NC: All Blacks v Italy

@canefan said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:

Just for my steam back. Are we trying to punch up the middle like we did vs the Italians, or pushing it wide without earning the right?

Honestly it feels like we've hardly had the ball and when we do we've gone wide, Dmac has come in,messed up the backline and we've gone nowhere.

I've lost count of the rucks Proctor has had to hit after Dmac has come in.

Forwards are looking underpowered and backs more disjointed. Needs variety out wide and more directness and muscle up front.

Love and Roigard need to take control.

@Jnr said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:

@canefan said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:

Just for my steam back. Are we trying to punch up the middle like we did vs the Italians, or pushing it wide without earning the right?

Honestly it feels like we've hardly had the ball and when we do we've gone wide, Dmac has come in,messed up the backline and we've gone nowhere.

I've lost count of the rucks Proctor has had to hit after Dmac has come in.

Forwards are looking underpowered and backs more disjointed. Needs variety out wide and more directness and muscle up front.

Question is, will Rennie read the play and make changes?

Changes I would make for the next test.

Samisoni and Aumua in for Taylor
Tosi to start, Newell off the bench
Lakai for Sititi or Savea
Tupaea in for Proctor
Fehi onto the left

Holy shit. The most I've ever agreed with Marshall.

Credit where it is due. The italians have been really food. They understand how the ref is operating.

That 12 is a terrific midfielder and that young winger shows great intent. Their forwards are going really well too.

@Yeetyaah said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:

Holy shit. The most I've ever agreed with Marshall.

Yeah doing it now, didn't seem to do it for the last 2 years for some reason.......

@nostrildamus said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:

@W32 said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:

Come on Italy! Outstanding

I thought you were here for Bones. You're so loose with your affections...

I always pull for the underdog…

@Tim said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:

Love and Roigard need to take control.

Our forwards need to bar up as well

I'm pleased Love hasnt fallen apart but he needs to hopefully show some lessons learnt from halftime in the second 40

Roigard has been pretty meh. Needs to sharpen up

Agree with others Savea not showing any leadership - spending a lot of time out on the wing waiting for his big highlight reel moment. Sititi clearly brought back too early and looks leery of contact. ABs being frustrated and need to keep it tighter and more pragmatic. Tight five going OK, but once again no leadership and some silly of gifting of possession like being in front of the kicker at the restart. Tighter,, more kicking required and, given the ref, more discipline required. Agree with others - Savea is done and new leadership required in this team.

This looks like last year all over again .
What has changed not a lot.
SA will slow the game down and bury us.they will not let the ABs play at speed.

@Chris said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:

This looks like last year all over again .
What has changed not a lot.
SA will slow the game down and bury us.they will not let the ABs play at speed.

That's assuming this 23 plays vs South Africa. If they do we are fucked. Hope Rennie is smarter than that

Good old woke New Zealand with the female commentator quota

@W32 said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:

@nostrildamus said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:

@W32 said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:

Come on Italy! Outstanding

I thought you were here for Bones. You're so loose with your affections...

I always pull for the underdog…

I expect your full support for the ABs in SA later in the year then....

@Chris said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:

This looks like last year all over again .
What has changed not a lot.
SA will slow the game down and bury us.they will not let the ABs play at speed.

Pick the same players, expect the same results.

@KiwiMurph said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:

@Chris said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:

This looks like last year all over again .
What has changed not a lot.
SA will slow the game down and bury us.they will not let the ABs play at speed.

That's assuming this 23 plays vs South Africa. If they do we are fucked. Hope Rennie is smarter than that

His first big test is coming quickly. Some of his big names are failing to deliver

The loose forwards in NZ are pretty average. Won't win much with that lot.

@canefan said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:

@W32 said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:

@nostrildamus said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:

@W32 said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:

Come on Italy! Outstanding

I thought you were here for Bones. You're so loose with your affections...

I always pull for the underdog…

I expect your full support for the ABs in SA later in the year then....

NZ are always favorites..