2025 All Blacks v France series
-
@Canes4life said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@reprobate said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
That's the backs MOTM poll for our last French test. Clarke may have had a mediocre Super season, but not starting him at 11 for some Rieko pipe-dream would be absurd. If Clarke underperforms in black then sure, give someone else a go.
On Roigard: I don't think you have to start your best players, and I think SA have proved it. I think you have to win games, and that means combinations which allow you to be the better team on the park for 80 minutes.
I'll be very surprised if we don't see Roigard starting in the weekend. He's World Class, and just like DMac for the Chiefs, Jordan for the Crusaders and Beaudy for the Blues, Roigard has proven to be the difference maker for the Canes in the last few years and has the ability to turn a match on its head.
Who cares what the Saffas are doing, we need to start our best side available. Ratima and Hotham suit that bench role more than Roigard, Ratima showed that for the Chiefs this year so for me he will be the frontrunner for that spot.
I think you should care what they're doing, when they're beating us.
Boks 1: we dominated for 60 minutes, were up 4 tries to 1 I think - then were taken apart in the last 20 to end up losing - overtaken in the 74th minute.
Boks 2 - overtaken in the 73rd minute.
Cam Roigard can't change those results if he isn't on the field anymore - and my preference for him on the bench is not a slight. Even you Canes die-hards would probably admit that he can't play 80 minutes, and in my opinion Ratima's kicking is dodgy and we need kicking late in the game.@reprobate said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@Canes4life said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@reprobate said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
That's the backs MOTM poll for our last French test. Clarke may have had a mediocre Super season, but not starting him at 11 for some Rieko pipe-dream would be absurd. If Clarke underperforms in black then sure, give someone else a go.
On Roigard: I don't think you have to start your best players, and I think SA have proved it. I think you have to win games, and that means combinations which allow you to be the better team on the park for 80 minutes.
I'll be very surprised if we don't see Roigard starting in the weekend. He's World Class, and just like DMac for the Chiefs, Jordan for the Crusaders and Beaudy for the Blues, Roigard has proven to be the difference maker for the Canes in the last few years and has the ability to turn a match on its head.
Who cares what the Saffas are doing, we need to start our best side available. Ratima and Hotham suit that bench role more than Roigard, Ratima showed that for the Chiefs this year so for me he will be the frontrunner for that spot.
I think you should care what they're doing, when they're beating us.
Boks 1: we dominated for 60 minutes, were up 4 tries to 1 I think - then were taken apart in the last 20 to end up losing - overtaken in the 74th minute.
Boks 2 - overtaken in the 73rd minute.
Cam Roigard can't change those results if he isn't on the field anymore - and my preference for him on the bench is not a slight. Even you Canes die-hards would probably admit that he can't play 80 minutes, and in my opinion Ratima's kicking is dodgy and we need kicking late in the game.I think we should focus on ourselves. We aren't the same as the Springoks, we need to find our own way of playing that will put us back to the top of the pile. They aren't much better than us and I think we have an improving squad that will be competing for that number 1 position by the end of the year.
Fair enough mate, it's your opinion. I just think we need our best players on the park from the get go. Hopefully Ratima or Hotham can step up and provide that quality impact we are after late in a game.
-
i dont hate it, clarke was less the stellar during SR, give him a couple of weeks for the coaches to...coach him, allow us to experiment in the midfield against an understrength French side
@Kiwiwomble said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
i dont hate it, clarke was less the stellar during SR, give him a couple of weeks for the coaches to...coach him, allow us to experiment in the midfield against an understrength French side
This. Good opportunity to see what Rieko brings at wing in 2025 - if not now then when
-
I'd suggest Caleb Tangitau needs to work on his defensive workrate and accuracy. Based on these Carter would seem a better option that Tangitau for test rugby.
