The Silver Fern

    • Register
    • Login
    • Search
    • Categories
    • Recent
    • Users
    • Tipping
    • Thread Topics
    • Highlights
    • Team Sheets
    • NPC Results
    • Upvote Leaderboard
        • TSF
        • Home Page
        • Browse Posts
        • Tipping
        • Tipping Home
        • Submit Your Tips
        • Current Tips
          Rugby Info
        • Team Sheets
        • Highlights
        • Rugby Results
        • AB Results
        • SR Results
        • NPC Results
          Forum Links
        • Leaderboard
        • Popular Topics
        • Topic Tags

    2022 All Blacks NH tour

    Sports Talk
    allblacks
    19
    37
    977
    Loading More Posts
    • Oldest to Newest
    • Newest to Oldest
    • Most Votes
    Reply
    • Reply as topic
    Log in to reply
    This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
    • Machpants
      Machpants last edited by Machpants

      Mildly amusing. But he’s a great ref now

      https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/130087509/referee-wayne-barnes-to-get-world-test-record-with-help-from-all-blacks

      Georgia’s Nika Amashukeli takes charge of the first test of the window when he handles Japan against New Zealand in Tokyo on October 29.

      Ireland’s Frank Murphy will control the All Blacks against Scotland in Edinburgh on November 14.

      Australian Nic Berry will whistle the All Blacks against England at Twickenham on November 20.

      It seems that once you’re in as an international ref, you’re in. No matter how appalling c.f. Barnes. You can’t say WR don’t give ref’s time to develop!

      Crucial canefan 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • F
        Frye last edited by

        Berry against England is a good appointment for NZ.

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
        • Bovidae
          Bovidae last edited by

          Amashukeli also has the Ireland-SA game, so WR hasn't learnt.

          Crucial 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • Crucial
            Crucial @Machpants last edited by

            @Machpants there is a clip of the infamous missed forward pass by Barnes in that article and it is almost identical to the missed one by Reynal in the first Bled game this year. So similar that you could say that one planned move was a copy of the other.

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
            • Crucial
              Crucial @Bovidae last edited by

              @Bovidae said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

              Amashukeli also has the Ireland-SA game, so WR hasn't learnt.

              But they can claim how good they are at improving ref quality but starting from such a low base.
              Barnes is about to become the most capped ref ever and he can be a very good ref for 95% of any given game. The along comes the other 5%.....
              After all these years he still gets tangled up in play more than any ref I have ever seen.

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
              • Machpants
                Machpants last edited by

                Gawd he's an unispiring speaker

                TheMojoman 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                • canefan
                  canefan @Machpants last edited by

                  @Machpants said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                  Mildly amusing. But he’s a great ref now

                  https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/130087509/referee-wayne-barnes-to-get-world-test-record-with-help-from-all-blacks

                  Georgia’s Nika Amashukeli takes charge of the first test of the window when he handles Japan against New Zealand in Tokyo on October 29.

                  Ireland’s Frank Murphy will control the All Blacks against Scotland in Edinburgh on November 14.

                  Australian Nic Berry will whistle the All Blacks against England at Twickenham on November 20.

                  It seems that once you’re in as an international ref, you’re in. No matter how appalling c.f. Barnes. You can’t say WR don’t give ref’s time to develop!

                  Lots of learnings

                  MN5 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • MN5
                    MN5 @canefan last edited by

                    @canefan said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                    @Machpants said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                    Mildly amusing. But he’s a great ref now

                    https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/130087509/referee-wayne-barnes-to-get-world-test-record-with-help-from-all-blacks

                    Georgia’s Nika Amashukeli takes charge of the first test of the window when he handles Japan against New Zealand in Tokyo on October 29.

                    Ireland’s Frank Murphy will control the All Blacks against Scotland in Edinburgh on November 14.

                    Australian Nic Berry will whistle the All Blacks against England at Twickenham on November 20.

                    It seems that once you’re in as an international ref, you’re in. No matter how appalling c.f. Barnes. You can’t say WR don’t give ref’s time to develop!

