Watching two of them bat now.

Hi all,

I was a little surprised by the ruling by the referee in the second Bledisloe test between the Wallabies and the All Blacks that Samisoni T could not be replaced by Cody Taylor until a scrum had set and that once Taylor came on, the All Blacks had to reduce their player numbers to 14 on the field. This seems like an error to me under the laws?

Here is a description of what happened.

- Cody Taylor is replaced by Samisoni T early in the second half. I believe this was a tactical substitution rather than an injury substitution otherwise Taylor would not have been able to eventually come back on.

- Samisoni gets injured and has to leave the field. The referee says that Taylor cannot come onto the field to throw in the lineout and that they have to wait for a scrum.

- The All Blacks knock the ball on at the lineout immediately and Taylor comes on. However, the referee says that the All Blacks have to stay at 14 players so Timoci Tavatavanawai goes off.

According to Law 3.33 (reproduced below), it seems that there is no requirement to wait for a scrum or for the All Blacks to go down to 14 players. Could someone please enlighten me what laws the referee/officials were using? I can't find them anywhere. By my reading of the laws, Taylor should have been able to replace Samisoni??

Law 3.33: Tactically replaced players may return to play only when replacing:

a. An injured front-row player.

b. A player with a blood injury.

c. A player with a head injury.

d. A player who has just been injured as a result of foul play (as verified by the match officials).

e. The nominated player when applying Laws 3.18-3.20.

f. A teammate who has received a qualifying red card, after 20 minutes playing time has elapsed. (Elite rugby only).

Imagine requesting the great John danaher into the allblacks .
I think this May supersede the great genius aura of the Rassie cult . The allblacks have John danaher

I can see the ruck cleaners being alien and efficient

The complete opposite of the current praised hero god of like Jacobson (napalm man )

I can see a wrist control and hand fighting with small footwork leading up to the protection of ball

P.s it’s the sick obsession with rash shirts that reminded me (for those who don’t know bjj etc etc )

I started tuning in a while ago because finding quality NZ rugby content can be a bit of a mission if you don't live locally. At first, I actually found them pretty refreshing. They had a distinct energy, but over time, the cracks have really started to show. Instead of evolving, it feels like they’ve just doubled down on their worst habits. Here is what’s been grinding my gears lately: • Polarizing for the sake of it: It feels like they chase controversy rather than actual nuance. • Reductive reasoning: Complex tactical matches are boiled down to incredibly simplistic, lazy takeaways. • Inconsistent arguments: What’s a cardinal sin for one player or team is completely excused for another whenever it suits their narrative. • Severe tunnel vision: They get hyper-focused on specific pet peeves or players and completely miss the bigger picture of the game. • Zero objectivity: It feels less like an analytical rugby show and more like a platform for unchallenged, biased takes. I really wanted to like this show, but it’s exhausting to watch experts just dig their heels into bad takes week after week. For those of you closer to the ground or plugged into local fan networks: how is this show actually perceived in NZ rugby spaces and by the general public? Is it widely criticized for this stuff, or do the masses actually buy into it?

He's gone next level with a 40 minute video where the springboks are at.

Those who didn't believe me that he was simping to saffas might do now.

***EDIT: Some context that I should have provided from the start of this post, this post isn't just about one video.

I made a post a few months ago about his simping for saffa subs and this is a follow-up.

I've listened to pretty much every single episode on the DSPN network since it started on YouTube but since the lead up to the RGR series something has changed.

It used to be more New Zealand centric but now it's constantly pandering to South Africans.

I know it's martin devlin's show and he has the right to put what he wants on the podcast, so I'm not naive. If it was just one video I obviously wouldn't be whinging about it.

The problem is EVERY video he always refers back to South Africa constantly and it's obviously a way of appealing to South african's in order to get their subs.

So it's not just what he's doing it's the way he's going about it and what it leads to as he is less objective about South Africans performances, etc and won't critique them like he does with All blacks because he doesn't want to lose their subs, so his reporting has become dishonest.

Even Tony Johnson called him out about it last week telling him to stop referring everything back to South Africa, so there's people more qualified than me that have noticed.

The other issue I have with it is that a lot of YouTube podcasters are selling out to get more saffa subs and that leaves not many channels where you don't have to put up with the same constant pandering and thus non-objective analysis due to fear of losing South African subs.

I listened to his podcast because I wanted New Zealand centric rugby news because it's actually based in my country, if I ever felt the need to hear anything on South African stuff I would go to their podcasts.

South Africans have got enough of their own podcasts they don't have to come to ours stinking the joint out.

If you haven't noticed this it's because:

A. You haven't listened to many of his podcasts B. You're a South African and typical of South Africans being narcissistic they love the attention C. You lack discernment

Ps. For you gullible, narcissist, needy saffas who think that he's doing it because he likes you, just realise he's using you for $ubs and he believes that you poisoned the All Blacks before the 1995 world cup final.

Dave Rennie has faced plenty of adversity in his first season in charge of the All Blacks, but his greatest challenge may be managing the team’s extensive injury toll ahead of the Northern Tour.

When Du’Plessis Kirifi stepped onto the field midway through the second half of the 43-21 Bledisloe Cup win in Sydney, the loose forward became the 52nd player to wear the black jersey across nine tests and four tour matches this year.

Compare that to Rennie’s predecessor Scott Robertson who, in his two seasons in charge of the All Blacks, used 42 players in his first year, 45 in his second for a grand total of 52 across 27 tests.