Tackle Success
92.6% Emoni Narawa
90.6% Jonah Lowe
88.2% Mark Tele'a
85.2% Macca Springer
84.7% Sevu Reece
82.6% Caleb Clarke
81.4% Kini Naholo
80.2% Leroy Carter
72.4% Caleb Tangitau
72.3% Chay FihakiTackles Per 80 Minutes
9.17 Macca Springer
8.4 Mark Tele'a
7.82 Caleb Clarke
7.74 Chay Fihaki
7.56 Leroy Carter
6.68 Kini Naholo
6.54 Sevu Reece
6.05 Jonah Lowe
5.63 Emoni Narawa
4.56 Caleb TangitauClarke and Tele'a look pretty good defence wise in these metrics.
@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
I'd suggest Caleb Tangitau needs to work on his defensive workrate and accuracy. Based on these Carter would seem a better option that Tangitau for test rugby.
Tackle Success
92.6% Emoni Narawa
90.6% Jonah Lowe
88.2% Mark Tele'a
85.2% Macca Springer
84.7% Sevu Reece
82.6% Caleb Clarke
81.4% Kini Naholo
80.2% Leroy Carter
72.4% Caleb Tangitau
72.3% Chay FihakiTackles Per 80 Minutes
9.17 Macca Springer
8.4 Mark Tele'a
7.82 Caleb Clarke
7.74 Chay Fihaki
7.56 Leroy Carter
6.68 Kini Naholo
6.54 Sevu Reece
6.05 Jonah Lowe
5.63 Emoni Narawa
4.56 Caleb TangitauClarke and Tele'a look pretty good defence wise in these metrics.
That could all be a product of playing for the highlanders though.
-
@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
I'd suggest Caleb Tangitau needs to work on his defensive workrate and accuracy. Based on these Carter would seem a better option that Tangitau for test rugby.
Tackle Success
92.6% Emoni Narawa
90.6% Jonah Lowe
88.2% Mark Tele'a
85.2% Macca Springer
84.7% Sevu Reece
82.6% Caleb Clarke
81.4% Kini Naholo
80.2% Leroy Carter
72.4% Caleb Tangitau
72.3% Chay FihakiTackles Per 80 Minutes
9.17 Macca Springer
8.4 Mark Tele'a
7.82 Caleb Clarke
7.74 Chay Fihaki
7.56 Leroy Carter
6.68 Kini Naholo
6.54 Sevu Reece
6.05 Jonah Lowe
5.63 Emoni Narawa
4.56 Caleb TangitauClarke and Tele'a look pretty good defence wise in these metrics.
That could all be a product of playing for the highlanders though.
@Bones said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
I'd suggest Caleb Tangitau needs to work on his defensive workrate and accuracy. Based on these Carter would seem a better option that Tangitau for test rugby.
Tackle Success
92.6% Emoni Narawa
90.6% Jonah Lowe
88.2% Mark Tele'a
85.2% Macca Springer
84.7% Sevu Reece
82.6% Caleb Clarke
81.4% Kini Naholo
80.2% Leroy Carter
72.4% Caleb Tangitau
72.3% Chay FihakiTackles Per 80 Minutes
9.17 Macca Springer
8.4 Mark Tele'a
7.82 Caleb Clarke
7.74 Chay Fihaki
7.56 Leroy Carter
6.68 Kini Naholo
6.54 Sevu Reece
6.05 Jonah Lowe
5.63 Emoni Narawa
4.56 Caleb TangitauClarke and Tele'a look pretty good defence wise in these metrics.
That could all be a product of playing for the highlanders though.
Are you trying to say the Highlanders are a team full of poor defenders, which is why they came last, and besides that we shouldn't pick too many players who lose more often than not?
-
@Bones said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
I'd suggest Caleb Tangitau needs to work on his defensive workrate and accuracy. Based on these Carter would seem a better option that Tangitau for test rugby.
Tackle Success
92.6% Emoni Narawa
90.6% Jonah Lowe
88.2% Mark Tele'a
85.2% Macca Springer
84.7% Sevu Reece
82.6% Caleb Clarke
81.4% Kini Naholo
80.2% Leroy Carter
72.4% Caleb Tangitau
72.3% Chay FihakiTackles Per 80 Minutes
9.17 Macca Springer
8.4 Mark Tele'a
7.82 Caleb Clarke
7.74 Chay Fihaki
7.56 Leroy Carter
6.68 Kini Naholo
6.54 Sevu Reece
6.05 Jonah Lowe
5.63 Emoni Narawa
4.56 Caleb TangitauClarke and Tele'a look pretty good defence wise in these metrics.
That could all be a product of playing for the highlanders though.
