Former England fullback Nick Abendanon to stay in France after signing for ProD2 side

And Paddy didn’t steal the lineout. We won it cleanly but the ref judged in real time that Paddy jumped across the lineout. Which he did although he didn’t affect the throw. You’ll see the ref signals “advantage” immediately. And when we knock on, he calls a no advantage penalty.

And no, Telea ran into Taylor’s access line who pushed him out of his way. WhenTelea complained about the push, the ref audibly says he saw it but that Telea shouldn’t have run into Taylor’s access lane in the 1st place.

The Blues were lucky the heavy rain kept their forwards from being blasted by halftime like they were when we smashed them at Eden Park.

Totally different from say the Blues (or Tahs) attempt to try and run the ball around like kings this year instead of sticking to the graft that won last year. Beauden Barrett is not that player that is going to slickly run rings around people and turn his team mates into Galatico’s.

Admittendly fine O is much hard to pull off than a devensive plan but no comparison between the three clubs!

Eventually will probably take over Waaka's pit if she sticks around.

Otherwise the WNRL could come calling

Maybe just a euphemism thing and it’s more about size/height?

Something easily agreed to to seal the deal though, sure.

I think Taha still needs time in the saddle. I expected JOC to replace him at HT tbh. But how else is he gonna learn about game management in heavy wet weather? His work-ons are all mental/mindset obviously. I mean he kicks a sideline conversion & misses a gimme. Thank goodness JOC was kicking the last 2 pens.

Noah also needs to sharpen up on his exits. Too often he dithers at the ruck & gets us into trouble. It’s not just this game. It’s a pattern. Still, top of the table despite nowhere near the standard we need to be, can’t complain too much.

He is making all the same micro errors in his “skill-set” that he has for the All Blacks (where under pressure they become more impactfuly), that’s what gets discussed in NZ, even now, nothing like this fluff piece lol!