All Blacks v France II
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@Bones said in All Blacks v France 2:
@DaGrubster said in All Blacks v France 2:
@Bones said in All Blacks v France 2:
Love to start, DMac back to the bench to hopefully do his thing in the last 20/30.
Would've been interesting how much worse the kicking would have been with a back three that kick worse than half the loosies in the country.
I think Razors plan for DMAC is just that, because he will be expecting to bring Mounga back into the side next year, so DMAC can cover 10/15 from the bench
Bait.
Bones, stop talking shit
@DaGrubster said in All Blacks v France 2:
@Bones said in All Blacks v France 2:
@DaGrubster said in All Blacks v France 2:
@Bones said in All Blacks v France 2:
Love to start, DMac back to the bench to hopefully do his thing in the last 20/30.
Would've been interesting how much worse the kicking would have been with a back three that kick worse than half the loosies in the country.
I think Razors plan for DMAC is just that, because he will be expecting to bring Mounga back into the side next year, so DMAC can cover 10/15 from the bench
Bait.
Bones, stop talking shit
Well thought out, but
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I'd go with pretty much the same team as the first test with a few players moving around because of injuries, I don't think we'll see too many changes until we have the series wrapped up. My team would be the following:
- De Groot
- Taylor
- Newell
- Holland
- Va'ai
- Finau
- Savea (C)
- Lio-Willie
- Roigard
- Barrett
- Ioane
- Barrett
- Proctor
- Jordan
- McKenzie
- Taukei'aho
- Norris
- Tosi
- Tuipolotu
- Kirifi
- Ratima
- Love
- Tupaea
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@Bones said in All Blacks v France 2:
Love to start, DMac back to the bench to hopefully do his thing in the last 20/30.
Would've been interesting how much worse the kicking would have been with a back three that kick worse than half the loosies in the country.
I think Razors plan for DMAC is just that, because he will be expecting to bring Mounga back into the side next year, so DMAC can cover 10/15 from the bench
@DaGrubster said in All Blacks v France 2:
@Bones said in All Blacks v France 2:
Love to start, DMac back to the bench to hopefully do his thing in the last 20/30.
Would've been interesting how much worse the kicking would have been with a back three that kick worse than half the loosies in the country.
I think Razors plan for DMAC is just that, because he will be expecting to bring Mounga back into the side next year, so DMAC can cover 10/15 from the bench
So we keep hearing. Don’t be so sure…
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didnt robertson say that all 33 will get a run in series.Given some have dropped out with injuries might make it a smaller pool but would expect changes
@ploughboy said in All Blacks v France 2:
didnt robertson say that all 33 will get a run in series.Given some have dropped out with injuries might make it a smaller pool but would expect changes
Simple way of looking at it is that if you started with 33 in squad then at least 5 would have to change each week in order for everyone to get a run.
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@Canes4life , mate I wouldn't mind seeing Vaa'i stay at 6, start Pat T at lock, and see how Ardie goes back at 8, and start with Kirifi. Leave Finau as bench player, though would be happy to see Jacobson on bench too . Backline, I not sure about, but if they want Jordan back at 15 would look at Nawara on right wing, and would maybe look at Clarke on left, we need to get better under high ball, we were poor on Saturday.
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Yeah I like Narawa at 14.
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More from Chat GTP on the man who will have le sifflet during Saturday's test.
Here’s a detailed look at Christophe Ridley, a rising star in rugby officiating:
⸻
🧑
️ Background & Education
• Born: 16 April 1993 in Paris, France, but is an English-qualified rugby referee .
• Education: Studied Sports Coaching at the University of Gloucestershire (from 2013), benefiting from a unique officiating scholarship run by ex-World Cup ref Chris White . He now tutors on the programme and serves as a “referee in residence” for the RFU–University Officiating Hub .⸻
Refereeing Career
• 2016: Turned professional arena referee, debuting in Championship and quickly moving into Premiership Rugby .
• Premier Competitions: Regularly oversees Premiership Rugby, European Rugby Champions Cup and Challenge Cup, and United Rugby Championship (since 2021–22) .
• International Stage:
• Debut as lead referee in Six Nations in 2024, officiating France v Italy .
• Assistant Referee at the 2023 Rugby World Cup .⸻
Key Milestones
• Premiership Final 2024: Assigned as the main referee for the Northampton Saints vs Bath game at Twickenham—a prestigious first for a post-Wayne Barnes official . His semi-final showing earned him broad praise:
“Been the best ref in the league this season imo…” 
“To be fair Ridley has been better and not many referees get domestic and European finals in the same year.” 
