Not sure about the comments from Stead regarding the non-selection of Santner.
Santner might have been useful, however that's not where they got it wrong selection wise. It could be argued that they didn't try a few overs of Phillips soon enough after his recent successes. Where they really got it wrong though was:
Telling Wagner he would not be selected for either of the tests before the series even started which has proven to be a massive distraction.
Bringing in a bowler in Kuggeleign that has only had a diet of T20 cricket in the last few months to face an Australian side that have come off 5 tests.
Giving Conway the gloves in the T20s. If he's going to be the keeper at the T20 world cup there are a number of upcoming games against minnow sides that he could use to fine tune his glovework. Why risk give our premier opening test batsman that job prior to the most important test series on our calendar?