2025 All Blacks v France series

@No-Quarter said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

On the loosies, we are really missing Cane. Dalton is the closest thing we have to him at the moment, and a trio of Vaa'i, Dalton and Ardie/Sititi looks better balanced to me. Vaa'i gives the size in close and height in the lineout, Dalton spends all day smacking blokes and hitting rucks, and Ardie/Sititi are more free to roam and really use their running game to full effect.

Yeah DP is a seven who kind of plays like a six without the lineout ability. Good with ball in hand when he has a go too.

Dalts is a very good lineout jumper.

Not sure why he's had to do his time in purgatory, but Dalton Papali'i to my mind may be our best Test 7 available for the next few years.

@nonpartizan said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

Yeah, the kicking strategy seemed pretty hard to figure out.

We have a strategy?

@African-Monkey said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

He had a shocker but I'm also happy to see him get another crack.

Needs to be handled carefully though if it's a confidence thing. Maybe better on the bench for Frog 2 if confidence is an issue.

@booboo said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@ARHS said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@KiwiMurph said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@MN5 said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

Is Holland noted as a ball carrier ?

Not really.

Looks more Luke Romano than Brodie Retallick to me at this stage. I am just not seeing what others keep saying they do.

I'll admit, prior to last night I hadn't seen much in Holland. Reckon it shone through last night though.

Immediately become a fanboi.

He was rock-solid - great debut. Unspectacular, but did what he had to do with zero errors. Can't ask more than that.

@Victor-Meldrew said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@African-Monkey said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

He had a shocker but I'm also happy to see him get another crack.

Needs to be handled carefully though if it's a confidence thing. Maybe better on the bench for Frog 2 if confidence is an issue.

I'd start him again. Get him back out there, he would have learnt plenty from the first outing.

@No-Quarter this is where I think someone like Reece shines, he goes looking for work.

Ioane did look sharp when we were lioking good in the 2nd half of the 1st half, but as you say play didn't honhis way, we went back to aimless kicking and then he is largely anonymous.

@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@KiwiMurph

I've never noticed handling issues from Darry.

Blues really missed him this year. He's a another strong carrier and good close to the line.

@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@MN5 said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@Bovidae said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

This photo shows how under-sized our loosies are:

View image

Being the glass is half full fellow that I am it's also a case of a fucken tall prop and a tall lock.

Kirifi is a unit but yes, an undersized one. There's a place for him provided there's bigger options at 6 and 8.

Is Holland noted as a ball carrier ? I thought he went to ground pretty easy a few times last night. Certainly no Eben Etzebeth in that department ( yet )

Lio Willie basically looks the same size as Kirifi in this photo.

@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

Dalts is a very good lineout jumper.

Your ability to claim excellence in every aspect of every Blues player while belittling every other player is truly impressive mate.

@reprobate said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@KiwiMurph

I've never noticed handling issues from Darry.

Blues really missed him this year. He's a another strong carrier and good close to the line.

@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@MN5 said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@Bovidae said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

This photo shows how under-sized our loosies are:

View image

Being the glass is half full fellow that I am it's also a case of a fucken tall prop and a tall lock.

Kirifi is a unit but yes, an undersized one. There's a place for him provided there's bigger options at 6 and 8.

Is Holland noted as a ball carrier ? I thought he went to ground pretty easy a few times last night. Certainly no Eben Etzebeth in that department ( yet )

Lio Willie basically looks the same size as Kirifi in this photo.

@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

Dalts is a very good lineout jumper.

Your ability to claim excellence in every aspect of every Blues player while belittling every other player is truly impressive mate.

Blues players get bagged a lot and I'm just sticking up for them.

Christian Lio Willie is not every other player. The jury is still out on him but given he is little I have my doubts. Most of the players in the squad I support. There's a few selections I think are questionable.

@sparky said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@Canes4life

Using your example, Ma'a Nonu was dropped a few times and yeah I was unhappy about each of those and argued against them on here at the time if I remember correctly.

But each time he got dropped, he came back stronger and more professional. It was interesting reading the other day Ben White (half back for Toulon, Scotland and the British and Irish Lions) say that he's never encountered a more professional Rugby player than Ma'a Nonu.

That's what the brutal All Blacks environment produces. Skilled athletes who are craftsmen.

Not really. He was given multiple opportunities and dropped multiple times. He was tried at centre and on the wing by multiple AB coaches. Didn’t make the 05 Lions squad after making the ABs in 03 and even starting against the best team in the world at the time. Was dropped for the 07 RWC after featuring in 06.

He eventually became an AB great. Some players just need to be persisted with over longer periods.

@ACT-Crusader said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@sparky said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@Canes4life

Using your example, Ma'a Nonu was dropped a few times and yeah I was unhappy about each of those and argued against them on here at the time if I remember correctly.

