2025 All Blacks v France series

[Victor Meldrew]

If Frog 2 and Frog 3 are like this game, this will be an outstanding series up with the best.

[sparky]

@Victor-Meldrew Playing the French is very, very special indeed if the score line is close because you know at any moment they've got deep in their culture, deep in the bones the ability to punish any mistakes and produce something magical. Vive La France!

[tomk]

Razor will need to hammer the french in the next two games because they are mainly the 3rd and 4 choice players. It's not a France b team more like a C and D team. Probably the most embarrassing display from razor as NZ coach

[Mr Fish]

Imagine it will be a very similar team for the second game. Maybe Clarke comes in for Reece and possibly a change or two on the bench depending on injuries. Don't think Vaa'i is the answer at 6 but sounds like Razor will persist for these three Tests.

[sparky]

The attack game wasn't too far off tonight, the set piece was solid. But a much better defensive performance and better composure in the aerial game and at breakdown is needed next week.

The coaches have work to do and the players clear work ons for Test Two.

[sparky]

@Mr-Fish I'd give that pack another chance barring injuries.

But I'd play around with the backline a bit. Clarke in. DMac to start at 10. Tupaea instead of Proctor. BB and Big Jim on the bench.

[sparky]

I might start Ruben Love at fullback with Caleb Clarke and Will Jordan on the wings with Reiko given the week off. Not sure.

[canefan]

I'd be keen to see Love get some real game time

[Mr Fish]

@sparky said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@Mr-Fish I'd give that pack another chance barring injuries.

But I'd play around with the backline a bit. Clarke in. DMac to start at 10. Tupaea instead of Proctor. BB and Big Jim on the bench.

I think a lot of those changes will be saved for the final game, where they'll go for a Chiefs 9, 10, 12, 13 combo. Love at fullback, Tavatavanwai and Barrett on the bench.

[Tim]

@Mr-Fish Vaa'i should be starting at lock. He is in no way a 6.

[ACT Crusader]

@Mr-Fish said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

Imagine it will be a very similar team for the second game. Maybe Clarke comes in for Reece and possibly a change or two on the bench depending on injuries. Don't think Vaa'i is the answer at 6 but sounds like Razor will persist for these three Tests.

I’d give Narawa a run on the right wing.

[Bovidae]

I haven't read the match thread but if SB's achilles is a problem, and Vaa'i has a sore shoulder there might be injury-enforced changes in the forwards. I'd like Narawa to get a go on the right wing.

[ACT Crusader]

@Bovidae

4- Tuipoluto
5- Holland
6- Finau
7- Savea
8- CLW

Gulp.

Shrink appointments in NZ will skyrocket!

[Tim]

@ACT-Crusader Only Tuipulotu should be starting from that mob. Papalii would add some starch to that garbage loose trio.

[Darth Sader]

CLW was ok, but Finau was pretty anonymous again tonight I thought, not sure he deserves another go

[Tim]

@Darth-Sader said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

CLW was ok

Yep, as a grafter he was fine. Carried okay. Looked like he was involved frequently. Fucking low bar. Still a lot better than the other clowns.

[Tim]

Are the coaches just spreadsheet maxing and don't realize that every other test coach can do that too?

[ACT Crusader]

CLW hit the tackle pretty hard and slowed down plenty of French ball. Thought he was very effective.

He even did a Kaino on Digny Ioane to one of the Frenchies.

If it was based on performance alone, they probably should’ve kept CLW on and replaced Ardie.

[Tim]

@ACT-Crusader I will watch a replay.

[sparky]

@Tim CLW did ok and, given where we're at, he deserves another outing.

But I am convinced he's going to be a significantly better Test 8 than Akira Ioane or Hoskins Sotutu? Not yet.