All Blacks v France 2025

[zer0]

> Cantabs playing an AB injured prop so they can help themselves sleep at night after one bad season in 20 years

 

[Dismal Pillock]

There should be a deep probe Commission of Inquiry launched into these unpatriotic activities.

Charge: Unpatriotic & Treasonous Activities Not In The Best National Interest.
Verdict: GUILTY
Sanction: 2,000 hours of community service to be performed by each Cantab player, in full kit, outside the Otara Chopping Centre each Friday night.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Jacobson likely to miss T1 as he completes concussion protocols so that leaves Finau, Savea, Kirifi, Lio-Willie & Papali'i to fill the four loose forward spots.

I'd like to see 6. Finau 7. Savea 8. Lio-Willie 20. Kirifi but I suspect they won't be brave enough to pick two rookie LFs in the same 23.

 

[KiwiM]

Jacobson still going through concussion protocols but was allowed to come back onto the field in the Super Rugby final. Ridiculous.

 

[Dan54]

I was reading he passed all protocols etc when leaving field in final, but actually showed signs later, and was retested more completely. He has it seems come good as gold, but because he missed a couple of days of training they rightly leaving him out. Well so the whispers are going.

 

[KiwiM]

My issue is with the process - you could see on replay clearly his eyes rolled back after the contact - it's not surprising he showed signs later - they should have made a call to not allow him back on regardless of passing the test. They interviewed him after the game and he didn't even know the score properly.

 

[Dan54]

I read a few people say he thought they had lost by 1 point instead of 4. But Scott Barrett also said he thought they were trailing befoe the Crusaders scored their last penalty, so that one is no indication, a lot don't actually look at screen and they don't have big scoreboards anymore.. Though I take your point on how he looked straight after contact, and was surprised he came back on.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

 

[Dctarget]

Fuck yeah, excited for this. Not taking this lightly. Congrats to Holland and Lio-Willie, they'll be around for a while. Also excited for Proctor dominance.

 

[Dan54]

Well bugger me, we can't say he been conservative can we? Vai'i at 6 is a huge surprise, can almost see why he trying it (not sure I like it though) and seems Lomax got a calf injury.

 

[Tomthumb]

Unsure about Va'ai at 6 but good to see Savea and Ioane back in their best positions

 

[Dan54]

Unsure about Va'ai at 6 but good to see Savea and Ioane back in their best positions

Think we may find Savea finishes at 8, and may just start there next week. I somehow suspect provided Kirifi goes alright off bench he may get tried starting there next week.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

French have finally deigned to name a team:

1 Giorgi Beria, 2 Gaetan Barlot, 3 Rabah Slimani, 4 Hugo Auradou, 5 Tyler Duguid, 6 Alexandre Fischer, 7 Killian Tixeront, 8 Mickael Guillard, 9 Nolann Le Garrec, 10 Joris Segonds, 11 Gabin Villière, 12 Gael Fickou (c), 13 Emilien Gailleton, 14 Tom Spring, 15. Theo Attissogbe.

Reserves: 16 Pierre Bourgarit, 17 Paul Mallez, 18 Regis Montagne, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Cameron Woki, 21 Jacobus van Tonder, 22 Baptiste Jauneau, 23 Antoine Hastoy

Think I recognise maybe six names...

 

[KiwiM]

Yes happy with that side on paper.

I don't think Vaai is the answer at 6 in the long term but I like that it opens up other flexibility - plus Vaai at least offers good size at 6 - and he may surprise - he's a better player than he was 2 years ago.

I like the backline mix and good punch from the bench.

A lot more exciting than the first test last year that I believe only featured one debutant on the bench.

 

[Tomthumb]

Think we may find Savea finishes at 8, and may just start there next week. I somehow suspect provided Kirifi goes alright off bench he may get tried starting there next week.

Would be a bad move IMO to play Savea & Kirifi together vs that French pack. They are both 7's, especially against such a physical pack you really need some size to dent the line

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Without belabouring the point...

"France have named eight debutants to face the All Blacks in the first test in Dunedin on Saturday.

"Captain Gael Fickou, No 8 Mickael Guillard and halfback Nolann Le Garrec are the only players included from the 23 that beat Scotland to win the Six Nations in March."

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

 

[Dismal Pillock]

great to see a 7 and 13 actually picked at 7 and 13

guessing Vaai is a short-term probation officer to help acclimate the new lock at lineouts? His seeing eye dog for the french series. Cant see him at 6 long term, surely not the frame for that level of shitwork

Shithead Reece over both Narawa and Clarke is a total GTFO

Dmac prolly vanquished to the bench after those idiotic chokey flakey playoff performances

 

[Dan54]

Would be a bad move IMO to play Savea & Kirifi together vs that French pack. They are both 7's, especially against such a physical pack you really need some size to dent the line

Yep TT, but I think the whole Ardie is a 7, maybe forgets he was WPOTY in 2023 while playing at 8, where he worked ok with 7s like Cane etc. Razor sears he is either 7 or 8 and can play in either, I am fairly convinced we will see finishing loosies in this test as Kirifi, Finau and Savea at 8. Not saying it should be that way, but suspect that's how it will be, and may even start in 2nd test that way.

 

[Dctarget]

French have finally deigned to name a team:

1 Giorgi Beria, 2 Gaetan Barlot, 3 Rabah Slimani, 4 Hugo Auradou, 5 Tyler Duguid, 6 Alexandre Fischer, 7 Killian Tixeront, 8 Mickael Guillard, 9 Nolann Le Garrec, 10 Joris Segonds, 11 Gabin Villière, 12 Gael Fickou (c), 13 Emilien Gailleton, 14 Tom Spring, 15. Theo Attissogbe.

Reserves: 16 Pierre Bourgarit, 17 Paul Mallez, 18 Regis Montagne, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Cameron Woki, 21 Jacobus van Tonder, 22 Baptiste Jauneau, 23 Antoine Hastoy

Think I recognise maybe six names...

This is the weakest French side I've seen in years. Not even a B team. NZ should be up by 14+ by HT then in the final 20 stack on 30+ easy. Put the disrespectful putains to the guillotine.