All Blacks vs French Barbarians (14/11/2017)

[Caitlyn Jenner]

ABs:
1. Tim Perry
2. Nathan Harris (9)
3. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen (1)
4. Patrick Tuipulotu (15)
5. Dominic Bird (2)
6. Liam Squire (13)
7. Ardie Savea (22)
8. Luke Whitelock (1) - captain
9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow (27)
10. Lima Sopoaga (13)
11. Seta Tamanivalu (3)
12. Ngani Laumape (4)
13. Jack Goodhue
14. Matt Duffie
15. David Havili (3)

16. Asafo Aumua
17. Atu Moli
18. Ofa Tu'ungafasi (12)
19. Scott Barrett (15)
20. Akira Ioane
21. Dillon Hunt
22. Mitch Drummond
23. Richie Mo'unga

Initially thought this might be a walk over but after the Frenchies pipped the Maoris and with the erratic make-up of this ABs side I'm not so sure... this side looks weaker than our Super sides.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

stoked for luke whitelock but is it not weird for someone brought in as injury cover to be made captain? i know he is a captain for Canterbury and has been for the Highlanders but he cant be part of the AB's leadership group etc

 

[Caitlyn Jenner]

stoked for luke whitelock but is it not weird for someone brought in as injury cover to be made captain? i know he is a captain for Canterbury and has been for the Highlanders but he cant be part of the AB's leadership group etc

But no one in that side is part of the leadership group... and he does have the most captaincy experience so I think it's the right call, even if it is weird.

It'll be cool to see TKB leading the haka too in what might be his last match for the ABs.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

thats what im saying, strange to me to field a team wearing the all blacks jersey but without a member of the leadership team

 

[Caitlyn Jenner]

Been really impressed with Laumape so far. His distribution has been top notch. Some really nice touches.

 

[Caitlyn Jenner]

And as I say that he throws a shocker....... LOL

 

[JonoCymru]

France have looked relatively impressive so far. Deserve their HT lead. There seems a real desire to win.

 

[smartcooky]

I'm getting annoyed with this game being billed as "France" v New Zealand.... ITS NOT "FRANCE", its a random selection of former French players and newcomers.... at best its a match between two 3rd XVs - France "B" v New Zealand "B"

These midweek fixtures ought to be against an actual club side, perhaps the winner of the previous season's Top 14 gets to play the All Blacks.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I'm getting annoyed with this game being billed as "France" v New Zealand.... ITS NOT "FRANCE", its a random selection of former French players and newcomers.... at best its a match between two 3rd XVs - France "B" v New Zealand "B"

These midweek fixtures ought to be against an actual club side, perhaps the winner of the previous season's Top 14 gets to play the All Blacks.

Was it not France XV v New Zealand? I don't think anyone mistook it for a test match, the FFR described it as an event rather than a test on their site.

 

[mania]

aumua again didnt do much in his cameo appearance. he needs decent game time

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

aumua again didnt do much in his cameo appearance. he needs decent game time

On Aumua, considering the Canes already have 2 quality hookers in Coles and Riccitelli but no real 8 option is there any chance they'd want to play him at 8? He could definitely manage it.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Was it not France XV v New Zealand? I don't think anyone mistook it for a test match, the FFR described it as an event rather than a test on their site.

I don't understand why they had this game tbh
French barbarians played against NZ Maori, why have this one as well?

 

[AM_Bokke]

I don't understand why they had this game tbh
French barbarians played against NZ Maori, why have this one as well?

I thought that I saw that it was a sellout. Maori game had a close to capacity crowd too.

 

[smartcooky]

I don't understand why they had this game tbh
French barbarians played against NZ Maori, why have this one as well?

 

[mania]

On Aumua, considering the Canes already have 2 quality hookers in Coles and Riccitelli but no real 8 option is there any chance they'd want to play him at 8? He could definitely manage it.

no way he's too short to be an 8. he's taking ricatelli's spot and aumua needs to learn what coles does in the tight.
but agree canes dont have a proper 8. shields isnt it and needs to lead from 6

 

[mania]

I don't understand why they had this game tbh
French barbarians played against NZ Maori, why have this one as well?

ch ch ch chiiiiiiiiiaaaaaang

 

[Kiwiwomble]

it looked like a really good crowd, really to see

if they're managing to sell it out i dont have a problem. I has assumed they wanted these games to showcase more of France for theyre world cup bid

 

[mania]

so turns out that gardiner admitted he was wrong binning SBW

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...e-received-ref-apology-over-wrong-yellow-card

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

so turns out that gardiner admitted he was wrong binning SBW

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...e-received-ref-apology-over-wrong-yellow-card

Not really sure why he would do that. It was the correct call through and through...

 

[Kiwiwomble]

it just reeks of he said something along the lines of "sorry about the card" meaning he wish he hadn't had to do it or something and SBW has misunderstood and latched onto it