France v All Blacks
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@westcoastie said in France:
@Billy-Tell said in France:
One more test for the year.
What do the selectors do?
One more time out for the First XV? Or tinkering around the edges?
I'm inclined to hope for the former.
Expect TJP to start.
How is Cane's ankle? So does Todd start? Ardie looked handy in his cameo.
JK back at 6 surely.
Crotty back and available?
BFA was apparently knocked. His availability or otherwise could shake up the back three. Dagg would have to be 15 but what yo do on the wings in that eventuality?
Not going to posit a team until we know who is available. Which will make it difficult for Shag not havIng suitable guidance ... but am sure he'll manage.
WRT France. Who has watched them? I didn't take all that much notice of the game this morning but it was obviously close. How ate they looking as a team.
I did think they blew that last play (despite Hometown refusing to award a penalty). If they were going to go for the dg they should have worked the pick and go to the posts a bit more rather than trying from 35m out.
I watched the Fra vs Australia game: France are still a bit willy-nilly at times, but they counter-attacked a lot, and their 2 Fijian flyers on the wing can be every bit as deadly as Savea and Naholo. Their centre Fofana is class. The French were off-loading more than NZ...definitely not a walk-over, but I suspect they wilt against a structured game.
My wishes for the game: Luatua is given one more shot. TJP to start. Sopoaga to start. Crotty to return, with ALB. Rieko Ioane given a start.
Looking forward to the Lions, and I really think Akira Ioane needs to be brought into the ABs - yes there are concerns about being a dick at times, work-rate, and maybe being a bit ball-greedy, but he brings mongrel and go-forward. In the backs, we need to get the midfield sorted (return from injuries should do that), and our "South Sea Islander" wingers have vulnerabilities in their game. NMS returning will help, and I wish Piutua would cut his Ulster contract short, but that ain't going to happen.
Anyone else concerned we don't have another test after this before the First Lions test?
The lineup v Ireland, test 2, with probably Kaino in midfield and Crotty or SBW in midfield is likely our #1...Will NZRU arrange a test vs an Island side in advance like the past? is it of any benefit.
The important thing is that the ABs play for their super rugby sides imo. The Lions will have an excellent 1st XV, but we see if they have enough squad depth to have a very good 2nd XV and also the ability to cover injuries.
We are going to need maximal mongrel in our pack, the Lions have the likes of Itoje at lock, and some of those Irish backrow forwards.
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@Billy-Tell Don't worry, Gatland will pick Warburton as captain and stack the loose forwards with Welsh.
@Tregaskis said in France:
@Billy-Tell Don't worry, Gatland will pick Warburton as captain and stack the loose forwards with Welsh.
I think that's a cliche. It's all the Irish ever go on about is gatland choosing Wales players, conveniently forgetting Wales were in good form back in 2013.
The lions will be mainly England & ireland this time. Warburton might be there but that is because he is actually quite good. However SOB and maybe VDF if he keeps up just form will be right in the mix
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@SimonAdd_2 said in France:
BFA and Cane out
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11751917And I see @SimonAdd_2 's hashtag campaign worked. Cane cited, which is ridiculous, as is Fekitoa, which is not.
Bleat about it all you want, World Rugby released an unequivocal announcement prior to the November internationals that they would be cracking down on high shots of all types. Only a fool would have thought they wouldn't take a look at Cane's.
Apparently the fine print states " unequivocal except when being distracted by decisions about grounding the ball over the try line"
Goose and gander no?
Go look at what I said in the other thread. Sextons's should have been a penalty and possibly a YC. There were a bunch of other high shots in the game too - Dagg on Stander, Coles (I think) got pinged in the second half. The commissioner decided to pick just the two most egregious, which wouldn't have been my approach but I guess is understandable.
@SimonAdd_2 said in France:
@SimonAdd_2 said in France:
BFA and Cane out
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11751917And I see @SimonAdd_2 's hashtag campaign worked. Cane cited, which is ridiculous, as is Fekitoa, which is not.
