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

If Ah Kuoi is in the 23 it will be cool for him to debut in Wellington in front of family/friends.

@Kiwiwomble said in All Blacks v France 2:

@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

Consider it a @george33 forum work on. If you don’t fix your quoting by the start of the rugby championship, the mods may ban you and your TSF posting future will be in limbo. On the plus side, you will be able to explore options to post on a Japanese or NH forum…..

jokes for any of our TSF newcomers

I would hope the selection for this week would be based off continuity and cover for injuries as making wholesale changes to a team that stumbled over the line by 4 points against France B smacks of arrogance.

@Windows97 said in All Blacks v France 2:

I would hope the selection for this week would be based off continuity and cover for injuries as making wholesale changes to a team that stumbled over the line by 4 points against France B smacks of arrogance.

I agree. I'd prefer to see straight swaps for the injured players - Tuipulotu for Barrett (or maybe Vaa’i to lock and Finau to start depending on their preference for Vaa’i's position) and whoever they like on the wing for Reece. Other than that, one or two changes max, if anyone's back from injury and even then, maybe only on the bench.

@Windows97 said in All Blacks v France 2:

I would hope the selection for this week would be based off continuity and cover for injuries as making wholesale changes to a team that stumbled over the line by 4 points against France B smacks of arrogance.

Me too, feel we need to be past the "chuck stuff against the wall and see whats sticks" approach....they were picked for a reason and they either did what was wanted or if they didn;t we should coach them to do it

If Razor's plan was to play everyone he should stick to it.

A number have players have clocked up a lot of minutes and if they're overplayed they will get injuries like Scooters.

Robertson can obviously do whatever he likes but I find wholesale changes don’t work very well in terms of either team performance or finding out how well individual players go.

What we tend to see is the A team run out several weeks in a row and then the B team for a week. I’d prefer them to make a couple of changes a week to see how certain players go playing alongside the core group.

The bench can also be used well here, making replacements at (or even before) half time, instead of giving players ten minutes at the end of the game.

@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks v France 2:

Robertson can obviously do whatever he likes but I find wholesale changes don’t work very well in terms of either team performance or finding out how well individual players go.

What we tend to see is the A team run out several weeks in a row and then the B team for a week. I’d prefer them to make a couple of changes a week to see how certain players go playing alongside the core group.

The bench can also be used well here, making replacements at (or even before) half time, instead of giving players ten minutes at the end of the game.

Agree with you entirely.

If you make wholesale changes it becomes impossible to evaluate the contribution of individual players because they aren't playing in a consistent and stable side.

I think it's better to strive towards having a very clearly defined first choice XV and then just tinkering with a selection here or there.

Yeah, if they want Vaii to have time at 6, bring in Patty T.

If it was accommodating Barrett - which is a bit of an issue - then bring in Finau to start, Pat T off the bench.

Similarly, not sure we learn much with Dmac at 15, so if he’s to be the bench man, leave him there and bring in Clarke or Narawa.

One thing that was missing in the weekend was people clearing out properly at the rucks, be that for size or being Blackadderish (ineffective).

If Dalton comes in at six, Jaconson at 8 and Patrick at Lock, at least that area will be clearned up.

We need a bigger team, ending the game with Savea and Kirifi on at the same time = puke.

Given this opportunity, I wonder whether they move Ioane to 14.

I wonder if he could be better there as he could be integrated from the blind through the centers.

@Mauss can probably actually have a look at this, but to the extent that he passes, Rieko seems stronger passing and distributing from right to left (not really unsurprising), so for strike plays he could be an interesting option off the blind wing.

I’ll admit to not having watched the game btw, but I’m not convinced about Rieko on the wing - he’s really not that good under the high ball, so arguably its better to leave him at 11 and see if it works out. Switching him around may not help him show whether he still has it or not.

How many tests has Clarke had at 14? Narawa may be the safest and easiest change.

My Predicted 23:

1. de Groot
2. Taylor
3. Newell
4. Vaa'i
5. Holland
6. Jacobson
7. Savea
8. Lio-Willie
9. Roigard
10. Barrett
11. Clarke
12. J Barrett
13. Proctor
14. Ioane
15. Jordan
16. Taukei'aho
17. Norris
18. Tosi
19. Tuipulotu
20. Finau
21. Ratima
22. Tupaea
23. McKenzie

@frugby said in All Blacks v France 2:

My Predicted 23:

1. de Groot
2. Taylor
3. Newell
4. Vaa'i
5. Holland
6. Jacobson
7. Savea
8. Lio-Willie
9. Roigard
10. Barrett
11. Clarke
12. J Barrett
13. Proctor
14. Ioane
15. Jordan
16. Taukei'aho
17. Norris
18. Tosi
19. Tuipulotu
20. Finau
21. Ratima
22. Tupaea
23. McKenzie

Close, I reckon Tuipulotu comes in for Barrett as a straight swap, Vaa'i stays at six, Kirifi on the bench and Jacobson misses out completely ( yep I reckon they will want to see more of DK especially at home )

Anyone got the scoop for this week?

I will find it very frustrating if there's anything but last week's group with injury changes.

3rd test, have at it.