All Blacks backline considerably disrupted

Yes NZ has huge player resources, but in a decider against the Lions experience matters. Ben Smith is the biggest loss he does so many things right and is so solid in the air. Would Ben Smith have missed Faletau, I doubt it. .. Then there is Crotty, another really smart player.....not physically dominant, but creative and experienced. The kind of player that thrives in these big matches. .. And of course there is SBW, much maligned but a massive presence who leaves a huge void. The ABs seem less formidable in his absence. .. There are many great NZ backs like Fekitoa and Savea who can be called back to plug the gaps. But still the third test backline will be less imposing than the first. Ironically this may be a match the NZ forwards have to win. So often against the Boks, against the odds they have done that. Will they on Saturday?

 Yes to the last Q.

 Mozart
It was easy for the AB's to beat the Springboks - they consistently played a 15 man game and not the junk 10 man game Meyer came up with.  

That would be my guess as well Draad. But I think the failures of the Lions against non test teams have been a bit misleading.....and the ABs were less than razor sharp on Saturday. The Lions will be fully revved for this one, it could be won on forward play and kicking. Barrett lining up the kick to win the series would be a bit scary. It's a juicy prospect.

 Good summary Mozart, I agree with your assessment. I believe the ABs will win the next test but the back line has been weakened for sure. It's like losing Retallick in the forwards. We are all waiting to see how Hansen addresses the back line problems.