The Bokke had zero % possession in the first 18 minutes of the game. And during that time we gave away 17 points since our tackling was really poor.
The ref did make some weird calls against us, but that is not the reason why we lost the game, although it did cost us some momentum at crucial times in the game.
When we had possession, we looked good.
Our scrums were good as always and our line outs much better.
I also do not understand why we do not play a specialist flyhalf that can kick for position and for poles.
It was interesting to see the AB play our exact gameplan that was always called boring...and doing it better than we could.
The pundits also called it correctly: the fact that our "A-side"" did not play last week, cost us. The boys were rusty and slow and it took them a while...well as it turns out...too long, to get their rhythm.
The AB's were also extremely accurate at the breakdowns and with the pick and drive. Their forwards may not be as big, but they are very skilled and well coached too.
They are for sure the team to beat at the RWC. We should send our "B-team" to Argentina and go the RWC as the underdogs...