I don't think the Vaa'i selection is ideal but I'd agree with the selectors that drastic changes were needed for the loose forward-trio. Looking back at last year's Test matches, it's rather obvious now how underpowered they were, which severely hampered the way the ABs wanted to play.

And while I don't think Vaa'i is a particularly natural 6, what he does do well is carry and make metres around the ruck. He should work well together with someone like Lio-Willie in pressuring the French pillar defence. The AB coaches need to find ways to create more space out wide and condensing the defence by going up the middle is one typical way of doing it.

Liam Napier was suggesting four debuts: Holland, Lio-Willie, Kirifi, Tavatavanawai

I don't mind the Vaa'i selection it gives us a big forward pack with Holland starting,Vaa'i could be an imposing figure at 6, I am interested to see how it goes ,Vaa'i is a better player than he was when tried at 6 in that one game.

Vaa'i finished the game at 6 against SA in that Mt Smart test, which would seem a more sensible option than starting him there.

Shows they don't rate Finau much.

I am surprised Finau or CLW aren't there at 6.

@brodean said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:

Holland isn't as nasty as Guzzler was.

Holland's a big unit with a big engine but he isn't as menacing.

He’s also only 22… plenty of room for growth. No need him to compare him to a great AB lock before he’s even played 1 test

@nostrildamus that wasn’t a confirmed team so we don’t know yet

@Landers92

I don't think it does him any favours comparing him to Retallick.

He doesn't have to have the same style as Retallick. He can have his own style.

Apart from the height they have different styles and that's OK.

Richie McCaw wasn't menacing but he was a great player.

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:

I am surprised Finau or CLW aren't there at 6.

I’d be very surprised to see CLW play anything but number 8. He’s not in the side if Sititi is fit.

@Landers92 said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:

@brodean said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:

Holland isn't as nasty as Guzzler was.

Holland's a big unit with a big engine but he isn't as menacing.

He’s also only 22… plenty of room for growth. No need him to compare him to a great AB lock before he’s even played 1 test

And he is very similar to a young brodie retallick dont you think?

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:

I am surprised Finau or CLW aren't there at 6.

I’d be very surprised to see CLW play anything but number 8. He’s not in the side if Sititi is fit.

You don't see him as a 4th or 5th or 6th number 6? Because of his height? I thought he played a bit of 6 for the Crusaders (checked, ok he hasn't this season but I have read websites he can play 6 and 8).
This French team is tall, and Tupou may be moved to 6 because of it so I think in this situation CLW would be an unusual call, but he is a specialized loose forward.

I can understand the Finau thing, in the Blues game he was our MVP in the last ten minutes. That won't have impressed, when the pressure was on in the finals.

If that is the team, then I admire it because it's ballsy.

The chief problem last year was that Razor and co. were too safe in their selections and we got continuity Foster. I welcome Robertson being more confident in driving his vision of how the ABs can beat regularly the other best sides in the world.

@sparky said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:

I don't think Finau would have made the squad if Scott Parker had been fit.

He looks a bit too skinny for a blindside.

@Frank said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:

Shows they don't rate Finau much.

I don't think Finau would have made the squad if Simon Parker had been fit.

@sparky said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:

Chat GTP is struggling with a French team. It keeps selecting players not on the current tour.

Who outsourced Chat GTP to The Fern ?

@nzzp said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:

Jesus., we can do better than AI slop right.

Doesn't seem the usual level of excitement for a French test on here. There's really only downside for the ABs - a win is expected; if they struggle or (god forbid) shit the bed, it'll be flaming torches and pitchfork time

I'd love the AB's to struggle. Great opportunity to build and grow thru pressure which could reap big dividends.

As long as they win, mind.

@taniwharugby said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:

@nzzp said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:

There's really only downside for the ABs - a win is expected; if they struggle or (god forbid) shit the bed, it'll be flaming torches and pitchfork time

Pitchforks will be out regardless....ABs are in a no win situation for this game.

Thrash them - played shit, poor skills, poor decisions
Close win - should have thrashed them
Loss - should have thrashed this shit French team

"Keeping our powder dry"