The Silver Fern

Just watched the full game.

Really enjoyed that. The skills of the backs was great to see and along with the desperation in defence the judicious use of the bench was noticeable - in addition to the dual hooker tactic, the more mobile forwards starting in the heat with the power players coming on late to close it out.

@canefan said in All Blacks v France II:

@Dan54 said in All Blacks v France II:

@brodean said in All Blacks v France II:

@Dan54 said in All Blacks v France II:

@brodean understand your point etc, but I doubt whether Love is even been considered starting for ABs this week, after about 4-5 games at most starting for Canes. And I a Canes man (and Love fan). I doubt any test coach in world would consider a starting 10 with so little experience.

You're probably right about consideration from the coaches. Doesn't mean they're right.

The guy is 24 now. He's had 5 years of Super Rugby experience and started 13 games for the Canes at 10. It's an experimental French B/C team. Beauden Barrett had already played 24 tests at 24. We're too conservative now.

Problem is that coaches at Canes (rightly or wrongly) haven't thought Love is good enough to steer them around field at 10. Their job is to do what they think is best for Canes, and selectors have to (I think) select on a good body of work, so they have confidence they won't cock up in tests.
I tend to agree I would like to see more of Love, but if at 10 off bench. Her starts and makes a few balls ups, imagine the melt down (and in press etc) about playing him before he ready.

Laidlaw shat the bed by reinstating Cameron as the starter when he returned from injury. Bad for the Canes, bad for Love and his AB potential

Speaking of body of work - there was more than enough body of work to show that Brett Cameron wasn't the answer but Laidlaw went that path anyway.

The word is Lynagh is going to play 10 on Saturday

I like it. Exciting.

@mariner4life said in All Blacks v France III:

@Canes4life said in All Blacks v France III:

@MN5 said in All Blacks v France III:

Woulda thought they’d give Proctor another go rather than the safe ALB option

Yeah, he started to look a bit more comfortable in that second half of the second test so would have been good to keep that momentum going. Not like he needs a rest.

this, shit first test, lost first half of the 2nd test, seemed to find his feet and he gets cut (sorry, rotated). Absolutely worthless bringing ALB in.

This is what happens when you are trying to appease senior players. Ruben Love doesn't get a look in at 10 because that would mean one of Beauden or DMac wouldn't get a run at 10. Same thing with ALB - now he's not injured he must get a run - why? Cos he's a senior player.

The problem is every time you do this the opportunity cost is someone else misses out on a opportunity to play. This is how Ruben Love has only played 1 test (even accounting for his injury issues).

@MN5 said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:

@NTA said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:

@mohikamo said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:

guna be a had get 'cos they are only playing the 8th ranked team in the world

ahem

What the fuck ????

When did you chumps overtake Argentina and Scotland ?

When Scotland lost to Fiji and Argentina lost to England

@taniwharugby said in All Blacks v France II:

Surely a piss take?

This fits considering the French reportedly left the field early and didn't stick around for the Dave Gallagher trophy presentation.

@Mr-Fish said in 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia:

Also somehow a Prendergast, Aki, Ringrose combo just sounds better than a Russell, Tuipulotu, Jones combo

Based on what?

@MN5 said in All Blacks v France III:

Would be good to see Finau play a full 80 to see if he can actually justify the hype and put some hits in.

My thinking is - if Vaai is our 6 option into The Rugby Championship this year - he needs time in the saddle - keep running Vaai out at 6 (assuming he's ok from the HIA).

I like what I've seen from Norris on the bench 2 weeks in a row - makes his presence felt around the field.

@NTA said in AUNZ XV vs British and Irish Lions:

Italian ref is missing almost every offside

Bodes well for Wallabies Lions test 2

@nostrildamus said in AUNZ XV vs British and Irish Lions:

Foster can add this game to his impressive coaching record.

Kiss is working himself into the Aussie Foster.

Gets the plum assistant job but Larkham has performed better the last 2 seasons.

@nostrildamus said in AUNZ XV vs British and Irish Lions:

Has Havili slipped off like 2 tackles in 2 minutes?

The workrate though...

@Dodge yeah strangely quiet game from Morgan

Havili cheers champ

Lam off. A 10/fullback brought on. Stevenson to wing I guess

That First Nations Pacific team is gonna get pumped between test 1 and test 2

For an invitational game this ref seems especially pedantic

Samu looks worse for having played overseas

I don't know where AUNZ points are coming from

@NTA said in AUNZ XV vs British and Irish Lions:

David Havili is shit

So we aren't learning anything new