Are you trying to say the Highlanders are a team full of poor defenders, which is why they came last, and besides that we shouldn't pick too many players who lose more often than not?
@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@Bones said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
I'd suggest Caleb Tangitau needs to work on his defensive workrate and accuracy. Based on these Carter would seem a better option that Tangitau for test rugby.
Tackle Success
92.6% Emoni Narawa
90.6% Jonah Lowe
88.2% Mark Tele'a
85.2% Macca Springer
84.7% Sevu Reece
82.6% Caleb Clarke
81.4% Kini Naholo
80.2% Leroy Carter
72.4% Caleb Tangitau
72.3% Chay FihakiTackles Per 80 Minutes
9.17 Macca Springer
8.4 Mark Tele'a
7.82 Caleb Clarke
7.74 Chay Fihaki
7.56 Leroy Carter
6.68 Kini Naholo
6.54 Sevu Reece
6.05 Jonah Lowe
5.63 Emoni Narawa
4.56 Caleb TangitauClarke and Tele'a look pretty good defence wise in these metrics.
That could all be a product of playing for the highlanders though.
Are you trying to say the Highlanders are a team full of poor defenders, which is why they came last, and besides that we shouldn't pick too many players with a losing mindset?
Sounds far too thought out for me. Especially when there's low hanging fruit like teams that somehow manage to lose twice in the finals. I imagine Tangitau was playing in a bit of a faulty defensive pattern in that first part of the season, but can't really be sure.
I'll just go back to framing the Jordan turnovers post.
-
Don't the stats basically say he misses one tackle a game? Which over the course of the six games he played means he only missed seven tackles. Small sample size.
-
Don't the stats basically say he misses one tackle a game? Which over the course of the six games he played means he only missed seven tackles. Small sample size.
@SouthernMann probably not that flash when you're only making 27 tackles in those 6 games.
-
@Bones said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
I'd suggest Caleb Tangitau needs to work on his defensive workrate and accuracy. Based on these Carter would seem a better option that Tangitau for test rugby.
Tackle Success
92.6% Emoni Narawa
90.6% Jonah Lowe
88.2% Mark Tele'a
85.2% Macca Springer
84.7% Sevu Reece
82.6% Caleb Clarke
81.4% Kini Naholo
80.2% Leroy Carter
72.4% Caleb Tangitau
72.3% Chay FihakiTackles Per 80 Minutes
9.17 Macca Springer
8.4 Mark Tele'a
7.82 Caleb Clarke
7.74 Chay Fihaki
7.56 Leroy Carter
6.68 Kini Naholo
6.54 Sevu Reece
6.05 Jonah Lowe
5.63 Emoni Narawa
4.56 Caleb TangitauClarke and Tele'a look pretty good defence wise in these metrics.
That could all be a product of playing for the highlanders though.
Are you trying to say the Highlanders are a team full of poor defenders, which is why they came last, and besides that we shouldn't pick too many players who lose more often than not?
@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@Bones said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
I'd suggest Caleb Tangitau needs to work on his defensive workrate and accuracy. Based on these Carter would seem a better option that Tangitau for test rugby.
Tackle Success
92.6% Emoni Narawa
90.6% Jonah Lowe
88.2% Mark Tele'a
85.2% Macca Springer
84.7% Sevu Reece
82.6% Caleb Clarke
81.4% Kini Naholo
80.2% Leroy Carter
72.4% Caleb Tangitau
> > > 72.3% Chay FihakiTackles Per 80 Minutes
9.17 Macca Springer
8.4 Mark Tele'a
7.82 Caleb Clarke
7.74 Chay Fihaki
7.56 Leroy Carter
6.68 Kini Naholo
6.54 Sevu Reece
6.05 Jonah Lowe
5.63 Emoni Narawa
4.56 Caleb TangitauClarke and Tele'a look pretty good defence wise in these metrics.
That could all be a product of playing for the highlanders though.
