Is it not even a teeny weeny bit possible that Stephens is also learning his job, and potentially has more learning to do.
He's not a full international, but not only is his new partner, he is pretty much exclusively playing against the opposition who are, as well.
More a general point but your's is the one, of many, I've seen and am now going to comment on:-
Don't you feel a bit of a knob writing that after the FOURTH game into the season?