Doncaster set to announce Telusa Veainu signing

What is it with him and fullbacks? A natural 15 is awkwardly rolled out as a 10 every game. He fooked about and had the games best winger at 15 last day out. Barrett is back at fullback but will probably do most of the place kicking? Mad.

Post-irony.

I think it was a very consistent/competitive series that way. AB two tests they were far more dominant that SA but capitulated each time.

I think your AB stats would go down though if you included Argentina as a top 4 side? 😜

I think there are probably 6 'top four' sides at the moment to be fair.

Blackadder was reported to have put on size last year, no doubt for the world cup, and the picture was 'he wasn't stopping at 117kg' I think Jase quipped. But yes, he fluctuates between a weight for 7 and 6, no idea why you would bring up an 8.

It is much the same with Savea and Cane, both two players that do play 'massive' in their respective roles. You also can't really argue this pack hasn't been around for 4 + years now, and seem vary 'aligned'.

There is a big misconception about New Zealand rugby's lack of size. They do, along with Australia, and the homelands of Pacifika people, have a lot of big rugby players, they just haven't been favoured by the All Blacks, or indeed with the likes of Will Skelton, neither NSW or the Wallabies, either.

A quick jump on all.rugby gives a quick look at last weeks teams

SA -------------------------- NZ

963 kg (120.38 kg) --- Pack weight (average) --- 939 kg (117.38 kg)

31 ans - --- Forwards average age ---- 28 ans

29 ans --- Backs average age --- 28 ans

ARG ------------------------ AUS

922 kg (115.25 kg) --- Pack weight (average) ---- 925 kg (115.63 kg)

28 ans ---- Forwards average age --- 25 ans

26 ans ---- Backs average age --- 26 ans

As you can see here, there might be a trend to say that the Wallabies will get more powerful with age, but you wouldn't think one would suggest a physical edge over the Abs at this point. Indeed, their edge comes from a completely different concept, dynamism. In players like Tupou, Bell, some say Frost, Rob, they have players that can edge their opposites. Taylor and Sami (Aumua hopefully) at hooker, Barrett on a good day, and Ardie (and his heir apparent) can provide it for the All Blacks, but Australia's game should definitely be about tempo and speed of play at their young age LSL seems to be thought of as perhaps a strong foil to that when needed, but I would honestly rate him below Patrick.

So I tihnk the pack is much closer to how you view the backline, so makes for a cohesive plan if Joe can get it right. I think the most telling stat for these two teams (haven't checked this mornigns announcement yet) would be in test caps, and it would be stark if Slipper was told he was no longer needed.

Use that youthful exuberance and try and get them confident. That Argentine side is a great, they put a record score on NZ in not as favourable conditions as well. Theyve just got to take that one on the chin, and like SBW says, come out swining for round 2. Remembering that no matter what, in this sport, this game, theyre going to still be standing by round 12 when the Lions come. There should be no fear here.

Christ, I hope there's no apartheid in Dublin 4!!! We'll need racial quotas then for the national team...