NZ V France

I've backed France +19
AB'S tend to be slow starters.
Watch me eat my words

You are right, AB's are slow starters. I tend to feel either it will be very close or France are going to be nowhere. Its actually hard to call but this week when France was supposed to be training, it was raining so they decided not to train. That to me says a lot about their mindset. THen paridoxically that will probably help the French come and do funny things.

Forgetting about the AB'S gelling straight off training camp,La French really are tough too call.They do have the players which has swayed me to give anyone a game(but France generally tend to roll over more times than not away from home)
I've taken a chance,not confident though.
Vi Va La Francias

Had a small bet on France on the outright. ABs do tend to start slowly and I'm not convinced by their team. Ben Smith is the best 15 in NZ and he has been accomodated on the wing. Nonu looks a shadow of his former self. Cane is not in form. Not overly convinced by the front row, reckon they could well be bettered in the scrum.

Sounds good Bryan....Presuming France turn up ? (the unknown)

Least after 15 minutes you'll know your fate.

Aye, turning up is the key, but after the farce of a 6N, it's the sort of thing France will do. Side looks pretty decent, and Michelak not being at 10 should increase their stock by tenfold

Totally agree.
France are a law unto themselves.
Who know's what we'll get.

any opines on the points anyone

Not even looked,and have no idea of weather conditions.
The last time they met was 8-7
But 4 weeks before that it was 37-17.
No idea from me.
Sorry.

Weather apparently fine, but it's cold. Wayne Barnes reffing though, a man who likes to reward the defending team. Can't really see an angle myself so not going to play points

Fancy Fofana anytime tryscorer though. He's up against Nonu

NZ -8.5 the way to go I think.

OT, but why is Fitzpatrick wearing a grey tie?

no rpobs stew thx anyway,followed bryan in on fofana,layed nz over 12.5,gl all

Not the most compassionnet Anthem line from the French.
Opposite for the AB'S.

fofana Try mow would suit us all.

woooooooooo great call bryan

Good work lads.

What has happened to Nonu,Carp for Highlanders and now Country.

AB's could be having a Twickenham type day here!

Nonu provides the gift

Nice call mate.

And you have France match odds don't you ?
Nice free bet for you if you wanted.

typical of Barnes to give a doubtful knock on.

Will Barnes give anything to the French today? Worst referee in the game imo.

No McCaw,No Dan the Man,and Cruden spooning them left and right.
Does not bode well.

I think Barnes is one of the best

Nonu looked like he was on the way down for the Blues last year stewards. He's somehow clung onto that black 12 jersey though.

Know it's early but it's nice to see some solid game control from a French 10 again.

You might be looking good there stewards. Its early days but this could be a close one. French scoring first is not good for AB's

who put up the 1.24?

I like Cruden,but have no idea how that last kick got over.Looks very nervy.

Win or lose,Its's ironic that I took notice from you Blackcap about 4 years ago mentioning the AB'S take time to get ahead of steam.
We all know they'll click,it's just when ?

What sort of a decision is that - NZ player lost his footing

Smith , Nonu have both been up and more down this season . Very surprised Nonu has managed to keep his place . He has been useless this year .

Looks quite hard to lose your place in this NZ side

cheers stewards, It will happen sometime this series.... its just when. It doesnt look like today

Barnes does not like teh French scrum

its starting....

Ben Smith , different class to any back at the minute

Awful 5 mins from the French. They didn't know what to do with the ball

Agree , Barnes has in for the French scrum

AB's show what they can do when flexing their muscles.
I'm still not onvinced the French are up for this(AB'S mistakes have been their problems so far)

Nonu shows what he can do(poor defence though)

cometh the hour.....Cane and Smith...form players of the season

Good run from Nonu and a great hand off

Nice play by Nonu for the try, and good pace from Aaron Smith. Good half, if pretty error strewn

Got no idea how the 2nd half will go.You'd expect AB'S to power on(but I thought the Welsh would against Japan)
France could still win,or get tonked by 30.I've no idea.

I have no idea either but think its going to be 20+ to 7 to the AB's this half. WIll see if I am right.

Wow,Cruden really having a shocker.

Cruden can't be the best No 10 in NZ after Carter.

LOL! ....... at the Ref!

AB'S not even challenging on Lineouts ?

Cruden has had a mare off the boot,from the hand I think he has been ok.He does have talent.

Barnes is on +8.5

LOL at Vintage Tipple. He is an interesting ref that is for sure.

Barnes does not know what to do with this scrum

Utter joke

shambles from both sides

Didn't Franks go to ground

Ranger is much better than Dagg(his form has had a massive dip)

I thought that In Hell (Homer Decision I suppose)

Both of the NZ props did in hell. Barnes has been protecting them something rotten at scrum

Shambles for overs backers,dream for unders.

Not a mention of the draw on this thread.
It couldn't could it ???

Crudens kicking is getting worse

Really strange.
Really rate him for the Chiefs.
Start him with the Black jersey and he seems to quiver(Carter is not the easiest player to copy though)

You need a Tank to stop Ranger when he gets going

Should be game over that.

who put up the 1.24? ...me MF....profit!!!