• European Champions Cup 2023: One of the Assistant Referees in the final ().⸻
️ Personality & Style
• Mentored by Wayne Barnes and influenced by Luke Pearce for his calm, flowing style .
• Performance-driven: Adopts a rigorous review routine—waking early post-match for analysis—with a pursuit of perfection, supported by his partner Katie Nelson .
• Mindset: Describes “quiet arrogance” and a constant quest for growth, regularly consulting experts across fields .
• Life off-field: Balances intense on-field demands with renovation projects, gym workouts, and time with his dogs and partner .⸻
Community Engagement
• Hosts local events like quiz & curry nights to share insights and support veteran programmes .
• Actively involved in mentoring upcoming referees through his role with the University and RFU Officiating Hub .⸻
SummaryChristophe Ridley is one of England’s most promising rugby referees: a former Leicester Tigers academy player turned professional official, with a strong academic foundation and a distinguished track record across domestic and international competitions. Known for his composed, performance-driven approach.
@sparky said in All Blacks v France 2:
More from Chat GTP on the man who will have le sifflet during Saturday's test.
Here’s a detailed look at Christophe Ridley, a rising star in rugby officiating:
⸻
🧑
️ Background & Education
• Born: 16 April 1993 in Paris, France, but is an English-qualified rugby referee .
• Education: Studied Sports Coaching at the University of Gloucestershire (from 2013), benefiting from a unique officiating scholarship run by ex-World Cup ref Chris White . He now tutors on the programme and serves as a “referee in residence” for the RFU–University Officiating Hub .⸻
Refereeing Career
• 2016: Turned professional arena referee, debuting in Championship and quickly moving into Premiership Rugby .
• Premier Competitions: Regularly oversees Premiership Rugby, European Rugby Champions Cup and Challenge Cup, and United Rugby Championship (since 2021–22) .
• International Stage:
• Debut as lead referee in Six Nations in 2024, officiating France v Italy .
• Assistant Referee at the 2023 Rugby World Cup .⸻
Key Milestones
• Premiership Final 2024: Assigned as the main referee for the Northampton Saints vs Bath game at Twickenham—a prestigious first for a post-Wayne Barnes official . His semi-final showing earned him broad praise:
“Been the best ref in the league this season imo…” 
“To be fair Ridley has been better and not many referees get domestic and European finals in the same year.” 
• European Champions Cup 2023: One of the Assistant Referees in the final ().⸻
️ Personality & Style
• Mentored by Wayne Barnes and influenced by Luke Pearce for his calm, flowing style .
• Performance-driven: Adopts a rigorous review routine—waking early post-match for analysis—with a pursuit of perfection, supported by his partner Katie Nelson .
• Mindset: Describes “quiet arrogance” and a constant quest for growth, regularly consulting experts across fields .
• Life off-field: Balances intense on-field demands with renovation projects, gym workouts, and time with his dogs and partner .⸻
Community Engagement
• Hosts local events like quiz & curry nights to share insights and support veteran programmes .
• Actively involved in mentoring upcoming referees through his role with the University and RFU Officiating Hub .⸻
SummaryChristophe Ridley is one of England’s most promising rugby referees: a former Leicester Tigers academy player turned professional official, with a strong academic foundation and a distinguished track record across domestic and international competitions. Known for his composed, performance-driven approach.
Despise him already.
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@Canes4life , mate I wouldn't mind seeing Vaa'i stay at 6, start Pat T at lock, and see how Ardie goes back at 8, and start with Kirifi. Leave Finau as bench player, though would be happy to see Jacobson on bench too . Backline, I not sure about, but if they want Jordan back at 15 would look at Nawara on right wing, and would maybe look at Clarke on left, we need to get better under high ball, we were poor on Saturday.
@Dan54 said in All Blacks v France 2:
@Canes4life , mate I wouldn't mind seeing Vaa'i stay at 6, start Pat T at lock, and see how Ardie goes back at 8, and start with Kirifi. Leave Finau as bench player, though would be happy to see Jacobson on bench too . Backline, I not sure about, but if they want Jordan back at 15 would look at Nawara on right wing, and would maybe look at Clarke on left, we need to get better under high ball, we were poor on Saturday.
Makes sense to me Dan.
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Ardie did a lot of linking and continuity work I thought. He isn't a typical 7 but for people on here to say he was "shit", well, that wasn't my take on his game.
