The Silver Fern

Weird backline choices by bop with so many out of their best position. Great to have Juddy back with TTT missing.

@Yeetyaah women's squad has been released on Facebook but mens is all top secret. This is bizarre? Are they playing Thursday??

Have always liked Roes tactical game

@Canes4life said in All Blacks v France III:

@ARHS said in All Blacks v France III:

And Kirifi

Before he saw the light and signed with the good guys.

Nah, I meant before his niggly penalty magnet phase

And Kirifi

Perhaps they have chosen to stick to named squad, then confirmed injury replacements to replicate a tour or RWC situation. I.e. testing their planned contingency options to the max.
Thought Norris might play given his feature article. Is that 7 Waikato players in starting lineup though?
I am hoping the plan is to play an expansive style this week and move the French forwards around a lot.
I have tickets and am looking forward to this.

That was pretty horrid in many ways. The match handbrake scored the winning try.
I do like Carreras and the new puma fullback. But Freddie Steward and Pepper were even better.

Just watched. Anzac midfield pretty awful. Bizarre back subs made. Horrid back pass from Fakatava. I guess just nothing clicked for them.
MP don't look to get getting the old Laumape. Looks a bit slow.
The Lions were very clinical and impressive all round.

No Fickou

@KiwiMurph said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@MN5 said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

Is Holland noted as a ball carrier ?

Not really.

Looks more Luke Romano than Brodie Retallick to me at this stage. I am just not seeing what others keep saying they do.

No Mason Tupaea?

Geez ...punishment for Cowbell-gate. All the Waikato players made to sit on the bench in silence and watch the Crusaders guys performing.

Yuk for number 6. Best place for Ioane though. I thought those might be finishing options, not starting ones.

I was a bit disappointed with Tangitau during his sevens time. Carter was much hungrier and better at defence, contact and support. Tangitau is a superior finisher. But I think he needs a lot more super rugby before ABs.

Mark Loane the Aussie loosie may have played for a couple of different South African teams v Lions too.

@booboo don't think 77 to 83 will have been much of a gap. Should be quite a few on the list. John Fleming and Mike McCool are two that come to mind

That is good news. Just one injury away from ABs in my view

Raiders always seem to drop off in second half, but still too good tonite

Charlie Lawrence from Hamilton BHS in Japan squad. No sign of Kaivelata yet, but they are clearing out their props, so I expect he will get picked once eligible.

Should be a bunch from North American comp