The Silver Fern

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="nzzp" data-cid="600071" data-time="1469423386">
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<p>They will show their hidden colours if you say the secret phrase: "all beer is pretty much the same"</p>
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<p>You're telling me, if you mistake an IPA for an APA they get their braces in a knot.....</p>

<p>They say "the bigger you are the harder you fall".......but the lesser known cliché of "the smaller you are the further you fly" is equally apt. Fuck me he got some serious airtime trying to tackle Naholo that time.....air traffic control just about had to be notified.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="576350" data-time="1462168277">
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<p>I thought Francis was pretty meh apart from his pop pass (which was good but should be standard for a 12). Defence was woeful at times.</p>
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<p>He seemed to forget how to tackle in the last 20.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="573459" data-time="1461041151">
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<p>Imagine if Ardie played like he was 6ft 3!</p>
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<p>It's well known fern logic that the Saveas are this eras Stu Forster.....</p>

Taufua was awesome I thought. Both he and Todd worked very well together. <br><br>
Reiko was very strong with the ball.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gollum" data-cid="568202" data-time="1459251474">
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<p><strong>Todd </strong>:</p>
<p>Positives : Outstanding support play, great workrate, good speed.</p>
<p>Negatives : Never runs 60 metres breaking 6 terrible tackles fending off 3 guys & bumping off a terrible fullback in a way that he will never do ever nor has any AB loose forward ever because test match rugby doesn't have that level of shithouse D that we see in Super rugby but every year we try to select guys who do that but can't actually do what we need from a test player.</p>
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<p>Fixed. </p>
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<p>But which of the number 7's don't have outstanding support play, great work rate or good speed? Savea is probably better than Todd at all 3 of those. Apparently Todd looks like a test number 7 but so do they all.</p>

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="566468" data-time="1458614320"><p>Except TJP isn't their reserve halfback anymore judging by RWC selection. I don't think TJP is best suited to being an AB reserve due to his temperament. He has a tendency to try too hard when he comes on the field, often making basic mistakes. That's not to say he won't improve but he needs to relax more.<br><br>
I agree that TJP is the best running halfback - that's his strength. The good thing is that all three offer something a little different. Four if you include Weber in the mix.</p></blockquote>
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I don't disagree that he's a clear bench replacement for Aaron Smith, but World Cups are a bit of an anomaly when it comes to selections.<br><br>
He's right there in the mix and depending on opposition and conditions will largely determine if he's in or out.

<p>Riccitelli was pretty good when he came in to replace Apisai. Maybe he is not the best NZ hooker of round 3 but he's a name for the future, that's for sure.</p>

<p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;">Nigel Yalden’s NZ team of the week:</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;">1. Joe Moody</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;">2. Codie Taylor</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;">3. Owen Franks</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;">4. Sam Whitelock</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;">5. Mark Abbott</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;">6. Jordan Taufua</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;">7. Ardie Savea</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;">8. Victor Vito</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;">9. Aaron Smith</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;">10. Lima Sopoaga</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;">11. Nemani Nadolo</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;">12. Kieron Fonotia</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;">13. Malakai Fekitoa</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;">14. Jone Macilai</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;">15. Ben Smith</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;"><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/super-rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=331&objectid=11601402'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/super-rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=331&objectid=11601402</a></span></span></p>

Both are still young so they have plenty of time to improve this issue. Ofa T scrummed well against Wales when he came on. He just needs consistency (and a better technique to avoid from being owned) to become a reliable prop.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiPie" data-cid="560387" data-time="1456254168">
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<p>He used to have good defence but it is getting shita and shita.</p>
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<p>Bad. :D</p>