While the reversal of direction may SEEM to be the only explanation, it cannot be. Most likely mis-matched material in the carton used to do the repair. I realize you said it all arrived at the same time, and it seems an incredible co-incidence that the only area in question is where the floor was repaired, but there is something wrong somewhere and it isn't the change of direction.

Absolutely, there's no way it's change of direction. As been said, change of direction ( with slip tongue ) is normal everyday practice, it has no bearing on color or sheen. Which leads me to a question that I dont understand. Why in the world would they change direction anyway in this situation, on a gluedown. They didnt want to clean the tounge or groove of the existing plank?