The Silver Fern

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

Wow, so quick

@Bones said in Māori All Blacks 2025:

@ARHS said in Māori All Blacks 2025:

a bunch of worn out super players. Far better to play an AB xv of next best available.

That would be an ABXV of worn out super players though....

I said wrong time too... A week or two later for AB XV works well. Maori XV being rushed in quick as a training game for Japan to prepare.

Picking an NZ Maori team to play this time of year is what seems crazy. No ABs, no Under 20s and a bunch of worn out super players. Far better to play an AB xv of next best available. Then have the best Maori All Black selection play maybe as a prelude to Northern tour, or after the Championship. So weak in front row, halfback and wing, it devalues the history of the team in my view

Their top xv is passable, but very green indeed below that. AB bench should go well.

Hetet named by Fiji. Is Kautai available? A cert if he is. Proffitt?

Pretty happy with that squad. Pleased McA made it ahead of Bell. Thought ALB injury rest period was now up, so happy he is there.
I feel Hotham is a bit fortunate, but will have the chance to prove himself along with Clarke Ioane Finau and the newbies.

Hell it all looked like planned tactics to me. Saders were hitting chiefs playmakers hard behind the gainline, so Chiefs tried to play with ball in front of them. Unusually, no mistakes came from Crusaders under that bombardment, but did from Chiefs.

Well done Crusaders. Jordan and Reece were fantastic and the AB front row very strong. Tupaea v good but the Crusaders shut down the rest with great defence and kick chase.