Tamati Williams Ruled out of the July series as he requires surgery for a torn miniscus. George Bower called into the squad. 

networkn:

 

Tamati Williams Ruled out of the July series as he requires surgery for a torn miniscus. George Bower called into the squad. 

 

Yeah, there seems to be an ongoing trend of players who aren't right, playing in Super finals at the expense of the All Blacks.  Sam Whitelock was another case.  I wondered at the time, how bad Williams was when he played on in the quarter after clearly sustaining an injury and also when he came back in for the final.  I also have concerns about how fit Will Jordan and Fletcher Newell really are as well.  However, I guess if players like Sititi and Williams do have niggles, then now is probably the best time in the year and the 4-year cycle to get them sorted properly though (no disrespect to the French).

I can understand it. Pro players tend to be focused on the task at hand, and for most of these players, they primarily play for the thier SR team, and the AB's isn't a given. 

Will Jordan did an exceptional job in the final, but I agree, he didn't look to be running as freely. 

I suspect most of the guys carrying a niggle will be managed carefully.  

It does surprise me when teams are announced to play each week, why fans don't consider that their favourite player might not be included because they aren't 100% fit. Not 'injured' per se. 

 

1.  

   Ethan de Groot

    

2.  

   Codie Taylor

    

3.  

   Fletcher Newell

    

4.  

   Scott Barrett (c)

    

5.  

   Fabian Holland

    

6.  

   Tupou Vaa’i

    

7.  

   Ardie Savea

    

8.  

   Christian Lio-Willie

    

9.  

   Cam Roigard

    

10.  

    Beauden Barrett

     

11.  

    Rieko Ioane

     

12.  

    Jordie Barrett

     

13.  

    Billy Proctor

     

14.  

    Sevu Reece

     

15.  

    Will Jordan

     

Reserves: 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Samipeni Finau, 20. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Quinn Tupaea, 23. Damian McKenzie

For some there will be absolute giddiness around seeing Reiko back at 11. I'll be very interested to see how he goes, as his pace seems to have abandoned him in recent years. Multiple times forwards chased him down in open space this season. 

I like the team, though I am curious why Clarke wasn't picked, injury perhaps? Particularly keen to see how Procter goes at 13.

The Lions Reds game was an interesting one. Ultimately, the Reds couldn't stay with the Lions. The Lions weren't really doing anything special, but they were doing it with a higher intensity and kept it going throughout 80 minutes. 

The AB's should avoid anyone interviewing Tamiti Ellison wherever possible. He is beyond excruiting to listen to (Similar to SBW in commentary). The Ryan Bridge T.E Interview was beyond painful.

So yesterday was a big rugby day. 

Black Ferns 15's vs Wallaroos to open the evening with. Australia looked far more compelling and the Black Ferns far less assured in the first 40, but roles were reversed and the Black Ferns ran away with it. The Black Ferns Haka gives me chills.  I suspect we will really struggle to match the physicality of the northern hemisphere teams in defending our title, and without home advantage, whilst I have every hope, realistically, 2nd or 3rd is probably a good result. Their super fast style has proven difficult to execute under heavy forwards pressure understandably, though we do have some big women in our team too. 

The AB's showed a ruthless and well executed 40 minutes, quite impressive, though the French weren't putting them under anywhere near the same pressure as last week. They didn't kick nearly as much despite the dividends it paid last week. The French kicking distance was significantly better than ours and we have really missed someone with a booming kick ala Israel Dagg for a good many years. An extra 5m of kicking distance, is 5m less you need to grind to the try line.  Beauden wasn't so flash, kicking last night, we really need to not be missing a regulation kick for touch, esp when our lineout is looking strong. 

Reiko was probably the best I have seen him in a year at least, though he certainly doesn't look completely comfortable, he looked better for a second week in the same position.  Proctor is having a few wobbles, but hopefully, they persist and give him at least another 4 tests. Defensively he needs work, but his carries were good on the whole. 

Savea is a monster and Holland looks really comfortable at test level. All that tall timber in the lineout is paying off nicely, with our lineout looking the best it's been in a good long while. 

There is a gulf between our first choice hooker (Taylor) and our next best options. Same could be said of our halfbacks. We better pray that Savea, Taylor and Roigard stay fit. 

AUNZ Invitational was beyond disappointing. The lack of cohension of only being together a few days was ruthlessly exploited by the Lions, and so many opportunities went begging by regulation passes not going to hand, or basic handling errors otherwise.  The Linespeed on defence by the Lions would have been a significant factor, though I'd say the Lions were offside at least 30% of the match.

