I know most of the Ferners prefer Mo'unga to BB but the latter launched his backline perfectly against the Argies last Sunday. It was smooth and direct. I can't remember Mo'unga doing the same with the black jersey. Of course, Mo'unga is a far better goalkicker but with Jordie taking the goalkicking duties, this could not be a problem anymore. Moreover, defensively, BB is superior to RM, IMO.

So the ABs finished the game with the following forwards :

Karl Tu'inukuafe
Liam Coltman
Ofa T
Scott Barrett
Jackson Hemopo
Shannon Frizell
Matt Todd
Luke Whitelock

Who could have guessed that at the beginning of the season ?

People in this forum are great fans of Richie Mounga. He's had a mare : missed an easy tackle on Daly who is not the quickest fullback nor the strongest one (this led to England's first try), then could not handle the English rush defence. Let's hope he'll learn from this very disappointing performance.
The Bounga experiment was clearly a failure with BB's kicking from hand being an issue. Would DMac have done better ?

I’d live to see a backrow with Ioane, Jacobson and Papali’i, with Savea off the bench.

For me, Olo Brown is another certainty. He was the best tighthead prop in the world in the late nineties while Charlie Faumuina never was.

A few random thoughts :

This is the third shit game from the ABs in 13 months (vs England, 1st and 4th Bled).
No depth at all at tighthead prop since Lomax and Laulala seemed to struggle (4th Bled for Lomax, 2nd Bled for Laulala).
Akira was on fire till he was pulled out. I'd like to see a starting combo of Ioane - Cane - Sotutu with Savea on the bench. This could be devastating.
SB was good till his brainfart. His YC card certainly cost NZ the game.
Vaa'i was good when he came in. Far better than his SRA outings were suggesting.
Weber added pace to the backline when he came in. He should be given more gametime against the Argies.

Is it the weakest AB squad since 2004 ?
There is a lot of fringe players who do not seem to be of international calibre. Perry is struggling at SR level, Frizell is the third choice blindside flanker for the Highlanders, TTT, Mo'unga are largely untested, DMac has yet to have a good game at 1st Five, this season, Fifita has been very anonymous, Scott Barrett is lacking the necessary physique for an international lock while JTA has never propped at TH at the upper level. Moreover, L. Whitelock is just here to fill a gap in Read's absence, NMS does not have the pace of an international wing and Harris is a journeyman as is Ofa T. If the RWC was to be played toimorrow, I doubt this team could make the final.

SA by 20. They are too strong, too fresh. I can't see them lose to Japan in a WC match. Oh wait ...

@kiwimurph said in Let's talk about six, baby:

Evans and Hemopo are other names you could throw in the mix.

Be interesting who gets the 6 shirt against Italy.

I would add Seu as well. It's a shame he was injured this year and so missed most of the SR season. I found him outstanding during the last stages of the Mitre 10 Cup.

I would like Jordan to start against a solid, tight defense, in order to see what he can do. I am convinced he is a big upgrade compared to JB who is clearly not a wing.

Ridiculous talent in midfield, particularly at second five (Tupaea, Nankivell and Wrampling). Barring injuries, this means that two promising players will get a limited playing time, which is not very good for NZ rugby. The other franchises are not so blessed with talented 2nd fives. Nankivell could be a regular starter at the Blues, the Canes and the Landers, while Wrampling's talent could be wasted if he is relegated to the matches played by the Chiefs Development XV.

Thanks a lot guys.

Who is Daniel Johnson ? I had expected to see Zac Gallagher somewhere into the team sheet.

Anderson at lock. He was a beefy forward who drove hard.

Is Tyler Laubscher out for the season ?

@stargazer said in Tasman v Waikato:

Andrew Makalio is back!

And Atu Moli !

Pretty happy with this team, considering the injuries.
So Big Karl has now leapfrogged Bower at LHP. This was a tight contest between the two, I guess.

Ben Skelton : I guess he is a big lock. Brother of Will ?

What about signing TK Howden and Shamus Hurley-Langton ? They've been great so far for the Turbos.

@l_n_p said in All Blacks vs Springboks I:

@kiwiwomble said in All Blacks vs Springboks I:

fair enough, im just the other side of the coin, we've been bless with several players that would walk into the GOAT category, i try not to judge the guys too much just because theyre not stacking up to those GOATs

I think we're aligned on how good a player even a ... relative to other ABs ... "average" AB is, in US corporate speak

Totally. In Europe, step back a bit and think how many goodish SR players (who were never even really close to AB selection) have carved out international careers. Wales, Ireland, Scotland especially. England less so, only Brad Shields for brief period comes to mind.

Willie Heinz ? Riki Flutey ?