u/Intelligent_Taro_647

NZ is the last nation that actively avoids letting refs know they've been fouled.

Its is seen here to be ungentlemanly.

Saffas are experts at it, a scream or someone flies out the bottom of ruck writhing in pain so the TMO has to have a look.

2023 world cup final was a classic, Mohunga (said it on multiple podcasts) got KOed with an illegal late shoulder to the head by Eben (it's easy to find), got back up after 20 seconds, staggered and went back into the line, has no memory of the entire first half.

If he stayed down RED CARD.

Will this current crop coach to play to the TMO as the other lot certainly will !?

Now that the dust has settled a clearer picture has been painted.

*Proctor third choice, Quinn and ALB top 13's, Mr "I can do everything" Moorby may even end up there.

*6/2 bench is a go with Moorby as starting 11, guy looks a born AB

*Savea way better when playing tighter, second man in following Jacobsen helps high ruck speed and leaving T.Vai to take that wide channel runner role, draws more defenders than Savea does with his diminishing pace.

*Inventive role for Love, essentially a distributor and Jordie the playmaker at 12, Loves line kicking is spectacular, often carving off 50, Foster and Razor were contempt with 20 M for safety.

*Aumuas presence can not be denied, Taylor to move to the mid-week captain spot. Samisoni ans Asafa to battle for the 2 jersey.

Asafa should also take over from Savea as our tap restart guy, guys is a human missile.

*Can still see Patty T as the bench option, Lord and a fit Fabian to fight for the second spot as Darry will be a starter.

*Goal line D still spongey and soft, that is priority work for Umaga, was never his specialty so may need to resource some specialist coaching

Seems a no-brainer he's locked down the spot, got more 'dominant tackles' in game 1 of the year that Savea got in the entire of 2025 wearing the 7 and was undoubtedly man of the match.

Biggest issues going forward, both Ardie and Codie want that wide channel runner job, you can't accommodate two but it's both their natural game, who plays tighter going forward ?

Darrys work rate was a thing of absolute beauty and with 4 x dominant tackles as a Lock is astounding, he owned his channel.

Ardies miss when on ruck edge defence on our line with the game in the balance is beyond worrying, has always had issues with not coming off his line and Umaga should've had this as a priority fix as it happens often--it's a badge of honour to lock down that channel in the Black jersey, the Reads, Canes, Mcaw, Kainos etc would fight for that spot, for Ardie to not even lay a hand on a runner was a gasp moment. Tired ? Sub him earlier ? Back to tackle school ?

Take into account the body of work and the false media hype around him ,mostly from his very professional P.R machine, 'Brand Ardie' has never lived upto his hype. He flaps around with ball in hand never appears high turnover lists (11 in 2025 to Frazer McReights 25 and josh Vander fliers 23).

Never gets a 'dominant tackle', never appears near the top for 'ruck effectiveness' list.

Game 2 last year the saffas were genius, let him take a few easy meters and isolate himself, turnovers galore.

Has never bettered his opposition number when vs S.A, England or France, is essentially a flat track bully/stats machine against Aussie and Argentina and last year was outplayed by Juan Martin Gonzalez

Saffas rub there hands in Glee when he plays 7.

Still has PTSD from Tom Curry destroying him in 2019 Semi final.

A quality channel running/ ball playing 8 but a barley serviceable 7.Dont believe me, check the stats.

Hoskings to Savea this morning "Rennie says he wants to play with optimism and brutality, do you agree Ardie" ? "errr, I hope so". Wow , so inspiring !

Dare say 25% of the squad will change in weeks to come. Will lose 7 or so to injury in camp like they did last year. Great for Kyle Preston , unsung hero of 2025, won the game with a late one on one tackle vs Peter Stepf at Eden Park