'Stick with us': Melbourne Rebels aiming to knock over Hurricanes amid heartbreak

England has to be Grandad [for everyone!], but a bit of a Bad Santa and not always loveable.

I am not convinced that they would not gain more from a potential tour win in 2025 with all of their players involved than by withdrawing them and saying 'se ya in 2027' though.

The French national team was cut a huge amount of slack by LNR to prepare for a home RWC in 2023 and look how that turned out. So I am not sure French self-interest leads in the same direction as Galthie thinks it does.

could try CCS at 4?

Why would they want to keep their powder dry for 2027 when some of them may be on the slide, or even out of the game completely by then? The more I think about it, the less sense it makes.

But 20 is a lot more than four, and I couldn't really see France taking a Test off the ABs with them AWOL.

Agree on your comment re de Groot being upstaged by Tamaiti. de Groot at this stage is probably the better scrummager, but Tamaiti has a far wider range of skills, and he looks to me to be a highly intelligent rugby player. Great hands too.

I actually thought Meafou was younger than 26. Comparing him to Will Skelton, he is faster round the field. Those two hits you highlight show how fast he can get off the ground. Skelton is the better player going into contact, and offloading or presenting the ball fast and clean.

Man, that was a great contest. The AB's have played well on this EYOT.

It will be interesting to see if the players have any voice in the argument. Some of them may never get the chance to tour NZ again, let alone win a series there, so you could say it's a 'restraint of trade' if they are prevented from going.

The great thing about these two teams is their ability to play attacking rugby. But as your stats clearly show, France are able to create a lot more with less at the moment. Some opportunities are created with raw power up the middle. Others with pure French creativity.

I felt Razor missed a trick not bringing on the likes of Tuipulotu and Tosi earlier. Players need a good 30 mins to make an impact, and those two players have size and have been doing the job when given the opportunity.

The other issue I can't help but think is hindering the creation of more opportunities at the moment is the 10, 12 & 13 axis. While all players are good in their own right, I don't see anyone providing any creativity to free up others. I know your a big fan of Jordie Nick, but both him and Ioane don't seem exercise the basics of draw and pass, and in-tackle offloads. Things we always took for granted in NZ.

Although defensively it's a solid combo which can't be overlooked.