@nostrildamus said in All Blacks v France 2:

@booboo said in All Blacks v France 2:

Re small 7s ...

Two recent that went/go ok are Kwagga and Michael Hoopah!

Great example, I'm a Kwagga fan! But he has another skill apparently:

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Not sure Hoopah is such a great example as he was a very good 7 but he could be manhandled because of size. OTOH I doubt George Smith was much bigger if at all but I don't remember him being manhandled very often.

Players were generally smaller during George Smith's era however he played with Toutai Kefu and Owen Finegan so there was a good balance. I think Smith would be a bit bigger and physically stronger than Hooper. Kwaga Smith is immensely strong for his size.

@booboo said in All Blacks v France 2:

Re small 7s ...

Two recent that went/go ok are Kwagga and Michael Hoopah!

Tizzano is also smaller I think so give it time.

OK, these are small and efficient guys but the problem is : is it safe to field two small loose forwards at the same time ?

@Bones said in All Blacks v France 2:

@DaGrubster said in All Blacks v France 2:

@Bones said in All Blacks v France 2:

@DaGrubster said in All Blacks v France 2:

@Bones said in All Blacks v France 2:

Love to start, DMac back to the bench to hopefully do his thing in the last 20/30.

Would've been interesting how much worse the kicking would have been with a back three that kick worse than half the loosies in the country.

I think Razors plan for DMAC is just that, because he will be expecting to bring Mounga back into the side next year, so DMAC can cover 10/15 from the bench

Bait.

Bones, stop talking shit

Well thought out, but

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Why do you think that is bait?

Seems pretty that Robertson will put Mounga back at 10 if he comes back to Nz.

Dmac providing the impact from the bench and covering 10/15

Positive thought - we are always better (marginally?) in T2 of the year

Negative thought - if George’s back row oil is on the money, it suggests coaches are keep to shake things up and take away whatever continuity we might have

Personally I’d have gone for minimal changes to the starting 15, only those injury forced.

Proctor gets another shot, straight swap of Reece for whoever you guys reckon had the Super form (Narawa?). Rieko stays on the wing.

I can even live with BB staying at 10 and DMac on the bench.

But not doesn’t sound like it’ll be anything like this

@Kiwiwomble that's what I'd go for definitely not the inside word.
Will see if I can get any oil next day or so.

Scott Barrett expected to miss Test 2.

Make-up of the second and back rows might be determined by Jacobson's availability. If he's still out then you'd think Tuipulotu would come in for Barrett in a straight swap. If he's fit then maybe Vaa'i shifts back to lock and Jacobson comes in at 6. Finau obviously an option at 6 too if Vaa'i shifts.

Holland, Vaa'i, Finau, Savea, Jacobson would probably be my preferred quintet with Tuipulotu and CLW on the bench.

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.

Not saying that’s what I would do, just putting it out there that it’s an option they have available

@Landers92

That's an interesting idea. Why do you think Finau would drop out for Ah Kuoi who is only there for injury cover?

From what I've seen of him Ah Kuoi has some motor but he hasn't played 6 for the Chiefs for several years?

@brodean said in All Blacks v France 2:

@Landers92

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?!

@nostrildamus

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:

@nostrildamus

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.

@Landers92

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:

@Landers92

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.

I'm not sure Ah Kuoi is still with the squad.