Scott Robertson. Photo: Daniel Carson/Photosport NZ
Analysis: The overwhelming feeling this weekend was that South Africa would lift the Rugby Championship trophy at Twickenham, which is why it got flown all the way to England.
They did, not without a bit of a scare from the Pumas, although the final scoreline of 29-27 included an Argentine try on the last play that made it look closer than it really was.
So well done to the Springboks, who you could say definitely put one hand on the silverware with their recordbreaking win over the All Blacks in Wellington.
Although the All Blacks have since retained the Bledisloe Cup, it feels like the fallout from that result hasn't fully settled yet - both from a player and coaching point of view.
What did we actually find out about them in the past six games?
How important some key players are
Cam Roigard proved his importance with his inury comeback from injury at Eden Park. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
The All Blacks would be in trouble, if they were to lose Cam Roigard, Codie Taylor, Ardie Savea or Will Jordan.
The first two have already been sidelined this season and the gaps they left were evident, which is no disrespect to the players that filled their spots, but Roigard's comeback at Eden Park showed just how world class he is right now.
But also how important it'd be if they weren't selected
Imagine if coach Scott Robertson made six changes to his backline and dropped his captain completely.
That's what Springboks counterpart Rassie Erasmus not only did, but had the South African public completely accept the cleanout.
That was made even sweeter when the overhauled squad gave the All Blacks the biggest hiding in their history, so the question now is how or if Robertson plans to move his side to a similar position.
Depth will be tested
Fabian Holland now seems assured of a starting spot through injury. Photo: Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz
According to his Instagram, Tupou Vaa'i is now out for the season, which is a big loss, but one that the All Blacks can likely absorb, with lock stocks at a consistently high quality.
Fabian Holland is now in for the duration in his rookie season, while Patrick Tuipulotu's seat on the bench is now assured, but the knock-on effect will be felt in the loose forwards, particularly Simon Parker, who now doesn't have to worry about Vaa'i taking the six jersey.
Set-piece is either a masterpiece or a work-on
The scrum got munched against the Springboks and then ate Australia alive.
The lineout won a test against the Pumas one week, then played a huge role in losing one a week later, as well as another to the Springboks.
The lineout-drive defence was pretty solid against South Africa, but rubbish against the Wallabies, so make of that what you will.
Closing out games
One common thread this whole season is that, in tests they've won, the All Blacks have implemented a very effective strategy to finish off the last half hour.
They've done it the hard way against South Africa in Auckland by spending much of it on defence and the easy way against the Pumas in Cordoba.
Probably the best example came in Perth, where the All Blacks overcame, not only the Wallabies, but also their own shortcomings, bad weather and an officious (but fair) referee.
Players that pushed their cases
Quinn Tupaea grabbed his chance as a replacement at Eden Park and starred at Perth. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Ethan de Groot would have to be the unluckiest, as he looked like he was back as a bolted-on starter, before he was injured.
Quinn Tupaea was handed a chance at Eden Park and made it last all the way to Perth, while Leroy Carter's long-awaited debut was followed by a willingness to go looking for work.
And the ones that didn't
A lot of these were injury-enforced or simply players that didn't get a look in, like Samipeni Finau and Luke Jacobson.
It must be said that Billy Proctor probably needed to show more on attack and Du'Plessis Kirifi has now gone down the depth chart, thanks to Savea's move back to openside.
So what now?
Coach Scott Robertson may be judged on his results against South Africa. Photo: Marty Melville
As with all All Black coaches, Robertson will be compared to his predecessor and, on the surface, that's not great.
Ian Foster's Rugby Championship record was four in four years and Robertson's still looking for one, but bear in mind 2020-21 did not involve any games outside Australasia.
Robertson's elevation of players has definitely been a positive, especially with the use of Wallace Sititi last year, and Holland, Carter and Tupaea's recall this year, but it's starting to feel like this regime will ultimately be judged on its results against the Springboks.
The All Blacks now find themselves in the worst win/loss ratio against the old rivals since the 1940s, so next year's tour of South Africa takes on even more importance.
