Ethan de Groot returns for Highlanders’ pre-season clash with Crusaders

If it was more what you suggest, that it was the opposition that brought the ‘test intensity’ that they couldn’t adapt to, then it wouldn’t have happened in every game like it did.

But Sititi is on the injury bench and will miss most, if not all of Super Rugby, and may not be match fit (or fit to play) in the France series. So Sotutu has a chance to force his way back in. Especially if Savea gets picked at 7. If Kirifi, Lakai, or Papli’i get picked at 7 then Savea will probably stay at 8. I’m sure Sotutu would rather start at 6 than be on the bench, or not in the team. Sotutu’s running game could fit well into a 6 style of game. But does he have the required brutal tackling?

The red card will definitely count against Sotutu. A RugbyPass article in 2024 highlighted that Sotutu had a high tackle height, with the thinking being that that was a reason why he didn’t get in the All Blacks. So, the red card is reinforcing already highlighted problem areas for Sotutu.

Will Jordan himself is a great example of a player who is uncomfortable with his small margins or finding that right balance as he’s been asked by his coach to expand his repertoire. Making so many mistakes is not an indication he’s not a fullback, merely one pushing his boundaries and who needs the practice and time to find out where they are at each level and within himself.

Top forward thinking article Ned👍

He’s either good enough or he isn’t, don’t hold that jersey in from of him like a stick to whack a dog into line you’re not happy with.

Change Sotutu or any player too much and then you end up with what the All Blacks have been, mediocre without any flair or individuality. Boring.

Foster’s tactic of box kicking to try to put pressure on the opponent has been a failure, but I’m not sure Robertson has any answers either, given the poor tactical kicking skills of the NZ players.

The 6 will be key. I expect Sititi to be at eight - to take advantage of his running and playmaking skills - he could make a scary combination with Roigard of a midfield scrum. They could really open lanes for McKenzie to exploit. I’d keep Sititi in middle of the park to make use of the combination of his running and playmaking skills.

All the options at seven (A Savea, Kirifi, Lakai, Papali’i) while strong and powerful, lack the pure brutality of a Kaino, Fizzell, or Finau. I think it’s Finau’s race to loose (early days though). He needs a season of consistent form, with a big finals series, to make the 6 jersey his own for the All Blacks vs France series. Sotutu could force his way in at 6; but needs to keep his tackle height down.

I think NZR isn’t happy he just didn’t keep his mouth shut, yes!

NZ would suffer revenue wise, but it is the only that would allow them to also treat it as development and use some youngsters. It would also cause more severe reaction from WR haven’t part of their program treated so poorly.

It’s a shame Haig got injured for the Landers, and Akira left LOL. Grace hadn’t shown much and their mobile locks haven’t been given a chance their yet. Is Frizell returning this year or next at some point? Overall it may be the position he’s least worried about firming up this year, choosing his 7 and 8 and then 6 from whevers left.

Yep a lot left to prove from Sotutu, but nar I’d definitely be keeping him in the middle of the park and asking Sititi or another to do the flank side work of the 6. I’d prefer the running option of Sititi off the back of the scrum but they hardly ever utilize that these days.

So all we know is that Kirifi is the one performing and putting his hand up at the moment, all this is just talk about what has already been in our minds.

But you keep telling yourself it was because the ref was being mean to you.

The denial of the Irish fans is amazing to watch 🤣

They need to go with what is good for them, if that means uniqueness then it’s the way they should go/stay.

Copycatting is never the answer and especially not for something with history.

That would be hilarious and I honestly wouldn’t discredit it from being true!

Comparing yourself to France is moronic. It makes zero difference what model you have, as per the facts referenced by how well the 2016 team did.

Have the regional high performance centers lost quality since then, have the lost funding? I just can’t imagine a situation where there wouldn’t be the same amount of ability amongst them. Are they too independant? Do the best trainers and coaches look over a too small or poorer subset of players now?

These are all problems easily solved. You just always got the impression, from not “Making the right appointments” after the last coach got kicked, that the WRU have no idea what they’re doing. No ability to act perhaps?

Xavi was one of the standout U20 backs together with halfback Dylan Pledger. Cam was very consistent at lock.

Keen to see how Perofeta and Taele combine as a starting pair.