@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"

@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:

@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.

TAB has us at $1.07. This should not be a contest.

Think Lomax has picked up injury at training and his in doubt.

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

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 the last 10 of that game was so important and they think he can't handle the pressure, then why did they pick him at all - why pick one specialist 6 in the squad if you don't intend to play him?
Probably best to be careful with 'when the pressure was on in the finals' or we might end up with the cantablacks again...

Playing Vaai - let's not forget our best lock last year - at 6 wouldn't be my first option, but I can see giving it a go as Holland is a gun. However, that means three of our locks in the XV and presumably (hopefully) Tuipolotu on the bench - if that's the plan, then surely we should have named another lock in the squad? Where's Beehre or whoever?
Again, I just can't see a cohesive overall strategy from Robertson - unless perhaps it is finding ways to keep the Barretts in the side: we don't pick our best 10; move our best lock to 6; move Rieko to wing to make space for the non-Barrett midfielders who are demanding selection.

Will be quite funny if Vaa'i isn't at 6 and all this angst has been for nothing (even more for nothing than usual).

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

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

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 the last 10 of that game was so important and they think he can't handle the pressure, then why did they pick him at all - why pick one specialist 6 in the squad if you don't intend to play him?
Probably best to be careful with 'when the pressure was on in the finals' or we might end up with the cantablacks again...

Playing Vaai - let's not forget our best lock last year - at 6 wouldn't be my first option, but I can see giving it a go as Holland is a gun. However, that means three of our locks in the XV and presumably (hopefully) Tuipolotu on the bench - if that's the plan, then surely we should have named another lock in the squad? Where's Beehre or whoever?
Again, I just can't see a cohesive overall strategy from Robertson - unless perhaps it is finding ways to keep the Barretts in the side: we don't pick our best 10; move our best lock to 6; move Rieko to wing to make space for the non-Barrett midfielders who are demanding selection.

I'm just repeating what the coaches have said in the past about weighting the final's performances more highly. Obviously still subjective as Dalton and Sotutu were huge in dragging a struggling Blues team to that position at all.

As for the part around 10, Barrett is the best ten in the country. DMac has had too many games where he shit the bed, BB is actually finding some of his magic again this year, and actually plays ten better than DMac.

Most of the great play I've seen from DMac this year was more fullback style play anyway.

Hinton hasn't selected Vaa'i at 6 in his team, but he doesn't have Holland in the 23 either.

@george33 said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:

Think Lomax has picked up injury at training and his in doubt.

Sorry, my voodoo doll was aiming at the loose forwards but must have missed.

@Bovidae Herald had Reiko 13 Clarke 11 also.

Trust the Fern Process

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

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

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

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 the last 10 of that game was so important and they think he can't handle the pressure, then why did they pick him at all - why pick one specialist 6 in the squad if you don't intend to play him?
Probably best to be careful with 'when the pressure was on in the finals' or we might end up with the cantablacks again...

Playing Vaai - let's not forget our best lock last year - at 6 wouldn't be my first option, but I can see giving it a go as Holland is a gun. However, that means three of our locks in the XV and presumably (hopefully) Tuipolotu on the bench - if that's the plan, then surely we should have named another lock in the squad? Where's Beehre or whoever?
Again, I just can't see a cohesive overall strategy from Robertson - unless perhaps it is finding ways to keep the Barretts in the side: we don't pick our best 10; move our best lock to 6; move Rieko to wing to make space for the non-Barrett midfielders who are demanding selection.

I'm just repeating what the coaches have said in the past about weighting the final's performances more highly. Obviously still subjective as Dalton and Sotutu were huge in dragging a struggling Blues team to that position at all.

As for the part around 10, Barrett is the best ten in the country. DMac has had too many games where he shit the bed, BB is actually finding some of his magic again this year, and actually plays ten better than DMac.

Most of the great play I've seen from DMac this year was more fullback style play anyway.

Couldn't disagree more with this.

McKenzie was throughout the season much better at 10 on average than Barrett was. McKenzie had a couple of middling games (and one awful one against the Waratahs) but was more often than not the best player on the park and was key to unlocking defences from first receiver.

Barrett has been an average 10 for a number of years now. He's capable of great games, but largely those aren't the result of him being a good 10, they're the result of moments of great individual play, like a chip and chase try. His kicking isn't any better strategically (or more accurate) than McKenzie's.

Really struggle to see how you could come this conclusion? Did you watch all of McKenzie's matches? Not suggesting that's why, but it would be the simple answer haha.

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

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

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

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 the last 10 of that game was so important and they think he can't handle the pressure, then why did they pick him at all - why pick one specialist 6 in the squad if you don't intend to play him?
Probably best to be careful with 'when the pressure was on in the finals' or we might end up with the cantablacks again...

Playing Vaai - let's not forget our best lock last year - at 6 wouldn't be my first option, but I can see giving it a go as Holland is a gun. However, that means three of our locks in the XV and presumably (hopefully) Tuipolotu on the bench - if that's the plan, then surely we should have named another lock in the squad? Where's Beehre or whoever?
Again, I just can't see a cohesive overall strategy from Robertson - unless perhaps it is finding ways to keep the Barretts in the side: we don't pick our best 10; move our best lock to 6; move Rieko to wing to make space for the non-Barrett midfielders who are demanding selection.

