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Pretty happy with that for the first test of the season. Was very happy with the props - Bower was excellent and Ofa put that excellent shot on in defence (that the commentators credited Cane with). Samisoni has been outplaying Codie for at least a year now - he needs a crack at starting...

Some hints from Rettalick the penny might have finally dropped about the game plan needing change:

That doesn't explain why Dalton is on the bench, why they couldn't just start Barrett at lock or where Vaai or Sotutu are?

This AB coaching set up can't even pick the right Crusaders - Grace has been putting on a loose forward clinic in the last month.

Laulala has a neck issue (Lomax has come in as cover). Taylor was never going to be dropped because they are conservative. You are proving my point. As for Barrett - "has to play" - based on what? His Super Rugby form? His tendancy to get carded? He's a good player but he's not so good that...

Scott Barrett at 6. Ennor in 23. Barrett at 6 failed miserably in the RWC 2019 semi final. Of all the options at 6 it was the most conservative. They could have started Sowakula at 6 (he's on the bench so why not start him) - they could have started Papalii at 6 (see Sowakula) - now...

It does my head in how conservative this coaching group is. The same rubbish that had them playing Jordie on the wing in 2020.

Grace should be in the ABs again very soon and Zarn's game I think is more suited to test rugby than Super I think so it should be a matter of time for him. Eye catching stuff from the likes of Suafoa, Norris and IWL too.

I believe this match is sold out. Wales will be up against it!

Two weeks too late......

Will Jordan out with Covid Richie Mo'unga has a tummy bug.

Not exactly apples with apples - ABs had an unreal 1996 and 1997 under Hart and the Razor equivalent in 1998 (Henry) had already left for Wales by the time the 1998 Tri Nations had finished.

If Foz loses 3-0 to Ireland and 2-0 to the Boks he's gone. However - that ain't going to happen.

Schmidt has now been called in.

A busy morning Maori Team named

Beauden Barrett played AFL I believe.

Some promising signs towards the end of Super for all 3 but they need to replicate it at test level which hasn't been seen in a while.

I don't think Akira, who now almost exclusively plays at 6, would have been dropped for Grace, who this season almost entirely played at 8. Grace was probably in a battle with Sowakula or Sotutu.

Yep - last night proved this. Robinson is a good Super player - gives it everything - he's just a bit too small for test match rugby.

Congrats waiopehu oldboy and other Crusaders fans. Crusaders far too good. Blues tight 5 got absolutely crunched and that was the game. Blues defence did well to semi-keep them in the game for a long time. For a number 8 behind a pack getting smoked Sotutu was terrific - he is really...