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.

Well, don't know whether to shake my head or be pleased they trying things. Surprises me Vai'i at 6, but also think it a pointer to how good they thing Holland will be, and Vai'i being best lock in NZ, maybe they felt they had to play him?

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

No Tavatavanawi on the bench in Dunedin

I didn’t think he would be selected for the first test no matter where it was played.

Barrett and QT are our two best 2nd 5s right now with the latter offering that utility as well. I think TNT will get an opportunity in the series

@Dan54 said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:

Well, don't know whether to shake my head or be pleased they trying things. Surprises me Vai'i at 6, but also think it a pointer to how good they thing Holland will be, and Vai'i being best lock in NZ, maybe they felt they had to play him?

thats kind of why i dont like choosing your captain so early....if Vaai is the best lock and Holland deserves a run as the future....play them both there, i think you make the 23 before you get to be captain, with savea, taylor and BB on the pitch its not like we're short of experienced leaders on the pitch

@Smudge 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:

@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.

eat all the dicks

Geez ...punishment for Cowbell-gate. All the Waikato players made to sit on the bench in silence and watch the Crusaders guys performing.

The wings have been named in wrong jersey, Reiko will start 11 Reece 14

I think getting touched up by the Springboks on the regular has really focussed their minds.
They want as many big lumps as they can get in the team. Or at least players who play like big lumps (Ardie, Kirifi).

Hence Vaai to 6. This is not injury enforced. This is "policy".

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

I think getting touched up by the Springboks on the regular has really focussed their minds.
They want as many big lumps as they can get in the team. Or at least players who play like big lumps (Ardie, Kirifi).

Hence Vaai to 6. This is not injury enforced. This is "policy".

Yeah I think the whole size thing is moot when a player has leg drive like Ardie provides. More so than any of the others except Sititi.

@antipodean

Yeah me neither. Vaa'i faded badly in that French test last year.

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

@antipodean

Yeah me neither. Vaa'i faded badly in that French test last year.

We ran him into the ground last year thought didnt we? He was ever present.

@Kiwiwomble Except for the fact that the player they picked as captain is clearly our best lock…

@Nepia Our best lock is FH. To the manor born !!

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

@Kiwiwomble Except for the fact that the player they picked as captain is clearly our best lock…

i was clearly replying to a comment that Vaai was the best lock....so people disagree on that point

@Dan54 said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:

Well, don't know whether to shake my head or be pleased they trying things. Surprises me Vai'i at 6, but also think it a pointer to how good they thing Holland will be, and Vai'i being best lock in NZ, maybe they felt they had to play him?

I really hope that Holland lives up to the hype. I'm not convinced myself from what I have seen of him. Hope to be proven wrong.