B. That’s my pass mark after the All Blacks beat Ireland in Chicago. A+ for the final 20 minutes — we were utterly magnificent. But for the first hour? Shaky. Flaky. As underwhelming as we've looked all season. And this isn’t me being harsh. It’s being honest.

That was the tenth test this year. The 24th under Scott Robertson. So the question must be asked — and asked every week — are we getting better? Have we improved since the World Cup in 2023? Since South Africa smashed us with a record beating three tests ago in Wellington?

Of course I want to celebrate a win. Every test victory is hard-earned. No result is guaranteed. But we’ve got to be just as committed to truthfully assessing how we’re playing. Because that’s what the top teams do. And that's what we'll face against the best in the world.

We keep hearing the cliché: "we're taking the learnings." Are we? Or are we repeating the same mistakes?

Our backline still looks stilted. Nine tests this year before this one — and it still feels like we're experimenting. The set piece is coming apart. The kicking game? Disjointed at best, tactically confused at worst. What are we trying to achieve there? Territory? Pressure? Because right now, it’s neither.

This isn’t pessimism. It’s pattern recognition. Let’s go back.

We beat Argentina in Cordoba earlier this year — finished strong, everyone buzzed. “All Blacks are back!” And the next week? Argentina picked apart the same glaring weaknesses and beat us cleanly. Then South Africa — huge win at Ellis Park. Felt historic. But with 14 men in the last 10 minutes, they controlled 78% possession and almost stole a draw. But sure, let’s gloss over that bit because we won, right?

Then came the return test in Wellington. What did the Springboks do? They studied the tape. Exploited the same faults. And made history with a record score against us. We never looked like winning. That’s what happens when you fall in love with results instead of reality.

So yes — beating Ireland matters. The final 20 minutes were superb. The urgency, the physicality, the clinical edge — all world-class. We needed the win. We got the win. And I’m genuinely stoked about that.

But don’t ask me to slap on a smile and pretend that was some kind of complete performance. It wasn’t. The first hour was poor. Injuries hurt us. The ref was whistle-happy. Sure. But excuses are just that — excuses. We were clunky against France in July. It’s now November. Still clunky.

I’ll say it again: B.

We did the job. We banked the result. But great wins and great performances aren’t always the same thing.

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