The Silver Fern

Will O'Rourke has been bloody good

DMac flyhalf

Still can't over DMac not having the starting reins after a wonderful performance against Ireland.
Compare that to the starting first five performance vs England where I was pulling my hair out
I just don't get it
It's a major point

We are going to do alright in 2025 because our forwards have come on well.
Our backs don't cut the mustard. Was obvious watching in the Stade de France and this game also.
In my view DMac is the first five end of. We need fast wingers and it's time for more Hurricane infusion in the backline. Higgins, Love, Proctor. There's no point waiting at the beginning of next season. Try them out.

@canefan said in Italy v All Blacks:

@BorderJB said in Italy v All Blacks:

Couple points from the game:

1. Pretty much sums up our season under Razor.
2. That stadium is great, we need more like that in NZ!! Puts the crowd on top of the players.

It's a football stadium isn't it? The production at Stade de France and Turin was top notch IMHO

As a ground connoisseur Stade de France and the Millennium Stadium are the best I've been to.
Strand Park Petone in a southerly the worst.

@Halfback I'd have him on the wing.

Backline not good

Very glad Lakai is at 7. Love the extra speed. Aumua going well.
Outside of Roigard and DMac the backline isn't good.

Sititi, de Groot, Aumua

Quite frankly our forwards are becoming terrific.
Our backs are chaos.

A pass mark this year will be winning comfortably against Italy.
Minimal pressure on Razor at the moment as the team has done pretty well.
2025 we seriously need to try out some new players and positions in the backline like Higgins, Love.
Forward pack coming together well.
If anything 2024 has been a bit conservative.
DMac is the first five in my book

@ACT-Crusader Probably panicking a bit as we had trouble breaking down their defence

@brodean said in Italy v All Blacks:

None of those teams played as well as France. None of them have the same ceiling.

I'm still frustrated with the French result. We had it.
DMac first five, Love at 15, Jordan and Clarke on the wings. Our attack certainly would've been different with those players.
Anyway it's done

@mariner4life said in Italy v All Blacks:

Look, i am as excited by Lakai as even you crazy Canes fans who think all your players should be starting ABs.

Lomax, Aumua, Tosi, Lakai, Roigard, JB, Proctor, Love.
Well yeah. We'd probably be 4/4 on this tour.

NZ forwards 7/10, backs 4/10
Poor back selection
Roigard- DMac- Clarke- JB- Ioane- Jordan - BB
Fast wingers, sharp first five, competitive halfback(stays on as long as possible).
The win was there for the taking.
Why change first five after Ireland.

@sparky At the stadium it was fun.
Music, DJ, crowd video interaction and genuine bonhomie

@Halfback
We are right up there with the best in the world. Not too much to worry about.
Forwards are more important in the game and when you add in Lakai and Holland we are sweet. Then you add in Roigard and DMac and we are super sweet.
The boss got one position glaringly wrong IMO.
Backs are the work on for 2025

Haven't seen it on TV yet but in summary:
2024 is a pass
Biggest fault in 2024 is misplaced loyalty to some of the legends
Sititi Lakai Williams Tosi have proved they are up to it.
One of the young stars should be captain
We had the wrong first five starting vs England/France
We need fast wingers end of story
Roigard didn't lose anything in comparison with bro.
French supporters were loving this singing their songs on the way home.
Still think midfield not right, Ioane is a good winger

What was the point in subbing Roigard

Lakai looked good
The game seemed to meander a bit.
Captaincy doesn't seem quite right