                    Lots of learnings

                    Scotland to put 50 on them at Murrayfield.

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • Stargazer
                      Stargazer last edited by

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                      • Stargazer
                        Stargazer last edited by

                        Official:

                        allblacks 🚨 SQUAD UPDATES | Unfortunately @samcane7 & Dane Coles will be returning to New Zealand after picking up injuries in last nights match. Sam - fractured cheekbone, Dane - calf. All the best with your recovery fellas 💪

                        @pattytuips, @damianmckenzie_, @tuivasasheck & @braydonennor will join the @allblacksxv in Dublin

                        @leicester_f will rejoin the squad and @billy_harmon has been called in.

                        Telea and @asafoaumua will stay with the squad.

                        That stuff article posted in other threads clearly missed a bit of info.

                        P TheMojoman 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 5
                        • P
                          pakman @Stargazer last edited by

                          @Stargazer Interesting that RTS and Ennor off to XV and glad that Leicester sorted.

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • TheMojoman
                            TheMojoman @Stargazer last edited by

                            @Stargazer said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                            Official:

                            allblacks 🚨 SQUAD UPDATES | Unfortunately @samcane7 & Dane Coles will be returning to New Zealand after picking up injuries in last nights match. Sam - fractured cheekbone, Dane - calf. All the best with your recovery fellas 💪

                            @pattytuips, @damianmckenzie_, @tuivasasheck & @braydonennor will join the @allblacksxv in Dublin

                            @leicester_f will rejoin the squad and @billy_harmon has been called in.

                            Telea and @asafoaumua will stay with the squad.

                            That stuff article posted in other threads clearly missed a bit of info.

                            They must be confident Retallick will escape suspension if they’re sending Tuipulotu to AB XV.

                            Positive is Papali’i will get an extended run in the 7 jersey. He was dynamite off the bench last night.
                            Happy for Aumua. Keeping Coles around has hindered his development.

                            ACT Crusader 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • ACT Crusader
                              ACT Crusader @TheMojoman last edited by ACT Crusader

                              @TheMojoman said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                              @Stargazer said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                              Official:

                              allblacks 🚨 SQUAD UPDATES | Unfortunately @samcane7 & Dane Coles will be returning to New Zealand after picking up injuries in last nights match. Sam - fractured cheekbone, Dane - calf. All the best with your recovery fellas 💪

                              @pattytuips, @damianmckenzie_, @tuivasasheck & @braydonennor will join the @allblacksxv in Dublin

                              @leicester_f will rejoin the squad and @billy_harmon has been called in.

                              Telea and @asafoaumua will stay with the squad.

                              That stuff article posted in other threads clearly missed a bit of info.

                              They must be confident Retallick will escape suspension if they’re sending Tuipulotu to AB XV.

                              Positive is Papali’i will get an extended run in the 7 jersey. He was dynamite off the bench last night.
                              Happy for Aumua. Keeping Coles around has hindered his development.

                              Was he? I’m not sure I can watch it again, but I didn’t think he stood out (other than the hair of course).

                              I’m a fan of what he can bring though.

                              If we assume that Ardie is going to start all three tests, the question they may be considering is, do we start Papali’i or Sotutu? It’s not beyond the possibility with Cane injured that they move Ardie. They’ve done it before.

                              Dan54 KiwiMurph TheMojoman 3 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • Dan54
                                Dan54 @ACT Crusader last edited by

                                @ACT-Crusader said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                                @TheMojoman said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                                @Stargazer said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                                Official:

                                allblacks 🚨 SQUAD UPDATES | Unfortunately @samcane7 & Dane Coles will be returning to New Zealand after picking up injuries in last nights match. Sam - fractured cheekbone, Dane - calf. All the best with your recovery fellas 💪

                                @pattytuips, @damianmckenzie_, @tuivasasheck & @braydonennor will join the @allblacksxv in Dublin

                                @leicester_f will rejoin the squad and @billy_harmon has been called in.