The forward I really thought we were missing was a 2024-level Sititi. -
I'd go with pretty much the same team as the first test with a few players moving around because of injuries, I don't think we'll see too many changes until we have the series wrapped up. My team would be the following:
- De Groot
- Taylor
- Newell
- Holland
- Va'ai
- Finau
- Savea (C)
- Lio-Willie
- Roigard
- Barrett
- Ioane
- Barrett
- Proctor
- Jordan
- McKenzie
- Taukei'aho
- Norris
- Tosi
- Tuipolotu
- Kirifi
- Ratima
- Love
- Tupaea
There’s quite a few changes in that lineup from a positional stance and therefore would require more of change than I think is necessary from the first test.
I’m more inclined for this series to make a direct swap (ala CLW for Sititi) than shoehorn guys that weren’t the original option.
De Groot
Taylor
Newell
Tuipoluto (in for Scooter if injured)
Holland
Va'ai
Savea (C)
Lio-Willie
Roigard
Barrett
Ioane
Barrett
Proctor
Narawa or Clarke (in for Reece)
JordanTaukei'aho
Norris
Tosi
Finau
Kirifi
Ratima
McKenzie
Tupaea -
@Canes4life , mate I wouldn't mind seeing Vaa'i stay at 6, start Pat T at lock, and see how Ardie goes back at 8, and start with Kirifi. Leave Finau as bench player, though would be happy to see Jacobson on bench too . Backline, I not sure about, but if they want Jordan back at 15 would look at Nawara on right wing, and would maybe look at Clarke on left, we need to get better under high ball, we were poor on Saturday.
@Dan54 said in All Blacks v France 2:
@Canes4life , mate I wouldn't mind seeing Vaa'i stay at 6, start Pat T at lock, and see how Ardie goes back at 8, and start with Kirifi. Leave Finau as bench player, though would be happy to see Jacobson on bench too .
That would be an utter fucking disaster.
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@Dan54 said in All Blacks v France 2:
@Canes4life , mate I wouldn't mind seeing Vaa'i stay at 6, start Pat T at lock, and see how Ardie goes back at 8, and start with Kirifi. Leave Finau as bench player, though would be happy to see Jacobson on bench too .
That would be an utter fucking disaster.
@antipodean said in All Blacks v France 2:
@Dan54 said in All Blacks v France 2:
@Canes4life , mate I wouldn't mind seeing Vaa'i stay at 6, start Pat T at lock, and see how Ardie goes back at 8, and start with Kirifi. Leave Finau as bench player, though would be happy to see Jacobson on bench too .
That would be an utter fucking disaster.
Agree, we can't have both on the field at the same time. Kirifi was getting bounced back like a winger when he was carrying.
Just have both covering seven, and get a big body playing eight.
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I've got a Savea, Papalili, Jacobson loose forward trio 2nd test starting providing Jacobson gets the all clear.Finau bench
@george33 as in thats the inside word or thats what you want?
I thought the starting loosies played well enough to have another run
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I don't see the point in playing Finau off the bench, yes he played there a bit this year, but if we want to see if he's our Kaino-like (acknowledging no one will ever be completely that level) then he has to start.
It is completely weird to pick a 6 in a squad, the only true blue 6, and then play him off the bench.
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I don't see the point in playing Finau off the bench, yes he played there a bit this year, but if we want to see if he's our Kaino-like (acknowledging no one will ever be completely that level) then he has to start.
It is completely weird to pick a 6 in a squad, the only true blue 6, and then play him off the bench.
@Nepia said in All Blacks v France 2:
I don't see the point in playing Finau off the bench, yes he played there a bit this year, but if we want to see if he's our Kaino-like (acknowledging no one will ever be completely that level) then he has to start.
It is completely weird to pick a 6 in a squad, the only true blue 6, and then play him off the bench.
They have a bunch of pieces that don't quite fit. Or they can't make them fit yet
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Kirifi's size has always counted against him, and that was pretty evident when he came on. He's an effective jackler as his short stature makes him difficult to move, but when it comes to the collisions he'll get smacked around at test level. It's also why players like Riccitelli have struggled to make the ABs, as @Chris-B has often talked about on here, size matters at the top level and that factors into the selection equation. Often players that have looked great at Super level have struggled with the physicality the next level up.
Not saying Kirifi should be discarded, he's really come of age as a player and if used right he could have an impact off the bench, but I can't see him as our starting 7 against the top teams.
