Laurie Mains is refusing to accept the 3-1 series result as a true measure of the gap between these sides. Speaking on The Platform NZ podcast, the former All Blacks coach argues the Baltimore defeat was far closer than 43-28 suggests, and that New Zealand — hampered by injuries including the absence of Ardie Savea — had the quality to win each of the first three Tests. His bigger concern is structural: the Boks repeatedly exploited the aerial game for easy territory, with McKenzie unable to contest high balls against taller South African backs. Mains wants Jordan or Barrett stationed under those kicks, and believes a couple of tactical tweaks could shift the balance considerably. His read is that this All Blacks group will be better for the experience — which is either genuine optimism or the kind of thing coaches say after a series loss.
Mains: All Blacks could have won three of four — but the aerial battle cost them
Laurie Mains argues the 43-28 Baltimore scoreline flattered the Boks, that New Zealand could have won three of the first four Tests, and pinpoints the aerial battle — specifically the inability to contest Springbok up-and-unders — as the decisive tactical gap in the series.
Boks remain top but All Blacks close gap to 2.90 points after Nations Championship opener
South Africa stay top of the World Rugby Men's Rankings at 93.94 points but New Zealand have cut the gap to 2.90 after beating France, while Scotland climb to equal their all-time high of fifth following a record 47-38 win over Argentina in Córdoba.
Hansen's Right to Back Himself — But the Boks' Five-Match Streak Tells a Different Story
Jean de Villiers acknowledges Hansen's logic but argues last year's results and performances make it hard to see the All Blacks closing the gap on the Boks — and the panel get genuinely animated over what a 2-2 series tiebreaker would even look like.
Keo & Zels: Stubborn All Blacks policy make Boks smile
The boys love that New Zealand keep picking their second-best, long may it continue.
All Blacks' loosehead crisis hands Springboks a ready-made weapon in Greatest Rivalry Series
Jeff Wilson has publicly identified loosehead prop as the All Blacks' most dangerous weakness ahead of four consecutive Tests against the Springboks — with Williams likely out, Tu'ungafasi's future uncertain, and the remaining options short on caps and experience. Set against the depth Erasmus has built across the prop positions, this piece maps out why scrum time could be where the Greatest Rivalry Series is decided.
Stephen Donald: Robertson copied the Boks — Rennie must go back to All Blacks DNA
Stephen Donald backs Hansen's anti-copycat argument, saying Robertson erred by chasing the Springbok blueprint rather than New Zealand's tempo-based strengths — and expects Rennie to correct that course ahead of a blockbuster four-Test series in South Africa.