But each time he got dropped, he came back stronger and more professional. It was interesting reading the other day Ben White (half back for Toulon, Scotland and the British and Irish Lions) say that he's never encountered a more professional Rugby player than Ma'a Nonu.

That's what the brutal All Blacks environment produces. Skilled athletes who are craftsmen.

Not really. He was given multiple opportunities and dropped multiple times. He was tried at centre and on the wing by multiple AB coaches. Didn’t make the 05 Lions squad after making the ABs in 03 and even starting against the best team in the world at the time. Was dropped for the 07 RWC after featuring in 06.

He eventually became an AB great. Some players just need to be persisted with over longer periods.

I always knew he was special.....

@canefan said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@ACT-Crusader said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@sparky said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@Canes4life

Using your example, Ma'a Nonu was dropped a few times and yeah I was unhappy about each of those and argued against them on here at the time if I remember correctly.

But each time he got dropped, he came back stronger and more professional. It was interesting reading the other day Ben White (half back for Toulon, Scotland and the British and Irish Lions) say that he's never encountered a more professional Rugby player than Ma'a Nonu.

That's what the brutal All Blacks environment produces. Skilled athletes who are craftsmen.

Not really. He was given multiple opportunities and dropped multiple times. He was tried at centre and on the wing by multiple AB coaches. Didn’t make the 05 Lions squad after making the ABs in 03 and even starting against the best team in the world at the time. Was dropped for the 07 RWC after featuring in 06.

He eventually became an AB great. Some players just need to be persisted with over longer periods.

I always knew he was special.....

Once he ditched the hoodie I knew he would be an AB great…..

Heard France could be making a lot of changes to the team. One french reporter said as many as 10 changes. Hard to believe

@tomk said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

Heard France could be making a lot of changes to the team. One french reporter said as many as 10 changes. Hard to believe

France D?!

@ACT-Crusader said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@canefan said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@ACT-Crusader said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@sparky said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@Canes4life

Using your example, Ma'a Nonu was dropped a few times and yeah I was unhappy about each of those and argued against them on here at the time if I remember correctly.

But each time he got dropped, he came back stronger and more professional. It was interesting reading the other day Ben White (half back for Toulon, Scotland and the British and Irish Lions) say that he's never encountered a more professional Rugby player than Ma'a Nonu.

That's what the brutal All Blacks environment produces. Skilled athletes who are craftsmen.

Not really. He was given multiple opportunities and dropped multiple times. He was tried at centre and on the wing by multiple AB coaches. Didn’t make the 05 Lions squad after making the ABs in 03 and even starting against the best team in the world at the time. Was dropped for the 07 RWC after featuring in 06.

He eventually became an AB great. Some players just need to be persisted with over longer periods.

I always knew he was special.....

Once he ditched the hoodie I knew he would be an AB great…..

@ACT-Crusader said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@canefan said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@ACT-Crusader said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@sparky said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@Canes4life

Using your example, Ma'a Nonu was dropped a few times and yeah I was unhappy about each of those and argued against them on here at the time if I remember correctly.

But each time he got dropped, he came back stronger and more professional. It was interesting reading the other day Ben White (half back for Toulon, Scotland and the British and Irish Lions) say that he's never encountered a more professional Rugby player than Ma'a Nonu.

That's what the brutal All Blacks environment produces. Skilled athletes who are craftsmen.

Not really. He was given multiple opportunities and dropped multiple times. He was tried at centre and on the wing by multiple AB coaches. Didn’t make the 05 Lions squad after making the ABs in 03 and even starting against the best team in the world at the time. Was dropped for the 07 RWC after featuring in 06.

He eventually became an AB great. Some players just need to be persisted with over longer periods.

I always knew he was special.....

Once he ditched the hoodie I knew he would be an AB great…..

Fake news. Saw him at the pools just a couple of years back with a hoodie.

Hoodies are awesome and so is Nonu.

@tomk said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

Heard France could be making a lot of changes to the team. One french reporter said as many as 10 changes. Hard to believe

So their game plan is to ensure the All Blacks coaches scouting reports on last week's test match is futile..... Wheres the All blacks are a known quantity to France.

I can kind of understand what they are doing in that their approach takes all the pressure off them.

Wild stat - the test in Dunedin last weekend was Cam Roigard's first test match in NZ despite having played 10 test matches before that.

Hi guys...new here.

@Omega said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

Hi guys...new here.

Hi Omega, do you think Riley Higgins should be in the All Blacks squad?

Mr Fish...are you fishing??? No

Leroy Carter was the unlucky one.

@Mr-Fish a solid super rugby player but not test material...

I like the Sullivan brothers as well...maybe eoyt...building some dept.

@ACT-Crusader, I agre re Nonu, but also,

@ACT-Crusader said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

Some players just need to be persisted with over longer periods.

There been a few that have buggered off early because they perceive their way is blocked.

