The Silver Fern

@Bovidae Yeah she's definitely a shot but Du Plessis has been in exceptional form this year. Her footwork pre-contact is amazing & I'd say she is quicker than Stacey. Keen to see what her defensive decision making is like against higher quality teams though.
Hiriini can definitely force her way in, she was so good over the ball for the Poua. I think the loose trio that played Aussie in the first test deserves first shot at it but that's dependent on Simon. She has a torn calf & they'll be pretty risk averse you'd assume with zero risk of missing the quarters.

@Bovidae Brunt is a similar physical ball runner in the midfield? Far less experienced but probably more explosive which might have got her over the line with the tactics Smith is implementing.
Fitzpatrick is the only definite starter for me, rest are fighting for bench spots without injuries.
Italy beat France 26-19 on the weekend so not just England & France we have to worry about.

Squad as expected, thought they might go with Lafaele over Wickliffe to have some further cover at lock but Wickliffe give lots of utility value especially for easy pool games.
Gutted for Olsen-Baker, she would have started at 8. Semple the biggest omission but also not surprising at all, hopefully her SkySport contract doesn't stop her working with SparkSport at the tournament.

Harsh call there, was never held on the ground. Ref should have gone with her own call rather than what is likely a local touchie.

Much stronger Auckland lineup this week. Mikaele-Tu'u, Maliepo & Demant all back.

@Bovidae Yupp, keen to see more of Tubic 10 & Demant 12 combo. They didn't get much time last week but Semple deserves a chance at 12.

Damn Steinmetz at FB surprising & getting a start ahead of Tubic.

Moana Pasifika are a part of the even competition I think that is forgotten. You now have another 40 professional players spread across NZ. They're all going back to their provinces as stronger, fitter athletes and better leaders after 6months in a Super Rugby environment. Also, more players are getting fringe opportunities at the other 5teams. At the very least, they're understanding the differences between levels & know where they need to get to in order to get a contract next year.

No Mcgarvey-Black the surprise.

Wayne Smith innovation with their pods. They've got the usual pop runner running a flat inside line off the halfback.

Ngan-Woo must have strong hips, always swiveling out of tackles.

Good start, playing with a lot of endeavour & skill level looks improved.

@Bovidae Yupp they do. When do they play the Counties/Taranaki qualifiers?

St Peters 21-16 De La Salle. Kelston 20-16 Sacred Heart 1A Semis.
Big upset in BOP Top4 qualifier, Tauranga beat Rotorua 22-11.

@Yeetyaah How many days did Papalii & Sototu have in camp? Shouldn't have been that bad but does play a part.

@Higgins Sign of things to come in NZ.

Season Odds- South Canterbury $2.50, Whanganui $3.25, Thames Valley $7, North Otago $8, Mid Canterbury $9, West Coast $10, Horowhenua Kapiti $12, Poverty Bay $18, Wairarapa Bush $31, Ngati Porou $36, King Country $51, Buller $51
Week 1 Odds- Buller $5.50 +19.5 vs Mid Canterbury $1.13. Ngati Porou $3.60 +9.5 vs Horowhenua Kapiti $1.27. King Country $3.80 +9.5 vs Poverty Bay $1.27. South Canterbury $1.17 -13.5 vs Thames Valley $4.80. West Coast $3.10 +7.5 vs Whanganui $1.35. Wairarapa Bush $4 +14.5 vs North Otago $1.22.

@Bovidae Interesting, I really like her at 10 because she has the ability and confidence to play flat whilst having the skillset to put other people in to holes. I kind of have her pencilled in as 10 with nobody going close to her for WC. I think we'd see more of Maliepo 10, Demant 12 at Auckland if that was likely because I definitely don't see Maliepo as a 12. Can't see her making it back in to the squad on current FPC form but she'll get her chance to showcase at 10 for Auckland with Demant out.
Brazier didn't set the world on fire for the Volcanix last year but I see her as the second best option. She had a lot of 7s bad habits e.g. taking first step backwards but hopefully Smith can coach that out of her in the short timeframe.
Subrtizky-Nafatili was brought in for her immense talent and skillset but she's constantly injured, with a huge emphasis on strength & conditioning to match the NH, I can't see her making the squad barring injuries.
Tubic has to be in the 15 somewhere, she is our best place kicker by a length & we will need that in tight WC games.

@Bovidae You meaning you don't rate her game or that we don't really have another 10 option? Tubic probably most likely but seems to prefer 15.

Lafaele covering lock the other surprise on the bench.