England midfielder set to start for Blues in final pre-season game

Ainsley is better than our next best tighthead options and has been playing well at scrum time for Lyon in the most competitive comp in the world. Superstar player? No. But better than the next best options. So that is a good enough guide. The scrummaging in the Prem is pretty good too so there is Sio's proof. Same analysis for him. Certainly better in both cases than Super, where the brumbies had the worst win loss and scrum pen in Super. Who plays there? Ohh yes... And the level of scrummaging in Super is well below the URC, prem and France with the SA teams out.

Nongorr is truly woeful. He's 130kg and gets shoved about. That just should not be happening at that weight for a specialist prop who has always played rugby cf pone with leauge. He has had enough time to develop at 23. You'd be better off with Pone who is at least good around the field for the moment and sending Nongorr on exchange to France or England to see if they can improve him with better coaching as happened with Skelton and Meafou. He isn't going to develop in time in super if he has it at all.

Latu is a better scrummaging hooker than BPA and Nasser. and he's the best aussie player over the ball at ruck time. McReight's super jackling percentage hasnt converted to international level but latu consistently does it at heniken level, which is similar to test level in the big games. With good coaching at La Rochelle he's much improved though still has the odd shocker. He should start the November games.

It’s weird watching the ABs. In the past, the passes always stuck. The offloads always stuck. There were a few times tonight they looked like scoring many more times. Maybe it’s confidence, but in time they’ll find their rhythm

England never looked like winning. Even after they went ahead. They certainly weren’t the better side. NZ’s ill discipline (again) kept England in it.

I thought Beauden had the right ideas and was obviously playing to a plan. his execution wasn’t perfect. There were a few times he held on to the ball just a fraction to long when a pass would have put someone into a gap. But Bb is the type of flyhalf NZ needs.

I’m a huge fan of Jordan at 14. I realise he’s a very capable 15. But he’s an excellent 14 and I wonder why Dmac at 15, Jordan 14 isn’t the best option.

Either way, Dmac came on and closed the game well. Something the ABs have struggled with. I feel like he is restricted at 10 where he has to play to a type.

Cam Roigard also looks the business. I’d start him ahead of Ratima. He reminds me of Joost. Looks big for a scrum half. Even did a dive pass today that looked textbook Joost.

Since he can play tight head too (I believe) should he not be tried there?

Borethwick lost the game bringing ford on .

Smith was on fire.

You say Ford has magical control.

Can shut out games .

Has better tackle rate than Smith , ect etc

Yet again UTTERLY NOTHING ON SHOW .

How blind can one be .

Finally, finally ford finished .

It's the 2 Smiths ftom now on and you are one on your own backing ford anymore .

BYEEEEE

On to next week....Last 9 matches its Ireland 5, NZ 4. Does that arithmetic count even if you can't....kiddo?