June Internationals: New Zealand - France, 3rd test

[Larksea]

Great that this is a developing french side but don't forget this is basically "baby black" team as well, huge number of sub 25 players have featured for the All Blacks this series, apart from Nonu and Smith our "old guard" has basically had a minor role this series even in the Key Positions, Cruden most of the time at 10, Cane most of the time at 7 and coles most of the time in 2

early prediction for Ben Smith as IRB player of the year from me

interesting game, lots to think about in terms of All Black devalopment and Current form going into the 4 nations.

Again and again and always. 6 is one of the main points of interest. And Vito really failed once more to make his mark at 6, I still see him as the main option to over injury at #8 but off the back of another failed chance may now in danger of losing his position in the squad to Luatua as they make room for McCaw's return and cut the squad numbers further.

I wasn't too impressed with Weepu, the All Blacks game seemed to step up a gear when Barlow came on I think he made a good impression. Weepu seemed to come off early, maybe even like he was getting the old shepherds crook?

bit up and down from carter but a pass mark on a comeback game working with a new gameplan, i think he found himself under a fair bit more pressure than cruden had last week.

Read has not been his best this series but he will come right, the pack as a whole has seemed a bit disjointed and has a lot of improvement.

Crazy couple of cameo's from Barrett. I still believe he has the most potential of any young 10 in the NZ game, Even with Cruden being as good as Carter in many aspects, just really down on kicking distance and defense. Barrett is devastating at the end of either half even when he plays the full 80. And at the very least has proved he can provide impact. So far seems to be one of those players that thrives at test level.

EDIT:

player ratings: http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...-the-All-Blacks-rated-in-third-test-vs-France

much better than the ones on the herald from Chris Ruttle last week or ever from that guy.

It's amasing that Ben Smith is now basically NZ's premier player - he's without a doubt been the player of the series, it's true that he has improved over the years but I still think he should have been more of a regular selection going way back to his debut, his first touch he dropped a high ball but basically never put a foot wrong after that and looked a fine test player. Toeava took that spot for a long time in the squad which should have been his and he should have been part of the '11 WC squad as well IMO.

 

[nickdnz]

It's amasing that Ben Smith is now basically NZ's premier player - he's without a doubt been the player of the series, it's true that he has improved over the years but I still think he should have been more of a regular selection going way back to his debut, his first touch he dropped a high ball but basically never put a foot wrong after that and looked a fine test player. Toeava took that spot for a long time in the squad which should have been his and he should have been part of the '11 WC squad as well IMO.

Jesus, I was waiting for this...

A few good games against France does not mean he's NZ's premier player or he's IRB Player of the Year material. He's played well but I fully expect Cory Jane to get his spot back when he returns. You know even Darwin hyped Ben Smith up with a little tongue in cheek, right? I certainly think he's got a bright future, but not on the wing.

 

[Larksea]

well it's not only the fact he is probably the player of the series he's also the form back, maybe even overall form individual in NZ super rugby right now. Jane is a great player and he's been important for the All Blacks but I struggle to remember him playing 3 great tests on the trot. seemed like with Jane he would play a number of average/quiet games then each time his selection came into question he would have a blinder lol

I don't think you should expect Jane to walk back in and take his 14 jersey back after maybe a few games of ITM cup at the end of the year. Smith will be an automatic selection at 14 for the Championship and if he keeps doing what he's doing and stays injury free then I can see no reason why he wouldn't get an IRB gong. The fact is that the bean counters that decide these awards will already have him near top the list.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

if jane walks straight back in (and Smith doesnt get another starting spot) i will seriously start thinking about giving up on the AB's, if i guy cant take his oppertunity like smith has and then loose it just because the last person to wear the jersey is avaliable again, regardless of form then we really are a joke....i really am sick of guys getting picked just because thay have played well in the past.

i hear all the time, its ok Nonu's playing like crap for the canes...blues...highlanders...because he'll come right for the AB's...NO, its not ok, i watch a hell of alot more super rugby and NPC than i do the AB's so i would kind of like it to be good rugby. all these guys do is stop the delevoplment of younger layers by clipping the ticket in super rugby

thought Tales (french first five) played well, broke the line a couple of times, have to say i was actually cheering on the french a few times, thought a competative game is much more fun to watch

 

[Larksea]

if jane walks straight back in (and Smith doesnt get another starting spot) i will seriously start thinking about giving up on the AB's, if i guy cant take his oppertunity like smith has and then loose it just because the last person to wear the jersey is avaliable again, regardless of form then we really are a joke....i really am sick of guys getting picked just because thay have played well in the past.

i hear all the time, its ok Nonu's playing like crap for the canes...blues...highlanders...because he'll come right for the AB's...NO, its not ok, i watch a hell of alot more super rugby and NPC than i do the AB's so i would kind of like it to be good rugby. all these guys do is stop the delevoplment of younger layers by clipping the ticket in super rugby

thought Tales (french first five) played well, broke the line a couple of times, have to say i was actually cheering on the french a few times, thought a competitive game is much more fun to watch

true, I actually think it is critically important to reward form players with All Black selection, that reward factor has to be in the game, it has to be in NZ rugby. It's a critical incentive, All Blacks should be about working hard and being the best, that's what makes kids watch and want to be an all black, form should override history and politics.