I'm just repeating what the coaches have said in the past about weighting the final's performances more highly. Obviously still subjective as Dalton and Sotutu were huge in dragging a struggling Blues team to that position at all.

As for the part around 10, Barrett is the best ten in the country. DMac has had too many games where he shit the bed, BB is actually finding some of his magic again this year, and actually plays ten better than DMac.

Most of the great play I've seen from DMac this year was more fullback style play anyway.

The coaches are inconsistent in their reasoning and contradict themselves anyway.

On the one hand Razor says in his interview Sititi was selected because of one big semi final game last year - "he's a big game player" ( except in the actual final ).

On the other hand Ryan says they consider the entire season.

They just change the narrative depending on what selection they want to justify.

Beauden Barrett can't stay focused for 80 minutes. He should be a sub or get subbed. The longer he stays on the more likely he is to do something silly.

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

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

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

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

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 the last 10 of that game was so important and they think he can't handle the pressure, then why did they pick him at all - why pick one specialist 6 in the squad if you don't intend to play him?
Probably best to be careful with 'when the pressure was on in the finals' or we might end up with the cantablacks again...

Playing Vaai - let's not forget our best lock last year - at 6 wouldn't be my first option, but I can see giving it a go as Holland is a gun. However, that means three of our locks in the XV and presumably (hopefully) Tuipolotu on the bench - if that's the plan, then surely we should have named another lock in the squad? Where's Beehre or whoever?
Again, I just can't see a cohesive overall strategy from Robertson - unless perhaps it is finding ways to keep the Barretts in the side: we don't pick our best 10; move our best lock to 6; move Rieko to wing to make space for the non-Barrett midfielders who are demanding selection.

I'm just repeating what the coaches have said in the past about weighting the final's performances more highly. Obviously still subjective as Dalton and Sotutu were huge in dragging a struggling Blues team to that position at all.

As for the part around 10, Barrett is the best ten in the country. DMac has had too many games where he shit the bed, BB is actually finding some of his magic again this year, and actually plays ten better than DMac.

Most of the great play I've seen from DMac this year was more fullback style play anyway.

The coaches are inconsistent in their reasoning and contradict themselves anyway.

On the one hand Razor says in his interview Sititi was selected because of one big semi final game last year - "he's a big game player" ( except in the actual final ).

On the other hand Ryan says they consider the entire season.

They just change the narrative depending on what selection they want to justify.

National team selection is subjective. There’s no criteria, so it’s always going to be that way.

For what it’s worth, on Sititi they have had their eye on him for a while so whether he played well in the finals or not, they were keen on him anyway.

Interesting, Mexted has been calling for vaii to play 6 and holland to start at lock for some time on that podcast he does with devlin.

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

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.

It also doesn’t mean it’s something they have to stick with, it could be a case of let’s try it and see what it looks like .

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

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

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.

It also doesn’t mean it’s something they have to stick with, it could be a case of let’s try it and see what it looks like .

That's true

@george33 Spot on mate on the tips you gave us

@MN5 said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:

Have they got the wings round the right way ?

My second impression too. Seems very odd.

First impression was @george33 was correct on some of his calls.

@MN5 said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:

Have they got the wings round the right way ?

It could be that Reece is competing with Clarke for the no.11 jersey.

@george33 fair play on the tips you sent through, your source has come through with the goods.

Well, no one can call the selections conservative any more.

A few surprises, but I’m looking forward to seeing what the new guys can do.

And I’m a fan of Ardie being at 7, opens up way more options IMO.

Stoked for Fabian Holland. Hopefully his Mum who had been in NZ visiting him has extended her stay to watch her son make his debut

Congrats to our new ABs. An exciting time for them and their families. And Tosi gets another chance which is great to see.

Seeing an official 23 no matter who we are playing always stirs the emotions. Bring on Saturday

@1kiwi said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:

Stoked for Fabian Holland. Hopefully his Mum who had been in NZ visiting him has extended her stay to watch her son make his debut

They (including Mum and brother) had tickets to watch this test. Now it will mean much more. Throwing the locals a bone with two Otago debutants.

Really looking forward to seeing how the newbies go. A bit of a shame for Timoci not getting that opportunity off the bench in Dunners but Tupaea deserves to be in the 23 after a very strong Super season.

I guess the thing with Finau coming on, is the Chiefs also used him to good effect finishing the game at 6 off the bench, but its more the impact on Vaai moving from 6 to lock that is of concern.

Some other good changes though

No Tavatavanawi on the bench in Dunedin

@mariner4life said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:

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

@mariner4life said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:

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

@mariner4life said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:

yaaay, BB at 10!! he was so good there in 2017, he's due!

See, we are patient!

i've owned racehorses like this...

I hear they’re still running the Doomben straight as we speak….

running is generous

So is Doomben.