If we look at TN away records since 95, a more balanced view of Meyer's start emerges. We have lost both of our away games, in all but 4 of the 17 TN years so far. In 2001 we managed an away draw against Oz.. In 2005 under Jake we beat Oz and lost to NZ. And in our two dominating years of 98 and 2009, managed to win both of the away encounters (when we played two away games against one country, I took the first game to be consistent).
In those 13 years where we lost both games the average loss differential was 35 points for the two games. In 99 and 2000 under Mallett we had massive blow out losses. Jake had bad years in 06 and 07. And PdV lost by 37 and 52 aggregate points in 2010 and 2011.
By contrast Meyer had an aggregate loss of 17 points....well below average.....and very close to the handicap of 7 points per game I apply to any TN/FN away game. More importantly we had very good chances to win both those games.......especially true if we could simply have kicked our points.
So I am disappointed by our tactics and some of the selection blunders. I find the bias towards the Potgieter type player, frustrating. But Meyer can still salvage a very good start if he wins both these home games. Things are pretty average so far, perhaps a bit better than average.
