@chris-b said in All Blacks v France Test 3:

@act-crusader said in All Blacks v France Test 3:

@nepia said in All Blacks v France Test 3:

On Akira, maybe they're using Read as the blueprint for him - you all might remember, Cantabs certainly will, that Read was actually held back from elevation to the ABs initially.

Read started his super career playing on the blindside, and it wasn’t until his second season that he really settled as our no8 and after a strong season he made the ABs that same year for the EOYT. Rodders was still around for 2008 as the incumbent.

I was a huge Rodders fan so it didn’t make much difference to me.

Nepia is right, though.

Henry said at the time (when Read wasn't picked) that they expected him to be a very important player for the ABs in the future and they were going to take their time in letting him develop before rushing him in.

The funny thing with that (and hindsight is bliss), Read played a lot of test footy in 2009 as Rodders form took a considerable dip and he lost that edge.

@nepia said in All Blacks v France Test 3:

On Akira, maybe they're using Read as the blueprint for him - you all might remember, Cantabs certainly will, that Read was actually held back from elevation to the ABs initially.

Read started his super career playing on the blindside, and it wasn’t until his second season that he really settled as our no8 and after a strong season he made the ABs that same year for the EOYT. Rodders was still around for 2008 as the incumbent.

I was a huge Rodders fan so it didn’t make much difference to me.

@sneakdefreak yes currently injured. Did his hamstring quite badly a week or so ago. Out for 8 weeks.
His form has been okay in what has been a tough season for the Raiders. Not as prolific as the past two seasons, but still a makes good yards. Try scoring opportunities have been few and far between.

@sneakdefreak if Rapana was fit, he wouldn’t make your 17?

@nepia if it's anything like he's been playing for the Chiefs this year then I don't think Retallick will add too much. His form has been well below his best and he's caught the penalty bug too.

@akan004 said in Wallabies v Ireland - Test #2 (Melbourne):

This Irish team's ability to retain possession is second to none. We have more X factor players than them but they are way more patient than we are, compete better at the breakdown and in Murray and Sexton, they have halves that control the game better than Smith and Beaudie. The match in Dublin is going to be one hell of a game.

It's only the Wallabies....

Good to see we're keeping with the Hyphen tradition.

There's a number of injured players unavailable in addition to the unreleased Warriors. This squad will be competitive for about 40 minutes. We lack a bit of class in there.

From my armchair view Cane looked spent early in the test. Not sure what the deal is, but he looked noticeably off the pace.

Squire was pretty good last week and put in the grunt work, but we are going to have to live with some inconsistency given the lack of experience. Look at the loosies in previous years that had up and down form - Vito, Thomson, Luatua, Messam (before he became a starter)