An absolutely brilliant article. 

I wish we got more of that sort of stuff, rather than the Gregor Paul drivel we so frequently see. 

The Trends and Statistics Underpinning Scott Robertson’s Biggest Selections—and Omissions—of 2025

Question for the group. 

Who would you rather have on the other Wing this week assuming Reece is fit to play? 

Reiko or Clarke?

Reiko - he is a world class winger and needs more time to find his feet again - as you pointed out, he had a much better game on the weekend and I think more time in the saddle will only help. 

SumnerBoy:

 

Reiko - he is a world class winger and needs more time to find his feet again - as you pointed out, he had a much better game on the weekend and I think more time in the saddle will only help. 

 

Can it reasonably be claimed he is a world class winger anymore? He may have been when he played wing, but given the last time was 4+ years ago... He certainly wasn't world class either of the last 2 weeks. Better is still not 'good' in my opinion. 

I am with you though, between those two, I would probably choose Reiko, mostly because I don't really rate Clarke who's main advantage seems to be he can run straight and is quite big and strong. He doesn't really have much of a step and his defence is subpar. 

A pattern I see a bit, is the fact our wingers tend to get isolated somewhat frequently. 

Yeah I won't disagree with you there - he is not world class currently, but hopefully with time he will be again. He is apparently a physical freak in terms of training, speed, strength. And he is not lacking in confidence...I think persistence with him will pay dividends in the medium to long term.

I would love to see a winger come along with blistering speed - I think we lack that currently. Apparently Reiko is still the quickest in the team, but he is nothing compared to some of those Bokke wingers. I would happily sacrifice some size on one wing if we could find someone with real gaaaas (as Earl Kirton would say, there is no substitute).

SumnerBoy:

 

Yeah I won't disagree with you there - he is not world class currently, but hopefully with time he will be again. He is apparently a physical freak in terms of training, speed, strength. And he is not lacking in confidence...I think persistence with him will pay dividends in the medium to long term.

 

I would love to see a winger come along with blistering speed - I think we lack that currently. Apparently Reiko is still the quickest in the team, but he is nothing compared to some of those Bokke wingers. I would happily sacrifice some size on one wing if we could find someone with real gaaaas (as Earl Kirton would say, there is no substitute).

 

Yeah, Reece is elusive and has a massive engine and is very good defensively, but he isn't particularly fast. I keep hearing about Reiko and him being the fastest, but when was the last time you actually saw that in action? There was a very quick burst of speed at one stage on Saturday night, but he certainly doesn't feel that fast. Multiple times during the Super Rugby Season he was chased down by forwards. 

Like you, I'd like to see him able to deliver on the incredible patience the All Blacks have shown him. I can't recall a player ever given more leeway than him. I've love to see him get to where he was relatively briefly a couple of years ago as a center, or on the wing, I am just not sure he is that player anymore. I guess we will see. 

I believe the remainder of the squad will be given a run on Saturday night. If not, it will be close, just depending on how much experience they feel they need. 

I'd like to see Reuben Love at 10, not DM. DM off the bench. I suspect however, Jordan will be rested and Love will play 15.

I wonder if Reece isn't fit, if it will end up being Narawa and Reiko on the wings, or even Narawa and Clarke. 

I expect Proctor will stay at 13. I am thinking they might go Riogard and Hotham in the 9's, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was Ratima and Hotham (though I think Hotham would be better to start as Ratima strikes me as a better second half option).

Tavatavanawai should get on the field again. I am not sure what kind of option he is at 12? He and Proctor *could* make for a terrifying combo. 

I hate losing test matches, but in my view, we need to be brave in selection. The series is won. 

networkn:

 

I am with you though, between those two, I would probably choose Reiko, mostly because I don't really rate Clarke who's main advantage seems to be he can run straight and is quite big and strong. He doesn't really have much of a step and his defence is subpar. 

 

Clarke is clearly better in the air than the others and particularly Reece.  He's a little out of form at the mo due to lack of game time this year, but was the clear incumbent left wing last year.  The aerial battle is going to be really important against better opposition.  I wouldn't be surprised if at some point in the futures we see Love on right wing and Clarke on left.  That won't be now though as they need to rest Jordan and try to get his knee right.  

On another note, I'm happy Razor finally listened to me and moved one of our locks to blindside.  Shame Vaa'i's now injured, but I hop they go back to that in future.  Add Sititi back at 8 and I'm really liking that combo.