Italy star to miss WXV 2 in South Africa through injury

The drums are starting to beat louder for Du’Plessis Kirifi

BA 23 minutes ago

in fairness Kirifi shown much more consistency over a number of years than Gus ever did? And I wouldn’t be so sure about Blackadder Papalii or Jacobsen retaining there places all the above are good players but do u think any of them have had as much impact on a match as much as Kirifi like ever ? Give the man a go ball carry been great last couple of years!!

'France may leave top players at home but will still be serious contenders in New Zealand'

JW 37 minutes ago

They don’t play any more than anyone else.

That old chestnut has been found out in some Nick Bishop articles if you’re interested.

Currently the players Top 14 sides look to be rest/not using in demand players more than France. It’s all well and good and a huge improvement in player management I understand but it’s all because of the underlying problem of the length of the Top 14, not player minutes. They simply don’t get more than a months holiday and thats totally absurd. Crap, it might actually be they only get a months holiday if they don’t play in July, can’t quite remember.

And I’m not sure that exhausted “premium players” would do better that “fresh” young lads.

You really don’t understand the French dilemma at all do you. These ‘fresh’ players you speak are the ones that need the rest, not the “premium players”. They are simply not cared about because they are not the top 20 that are critical to France’s success.

'France may leave top players at home but will still be serious contenders in New Zealand'

Head high tackle 38 minutes ago

Personally I think they should have just not said they were sending a B team and just announced their squad a couple of weeks before the tour. That would have achieved nothing different except the length of time people could be annoyed about it and dramatically reduced the amount of articles we constantly get about it too.

I agree about revoking test status but sadly its NZ that would suffer. France dont give a toss.

'France may leave top players at home but will still be serious contenders in New Zealand'

JW 45 minutes ago

And I thought HHTs post couldn’t be beat…

Scott Robertson sheds light on Mo'unga situation, state of All Blacks 10s

Head high tackle 46 minutes ago

He is a hard man to listen too. He speaks in a foreign language but the words sound like English.

He’s clearly been told to toe the company line and clearly still only has 1 ten that he is interested in. Dmac should go. Razor isnt interested in him.

'France may leave top players at home but will still be serious contenders in New Zealand'

JW 46 minutes ago

LOL yeah I was being facetious with the first sentence but honest in the second!

World Cup winners name their alternative Southern Hemipshere 'Lions' XV

Bull Shark 55 minutes ago

Poor guy can’t get a break

4 Go to comments

Cantab 56 minutes ago

All Black returns to Crusaders bench for Blues derby

So far the Blues have been less than average

The drums are starting to beat louder for Du’Plessis Kirifi

Bull Shark 58 minutes ago

I think he deserves a call up because of his name alone.

Can 'Tongan Thor' rediscover his strength before the Lions arrive?

AD 1 hour ago

Yes Nick, a major worry.

Despite his very poor form, he holds the scrum up better than any others at THP. I think Alaalatoa isn't what he was, and Nonggor & Co aren't really up to scratch. Nor is Slipper at THP.

I think that they have to pick him, and he knows it.

It's probably not a popular opinion, and probably my opinion of McKellar as being an underwhelming coach.

I suspect a lift this week, and more when Joe gets involved, but nonetheless a disappointing situation!

15 Go to comments

SC 1 hour ago

All Black returns to Crusaders bench for Blues derby

You don’t select a wing based on their ability to kick goals, you pick him based on his ability to finish and score tries. Fihaki rarely scores tries.

Springer on the other hand has real pace that Fihaki lacks and has way more upside as a wing.

And it’s the 10s responsibility to do the goalkicking and convert a minimum of 75%. If Kamera can’t improve his goal kicking then drop him and select O’Connor who does kick his goals.

World Cup winners name their alternative Southern Hemipshere 'Lions' XV

Cantab 2 hours ago

Interesting team. Would love to see it in operation against the Northern hemisphere in a 4 match home and away series.

4 Go to comments

GP 2 hours ago

All Black returns to Crusaders bench for Blues derby

That is some bench the Crusaders have.Likes of Corey Kellow, Ioane Moananu, Quinten Strange, Macca Springer, James O’Connor, George Bower. Great that Cullen Grace is back, he was definitely missed last week.

Can 'Tongan Thor' rediscover his strength before the Lions arrive?

dw 2 hours ago

Interested to know more. Bell seems to be a pretty decent front row bro? Kailea and Amone some other decent partners. Nick’s analysis shows his general play is lacking too.

15 Go to comments

Cantab 2 hours ago

Front row refresh for the Chiefs to face Moana Pasifika

Expect the Chiefs to have a relatively easy bonus point win in this one. Moana are missing their best players whilst Chiefs are near enough to full strength. They will be well placed to take out the roundrobin with probably only the return match v Crusaders in Ch. Ch likely to worry them.

All Black returns to Crusaders bench for Blues derby

Cantab 2 hours ago

So true. Crusaders have 2 fine half backs now and both deserve game time. Crusaders this year almost have a plethora of talent across the board and the injury problems of last year are not as bad and appear to have transferred to other squads.

All Black returns to Crusaders bench for Blues derby

Cantab 2 hours ago

The Crusaders wingers were aided by a blinder from Ennor of course. Fihaki is more than adequate as a replacement winger and Springer is still on the bench. Could it be that Fihaki is there to resolve the woeful goal kicking that the Crusaders showed initially last week????

All Black returns to Crusaders bench for Blues derby

Cantab 2 hours ago

Nothing would delight the Crusaders more than to add to bitter rivals the Blues run of losses. Given the return of several players for the Crusaders and the loss of key injured players for the Blues that is on the cards despite the home advantage. Karma would suggest that is the reversal of fortunes from last year.

All Black returns to Crusaders bench for Blues derby

SC 3 hours ago

What a ridiculous decision by Rob Penny, who I have never criticized before, for selecting Chay Fihaki over Mecca Springer.

In his previous starts, Fihaki has been good but not outstanding and certainly he is not someone with the runs on the board, like say Will Jordan, who you would restore automatically to the starting lineup after having a week off.

Springer played far better in last week’s match than Fihaki has in any of his matches this season and earned the right to continue to start until their is a decline in his performance.