So Papali'i covers lock.

@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?

Biggest call for me is no Taylor

Interesting there is no BB on the bench. So Love covers 10.

Personally I would have gone with Lio Willie over Kirifi. Lio Willie has been accurate and performed his core role although a bit quite.

Not a very big backline. But 4 7s in the 23..

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks v France III:

Not a very big backline

Yes though probably France's won't be big either.

A late change with BB not on the bench. Have just asked why that changed

It's surprising that they didn't include Ah Kuoi in the team. Ah Kuoi and Papali'i makes more sense

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.

@Landers92

I think I read somewhere BB had a hand injury?

@Pepe said in All Blacks v France III:

@Landers92

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.

@MN5 said in All Blacks v France III:

@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.

Height lad, height. Ok midfield, Ioane good winger size but doesn't jump and rest of backline not tall. I expect France to kick to them, a lot.

And I haven't really seen this raw gym strength from Ratima at test level.