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I watched Ioane closely against the Crusaders, looked good goes missing a bit - a bit like Mo'unga 3 years ago - lots of potential but needs to become complete. I don't think they'll risk it but they did take Brett Cameron on the tour?

I too like Alaimalo and would have picked him last year for the Japan game. He seems to have gone a bit quiet since the concussion and his defensive work is very poor this year. I see the crusaders have flipped on Ennor after a 3 try match but also a few miss tackles and couple shocking passes...

Right wing, 6, midfield for the starting team. loosies, front row, 3rd 10 and 9 for squad. All front row positions have plenty of depth but there are a lot of like for like players at the moment. All the back up props used over the last 3/4 years are interchangeable. There is no 3rd 10 on the...

Like this team - I have been personally watching all the right wing options this season as I really don't like Jordie playing fullback when Ben is available. Right now I would go for Braydon Ennor on the wing but a few weeks ago I wanted Reece. Unproven players in superb form is a b***h for...

Ireland are going to be as up for this as England were for 25 minutes, depends if NZ can find it in themselves again to put up an immense fight. Very late in the season with a few of these blokes having one foot on the beach. I'm picking similar to last week, Ireland to be up at the half and...

Wonder if NZ are obliged to play a few 'named' players. SBW, Read and Barrett might start?

for the first time in my life (mainly due to time difference - I live in the UK) I forgot a NZ test was on! Not sure if I feel bad or its a sign of saturation or predictable outcome. Still a good game but rugby needs as shake up!

where there is confusion is, if a ruck/mall HASN'T been formed/called by ref then there isn't an offside line but even at the highest level the ref will call offside if the opposing defence line encroaches whilst the halfback clears the ball.

Do any other NZ supporters read the tripe that is Player Ratings on the NZ news sites? I don't know why I do as it does nothing but wind me up! The writers manage to give 'assessments' of all 23 players within 30 minutes of the game. How can they possibly watch everything first time around?

Agree, but SA came out with the right aggression and mindset but the final piece of the game plan went missing. They had ALL the ball so NZ would have been more than happy at half time - weirdly SA tries came from opportunistic plays almost against the run of play!

Agree, but SA came out with the right aggression and mindset but the final piece of the game plan went missing. They had ALL the ball so NZ would have been more than happy at half time - weirdly SA tries came from opportunistic plays almost against the run of play!

100% agree, I literally feel sore for them. Something has got to give. Joe Marlor has spoken out. Rugby needs monitored collision hours like NFL, not just for concussion but for stress injuries like Cane's.

agree - colin slade has TWO winners medals :D:D:D

Good points but how much ball did SA kick away in the first half trying to 'control' the game - it got them nowhere and wasted so much possession! Sky UK for some reason sent a team of commentators to the match (nice jolly) and Stuart Barnes couldn't stop praising Faf and Pollard all first half...

I've not scrutinised the table - are they on the same side of the draw again? i.e. impossible for them to both make final.....

It took NZ years to rectify/perfect comebacks or holding on to leads, but somehow it seems to have stuck for 11 years or so - coaching consistency must play a part as its a whole new squad of players doing it

I think because after last year SA were criticised for keeping the starters on too long, including Marx who missed the crucial tackle for McKenzie's match winner due to tiredness

The WHOLE series was refereed poorly, for both teams. All 3 refs got caught up with the occasion as did the AB players to an extent - they had the 2005 glory on their mind, not the game at hand. NZ were far from their best and the Lions were as good as they could be, which was helped by poor...

I think NMS has had his day, he is skilled but too slow plus that glaring defensive error for the first try. I had picked Solomon Alaimalo in my squad, he'll be there one day. Maybe Hanson sticking with experience for WC.

I was thinking about Doug Howlett the other day when some writer claimed he was underrated. I watch pretty much every AB test and I cant really remember a 'brilliant' try amongst his 49. I can recall plenty from Kirwan, Wilson, Rocokoko, Lomu and Savea.