Are you trying to say the Highlanders are a team full of poor defenders, which is why they came last, and besides that we shouldn't pick too many players who lose more often than not?
Fihaki got a look..
-
@Bones said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
I'd suggest Caleb Tangitau needs to work on his defensive workrate and accuracy. Based on these Carter would seem a better option that Tangitau for test rugby.
Tackle Success
92.6% Emoni Narawa
90.6% Jonah Lowe
88.2% Mark Tele'a
85.2% Macca Springer
84.7% Sevu Reece
82.6% Caleb Clarke
81.4% Kini Naholo
80.2% Leroy Carter
72.4% Caleb Tangitau
72.3% Chay FihakiTackles Per 80 Minutes
9.17 Macca Springer
8.4 Mark Tele'a
7.82 Caleb Clarke
7.74 Chay Fihaki
7.56 Leroy Carter
6.68 Kini Naholo
6.54 Sevu Reece
6.05 Jonah Lowe
5.63 Emoni Narawa
4.56 Caleb TangitauClarke and Tele'a look pretty good defence wise in these metrics.
That could all be a product of playing for the highlanders though.
Are you trying to say the Highlanders are a team full of poor defenders, which is why they came last, and besides that we shouldn't pick too many players who lose more often than not?
@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@Bones said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
I'd suggest Caleb Tangitau needs to work on his defensive workrate and accuracy. Based on these Carter would seem a better option that Tangitau for test rugby.
Tackle Success
92.6% Emoni Narawa
90.6% Jonah Lowe
88.2% Mark Tele'a
85.2% Macca Springer
84.7% Sevu Reece
82.6% Caleb Clarke
81.4% Kini Naholo
80.2% Leroy Carter
72.4% Caleb Tangitau
72.3% Chay FihakiTackles Per 80 Minutes
9.17 Macca Springer
8.4 Mark Tele'a
7.82 Caleb Clarke
7.74 Chay Fihaki
7.56 Leroy Carter
6.68 Kini Naholo
6.54 Sevu Reece
6.05 Jonah Lowe
5.63 Emoni Narawa
4.56 Caleb TangitauClarke and Tele'a look pretty good defence wise in these metrics.
That could all be a product of playing for the highlanders though.
Are you trying to say the Highlanders are a team full of poor defenders, which is why they came last, and besides that we shouldn't pick too many players who lose more often than not?
the first bit yes but the last but might be a step too far, i always think managing to look that good in a struggling team earns you at least the chance to show what you can do with a dominant team around you
-
@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@Bones said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
I'd suggest Caleb Tangitau needs to work on his defensive workrate and accuracy. Based on these Carter would seem a better option that Tangitau for test rugby.
Tackle Success
92.6% Emoni Narawa
90.6% Jonah Lowe
88.2% Mark Tele'a
85.2% Macca Springer
84.7% Sevu Reece
82.6% Caleb Clarke
81.4% Kini Naholo
80.2% Leroy Carter
72.4% Caleb Tangitau
72.3% Chay FihakiTackles Per 80 Minutes
9.17 Macca Springer
8.4 Mark Tele'a
7.82 Caleb Clarke
7.74 Chay Fihaki
7.56 Leroy Carter
6.68 Kini Naholo
6.54 Sevu Reece
6.05 Jonah Lowe
5.63 Emoni Narawa
4.56 Caleb TangitauClarke and Tele'a look pretty good defence wise in these metrics.
That could all be a product of playing for the highlanders though.
Are you trying to say the Highlanders are a team full of poor defenders, which is why they came last, and besides that we shouldn't pick too many players who lose more often than not?
the first bit yes but the last but might be a step too far, i always think managing to look that good in a struggling team earns you at least the chance to show what you can do with a dominant team around you
-
@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@Bones said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
I'd suggest Caleb Tangitau needs to work on his defensive workrate and accuracy. Based on these Carter would seem a better option that Tangitau for test rugby.
