@brodean said in All Blacks v France 2:
That's an interesting idea. Why do you think Finau would drop out for Ah Kuoi who is only there for injury cover?
Because Ah Kuoi would be lock cover(for the injured lock S.Barrett) from the bench which would mean it’s between Finau and Kirifi from last week who would miss out in jersey 20.
Again, I’m not saying it’s something i would do or they would do. It’s just another option they have
Unless he plays like a game-winning superstar, a specialist 7 like Kirifi is a real luxury on the bench, isn't he?!
He played the whole season there for the Steams in 2022 and 2023.
He's a high workrate player. Just everywhere in third gear like Blackadder but rarely gets out of third gear. Has a bit more impact and is a bit bigger body but I think if you're looking at him at 6 you might as well go Blackadder.
@brodean said in All Blacks v France 2:
He played the whole season there for the Steams in 2022 and 2023.
He's a high workrate player. Just everywhere in third gear like Blackadder but rarely gets out of third gear. Has a bit more impact and is a bit bigger body but I think if you're looking at him at 6 you might as well go Blackadder.
should be a better lineout option though.
I don't think you need lock cover on the bench if Holland, Tuipulotu, and Vaa'i are in the starting line up.
There's a chance that Vaa'i will be out too and we'll get to see Ah Kuoi anyway I guess.
If Vaa'i is ok to play I'd actually give him a rest on the bench and start FInau. I'd like to see how Finau goes starting against France.
@brodean said in All Blacks v France 2:
I don't think you need lock cover on the bench if Holland, Tuipulotu, and Vaa'i are in the starting line up.
There's a chance that Vaa'i will be out too and we'll get to see Ah Kuoi anyway I guess.
Yeah probably not. My point though is that it’s an option they have. Nice options across the board
@nostrildamus said in All Blacks v France 2:
From what I've seen of him Ah Kuoi has some motor but he hasn't played 6 for the Chiefs for several years?
One start at 6 that I can remember last year when it was more a case of selecting the fit players at the time. McMillan had talked up using Ah Kuoi at 6 a few years back but it has never eventuated due to the loose forward options. He is mobile enough though and gives you another ball-carrier.
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks v France 2:
@canefan if you click on the poster he is replying to, it takes you to thier post...
In this case, S Barrett
Too many steps. Easier to ask lazy question
From Stuff:
Ardie Savea is set to lead the All Blacks for the remainder of the France series after captain Scott Barrett was ruled out of the final two tests with a calf injury. The All Blacks confirmed on Tuesday Barrett’s absence for the second test in Wellington this Saturday and the third test in Hamilton the following weekend after scans revealed a torn calf muscle.
@george33 said in All Blacks v France 2:
@canefan Scott Barrett
are you able to quote rather than just reply?....would just let things flow a bit without having to go back and check what youre talking about
On the blindside/lock selection, I wonder if this decision comes down to what their initial reasoning was for selecting Vaa'i at blindside.
Did they want him to be playing that position? Keep him there and start Tuipulotu at lock with Holland. Did they. want Vaa'i and Holland on the field together and had to have Vaa'i at blindside to also accommodate Barrett? Move Vaa'i to lock and start Finau or Jacobson at blindside.
I'd be inclined to do the least shuffling possible. They may want to try some different things and give various players game time during the series but I'd like that to mean just one or two (player or positional) changes each in the forwards and backs from test to test
@Kiwiwomble ok will work on that
I'm expecting us to smash them in this test. The scoreline last test could have easily been closer to 50 - 15 if we tightened up our defense and managed to finish a couple of those disallowed tries. Factor in the Wellington weather and I'm expecting something around 40 - 10, could get ugly for France if we really click though.
@Landers92 said in All Blacks v France 2:
There’s also a slim chance that Tuipulotu comes in for Barrett and starts, Vai’i stays at 6 and Ah Koi is used off the bench in jersey 19, he has been in camp as injury cover the whole time. Would be between Finau or Kirifi who drops out then. Slim chance, but still another option they could use is Jacobson isn’t fit.
I don't think they will have both Ah Koui and Finau on the bench. Having Ah Koui on the bench covering lock and 6 would make sense. I think you need Kirifi there to cover 7 if Ardie goes down.
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks v France 2:
I'm not sure Ah Kuoi is still with the squad.
Yup still is