Bleat about it all you want, World Rugby released an unequivocal announcement prior to the November internationals that they would be cracking down on high shots of all types. Only a fool would have thought they wouldn't take a look at Cane's.
Apparently the fine print states " unequivocal except when being distracted by decisions about grounding the ball over the try line"
Goose and gander no?
Go look at what I said in the other thread. Sextons's should have been a penalty and possibly a YC. There were a bunch of other high shots in the game too - Dagg on Stander, Coles (I think) got pinged in the second half. The commissioner decided to pick just the two most egregious, which wouldn't have been my approach but I guess is understandable.
So its gone from unequivocal to (understandably) the 2 most egregrious.
These rugby directives that only a fool doesnt see seem to be rather inconsistent
Im begining to think you dont actualy represent world rugby and are just some rugby follower with a chip.....
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The Irish loosies were magnificent in the series. SOB I already rated highly, he came back in and monstered us. Heaslip I don't rate as much but he was really good in yesterday's game.
Stander and VDF are just top quality hard bastards, with the Dutchie blood helpingout there. Stander is an Afrikaner I know, but is VDF one too? Or an Irishman with Dutch parentage?
I guess Ireland's forwards are at the front of the queue given their obvious success against us this month, but plenty of Gatland's selections will depend on the 6N.
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With Bender out I'd actually go with
- Sopoaga 14. Dagg 15. Barrett
France like to offload a lot and play the game at pace. It's a bit disorganised at times, but it's a high risk, high reward style that if you lapse they will sniff the chance. They did this against OZ and also against Fiji.
The latter test was a blow out because the set piece was dominant also.
We need speed out on the park.
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@SimonAdd_2 said in France:
@SimonAdd_2 said in France:
BFA and Cane out
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11751917And I see @SimonAdd_2 's hashtag campaign worked. Cane cited, which is ridiculous, as is Fekitoa, which is not.
Bleat about it all you want, World Rugby released an unequivocal announcement prior to the November internationals that they would be cracking down on high shots of all types. Only a fool would have thought they wouldn't take a look at Cane's.
Apparently the fine print states " unequivocal except when being distracted by decisions about grounding the ball over the try line"
Goose and gander no?
Go look at what I said in the other thread. Sextons's should have been a penalty and possibly a YC. There were a bunch of other high shots in the game too - Dagg on Stander, Coles (I think) got pinged in the second half. The commissioner decided to pick just the two most egregious, which wouldn't have been my approach but I guess is understandable.
So its gone from unequivocal to (understandably) the 2 most egregrious.
These rugby directives that only a fool doesnt see seem to be rather inconsistent
Im begining to think you dont actualy represent world rugby and are just some rugby follower with a chip.....
@SimonAdd_2 said in France:
@SimonAdd_2 said in France:
BFA and Cane out
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11751917And I see @SimonAdd_2 's hashtag campaign worked. Cane cited, which is ridiculous, as is Fekitoa, which is not.
Bleat about it all you want, World Rugby released an unequivocal announcement prior to the November internationals that they would be cracking down on high shots of all types. Only a fool would have thought they wouldn't take a look at Cane's.
Apparently the fine print states " unequivocal except when being distracted by decisions about grounding the ball over the try line"
Goose and gander no?
Go look at what I said in the other thread. Sextons's should have been a penalty and possibly a YC. There were a bunch of other high shots in the game too - Dagg on Stander, Coles (I think) got pinged in the second half. The commissioner decided to pick just the two most egregious, which wouldn't have been my approach but I guess is understandable.
So its gone from unequivocal to (understandably) the 2 most egregrious.
These rugby directives that only a fool doesnt see seem to be rather inconsistent
Im begining to think you dont actualy represent world rugby and are just some rugby follower with a chip.....
What the hell are you blithering on about? The directive was clear. The citing commissioner cited the two most serious tackles. The two adjectives were describing different things. I'm sorry if my long words hurt your little noggin.