                                Telea and @asafoaumua will stay with the squad.

                                That stuff article posted in other threads clearly missed a bit of info.

                                They must be confident Retallick will escape suspension if they’re sending Tuipulotu to AB XV.

                                Positive is Papali’i will get an extended run in the 7 jersey. He was dynamite off the bench last night.
                                Happy for Aumua. Keeping Coles around has hindered his development.

                                Was he? I’m not sure I can watch it again, but I didn’t think he stood out (other than the hair of course).

                                I’m a fan of what he can bring though.

                                If we assume that Ardie is going to start all three tests, the question they may be considering is, do we start Papali’i or Sotutu? It’s not beyond the possibility with Cane injured that they move Ardie. They’ve done it before.

                                Genuinely think Dalton will go to 7, Harmon will be cover at 7.

                                Kiwiwomble 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                • Kiwiwomble
                                  Kiwiwomble @Dan54 last edited by

                                  @Dan54 yeah, i hope we see harmon too, i think someone on a great run of form can really spark when given a glimpse of the big show

                                  Dan54 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                  • Dan54
                                    Dan54 @Kiwiwomble last edited by

                                    @Kiwiwomble said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                                    @Dan54 yeah, i hope we see harmon too, i think someone on a great run of form can really spark when given a glimpse of the big show

                                    I really believe he is there as he rightly or wrongly seen as the body type that is wanted at test level, think that is what holds back Kirifi and Christie, the game is so power focusses now the day of a smaller jackal type player at 7 is almost gone and someone who can make dominant tackles is wanted?

                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                    • O
                                      Old Samurai Jack last edited by

                                      Unfortunately, Cane is so off the pace at the moment. It was obvious on Saturday when Papali'i came on the aggression ranked up a lot. I am keen to see how Harmon goes in black if he gets an opportunity. He was a one-man machine for the Clan when he finally came back.

                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                      • KiwiMurph
                                        KiwiMurph @ACT Crusader last edited by

                                        @ACT-Crusader said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                                        It’s not beyond the possibility with Cane injured that they move Ardie. They’ve done it before.

                                        Genuine question - when was the last time Ardie started at 7 for the ABs?

                                        Papalii started Bledisloe 2 at 7 and was excellent.

                                        Duluth S 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                        • Duluth
                                          Duluth @KiwiMurph last edited by

                                          @KiwiMurph

                                          Looks like it was the second Bok test last year

                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                          • TheMojoman
                                            TheMojoman @ACT Crusader last edited by

                                            @ACT-Crusader said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                                            @TheMojoman said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                                            @Stargazer said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                                            Official:

                                            allblacks 🚨 SQUAD UPDATES | Unfortunately @samcane7 & Dane Coles will be returning to New Zealand after picking up injuries in last nights match. Sam - fractured cheekbone, Dane - calf. All the best with your recovery fellas 💪

                                            @pattytuips, @damianmckenzie_, @tuivasasheck & @braydonennor will join the @allblacksxv in Dublin

                                            @leicester_f will rejoin the squad and @billy_harmon has been called in.

                                            Telea and @asafoaumua will stay with the squad.

                                            That stuff article posted in other threads clearly missed a bit of info.

                                            They must be confident Retallick will escape suspension if they’re sending Tuipulotu to AB XV.

                                            Positive is Papali’i will get an extended run in the 7 jersey. He was dynamite off the bench last night.
                                            Happy for Aumua. Keeping Coles around has hindered his development.

                                            Was he? I’m not sure I can watch it again, but I didn’t think he stood out (other than the hair of course).

                                            I’m a fan of what he can bring though.

                                            If we assume that Ardie is going to start all three tests, the question they may be considering is, do we start Papali’i or Sotutu? It’s not beyond the possibility with Cane injured that they move Ardie. They’ve done it before.

                                            Papali'i was very good, I think 9 tackles in 14 mins plus the turnover which iced the game. He and Tuipulotu (as with most of the bench) did their job in bringing energy.

