Match thread

Canes4life

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

Yeetyaah

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

SouthernMann

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.

KiwiMurph

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

Bones

Roigard has been pretty meh. Needs to sharpen up

His Bobness

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.

Chris

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.

KiwiMurph

@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

Frank

Good old woke New Zealand with the female commentator quota

canefan

@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

Tim

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

W32

@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..

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

@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

Yeah I think rennie needed to see this for himself

@Frank
These comments are getting boring and add nothing to the comments,

Tordah

what a shit, subdued atmosphere in that stadium, it seems. Really not lifting anyone