Antoine Dupont de retour à l'entraînement

These system lapses on defence are also mirrored on attack. Currently the team is over reliant on Damien McKenzie. In the last match Beauden was back to his best and committing himself, but he could still only pass the ball on to the most obvious target within 5 meters. It gave others the opportunity to create, but they were slow doing so and obviously even in training play revolves around Dmac. The attack looked very stale compared to their previous games. The coaches need to up their game big time.

Thankfully it is likely that Sam doesn't get much game time from now on out. The team is going to suffer immeasurably I feel as the coaches aren't going to have systems in place to cover all the work these stats highlight.

It would have been a much better idea to compare him and the aussies to similar roles/players from South Africa and Argentina. You cannot simply switch numbers around like you have done. Who does the most cleans for SA/Arg? I would think Kremer a better comparison, Pablo was Crusaders choice of 6, even when Blackadder was out (and in, where he played 7), or 8 when Ethan was used at 6. Canes value is also exponential on those stats, due the the proportion of them he would have in the team with them having less rucks to hit that Aus.

Ethan was so bad in the weekend he was tripping over his locks feet at the scrum. Both he and Plummer couldn't do anything right. Tasman lost the shield because they started with him. DP had a great run and showed he's still got that pace from the video. He did pick up a niggle though which might be of slight concern. I wouldn't have had Cane in my EOYT but I certainly wouldn't have had Blackadder in it either. Hopefully Clayton is another voice for the All Black coach setup that can tell them they just have to understand how Sotutu players and he could be a great asset their side.

It's been my firm belief since JR has been the forwards coach and the improvements he made during Fosters tenure, if he wanted that particular player he'd get them.

I watched Perpignan play Pau last Sat., in Perpignan, and both teams were under strength. Not sure if that was injury related or resting them. In Pau's case it was a game they would have expected to win. Luke Whitelock for one was missing, and Posolu Tualagi did not play for Perpignan.

Was a very interesting experience, 9700 seat stadium, fair number standing, so over 10,000in the ground, virtually a sellout game. Noise level was unreal, drum beating, crowd howling at every decision against their team, then turning it up for the Pau kicks at goal. Perpignan won at the death, by just staying in the fight, and grabbing a injury time chance. For sure though neither team will be in the finals come June. Of Australian interest, Jack Maddocks looked very secure at fullback for Pau.

Since then, Sititi's form in test rugby and Sotutu's in the NPC has proven him right. Hoskins has never impressed in the black jersey and to be honest England have Earl and Willis so they don't need him either.

How many players are likely to miss the tour then? I think it's good that they've found a way to manage the '20' and their four games throughout the rest of the season instead. Primarily during the LNR one would hope. It already has large gaps without internationals so would fans be peeved with one more? All-in-all the changes in mindset show adaptability to getting it right. NPC uses storm weeks, LNR should be perfectly suited to this concept?

I would be intrigued to know what a local broadcaster might pay in France for a July tour. It is notable a pittance, but what came first, disinterest in from home in how their team toured, or disinterest from les Blues themselves in how well they toured?

1st half BB was simply passing the ball around. Not bad but not great. He didn't break the line too much and wasn't a threat with ball in hand.

At the start of the 2nd half, he's wasted two possessions in good positions on the field with two wasted kicks - first one was easy for Australia to clean up, second one had no chasers following up which put NZ's defence under pressure and they conceded a penalty. He also conceded a penalty by going off his feet and straight over a ruck. Those three things are clear and decisive proof that BB definitely "overplayed his hand" by turning over possession.

And then a poor exit kick from his own 22.