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Yeah was a knee injury so i'm guessing ACL. Speaking of locks sounds like Tuipulotu could be back this week. Whetton and Lemalu have gone well in his absence.

He played for the Blues this year. Wrecked himself early on (vs the Lions in JoBurg I think).

Because he played at 8? I think Mako are the favourites for the title at this rate. As much as Auckland have improved I think Tasman will be a step too far this Friday. I think Tasman's front row will cause Auckland problems and Tasman will have a bit too much class in positions 9,10,15...

Auckland are indeed much much better this year than the last two years under Nick White. You can pretty much completely put this down to coaching (which then feeds through to selection). Graham Henry, Tai Lavea looking after the backs, Filo Tiatia the forwards, a new scrum coach and Ieremia...

I'm on the case.

Akira was much better in the second 40 as was the whole team. Auckland have started the season nicely. New coaching set up is doing well so far. Fukofuka at 9 has had two excellent games in a row.

One tactic that I think can be very beneficial v ABs is well weighted up and unders/box kicks (with good kick-chase). Especially so if Nehe Milner Skudder is starting this week - he's not very tall and not very strong at high ball reception. Of course to do this effectively you need very...

So why would Cheika alter from using the tactics from Bledisloe 3? The set piece from Chicago to last weekend in Sydney is absolutely chalk and cheese - locking combos of Tuipulotu/Kaino vs Whitelock/Retallick.

My point is I wouldn't read more than what is there in regards to that test. The ABs then beat Ireland in Dublin 2 weeks later. I'm not sure how the Chicago test v Ireland is any more relevant than the Brisbane Bledisloe 3 last year.

It's also worth noting Ireland beat an AB team without Retallick or Whitelock playing - heck Kaino was starting at lock that day. ABs also had Moala at 13 (who we now know is absolutely not a centre, didn't get near the ABs since, and is now overseas).

No and No. Eden Park's capacity for the RWC 2011 was increased to 60k with a lot of temporary seating installed. The standard capacity now is about 48,500 (even with some small additional seating).

No Hooper at all Bumby Runner?

Karl T played at tighthead in the Game of 3 Halves last weekend and has been training at tighthead the last few weeks.

What? His last few Blues games he was playing 12, not 13. It's quite clear Rieko is absolutely not a 12 - however he's looked promising at 13. "Nowhere near ready to be even a cover option" He's covered 13 for the ABs mutliple times, he shifted there in the second half the 3rd French test...

Apparently i'm not allowed to have a different opinion from the AB selectors? Cos the AB selectors never get it wrong....especially in the loose forwards....like when they selected Elliot Dixon in 2016...that worked out so well...oh wait.... As for the bolded - what would you call Shannon...

I think that's exaggerated. Akira's workrate was improved this year. There's no doubt he definitely still has work to do on his defense but he also plays in a garbage team with garbage coaches who just got the broom and a whole new set of coaches (under Tana) have been brought in. I find it...

Laumape was awful vs the Crusaders in the semi final - bad option taking, zero distribution, missed a heap of tackles. I think they've made the right call. That's not to say I agree with all their calls - what the hell is NMS doing there, or Luke Whitelock, or Tim Perry etc

Yeah Blues have badly needed quality hands on coaches for a long time. It was super obvious this year Blues needed some quality hands on forwards coaching and a proper attack coach. They have now got both those things. I still think it will take more than 1 year to turn around because they...

Coventry is working his magic already. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=12095750