During a discussion on The Platform NZ podcast, Mains reflected on the Baltimore match, noting, "It was difficult but that game was an awful lot closer than the score indicated." He suggested that injuries and the absence of key players like Ardie Savea affected New Zealand's capabilities but remained optimistic about the team's potential for growth.
"I think that when you take into account that the players of the All Blacks had injured and didn’t play and in particular Ardie Savea, for me there’s a couple of tweaks required in the team to get it to its best but when you look at that series overall, we could have won all three of the first three."
Mains pointed out that while the game had periods of dominance by the Springboks, the overall competition was fierce and closely matched. He praised the resilience of the All Blacks, indicating that the experience gained from playing such a formidable opponent as South Africa would contribute significantly to their development.
Turning to the technical aspects, Mains critiqued the All Blacks' performance in the aerial game. He acknowledged the strengths of players like Will Jordan and Jordie Barrett but emphasized the need for strategic improvements to compete more effectively with South Africa's tactical play.
"But it was just a given 30 or 40 metres for South Africa every time they put up an up-and-under. Whether they replace Damian McKenzie or when the Springboks are putting the ball in the scrum, we need to have either Will Jordan or Jordie Barrett underneath those high kicks where they can compete in the air."
Looking ahead, Laurie Mains suggests these tactical adjustments could turn the tide in future encounters. His insights reflect a deeper strategic understanding of the game's nuances and the constant need for adaptation and improvement. As the All Blacks regroup and revisit their strategies, the learning curve from this series promises to shape their approach in forthcoming matches.
The fierce rivalry between these two teams continues to be a showcase of rugby at its most exhilarating and unpredictable. As both teams evolve, the international rugby community eagerly anticipates their next encounter, hopeful for another thrilling chapter in this storied competition.
