’re likely to gell under Schmidt. Even more long winded than usual LOL appreciate your intent to keep it civil here

[@insiderugbywithmark]

Lots here, I will read it several more times and then respond.