                                            I think to reduce disruption they'll straight swap Papali'i for Cane and keep Ardie at 8. That way they can free up a bench spot for Sotutu who I thought, barring the turnover on the tryline was generally good.

                                            I can't see Frizell backing up against Wales. He's turning into the modern day Reuben Thorne which is not all bad, you need solid blindsides who do the dirty work, make their tackles, solid carries, rucks/mauls. Akira does that and provides much more with ball-in hand.

                                            Dan54 S 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                            • Dan54
                                              Dan54 @TheMojoman last edited by

                                              @TheMojoman I reckon Frizell will get the job, I think he more the type of 6 we need. Akira tends to range wider which is not really needed with Ardie there?
                                              Of course I could be talking through a hole in my head, and the coaching staff see it differently. lolo

                                              TheMojoman 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                              • TheMojoman
                                                TheMojoman @Dan54 last edited by

                                                @Dan54 said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                                                @TheMojoman I reckon Frizell will get the job, I think he more the type of 6 we need. Akira tends to range wider which is not really needed with Ardie there?
                                                Of course I could be talking through a hole in my head, and the coaching staff see it differently. lolo

                                                IMO horses for courses depending on the opposition. Akira is a good bench option against sides with bigger, tighter playing packs like Bok/Poms. TBH I’d prefer to see S.Barrett rather than Frizell against those sides. Seems to have more impact,

                                                N Dan54 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                • N
                                                  nostrildamus @TheMojoman last edited by

                                                  @TheMojoman said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                                                  @Dan54 said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                                                  @TheMojoman I reckon Frizell will get the job, I think he more the type of 6 we need. Akira tends to range wider which is not really needed with Ardie there?
                                                  Of course I could be talking through a hole in my head, and the coaching staff see it differently. lolo

                                                  IMO horses for courses depending on the opposition. Akira is a good bench option against sides with bigger, tighter playing packs like Bok/Poms. TBH I’d prefer to see S.Barrett rather than Frizell against those sides. Seems to have more impact,

                                                  But Scotty seems a top lock now...does he add as much at 6 as he does at lock?

                                                  Dan54 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                  • Dan54
                                                    Dan54 @nostrildamus last edited by

                                                    This post is deleted!
                                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                    • Dan54
                                                      Dan54 @TheMojoman last edited by

                                                      @TheMojoman said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                                                      @Dan54 said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                                                      @TheMojoman I reckon Frizell will get the job, I think he more the type of 6 we need. Akira tends to range wider which is not really needed with Ardie there?
                                                      Of course I could be talking through a hole in my head, and the coaching staff see it differently. lolo

                                                      IMO horses for courses depending on the opposition. Akira is a good bench option against sides with bigger, tighter playing packs like Bok/Poms. TBH I’d prefer to see S.Barrett rather than Frizell against those sides. Seems to have more impact,

                                                      I really like Barrett there, but as nostrldamus says, he really a lock first and foremost, especially with probably no Retallick

                                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                      • P
                                                        pakman last edited by

                                                        BBBR available for English match.

                                                        sparky 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                        • Stargazer
                                                          Stargazer last edited by

                                                          Exactly as I said after the test v Japan.

                                                          All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick has been given a two-match ban, after his red card against Japan on Saturday, and will miss the upcoming tests against Wales and Scotland.

                                                          Retallick was sent off for a dangerous cleanout on Japanese loose forward Kazuki Himeno in New Zealand's narrow victory at Tokyo.

                                                          He appeared before a committee of Leon Lloyd, Donal Courtney, and Wang Shao-Ing on Tuesday and had his six-match ban reduced by 50 percent due to his "excellent disciplinary record."

                                                          Retallick can have an extra match knocked off his suspension and be eligible for the test against England should he complete a World Rugby coaching intervention programme.

                                                          Should he be successful, he could make his 100th All Blacks appearance against the old foe at Twickenham on November 20.

