@taniwharugby said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@brodean hopefully another good run next week and good leadership from Ardie and the heat will be on Scott.
Who is more of a certain pick at the moment? I know who I favour.
I'm not a Crusader supporter but I'm not sure how SB is a better pick at Captain than Ardie apart from his history and clearly close relationship with the coaches. But that is a good reason.
@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
PT runs a better lineout than Barrett and is a better lineout jumper.
PT better on the carry and Barrett better at the breakdown.
PT must be pretty bloody good then.
@frugby said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@Bones gut feeling is that Kirifi hasn’t taken his chance, and will be usurped by Lakai when he returns. Be good to see him given a proper go this week though.
Yeah Kirifi seems to have the unwanted "busy but ineffective" Blackadder tag, unfortunately you can also add "small" to that.
Griping with the ref and not getting turnovers. Did he actually do anything of note ?
Would love him to prove me wrong next week.
@frugby said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@Bones gut feeling is that Kirifi hasn’t taken his chance, and will be usurped by Lakai when he returns. Be good to see him given a proper go this week though.
He took quite a long time to become a dominant force at SR level too. Unfortunately you don't get that opportunity in test rugby, especially at his age. I get the feeling he's doing his best to do the role given, but it probably doesn't suit him and he needs to just go out rip shit n bust.
@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
Vaa'i did well for his try. He's probably deceptively fast but he definitely runs like a lock and not a loose forward.
Don't get style points. It's not how, it's how many.
8 days later
@Duluth said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
What absolute nonsense
France did far better than any pundit predicted and will go forward with a huge playing base
Yeah the reaction to a disjointed AB side has been strangely positive in the media.
Robertson might say a bit of stuff about what the team has learned from the series but the real question is whether or not they apply that knowledge in the future. I look forward to the improved tactical kicking, better use of the bench and game plan adaptability.
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
I look forward to the improved tactical kicking, better use of the bench and game plan adaptability.
Yep, and I expect to win lotto this weekend.
@Duluth said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
Fair comment about the tactically poor appreciation of the space provided by France with both their wingers up and a shallow fullback.
Kicking in New Zealand rugby is as poor as I've ever seen it.
@antipodean said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@Duluth said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
Fair comment about the tactically poor appreciation of the space provided by France with both their wingers up and a shallow fullback.
Kicking in New Zealand rugby is as poor as I've ever seen it.
We've never recovered since DC. Everyone remembers his amazing running game and focus on getting someone who can razzle dazzle, but they forget he was a very good kicker and alround tactical 10 as well
I thought DMac played a solid game on the weekend. His kicking game was much stronger than BBs, he just didn't have much x factor. I don't mind that, and I'd like to see him get a run with Roigard and the top team
@canefan said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
I thought DMac played a solid game on the weekend. His kicking game was much stronger than BBs, he just didn't have much x factor. I don't mind that, and I'd like to see him get a run with Roigard and the top team
The backline didn’t look as smooth with DMac at 10, particularly the out the back plays close to the line that opened up the French defence so well, looked noticeably disjointed in this test.
The tries scored were not nearly as well constructed as in the previous tests. The grubber that resulted in Kirifis try was a dirt poor option that was made to look good by the French 15 fumbling it and Reece stripping it. The ALB try didn’t scream the smooth and well constructed out the back plays we saw in the previous two tests either. No real excuses for Dmac with a 9,11,13 combo he was very familiar with.
Dmac has also been targeted under the high ball and it’s a clear vulnerability in the ABs backfield. The Crusaders did it in the final and the international teams will target him.
But we’re stuck between rock and a hard place with Barrett and McKenzie. Either Love or someone else has to step up
@jimmyb said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@canefan said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
I thought DMac played a solid game on the weekend. His kicking game was much stronger than BBs, he just didn't have much x factor. I don't mind that, and I'd like to see him get a run with Roigard and the top team
But we’re stuck between rock and a hard place with Barrett and McKenzie. Either Love or someone else has to step up
I’d like to see them give Love (given he’s the options they have in squad right now) significant game time throughout the Rugby Championship, introducing him from the bench with more and more minutes each game as the tournament goes on and eventually starting, until it’s clear whether or not he’s the best option going forward. No point in mucking around with Barrett for another two years.
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@jimmyb said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@canefan said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
I thought DMac played a solid game on the weekend. His kicking game was much stronger than BBs, he just didn't have much x factor. I don't mind that, and I'd like to see him get a run with Roigard and the top team
But we’re stuck between rock and a hard place with Barrett and McKenzie. Either Love or someone else has to step up
I’d like to see them give Love (given he’s the options they have in squad right now) significant game time throughout the Rugby Championship, introducing him from the bench with more and more minutes each game as the tournament goes on and eventually starting, until it’s clear whether or not he’s the best option going forward. No point in mucking around with Barrett for another two years.
Agreed. Neither Barrett nor McKenzie are capable of winning a team a World Cup