markpat says...

Can't understand having Weepu on the bench. When he came on last week, NZ's performance and tempo dropped dramatically.

Posted 12:35 14th June 2012

isthatrightref says...

@ wexman... add roughly 5cm in height & 10kg in weight: brilliant ball player, fine leader for Waikato/Chiefs/NZ Maori but too much the utility forward & now being overtaken by younger/bigger/faster guys so will go down as another nearly man. In saying that he's probably got an Aviva/Pro12/Top14 & Heineken Cup in him - or a Japanese club Championship if he prefers Yen to Euros - whenever he chooses to take up one of the offers he has until now been turning down.

@ ABlack... agree, we need to find us a Cowboy or Jamie Joseph-type player who can go nose to nose with the bokke when more than just skill is required. A big ask in these sanitised days but necessary imo.

Posted 10:52 14th June 2012

ruckingkiwi says...

I'm looking forward to seeing a full strength NZ play

Posted 09:42 14th June 2012

porridge_time says...

The AB's were not entirely happy with their work at the breakdown... this they will have worked on for a week.

Unfortunately for the tourist I cannot see them having anything more to offere, they will be up for it that's for sure, but given that they are out gunned accross the park in every positon only see another substantial win for the home side.

Posted 02:22 14th June 2012

ciaran1792 says...

Not Nigel Owens again!

Posted 23:10 13th June 2012

sukkadoits says...

Owen Franks is struggling for optimum power this year. Healy did a good job on him last week, like most of the opposition Franks has faced this year, but the rest of the scrum was strong so Owen's inferiority wasn't so evident. Maybe its too much crossfit, but he isn't the hulk we expect him to be. Its too hard for him to gain extra power mid season, so i'd start with brother Ben. Owen needs a little time to reach the strength of recent years.

Posted 22:16 13th June 2012

ABlack says...

ABs should be getting Brad Shields into the squad. Not 100 sure that Thompson is the answer at 6( nor Vito at the moment). NZ has traditionally had a 6 with mongrel and presence about him.Both Vito & Thompson are very skilled , athletic &quick etc but play quite loose and remains to be seen if they can both adjust to Test level 6 duties sufficiently.( ala Kaino, Higginbotham,Elsom)

Posted 20:37 13th June 2012