Andre Esterhuizen's Sharks return delayed despite completing his ban

I am more surprised that their stats match Ireland to be fair, Ireland's ability to compete with SA over their two series was incredible.

Also, who is your pick for the AB's backrow?

Cane + Savea are smaller, but Savea is certainly stronger than most in that back row, maybe Valetini is big enough. I don't think Cane is likely to start this next game with Ethan Blackadder back, so it will likely be Sititi, Savea, Blackadder.

Set piece retention + disruption, tackle completion %, and ruck speed, are the stats I would pick to define a cohesive forward pack.

NZ have averaged 84.3% from lineout and 100% from own scrum feed in their last three games against top 4 opponents. Their opponents averaged 87.7% from the lineout and 79.7% from own scrum feed.

In comparison, Ireland averaged 85.3% from lineout and 74.3% from own scrum feed. Their opponents averaged 87.7% from the lineout and 100% from the scrum.

France also averaged 90.7% from lineout (very impressive) and 74.3% from own scrum feed (very bad). Their opponents averaged 95.7% from lineout (very bad) and 83.7% from scrum.

As we can see, at set piece NZ have been very good at disrupting opposition scrums while retaining own feed. However, lineout retention and disruption is bang average with Ireland and France, with the French pulling ahead. So NZ is right there in terms of cohesiveness in lineouts, and is better than both in terms of scrums. I have also only used stats from tests within the top 4.

France have averaged 85.7% tackle completion and 77.3% of rucks 6 seconds or less.

Ireland have averaged 86.3% tackle completion and 82.3% of rucks 6 seconds or less.

NZ have averaged 87% tackle completion and 80.7% or rucks 6 seconds or less.

So NZ have a higher tackle completion %, similar lineout, better scrum, and similar ruck speed.

Overall, NZ seem to have a better pack cohesiveness than France and Ireland, maybe barely, but small margins are what win big games.

"Now, if you were to pick a combined ANZAC side, there would be very few gold shirts amongst the black ones, but Australia does have talent across the park to make this a proper contest."

... Suggests I don't think the Wallabies players are better than the ABs ones.

Also, I didn't say all forwards were bigger, I said Lukhan and Frost are bigger than Vaii and Tuipulotu, which according to online bios is correct, surprising perhaps but correct nonetheless.

Also, as for you claim that Blackadder is massive, he's 111kg and 190cm. Shorter and lighter than Valetini and Wilson.

This is even more true for Cane and Savea.

I said nothing about the backs? Did you read the article or just the headline?

I also disagree about the cohesive nature of the forwards, Ireland and France are ahead.

As for the Fiji claim, I will just leave that there.

Also who cares if the Wallabies scrum is at full power? The EdG/TW, CT/AA, TL/PT. That is the best, most consistent front row in the world.

Also, the All Blacks are NOT smaller than the Wallabies. Two 140 kg props, not to mention that Ethan Blackadder is massive. Cortez Ratima isn't even small. Cannot believe there is even a discussion about the Wallabies forwards being better than All Blacks forwards man for man.

The All Blacks forwards are the best and most cohesive forwards unit in the world right now, followed closely by South Africa and then Ireland/England/Argentina. The Fijians have better forwards than the Wallabies.