RugbyRebels

Anyone controversial missing from the AB's squad? I'm surprised to see Bryce Heem is still going and is apparently in the top 9 centres in New Zealand, but my knowledge isn't good enough to pick out anything more detailed.

Puja

Team vs Japan:

New Zealand: 15 Stephen Perofeta, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Sam Cane (c), 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Dane Coles, 1 George Bower

Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Dalton Papali’i, 21 Aaron Smith, 22 David Havili, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown

I'll be watching the girlz...

Do a Norm Berryman and hitch to Whangarei.

That was really poor from New Zealand.

Japan were good but New Zealand just seem to spend a lot of their matches going through the motions and hoping someone does something cool.

It won't fix everything but, for me, Papali'i needs to start. He adds some bite and aggression.

Any news on when Will Jordan will join them. Wonder what this ear infection is that got him and Whitelock.

Big few weeks all round. I reckon we'll have a good idea by the end of the month whether this has just been a really bad year or whether the All Blacks are no more than a dark horse for the WC next year.

1. Ethan de Groot (10)
2. Codie Taylor (73)
3. Tyrel Lomax (21)
4. Samuel Whitelock (140 - captain)
5. Scott Barrett (55)
6. Shannon Frizell (22)
7. Dalton Papali'i (19)
8. Ardie Savea (67)
9. Aaron Smith (112)
10. Richie Mo'unga (42)
11. Caleb Clarke (12)
12. Jordie Barrett (45)
13. Rieko Ioane (56)
14. Sevu Reece (22)
15. Beauden Barrett (109)

Reserves:
16. Samisoni Taukei'aho (18)
17. Ofa Tu'ungafasi (49)
18. Fletcher Newell (4)
19. Tupou Vaa'i (16)
20. Akira Ioane (19)
21. Brad Weber (17)
22. David Havili (22)
23. Anton Lienert-Brown (57)

I like the look of this team. The three Barretts starting is kinda cool, and all deserving of their positions for me. Having ALB, Weber, Ioane, Havili, Taukei'aho on the bench adds real impact. But yeah, recent results are underwhelming. Feck it, ABs by 20.

Paddling for the baby micks so far

Mckenzie a joy to watch at this level

Cheap shot there from 7

Stevenson lording it

DMac looking good. RTS getting a bit of a shot at a never die with the ball mantra also encouraging. The contrast between Ireland A loosies and their first team annoying bastard counterparts is a big point of difference though.

Bit of a tonking in the end.

I can't get over how meh our back line is as a unit. Some flashes of individual brilliance but not a really cohesive unit. Poor Caleb Clarke drops most of the ball that come his way.

Sam Cane? It's Papalii from now on, Shirley.

Anyone watching Ireland soak up Bok intensity and give it straight back?

Some talk of the last few minutes putting a gloss on the ABs result. I actually thought that on another day, they would have got there a lot quicker and held Wales to less. Wayne Barnes was reasonably consistent but wasn't making it easy to get jackal penalties today. NZ could have got a number of penalties, but half the time were penalised.

Also, yes, Papali'i is a big part of the answer.

Has anyone even tried to coach Caleb Clarke in defence?

Or catch the feckin ball.

How far back in time do we need to go to find an all black team this current one would beat?

2001? You pulling my leg?

Team v England:

15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Mark Telea, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Dalton Papali’i, 6 Scott Barrett, 5 Sam Whitelock (c), 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot

16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 George Bower, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Shannon Frizell, 20 Hoskins Sotutu, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 David Havili, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown

Interesting Telea got the start. Otherwise broadly as expected?

What a shitshow that turned out to be.

I was disappointed England settled for the draw, but understandable given they were behind for most of the match I guess. Hard to know what to make of this ABs team, dominance to mediocrity, brilliance mixed with errors, I'm kind of glad the season is over, not sure how much more of this I could watch.