Tackle Success
92.6% Emoni Narawa
90.6% Jonah Lowe
88.2% Mark Tele'a
85.2% Macca Springer
84.7% Sevu Reece
82.6% Caleb Clarke
81.4% Kini Naholo
80.2% Leroy Carter
72.4% Caleb Tangitau
72.3% Chay FihakiTackles Per 80 Minutes
9.17 Macca Springer
8.4 Mark Tele'a
7.82 Caleb Clarke
7.74 Chay Fihaki
7.56 Leroy Carter
6.68 Kini Naholo
6.54 Sevu Reece
6.05 Jonah Lowe
5.63 Emoni Narawa
4.56 Caleb TangitauClarke and Tele'a look pretty good defence wise in these metrics.
That could all be a product of playing for the highlanders though.
Are you trying to say the Highlanders are a team full of poor defenders, which is why they came last, and besides that we shouldn't pick too many players with a losing mindset?
Sounds far too thought out for me. Especially when there's low hanging fruit like teams that somehow manage to lose twice in the finals. I imagine Tangitau was playing in a bit of a faulty defensive pattern in that first part of the season, but can't really be sure.
I'll just go back to framing the Jordan turnovers post.
@Bones said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
I imagine Tangitau was playing in a bit of a faulty defensive pattern in that first part of the season, but can't really be sure.
Well the coaches need to be sure when they make their selections.
-
@nostrildamus said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@hikastags said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
Rieko Ioane posted a photo today from training with Ah Kuoi in the background.
I wonder what number Ioane was wearing..
11
Rieko has been training exclusively at wing. Zero reps in the midfield.@Nogusta said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@nostrildamus said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@hikastags said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
Rieko Ioane posted a photo today from training with Ah Kuoi in the background.
I wonder what number Ioane was wearing..
11
Rieko has been training exclusively at wing. Zero reps in the midfield.Finally changes. Love it!
-
I'd suggest Caleb Tangitau needs to work on his defensive workrate and accuracy. Based on these Carter would seem a better option that Tangitau for test rugby.
Tackle Success
92.6% Emoni Narawa
90.6% Jonah Lowe
88.2% Mark Tele'a
85.2% Macca Springer
84.7% Sevu Reece
82.6% Caleb Clarke
81.4% Kini Naholo
80.2% Leroy Carter
72.4% Caleb Tangitau
72.3% Chay FihakiTackles Per 80 Minutes
9.17 Macca Springer
8.4 Mark Tele'a
7.82 Caleb Clarke
7.74 Chay Fihaki
7.56 Leroy Carter
6.68 Kini Naholo
6.54 Sevu Reece
6.05 Jonah Lowe
5.63 Emoni Narawa
4.56 Caleb TangitauClarke and Tele'a look pretty good defence wise in these metrics.
@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
I'd suggest Caleb Tangitau needs to work on his defensive workrate and accuracy. Based on these Carter would seem a better option that Tangitau for test rugby.
Good example of how stats don't tell the whole story.
I don't think many people on here would pick Carter over Tangitau. -
I think 3 players from the Highlanders is about right. They are a young team and will get better.
@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
I think 3 players from the Highlanders is about right. They are a young team and will get better.
of course, not claiming we should have loads more.....but i think Tangitau could have been a great bolter if fit
-
@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@Bones said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
I'd suggest Caleb Tangitau needs to work on his defensive workrate and accuracy. Based on these Carter would seem a better option that Tangitau for test rugby.
Tackle Success
92.6% Emoni Narawa
90.6% Jonah Lowe
88.2% Mark Tele'a
85.2% Macca Springer
84.7% Sevu Reece
82.6% Caleb Clarke
81.4% Kini Naholo
80.2% Leroy Carter
72.4% Caleb Tangitau
> > > 72.3% Chay FihakiTackles Per 80 Minutes
9.17 Macca Springer
8.4 Mark Tele'a
7.82 Caleb Clarke
7.74 Chay Fihaki
7.56 Leroy Carter
6.68 Kini Naholo
6.54 Sevu Reece
6.05 Jonah Lowe
5.63 Emoni Narawa
4.56 Caleb TangitauClarke and Tele'a look pretty good defence wise in these metrics.
That could all be a product of playing for the highlanders though.
Are you trying to say the Highlanders are a team full of poor defenders, which is why they came last, and besides that we shouldn't pick too many players who lose more often than not?
