New Zealand's Super Rugby substitute takes another blow

Agree about Reece but I don't think Ioane is the answer there.

The odds are not in Manu's favour. Very few (if any) successful converts at his age, and definitely not into the midfield. Way more likely to the next RTS or Benji Marshall than SBW. I'm looking forward to Liecester's return. Hopefully he can stay fit. Always seems to find a way to get injured when it's ABs time.

Some outstanding talent coming through but very mixed results. Fairly poor against England and lucky to get the result. We looked way better vs. Ireland and France but in both games left at least 2 tries out there.

The takeaway from this season is to back guys who are in form and dominating over undercooked/underperforming incumbents regardless of their age.

But actually having rewatched it again I think Barrett is on a different page to Reiko and ALB. Reiko was running a nice line to hold the inside defender, and ALB put himself in a good spot to get the cut out pass, draw Fikou then hit Sititi -> Clark on the overlap. Definitely the best option considering it's a 4 on 3 with 12 of the French team condensed into about 20m on the other side of the field and scrambling hard - the try is on if we beat them to the corner.

I think Barrett spotted the mismatch with Reiko vs. one of their massive forwards (the inside defender) and wanted him to hit the gap off his shoulder and beat him. In the end Barrett gives the pass for what he wants Reiko to do, but as ALB had picked a different line it's not clear who should receive the pass as both player are essentially in the same space.

Having said that the forward who is defending out there makes such a bad read and covers ALB even though Fikou is already marking him, and Reiko walks through that gap if he catches the ball. With Sititi and Clark outside him I would back them to beat the scramble from there.

However I do believe Crowley should have gone off for an HIA...it was a significant impact.

Either way, he's such a weapon. I think among the giant 2nd rowers Meafoo has the most explosive power on the move but Will has more from a standing start, in the upper body, for mauls and ruck destruction.

I bet Ireland are really hoping he doesn't play

Actually Faessler is not that small at 1.83 m and 109 kgs. For comparison, Cody Taylor is the same height and weight, Jamie George is the same height, though 5kgs heavier.