Nonu probably kinda got Lucky in a way, he's been crap in super rugby but no one else has clearly put their hand up as obvious candidates specifically for 12.

on Ben Smith if I'm being bias and another player had a better series and has been better in super rugby that Ben Smith I'm open to opinions. Personally I think Ben Smith has clearly been the best followed by Renee Ranger, Then Cruden, then Conrad Smith in terms of All Blacks. Then in this series he stands out as someone who was fantastic in all 3 tests, other contenders would be Dagg and Romano then Nonu Then Owen Franks but that's pushing it a bit. If I'm wrong it's open for discussion.

Ranger was fantastic in this last game, actually great seeing Ranger and Smith on the same field. Talk about Epic. Got a look at what ranger can do in test rugby, the straight power and speed with the offload that is a trademark of his game. I'm still hoping this french contract is just some late April fools joke

 

[yarmolinsky]

Just have watched the game. Yeah, a slowpoke, I know
I really wanted at least one french win. Really-really. For competition sake. But it was so predictable. I wonder - if AB had their actual squad with Richie, Cory, Ali etc. - would it be even better or not?

 

[Dizzy]

well it's not only the fact he is probably the player of the series he's also the form back, maybe even overall form individual in NZ super rugby right now. Jane is a great player and he's been important for the All Blacks but I struggle to remember him playing 3 great tests on the trot. seemed like with Jane he would play a number of average/quiet games then each time his selection came into question he would have a blinder lol

I don't think you should expect Jane to walk back in and take his 14 jersey back after maybe a few games of ITM cup at the end of the year. Smith will be an automatic selection at 14 for the Championship and if he keeps doing what he's doing and stays injury free then I can see no reason why he wouldn't get an IRB gong. The fact is that the bean counters that decide these awards will already have him near top the list.

Hey man, I'm Pro-Ben Smith, He's a quality, quality, quality player. He is able to make something from nothing and create opportunities but so can Cory Jane..

Cory Jane has probably THEE most effective fend in World Rugby, followed up with being one of the BEST men under the high ball(Ben Smith is great also) and the fact that he very rarely gets put into touch, whenever he is being taken to the sideline he always pulls off a freakish chip in field and even follows it up either regathering or taking down the opposition player who has taken possession.
Cory Jane is very consistent and I have trouble remembering him having a bad game in the last three seasons as opposed to your 3 straight good.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

started typing another rant....but not worth it, lets just wee what they do for the rugby championship

 

[yarmolinsky]

Cory Jane has probably THEE most effective fend in World Rugby, followed up with being one of the BEST men under the high ball
Cory Jane is very consistent and I have trouble remembering him having a bad game in the last three seasons as opposed to your 3 straight good.

True, true. Amazing player indeed.

 

[Tony Manx]

Yoe....thought this would interest you about the money that the French team earned on their tour of NZ....16k euro!! Footballers get that before they even wake up on a Monday morning!!

Par Fabien Pomiès le 23/06/2013 à 11:53, mis à jour le 23/06/2013 à 12:08@RugbyramaFR
[h=2]La tournée du XV de France en Nouvelle-Zélande rapportera à chaque joueur une somme maximum de 15 780 euros, a-t-on appris dimanche auprès de l'encadrement de l'équipe. Les 36 joueurs convoqués pour la tournée recevront chacun une prime fixe à la convocation de 7 590 euros de la part de la Fédération française de rugby (FFR). A ce montant, il faut ajouter une indemnité de 2730 euros par sélection.[/h]Ainsi, un joueur ayant disputé les trois test-matches face aux Néo-Zélandais, à l'instar des centres Wesley Fofana et Florian Fritz, touchera 15 780 euros au total. Avec trois défaites, les Bleus passent à côté d'une juteuse prime de victoire portée à 9 400 euros. Et si le XV de France avait tout raflé face aux champions du monde, une "sur-prime" de 12 000 euros était même prévue, ce qui aurait octroyé un maximum de 55 980 euros par tête.

 

[Big Ewis]

hmmm...thx Tony baby
yeh...that's it right there...FFR just ain't got nothin' on Top 14 just because........of moneh moneh moneh mohhh-neh....

























MAAAAAH-NEHHH !!