Fihaki got a look..
But does anyone agree Fihaki should have been there?
I think if you look at the amount of tackles Carter made, the defensive accuracy, his durability, the fastest in NZ, and the fact that he scored the most tries of all NZ players then he would be the obvious noob to bring in over Tangitau.
-
But does anyone agree Fihaki should have been there?
I think if you look at the amount of tackles Carter made, the defensive accuracy, his durability, the fastest in NZ, and the fact that he scored the most tries of all NZ players then he would be the obvious noob to bring in over Tangitau.
@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
But does anyone agree Fihaki should have been there?
I think if you look at the amount of tackles Carter made, the defensive accuracy, his durability, the fastest in NZ, and the fact that he scored the most tries then he would be the obvious noob to bring in over Tangitau.
My point was only his tackling isn't great and the coaches still looked at him.
I'm not saying that was or is a good idea.. -
@reprobate said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@Canes4life said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@reprobate said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@gt12 said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@reprobate said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
Hasn't QT played a little bit of wing for the Chiefs too?
Yeah, last year he spent quite a bit of time out there on his return.
That cover is really important to me - you would never QT to start there, but in the event of an early injury you do need someone who can play wing - or you risk it costing you the game. And in these days of 23 man rugby it is a real disadvantage if you need to have wing cover on the bench, because it simply isn't a position where you are going to be as knackered as the forwards after 55 minutes. I think QT has to be in the 23, and on form he probably deserves to be starting at 12.
I wouldn't mind seeing (to get 6:2):
Ratima, McKenzie, Clarke, Tupaea, Proctor, Jordan, Love. Bench: Roigard, TavatavanawaiHowever, I do think Jordan is our best fullback, and it's very debatable whether it's worth losing that to get 6:2. 5:3 with Love on the bench is a more likely scenario - though to be fair neither are likely as we don't drop Barretts.
I like that backline but would start Roigard over Ratima, but I think we need to leave Jordan at 15. Providing Love minutes off the bench this year (whether that's 10 or 15) will be the ideal way to go IMO.
Yeah, if Tangitau wasn't injured I'd love to see him Jordan and Clarke as the back 3. And ideally I'd introduce Love off the bench too - but we saw last year trying to play at pace against teams that are bringing on lots of fresh forwards, we were the team being stuffed at the end of games - so I think that 6:2 bench is worth serious consideration.
My thoughts on Roigard are in a bit of a similar vein: his kicking game is the best we have at 9, and with our last 15-20 minutes tending to get pretty ratty, I think his best value right now to the ABs is to be on the field late in games still relatively fresh and getting us field position - taking pressure off either McKenzie (knackered from a million touches) or Love (newbie and the benefit of an established combo). I'd bring him on at half time or just after.
I think you have to start your best players and Roigard, despite not quite hitting the heights of where he was at preinjury, he is still clearly seen as the number 1 halfback in NZ, therefore he definitely starts for me. I was interested by Marshall's comments on the Breakdown that he would prefer Hotham off the bench but obviously that's his Cantab bias creeping through.
I think most Ferners would agree on the Tangitau comment, he seemed to have everything we require in a test level wing. I'm still not sold on Caleb Clarke, he's got to prove himself again after a pretty average Super season where he didn't score a try. Right now, I would pick Ioane on the wing over him and I've got a feeling that's where the selectors are moving.
@Canes4life I don’t think the Hotham bench call is driven by red n black eye patches alone, but for me Hotham is a more active runner of the ball from the base and late in games that can be very valuable. As we saw when Roigard first made h the ABs.
I’m a fan of Ratima’s passing game, not so much his box kicking, but he gets that backline moving with his pass. He doesn’t tend to snipe as much as you would like though.
-
@Bones said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
I imagine Tangitau was playing in a bit of a faulty defensive pattern in that first part of the season, but can't really be sure.
Well the coaches need to be sure when they make their selections.
@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@Bones said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
I imagine Tangitau was playing in a bit of a faulty defensive pattern in that first part of the season, but can't really be sure.
Well the coaches need to be sure when they make their selections.
Come on man.