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Love the new away strip for France. Actually like playing France full stop. Their media are never on NZ witch hunts like what the home nations are. Still don't think came should have been cited but maybe I'm just blinded by being a kiwi.
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I think the new away strip is horrendous - it looks like magic ice/choc top.
The last time we wore a horrible away jersey vs France worked out well...
@KiwiMurph agree, W.T.F!
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whoever signed off on the abomination needs to be sacked.
I can understand why we had a grey strip, but go with white, I can understand why we need a white strip (being opposite of black) but this, uuugh....I'd say very few AB fans will buy that.
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With Bender out I'd actually go with
- Sopoaga 14. Dagg 15. Barrett
France like to offload a lot and play the game at pace. It's a bit disorganised at times, but it's a high risk, high reward style that if you lapse they will sniff the chance. They did this against OZ and also against Fiji.
The latter test was a blow out because the set piece was dominant also.
We need speed out on the park.
@ACT-Crusader said in France:
With Bender out I'd actually go with
- Sopoaga 14. Dagg 15. Barrett
France like to offload a lot and play the game at pace. It's a bit disorganised at times, but it's a high risk, high reward style that if you lapse they will sniff the chance. They did this against OZ and also against Fiji.
The latter test was a blow out because the set piece was dominant also.
We need speed out on the park.
Very astute selections (you must be from Crusader country).
I was thinking more or less the same - maybe with Cruden starting and Lima on the bench.
Moody
Coles
Franks
Retallick
Whitelock
Kaino
Todd
Read
Perenara
Cruden
Savea
Crotty
ALB
Dagg
BarrettCrockett
Taylor
Faumuina
Squire
Savea
Smith
Sopoaga
Tamanivalu -
Looking at 2019, we definitely have some areas of concern. We must find a replacement for Read, Kaino, BFA and improve on our propping depth. Don't see too many no 8s coming through at this stage and that a bit of a worry as I seriously doubt if Read will be still deemed good enough come 2019. Hopefully Piatau comes back and that will help increase the back three depth.
Looking at 2019, we definitely have some areas of concern. We must find a replacement for Read, Kaino, BFA and improve on our propping depth. Don't see too many no 8s coming through at this stage and that a bit of a worry as I seriously doubt if Read will be still deemed good enough come 2019. Hopefully Piatau comes back and that will help increase the back three depth.
Why BFA? How old is that guy? Surely he'll make it through ok? and if he doesn't we'll have doubled the Barrett by then.
10. Beaudy
11. Savea? (only cause the guy is still signed on)
12. ALB
13. Ioane
14. Dagg - he must be ok age-wise?
15. Jordie -
Looking at 2019, we definitely have some areas of concern. We must find a replacement for Read, Kaino, BFA and improve on our propping depth. Don't see too many no 8s coming through at this stage and that a bit of a worry as I seriously doubt if Read will be still deemed good enough come 2019. Hopefully Piatau comes back and that will help increase the back three depth.
Why BFA? How old is that guy? Surely he'll make it through ok? and if he doesn't we'll have doubled the Barrett by then.
10. Beaudy
11. Savea? (only cause the guy is still signed on)
12. ALB
13. Ioane
14. Dagg - he must be ok age-wise?
15. Jordie -
@westcoastie 30 or 31. Hard to imagine an outside back at 33-34 still being at peak form.
@akan004 Nonu and DC are 34, both were decent last year... not outsides I know, but Nonu in particular in the more confrontational 12
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I don't mind the new away strip actually
Neither do I, although a pity they can't wear the usual all black kit. Am going to the game, so just happy to be there in with the passionate French rugby fans. This is a treat to self at the end of a challenging 12 months workwise. And first time travelling alone the whole trip. Any ferners heading to the game? Am hoping Cane citation isn't supported so he can play, Fekitoa's was clearly too high so fair cop if he gets sidelined. Naholo and Savea on the wings, I hope Crotty's back. When is the team announced?
