@DaGrubster and again it was just announcement. He still had a day job of coaching the Crusaders. So not much going on during March to June on an AB front.

Then the ABs are playing mid-year games and then prepping for the RWC. He’s watching those.

So after the dust settles of the RWC and player exoduses, retirements, he’s watching Super rugby and getting an idea of who might be in the frame etc. no different from other newly appointed coaches such as Henry who were appointed post a RWC.

I’m all for critiquing the actual performance of that first test but just because there was some early announcement didn’t afford him all this additional time to do what was needed especially with the RWC.

@pakman said in Wales v All Blacks:

That backline is a wasted opportunity for me.

Story of Razors tenure to date, so many tests wasted on some players who offer little.

IMO, it also shows how poorly planned out the squad use has been for this tour and highlights they haven't got test rugby sorted, fielding pretty much full strength for 3 games and then wholesale changes against Wales.

@Landers92 you can say a lot of things about Razors tenure as AB coach so far, but Crusaders bias ain’t one of them…

@Stag said in Wales v All Blacks:

@Landers92 you can say a lot of things about Razors tenure as AB coach so far, but Crusaders bias ain’t one of them…

Maybe not as starters (Ethan says hold my beer) but lots of squad places went to young Crusaders who I felt didn't deserve it, such as the young hooker whose name I don't remember, and Fihaki just off the top of my head.

He's been more guilty of old washed up bias, and shown a penchant for show ponies and flat track bullies

@Catogrande absolutely, money talks.

@ShaquilleOatmeal said in Wales v All Blacks:

@brodean said in Wales v All Blacks:

14/23 Fainga'anuku ( 0 dominant 9 missed )

Wow.

I don't think it a wow mate, I have said LF is a problem on defence after watching him at centre in top 14, where to be quite honest these figures would probably look his best.

Why not give Tangitau a run?

Reece's selection is utterly pointless.

He isnt the man for now. He wont be the man for 2027.

Seems like quite a bit of complaining for the sake of complaining.

36 man squad + Lio-Willie in as injury cover.

Five listed as injured. Roigard not, but he was - he's not playing, anyway.

They've rotated out de Groot and Taylor who've started all three games on tour and doubtless would have done the same with Newell, but Mafileo is injured.

They've rotated out Ardie and Beady, which pretty much everyone here has been baying for - so should be delighted.

Which leaves Darry, Tupaea, Proctor, and Carter available, but not selected.

Looks like they might be giving ALB and Reece gold watch games - but, I think QT and Carter have both played in all three games - with somewhat mixed results.

If we lose or win by say less than 10, would Razor be sacked?

@Jet said in Wales v All Blacks:

If we lose or win by say less than 10, would Razor be sacked?

Razor won't be sacked regardless.

@Jet said in Wales v All Blacks:

Why not give Tangitau a run?

Reece's selection is utterly pointless.

He isnt the man for now. He wont be the man for 2027.

Tangitau is only in squad as cover, so it would I think be a stretch to put him in squad for the game if not needed.

For those saying Razor won't be sacked - what is it about losing to Wales that you find acceptable?

@Dan54 said in Wales v All Blacks:

Tangitau is only in squad as cover, so it would I think be a stretch to put him in squad for the game if not needed.

Yes, was only there as cover for Clarke before the England test. I don't think he is part of the squad now.

@brodean said in Wales v All Blacks:

@mariner4life said in Wales v All Blacks:

lol Proctor has had some awful reads and misses as well. Absolutely no debate QT has had glaringly bad reads, but to suggest Proctor hasn't is a terrible take.

Proctor didn't have any bad reads this weekend - and he hasn't had any in some time.

These are the weekend stats:

Tackles
14/14 Proctor ( Most tackles of All Blacks )
11/14 Tupaea ( Most missed tackles of All Blacks )
4/5 Fainga'anuku

Season stats:
60/72 Proctor ( 4 dominant, 12 missed )
50/62 Tupaea ( 0 dominant, 12 missed )
14/23 Fainga'anuku ( 0 dominant 9 missed )

Just to be clear. I wouldn't have Proctor in my 23.
Leicester has a high error rate. For me less of an issue on the edge.

@pakman ye olde Will Jordan excuse. As long as it's a crusader and not a chief/hurricane/higlander/blue.

Cortes Ratima was shit against England. Utterly shit. If he plays that badly again Wales have a great chance of winning.

@ACT-Crusader said in Wales v All Blacks:

@DaGrubster he was still coaching the Saders when it was announced. So the whole 15 months to prepare is a furphy. Also he didn’t have access to the all the AB data, resources etc. I’m sure there was other stuff he did in prep but it wasn’t until after the World Cup and Fozzie finishing up that things really started.

Foster called to congratulate him and offered any help/support/info he needed in transitioning. Decided not to take up the offer in case it impacted the RWC2023 campaign. Can't blame him for that.

The prep time is same for everyone in terms of working with players. What disappoints me is that we all knew we were not good in the contestable kick area under Foster, that should have been identified before taking over as just about priority #1 to improve. And he just hasn't. Our kicking is shit, our formation around the contest area etc. There have been some efforts to improve it in using jordie etc, but oyr kicking against england waa again abject, and these things all should have been addressed from test 1 last year.

@sparky said in Wales v All Blacks:

Cortes Ratima was shit against England. Utterly shit. If he plays that badly again Wales have a great chance of winning.

Replacing roigard with Ratima last week was replacing our best player with our worst,

@SammyC Wales' best chance on Saturday is the target Ratima, ALB and Kirifi and hope all three shit the bed.