Well, don't know whether to shake my head or be pleased they trying things. Surprises me Vai'i at 6, but also think it a pointer to how good they thing Holland will be, and Vai'i being best lock in NZ, maybe they felt they had to play him?
@upthelanders said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:
No Tavatavanawi on the bench in Dunedin
I didn’t think he would be selected for the first test no matter where it was played.
Barrett and QT are our two best 2nd 5s right now with the latter offering that utility as well. I think TNT will get an opportunity in the series
@Dan54 said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:
Well, don't know whether to shake my head or be pleased they trying things. Surprises me Vai'i at 6, but also think it a pointer to how good they thing Holland will be, and Vai'i being best lock in NZ, maybe they felt they had to play him?
thats kind of why i dont like choosing your captain so early....if Vaai is the best lock and Holland deserves a run as the future....play them both there, i think you make the 23 before you get to be captain, with savea, taylor and BB on the pitch its not like we're short of experienced leaders on the pitch
@Smudge said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:
yaaay, BB at 10!! he was so good there in 2017, he's due!
See, we are patient!
i've owned racehorses like this...
I hear they’re still running the Doomben straight as we speak….
running is generous
So is Doomben.
eat all the dicks
Geez ...punishment for Cowbell-gate. All the Waikato players made to sit on the bench in silence and watch the Crusaders guys performing.
I think getting touched up by the Springboks on the regular has really focussed their minds.
They want as many big lumps as they can get in the team. Or at least players who play like big lumps (Ardie, Kirifi).
Hence Vaai to 6. This is not injury enforced. This is "policy".
@Canes4life said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:
Official All Blacks 23 vs France:
Link is dead, am I going to have to search for the bloody team list myself? 
@Jet said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:
I think getting touched up by the Springboks on the regular has really focussed their minds.
They want as many big lumps as they can get in the team. Or at least players who play like big lumps (Ardie, Kirifi).Hence Vaai to 6. This is not injury enforced. This is "policy".
Yeah I think the whole size thing is moot when a player has leg drive like Ardie provides. More so than any of the others except Sititi.
@Nepia said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:
Official All Blacks 23 vs France:
Link is dead, am I going to search for the bloody team list myself?
just read George's posts and you'll have it, they must be re releasing with the wings corrected
Yeah me neither. Vaa'i faded badly in that French test last year.
@brodean said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:
Yeah me neither. Vaa'i faded badly in that French test last year.
We ran him into the ground last year thought didnt we? He was ever present.
@Kiwiwomble Except for the fact that the player they picked as captain is clearly our best lock…
@AmberArmy said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:
@Kiwiwomble Except for the fact that the player they picked as captain is clearly our best lock…
i was clearly replying to a comment that Vaai was the best lock....so people disagree on that point
@Dan54 said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:
Well, don't know whether to shake my head or be pleased they trying things. Surprises me Vai'i at 6, but also think it a pointer to how good they thing Holland will be, and Vai'i being best lock in NZ, maybe they felt they had to play him?
I really hope that Holland lives up to the hype. I'm not convinced myself from what I have seen of him. Hope to be proven wrong.
TBH I was a bit I don't care about the team naming but a lot of that is meh.
Jordie vice captain - so another auto pick for a Barrett regardless of their form or the form of their competitors.
Vai'i at 6, I hope it's a success but we've just moved our best lock to a relatively unfamiliar position. Holland hasn't played a test yet Captain Scarlett ....
Proctor at 13, nah I don't have problem with that but selection, but I was looking forward to seeing the meltdown from the Canes brigade and the Ioane haters if it didn't happen.
Reece, how does this twat keep getting selected? Sotutu dominates Super doesn't get a look in, Reece has good Supers and poor tests but always gets a look in.
CLW, a good season and immediate elevation to the ABs as another small (heightwise) loosie. Hey, but at least form counts in 2025.
@AmberArmy said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:
@Kiwiwomble Except for the fact that the player they picked as captain is clearly our best lock…
A few years ago maybe, he's been shaded by Vai'i the last two years, I don't even think ACT would argue against that.
@akan004 said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:
@Dan54 said in All Blacks Vs France, Test One, Dunedin:
Well, don't know whether to shake my head or be pleased they trying things. Surprises me Vai'i at 6, but also think it a pointer to how good they thing Holland will be, and Vai'i being best lock in NZ, maybe they felt they had to play him?
I really hope that Holland lives up to the hype. I'm not convinced myself from what I have seen of him. Hope to be proven wrong.
Yeah fair enough mate, but I been saying for about 3 years now I see him as 100 test AB, so I got to stick with it.