@nonpartizan said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@tomk said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

Heard France could be making a lot of changes to the team. One french reporter said as many as 10 changes. Hard to believe

So their game plan is to ensure the All Blacks coaches scouting reports on last week's test match is futile..... Wheres the All blacks are a known quantity to France.

I can kind of understand what they are doing in that their approach takes all the pressure off them.

I heard there are a grand total of 72 caps in this French squad.

I dont care what they are doing - it is incredibly disrespectful to do this. France vs All Blacks is an iconic fixture i. Rugby and they have turned it into a joke.

I really hope that we spank them by 50
Points in the next two tests and tell them don’t darken our door again

@DaGrubster said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@nonpartizan said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@tomk said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

Heard France could be making a lot of changes to the team. One french reporter said as many as 10 changes. Hard to believe

So their game plan is to ensure the All Blacks coaches scouting reports on last week's test match is futile..... Wheres the All blacks are a known quantity to France.

I can kind of understand what they are doing in that their approach takes all the pressure off them.

I heard there are a grand total of 72 caps in this French squad.

I dont care what they are doing - it is incredibly disrespectful to do this. France vs All Blacks is an iconic fixture i. Rugby and they have turned it into a joke.

I really hope that we spank them by 50
Points in the next two tests and tell them don’t darken our door again

Trust me, I don't disagree with you at all.

What it does is not only undermine the fixture and test rugby at large it puts them in a no loss position of they either excuse the loss as it wasnt our best side or they crow about their second string winning.

Their approach takes all the pressure off them but it's unsportsmanlike. I believe the term would be it's not cricket.

And it allows them to develop depth while devaluing test rugby. It doesn't help that we then can't pump them the way they deserve

@canefan said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

And it allows them to develop depth while devaluing test rugby. It doesn't help that we then can't pump them the way they deserve

This makes zero sense.

Grrrr how dare they develop depth with these uncapped players! Grrr how dare those inexperienced players be too good for us to beat by more!

@canefan said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

And it allows them to develop depth while devaluing test rugby. It doesn't help that we then can't pump them the way they deserve

But doesn't it speak volumes about the levels of NZ & French Rugby that we struggle to put away a French development team?

@Victor-Meldrew can remember when full strength All Black teams touring France use to struggle to put away French Divisional teams during the 80s and 90s ..
France have always had depth but issues in and around coaching and selection

These days the have 30 professional clubs including aligned academy’s
Money also trumps anything we see down here in NZ

@Steven-Harris said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@Victor-Meldrew can remember when full strength All Black teams touring France use to struggle to put away French Divisional teams during the 80s and 90s ..
France have always had depth but issues in and around coaching and selection

These days the have 30 professional clubs including aligned academy’s
Money also trumps anything we see down here in NZ

They are also strategically recruiting big talented kids from Aussie and NZ too. The French systems are pretty impressive!

@Steven-Harris said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@Victor-Meldrew can remember when full strength All Black teams touring France use to struggle to put away French Divisional teams during the 80s and 90s ..
France have always had depth but issues in and around coaching and selection

These days the have 30 professional clubs including aligned academy’s
Money also trumps anything we see down here in NZ

It isn't just money though. The FFR seems to have an actual plan.

@Victor-Meldrew no question but you must also remember throw 560,000 registered rugby players across 6 divisions a strong economy unlike NZ that has an economy that’s less than ideal at a time when young men working need to put food on the table or look at other options

Basketball is one of the faster growing sports in NZ taking many tall athletes off in a different direction ,also Rugby League with the popular NRL right on our doorstep with increased salaries that better anything the rugby in NZ offers under All Black level will also drag many promising rugby players to the 13 man game

Rugby at grassroots level is on life support at the minute

@Steven-Harris said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

Basketball is one of the faster growing sports in NZ taking many tall athletes off in a different direction ,also Rugby League with the popular NRL right on our doorstep

I've been hearing that for about 30 years...

@Steven-Harris

Reading Foster's book on @His-Bobness recommendation. Deserves a thread of its' own, but it's an indictment of NZR and it's lack of competence, in-fighting and putting commercial interests above the game.

@Bones said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@Steven-Harris said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

Basketball is one of the faster growing sports in NZ taking many tall athletes off in a different direction ,also Rugby League with the popular NRL right on our doorstep

I've been hearing that for about 30 years...

Luckily there is a really good system bringing absolute units in from old Zealand

Btw, the weird thing about the French approach to this series is how do you explain to the players who acquited themselves well in Dunedin why they were left out for the second test. Dropping 10 players from the first test makes absolutely no sense from a team building point of view.

Players want to play and they want to win, I'm just not sure how you sell players on being part of a project that is pretty incoherent.

@nonpartizan devil's advocate being you're selecting a lot of young players and they all know they're going to get a taste (as well as giving them a wage boost and locking them in).

Would love to see Love get a go at 10 next week. Nothing to lose really given Beauden's game tonight and with Roigard's kicking game quite low risk.