                                                          Nov 1, 2022  /  Sport

                                                          Rugby: All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick banned for two matches, available for England test at Twickenham | Newshub

                                                          Rugby: All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick banned for two matches, available for England test at Twickenham | Newshub

                                                          The veteran's northern tour isn't over yet, after having his suspension reduced.

                                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 3
                                                          • ACT Crusader
                                                            ACT Crusader last edited by ACT Crusader

                                                            Let’s hope he doesn’t fail the intervention programme.

                                                            S 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 6
                                                            • S
                                                              Steve @TheMojoman last edited by

                                                              @TheMojoman said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                                                              @ACT-Crusader said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                                                              @TheMojoman said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                                                              @Stargazer said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                                                              Official:

                                                              allblacks 🚨 SQUAD UPDATES | Unfortunately @samcane7 & Dane Coles will be returning to New Zealand after picking up injuries in last nights match. Sam - fractured cheekbone, Dane - calf. All the best with your recovery fellas 💪

                                                              @pattytuips, @damianmckenzie_, @tuivasasheck & @braydonennor will join the @allblacksxv in Dublin

                                                              @leicester_f will rejoin the squad and @billy_harmon has been called in.

                                                              Telea and @asafoaumua will stay with the squad.

                                                              That stuff article posted in other threads clearly missed a bit of info.

                                                              They must be confident Retallick will escape suspension if they’re sending Tuipulotu to AB XV.

                                                              Positive is Papali’i will get an extended run in the 7 jersey. He was dynamite off the bench last night.
                                                              Happy for Aumua. Keeping Coles around has hindered his development.

                                                              Was he? I’m not sure I can watch it again, but I didn’t think he stood out (other than the hair of course).

                                                              I’m a fan of what he can bring though.

                                                              If we assume that Ardie is going to start all three tests, the question they may be considering is, do we start Papali’i or Sotutu? It’s not beyond the possibility with Cane injured that they move Ardie. They’ve done it before.

                                                              Papali'i was very good, I think 9 tackles in 14 mins plus the turnover which iced the game. He and Tuipulotu (as with most of the bench) did their job in bringing energy.

                                                              I think to reduce disruption they'll straight swap Papali'i for Cane and keep Ardie at 8. That way they can free up a bench spot for Sotutu who I thought, barring the turnover on the tryline was generally good.

                                                              I can't see Frizell backing up against Wales. He's turning into the modern day Reuben Thorne which is not all bad, you need solid blindsides who do the dirty work, make their tackles, solid carries, rucks/mauls. Akira does that and provides much more with ball-in hand.

                                                              Love Papalii but not sure I can cope with our open side flanker looking like Billy Idol.

                                                              Talk about showing the ref where you are at ruck time too.

                                                              Mealamu would go through some of the sunshine boys in this squad like a dose of salts. He didn’t even like squad members wearing singlets to breakfast.

                                                              Billy Tell 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                              • S
                                                                Steve @ACT Crusader last edited by

                                                                @ACT-Crusader said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                                                                Let’s hope he doesn’t fail the intervention programme.

                                                                It’s all a bit silly isn’t it. World Cup winning lock being coached by those lesser than him on how to ruck.

                                                                It’s why Marco Pierre White handed back his Michelin stars.

                                                                “I was being judged by people who know less about cooking than I do”.

                                                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                                • S
                                                                  Steve @KiwiMurph last edited by

                                                                  @KiwiMurph said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                                                                  @ACT-Crusader said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                                                                  It’s not beyond the possibility with Cane injured that they move Ardie. They’ve done it before.

                                                                  Genuine question - when was the last time Ardie started at 7 for the ABs?

                                                                  Papalii started Bledisloe 2 at 7 and was excellent.

                                                                  @KiwiMurph said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                                                                  @ACT-Crusader said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                                                                  It’s not beyond the possibility with Cane injured that they move Ardie. They’ve done it before.

                                                                  Genuine question - when was the last time Ardie started at 7 for the ABs?

                                                                  Papalii started Bledisloe 2 at 7 and was excellent.

                                                                  Wasn’t he spear tackled in the second minute and the Wallabies player didn’t see red? Scandalous stuff.

