All Blacks vs France - 05/07/25

[Bada-Bing!]

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

NGL the French selection annoys me

I would love to see a full strength French team in NZ, also not sure why they wouldn't want to play them either. 3 games in NZ back to back is prob the toughest challenge outside of the RWC

 

[TommiG88]

Fabian Holland is a strange one. Born and grew up in Netherlands, moved to NZ in his late teens as he wanted to play professional rugby and subsequently played internationally.

Fell in love with All Blacks as a kid.

 

[Which Tyler]

As ever - try playing the longest season in world rugby, win (or lose the final of) the major trophy; then cross 11 time zones and be ready to play that weekend.

We suspect that 1 player from T14 won't be ready for the Lions this weekend; France would have half the team.

The solution is that if a SH team invites the French over for a summer tour - accept when their season ends, and delay the tour dates by a week.
Which pushes things into the QN, so isn't viable. In which case, either accept a weakened French team, or invite for a shorter tour.
It's only been 133 years

The French love the T14 and the Brennus shield.
They've already sacrificed 2 teams to accommodate cross-border competitions. I don't see them sacrificing more to please the SANZAAR nations

 

[argie]

France Rugby Squad

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 Villiere
12. Gael Fickou (c)
13. Emilien Gailleton
14. Tom Spring
15. Theo Attissogbe

Substitutes: 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

 

[Kiwiwomble]

As ever - try playing the longest season in world rugby, win (or lose the final of) the major trophy; then cross 11 time zones and be ready to play that weekend.

We suspect that 1 player from T14 won't be ready for the Lions this weekend; France would have half the team.

The solution is that if a SH team invites the French over for a summer tour - accept when their season ends, and delay the tour dates by a week.
Which pushes things into the QN, so isn't viable. In which case, either accept a weakened French team, or invite for a shorter tour.
It's only been 133 years

The French love the T14 and the Brennus shield.
They've already sacrificed 2 teams to accommodate cross-border competitions. I don't see them sacrificing more to please the SANZAAR nations

or they bring a slightly bigger squad and those that need another week dont play the first test

Fabian Holland is a strange one. Born and grew up in Netherlands, moved to NZ in his late teens as he wanted to play professional rugby and subsequently played internationally.

Fell in love with All Blacks as a kid.

Its a cool story, he came out to NZ on and exchange or something, loved it and decided to stay, but worked his way through school>club (Up Dunedin RUFC!)>provincial (Otago!)>Super (come on you Highlanders!) and now International

sadly we're so unsettled we're playing this with more or less a full strength team and im not sure what we're going to achieve, we thrash them and it will be "of course...it was a full strength ABs team".....we dont thrash them and it will be "****....."

 

[IT157]

Yeah, that is a very strong All Blacks team.

 

[McTallshort]

Kiwi crowd respecting the kicker

 

[Gavin]

Would love to see France win, or at least keep NZ within a score.

Seeing all the trash the NZ media has been saying this week about the French team.

France have started well.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

NGL if NZ loses it would be hilarious

 

[AlRums]

Some good work from the ABs, shame for the knockon

 

[AlRums]

Now that was a reply, great try

 

[McTallshort]

Les Blues!!!!!

 

[AlRums]

This is near enough a France second team as well

 

[Gavin]

This is near enough a France second team as well

Arguments for it being their 4th team.

 

[AlRums]

This is going to be a lively game!!

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

God I wish England had a Barrett

 

[Bluemoon]

Always been supportive of the all blacks and I can ignore the media generally, but I want France to win this one and I want a live stream to Justin Marshall haha (even if I understood what he was saying to a degree it would just be very funny).

 

[McTallshort]

Can actually see NZ get a record score here

 

[dirty harry]

Thisnis not a strong French team. All blacks dont win this at a Canterbury youd be surprised