Steve Hansen gives Laumape and Retallick injury update

Did you want 7s? Not too many lopside games for you, is it more financial sustainability than good competitive sustainability?

I like (but really have little idea how it’s currently done) the introduction of a Champ series, three big events hosts bid for. I’d imagine it would make for better matchups too.

What I don’t like looking at this is that Div 1 countries have 9 tournies but the div2 guys only have 6. I’d think it much better if there was a least 4 Div2 world series events, and for Div 3 ensure regional qualifiers are funded just as much by WR to make them benificial for improvement.

To give an example, Sotutu should the sort of desperation, at the end racing up and sliding to cut Force’s last attack off, that had been missing in too many games imo.

Also, some former AB locks??? So Whitelock and Retallick? That is a high standard for someone so young. He’s 25, 118 kg, and 1.98m tall. He’s got the frame, and he makes good post contact meters every game, plus very effective on defense.

It seems the entirety of your evaluation on Tupou Vaa’i (not Vaa-i) comes from his performance against France in 2023, which was admittedly dismal, but does not reflect the kind of player he is now.

Go watch some games before posting ignorant comments like this again.

He still kicks when he shouldn’t, doesn’t when he should, and can’t get it to go where he’s aiming with either, ala the bombed wiper kick try which should have been on Forbes chest.

Not International standard as normal, but the All Blacks are beggars.

Force brought their game, minus a little dome Donaldson maybe, not quite their but it was a pretty good contest. I think you’re just blind to it due to preconceptions.