                                                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                                  • Bovidae
                                                                    Bovidae last edited by

                                                                    And Glen Young wasn't even cited. That's some bullshit right there!

                                                                    S 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 3
                                                                    • S
                                                                      Steve @Bovidae last edited by Steve

                                                                      @Bovidae said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                                                                      And Glen Young wasn't even cited. That's some bullshit right there!

                                                                      The whole thing is farcical and fans are well within their rights to be calling it out. Porter / Taavao inconsistencies

                                                                      Retallick red and 6 weeks ( reduced) , Young not even cited.
                                                                      Both of them contacted the head with force. The part of their body they hit their victims with should be immaterial.

                                                                      Don’t be telling me about Steve Thompson and Ryan Jones et al and then shrugging your shoulders at this. Either the head is sacrosanct or it isn’t.

                                                                      Dan54 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 5
                                                                      • Dan54
                                                                        Dan54 @Steve last edited by

                                                                        @Steve Retallick must be a bit confused he had was out with a shoulder injusy a couple of years back from a clear out in a ruck, and with a broken jaw from an upright tackle, neither of which lead to bans etc, so that's why they maybe giving him a course to explain the fifference.😆

                                                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 3
                                                                        • Stargazer
                                                                          Stargazer last edited by

                                                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                                          • sparky
                                                                            sparky @pakman last edited by

                                                                            @pakman said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                                                                            BBBR available for English match.

                                                                            I hope gets the chance to invite Eddie "the Comedian" Jones to his 100th Test celebrations.

                                                                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                                            • Billy Tell
                                                                              Billy Tell @Steve last edited by

                                                                              @Steve said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                                                                              @TheMojoman said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                                                                              @ACT-Crusader said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                                                                              @TheMojoman said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                                                                              @Stargazer said in 2022 All Blacks NH tour:

                                                                              Official:

                                                                              allblacks 🚨 SQUAD UPDATES | Unfortunately @samcane7 & Dane Coles will be returning to New Zealand after picking up injuries in last nights match. Sam - fractured cheekbone, Dane - calf. All the best with your recovery fellas 💪

                                                                              @pattytuips, @damianmckenzie_, @tuivasasheck & @braydonennor will join the @allblacksxv in Dublin

                                                                              @leicester_f will rejoin the squad and @billy_harmon has been called in.

                                                                              Telea and @asafoaumua will stay with the squad.

                                                                              That stuff article posted in other threads clearly missed a bit of info.

                                                                              They must be confident Retallick will escape suspension if they’re sending Tuipulotu to AB XV.

                                                                              Positive is Papali’i will get an extended run in the 7 jersey. He was dynamite off the bench last night.
                                                                              Happy for Aumua. Keeping Coles around has hindered his development.

                                                                              Was he? I’m not sure I can watch it again, but I didn’t think he stood out (other than the hair of course).

                                                                              I’m a fan of what he can bring though.

                                                                              If we assume that Ardie is going to start all three tests, the question they may be considering is, do we start Papali’i or Sotutu? It’s not beyond the possibility with Cane injured that they move Ardie. They’ve done it before.

                                                                              Papali'i was very good, I think 9 tackles in 14 mins plus the turnover which iced the game. He and Tuipulotu (as with most of the bench) did their job in bringing energy.

                                                                              I think to reduce disruption they'll straight swap Papali'i for Cane and keep Ardie at 8. That way they can free up a bench spot for Sotutu who I thought, barring the turnover on the tryline was generally good.

                                                                              I can't see Frizell backing up against Wales. He's turning into the modern day Reuben Thorne which is not all bad, you need solid blindsides who do the dirty work, make their tackles, solid carries, rucks/mauls. Akira does that and provides much more with ball-in hand.

                                                                              Love Papalii but not sure I can cope with our open side flanker looking like Billy Idol.

                                                                              Hopefully he doesn’t miss the starting XV after putting in the hard yards at training: tries without a place.

                                                                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                                              • First post
                                                                                Last post