Grace has only been used at lock at super rugby level in emergencies. Barrett, Tuipoluto, Vaa’i, Darry, Lord all out, options are stretched, but with the MABs back we do have a couple of options that are at least match fit.
All Blacks
Match thread
France III
@Landers92 No sneaky preview of the forwards yet?
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks v France III:
Grace has only been used at lock at super rugby level in emergencies. Barrett, Tuipoluto, Vaa’i, Darry, Lord all out, options are stretched, but with the MABs back we do have a couple of options that are at least match fit.
I'd like to see Ah Kuoi replacing Vaa'i but think he's gonna have to don the 5 jersey.
In days gone by ah kuoi would be a solid Super Rugby cult hero.
The fact he's in line for a test is a sign of where we're at.
Hes jonno gibbes from wish
@Quarky said in All Blacks v France III:
@Landers92 No sneaky preview of the forwards yet?
No sorry.
I see the backline has made it to Facebook on a fan page so I might have to tone it back or may not find out at all moving forward if word gets back.
I know I sound like a hypocrite and understand it’s a forum and we all love to share the inside word but if anyone is sharing it, please make sure it isn’t being sent to a social media fan page or to someone you think could send it to something like that.
It may not have been from anyone on here but I just wanted to comment anyway on the off chance that it was. Want to be able to keep the sauce coming if possible and would hate to not be able to share it due to further leaks like that. Again, I know it sounds hypocritical but I hope you all understand where I’m coming from.
Appreciate the understanding. Cheers.
@Landers92 name and shame!
@Landers92 Maybe use a spoiler?
Could maybe hide it in them in case it's a bot doing it?
@mariner4life said in All Blacks v France III:
In days gone by ah kuoi would be a solid Super Rugby cult hero.
The fact he's in line for a test is a sign of where we're at.Hes jonno gibbes from wish
I will accept Temu Tanerau but won’t accept DSW comparisons lol
It seems like the mainstream NZ Rugby media have been briefed that there will be more changes than a toddler's mood in an afternoon.
@mariner4life said in All Blacks v France III:
In days gone by ah kuoi would be a solid Super Rugby cult hero.
The fact he's in line for a test is a sign of where we're at.Hes jonno gibbes from wish
Even when 5 capped locks are out injured.?
Barrett
Tuipolotu
Vaa'i
Lord
Darry
@Landers92 said in All Blacks v France III:
@Quarky said in All Blacks v France III:
@Landers92 No sneaky preview of the forwards yet?
No sorry.
I see the backline has made it to Facebook on a fan page so I might have to tone it back or may not find out at all moving forward if word gets back.
I know I sound like a hypocrite and understand it’s a forum and we all love to share the inside word but if anyone is sharing it, please make sure it isn’t being sent to a social media fan page or to someone you think could send it to something like that.
It may not have been from anyone on here but I just wanted to comment anyway on the off chance that it was. Want to be able to keep the sauce coming if possible and would hate to not be able to share it due to further leaks like that. Again, I know it sounds hypocritical but I hope you all understand where I’m coming from.
Appreciate the understanding. Cheers.
The Fern isn't completely private ...
@Landers92 said in All Blacks v France III:
@booboo I am well aware of that. Hence why I said it may not be someone who’s actually on here and just commented on the off chance it was. Could be a non registered person just browsing. Either way, you get the point.
Yeah, totally.
Maybe you've got to scale back to being enigmatic and darkly hinting at "rumours" ... makes no difference in the end, the team is the team even if we want to know it earlier.
@Landers92 that lashes guy read out exact backline yesterday on Radio and didn't mention any forwards .
@george33 said in All Blacks v France III:
@Landers92 that lashes guy read out exact backline yesterday on Radio and didn't mention any forwards .
Forget about who may have shared it on social media, the biggest mystery is have lashes and Landers92 ever been seen in the same room together……
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks v France III:
@george33 said in All Blacks v France III:
@Landers92 that lashes guy read out exact backline yesterday on Radio and didn't mention any forwards .
Forget about who may have shared it on social media, the biggest mystery is have lashes and Landers92 ever been seen in the same room together……
The forwards are apparently:
De Groot, Taukei'aho, Lomax, Tuipolutu, Holland, Finau, Savea (c), Jacobson
All Blacks squad to play France
1- Ethan de Groot, 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu, 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Ardie Savea, 8. Luke Jacobson, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Rieko Ioane 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Ruben Love.
Reserves
16. Brodie McAlister, 17. George Bower, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Dalton Papali’i, 20. Du Plessis Kirifi, 21. Noah Hotham, 22. Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23. Will Jordan.
Big test for Finau. Let's see if he is the goods.
Can some nerd tell me out of interest the last time an AB match day squad had zero Barretts in it ?
@MN5 said in All Blacks v France III:
Big test for Finau. Let's see if he is the goods.
We know that PT won't last the game so the plan will be for Finau to move to lock and for Papali'i to cover Finau if he gets injured.
@brodean said in All Blacks v France III:
So Papali'i covers lock.
I assumed they'd move Finau and shuffle the loosies maybe?
@nostrildamus said in All Blacks v France III:
Not a very big backline
Yes though probably France's won't be big either.
Yes it was an opportunity to test another lock/6 methinks.
They seem to like Finau and want to give Kirifi another chance
Worst case scenario is that Tuipulotu goes down early. Having lock cover on the bench would be better than expecting Finau to play big minutes there.
Noah Hotham's Dad should be able to see him play as he is currently in NZ with the Hong Kong U20s.
@nostrildamus said in All Blacks v France III:
Not a very big backline. But 4 7s in the 23..
3 guys over 100kg and we know Ratima is a gym powerhouse. They'll be ok.
Perhaps they have chosen to stick to named squad, then confirmed injury replacements to replicate a tour or RWC situation. I.e. testing their planned contingency options to the max.
Thought Norris might play given his feature article. Is that 7 Waikato players in starting lineup though?
I am hoping the plan is to play an expansive style this week and move the French forwards around a lot.
I have tickets and am looking forward to this.
I think I read somewhere BB had a hand injury?
@Pepe said in All Blacks v France III:
I think I read somewhere BB had a hand injury?
Typical bloody Aucklander (just getting in there before Canerbry)
@bayimports said in All Blacks v France III:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks v France III:
In days gone by ah kuoi would be a solid Super Rugby cult hero.
The fact he's in line for a test is a sign of where we're at.Hes jonno gibbes from wish
I will accept Temu Tanerau but won’t accept DSW comparisons lol
bro he's a filthy Marist player from Wellington, i feel no loyalty at all.