Scotland v All Blacks
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I was gobsmacked to see VDM not in the side. A big weapon and genuinely worldclass on attack. Even more surprising was the acceptance about this selection from the Scottish media – as though they half-expected it. On the BBC Scottish rugby podcast , the sentiment was that the All Blacks will be disappointed to not see him there as they would have loved exploiting his defence.
I don’t follow URC enough to know but didn’t think he was that bad! He was a monster against England in the 6N.
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On the loosies, Lakai was deliberately positioned very wide last week. I assume Wallace will take the wide role now he's back and Lakai has some more involvement closer in, as I rate his heavy traffic carrying.
LF and QT (rightly) gobbled up most of the wide ball runs last week.
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My two main issues with the side are on the bench.
Kirifi has struggled to make any sort of impact at this level to date, so our bench impact is weaker as a result. I also don't like the idea that we'd pick loosies to match theirs? If they have small loosies, we should be picking big blokes to smack them around.
And Proctor over Ioane I think is risky. All three of Leicester, Tupea and Proctor have question marks over their defensive ability. If Scotland start making inroads through their channels, I can't see that Proctor would come on and change that, whereas we know Ioane is world class in that regard. Like others I am also interested to see what sort of impact Ioane can bring from the bench; he hasn't lost much of his pace and can cover 11 - 14 so to me seems like the ideal person to have there.
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@No-Quarter said in Scotland v All Blacks:
we should be picking big blokes to smack them around
This is probably the first team we've played far a while which doesn't really have any players that can smack us around.
They have been selecting horses for courses to a certain extent.
But, this time, with the players available, they are selecting the type of team they want.
I think they are using this opportunity to try and implement their preferred style of play, and use the players that best suit that style, without regard to the opposition.I think Scotland want to play in a similar way, so this could be a fun game.
But, they have been at it two years now, so if it doesn't happen in this game, it's never guna happen.
And they can fuck that game plan right off, and go back to the drawing board. -
@mohikamo said in Scotland v All Blacks:
@No-Quarter said in Scotland v All Blacks:
we should be picking big blokes to smack them around
This is probably the first team we've played far a while which doesn't really have any players that can smack us around.
They have been selecting horses for courses to a certain extent.
But, this time, with the players available, they are selecting the type of team they want.
I think they are using this opportunity to try and implement their preferred style of play, and use the players that best suit that style, without regard to the opposition.I think Scotland want to play in a similar way, so this could be a fun game.
But, they have been at it two years now, so if it doesn't happen in this game, it's never guna happen.
And they can fuck that game plan right off, and go back to the drawing board.They want to play the professor's high stakes wide game. Or as the saffas call it "bitch slap rugby"
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@No-Quarter given we named our team first there’s no evidence we were basing it off Scotlands possible lineup.
For me it’s a case of the next man up. Sititi has been on the bench the last few so comes into the starting lineup when there’s a change. He’s played blindside for the ABs previously so no concerns with what he will bring to the table.
Would’ve liked LJ in the 23 but not sure how he’s been training etc.
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@MN5 said in Scotland v All Blacks:
@Mr-Fish said in Scotland v All Blacks:
DvdM is a massive defensive liability so not hugely susorirsed Scotland have left him out. Absolute highlight reels player.
34 tries in 50 tests is quite a few highlights though.
a way to go to beat Jordan's 43 in 51. actually, not even possible..
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@nostrildamus said in Scotland v All Blacks:
@MN5 said in Scotland v All Blacks:
@Mr-Fish said in Scotland v All Blacks:
DvdM is a massive defensive liability so not hugely susorirsed Scotland have left him out. Absolute highlight reels player.
34 tries in 50 tests is quite a few highlights though.
a way to go to beat Jordan's 43 in 51. actually, not even possible..
Well yes, if he plays Argentina or Tonga and gets 10 against them.
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@booboo said in Scotland v All Blacks:
@sparky said in Scotland Vs All Blacks, 8th November 2025:
The All Blacks are going to be wearing white jerseys.
I hate how rugby has changed our traditions because soccer.
Away team always wore their traditional colours and home team swapped.
Am still hot on this, but heard TJ say it had something to do with Armistice Day as well, with ABBAWs (All Blacks but also whites) wearing a red poppy on their sleeve.
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@MN5 said in Scotland v All Blacks:
@nostrildamus said in Scotland v All Blacks:
@MN5 said in Scotland v All Blacks:
@Mr-Fish said in Scotland v All Blacks:
DvdM is a massive defensive liability so not hugely susorirsed Scotland have left him out. Absolute highlight reels player.
34 tries in 50 tests is quite a few highlights though.
a way to go to beat Jordan's 43 in 51. actually, not even possible..
Well yes, if he plays Argentina or Tonga and gets 10 against them.
We must have seen different Scotlands play then...
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This Scotland team is among the strongest they've had and more than capable of turning us over and would love to get the monkey off their back - but the monkey may weigh too heavily on them.
But there's been so much inconsistent play in the last few years, you have a nagging doubt which AB side will turn up on the day - the Chicago last 20 minute team or the Wellington team?
Either way, should be an entertaining game as both sides like a flowing game.
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Loving this team to be honest. Swap out Barrett for Dmac and Love on the bench then we're cooking.
Granted Barrett brings a lot of experience but he's so inconsistent. He's prone to brain farts. He needs to ride off into the sunset.
Also. How much better does the team look without Ioane in it?
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@ExiledHalfback said in Scotland v All Blacks:
Also. How much better does the team look without Proctor and JB in it?
Alternative viewpoint. (I'm a JB fan, just pointing out this midfield played better than any previous recent pairing).
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@No-Quarter If Huw Jones were playing I'll definitely want Rieko there.
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@booboo said in Scotland v All Blacks:
@booboo said in Scotland v All Blacks:
@sparky said in Scotland Vs All Blacks, 8th November 2025:
The All Blacks are going to be wearing white jerseys.
I hate how rugby has changed our traditions because soccer.
Away team always wore their traditional colours and home team swapped.
Am still hot on this, but heard TJ say it had something to do with Armistice Day as well, with ABBAWs (All Blacks but also whites) wearing a red poppy on their sleeve.
What sort of blind feckers can't tell the difference between blue and black anyway?
We didn't used to have thse alternate strips in the days of black and white TV so I don't see why they're required now.
I'd much rather they banned white boots if they're playing with a white ball.
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Is interesting seeing the praise for Barret from various places in media (re his play and control)
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@Chris-B said in Scotland v All Blacks:
@booboo said in Scotland v All Blacks:
@booboo said in Scotland v All Blacks:
@sparky said in Scotland Vs All Blacks, 8th November 2025:
The All Blacks are going to be wearing white jerseys.
I hate how rugby has changed our traditions because soccer.
Away team always wore their traditional colours and home team swapped.
Am still hot on this, but heard TJ say it had something to do with Armistice Day as well, with ABBAWs (All Blacks but also whites) wearing a red poppy on their sleeve.
What sort of blind feckers can't tell the difference between blue and black anyway?
We didn't used to have thse alternate strips in the days of black and white TV so I don't see why they're required now.
I'd much rather they banned white boots if they're playing with a white ball.
Scotland and All Blacks have always traditionally played in a white change strip when hosting the other to distinguish between the Black and Navy Blue.
Remember the water polo test in 74?
At least it's not grey.