Many players Rennie would consider his starters, including captain Ardie Savea have sustained season-ending injuries, meaning the selectors will be required to go deep down the depth chart when naming their squad for the final four tests of the year, taking place in the UK next month.

Rennie will take a likely 36-man squad to face Scotland, Wales, England and a still-to-be-determined Northern Hemisphere side depending on where the All Blacks finish in the Nations Championship standings. As things stand, they would face Scotland again.

Rennie will name his squad, likely next week after the NPC final.

Here is everything we know about the All Blacks’ casualty ward and who is a chance of featuring and who won’t play at all.

Props

Ollie Norris – out for the season

The three-test front rower was initially only expected to miss six weeks after suffering a cartilage injury in his knee during the tour of South Africa, but has since been ruled out for the rest of the year.

Tamaiti Williams – out for the season

The powerful Crusaders prop hasn’t been sighted since February after being diagnosed with discitis – an infection in one of the discs in his spine. He has been undergoing treatment and there is no indication on when he will return.

Players used this season in the position: Ethan de Groot, Fletcher Newell, Xavier Numia, Tyrel Lomax, George Bower, Pasilio Tosi, Ollie Norris, Siale Lauaki, Saula Ma’u.

Hooker

Asafo Aumua – Set to return

The Hurricanes Super Rugby champion failed an injury assessment during the All Blacks’ Bledisloe Cup win in Auckland – his second of the season and has been serving a minimum 12-day stand-down. The slight cause for concern for him is that he has a history of concussions.

Samisoni Taukei’aho – In doubt

The All Blacks hooker was forced from the field with tightness in his calf during the Bledisloe Cup win over the Wallabies in Sydney and is currently awaiting results from a scan to determine the severity of the injury.

Players used this season in the position: Codie Taylor, Asafo Aumua, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Bradley Slater.

Lock

Patrick Tuipulotu – In contention

The Blues captain missed the two Bledisloe Cup matches with a calf strain that was set to sideline him for four to six weeks. He will likely be touch and go for the Northern Tour.

Players used this season in the position: Josh Lord, Sam Darry, Jamie Hannah, Tupou Vaa’i, Patrick Tuipulotu, Fabian Holland, Scott Barrett.

Loose forwards

Shannon Frizell – In doubt

In his second test back for the All Blacks, Frizell picked up a non-contact knee injury during the Bledisloe Cup win in Sydney. He is awaiting scan results, but there is always cause for concern for injuries of that nature.

Anton Segner – Set to feature

The German-born star made his return to play during the Bledisloe Cup win in Auckland having had an infection in his ankle joint. But against the Wallabies he failed his second head injury assessment and has been serving his mandatory stand-down.

Luke Jacobson – Out for the season

The Chiefs captain has embraced his starting role for the All Blacks, but his time in the No 7 jersey came to an abrupt end after injuring an elbow tendon during the third test against the Springboks in Johannesburg.

Ethan Blackadder – In doubt

The Crusaders star’s return to the All Blacks has been one of this year’s feel-good stories, but once again he can’t catch a break after suffering another calf injury. Blackadder’s history of calf problems makes the setback especially concerning, as does the fact he was injured during the warm-up for the first Bledisloe Cup test despite not being named to play.

Ardie Savea – Out for the season

The All Blacks skipper dislocated his shoulder during the brutal third Springboks test and has undergone surgery in a bid to be fit and fighting for the 2027 campaign.

Players used this season in the position: Peter Lakai, Luke Jacobson, Ardie Savea, Wallace Sititi, Anton Segner, Simon Parker, Ethan Blackadder, Semisi Ta’eiloa, Shannon Frizell, Du’Plessis Kirifi.

Halfbacks

Luckily for the All Blacks, there are no injuries in this department, although Cortez Ratima has spent some time on the sidelines during the test campaign.

Players used this season in the position: Cam Roigard, Cortez Ratima, Kyle Preston, Noah Hotham.

First five-eighths

Richie Mo’unga – In doubt

Mo’unga’s return to life in New Zealand has been far from perfect and it was even more difficult as he picked up a calf injury during an All Blacks training session. Rennie admits the 32-year-old is in serious doubt for the northern tour, with a six-to-eight-week timeframe being placed on his return to play.

Ruben Love – Out for the season

The Hurricanes playmaker has been battling an ankle injury for most of the season, but has been able to manage the pain. But he has since undergone surgery, ruling him out for the rest of the year.

Players used this season in the position: Ruben Love, Josh Jacomb, Richie Mo’unga, Damian McKenzie.

Midfielders

Jordie Barrett – Set to return

After producing arguably the best test of his career in the Bledisloe Cup win in Auckland, Barrett was a late scratching from the clash in Sydney due to calf tightness, which appears to be more precautionary than anything.

Quinn Tupaea – Set to return

Tupaea was feeling worse for wear after hitting his head hard on the turf in the opening exchanges of the Bledisloe Cup test at Accor Stadium.

Billy Proctor – Out of the season

The luckless centre’s campaign was brought to an early end after fracturing his shoulder blade during the tour match against the Stormers in Cape Town.

Anton Lienert-Brown – Just returned

The veteran missed the initial Bledisloe Cup squad after suffering an MCL injury in Baltimore - listed as a likely 4-6 week injury stand-down. He was called in as injury cover for the Sydney test but wasn’t named in the squad, despite the late withdrawal of Barrett.

Players used this season in the position: Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Billy Proctor, Anton Lienert-Brown, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Rieko Ioane.

Outside backs

Caleb Clarke – Out for the season

The powerful winger has been scratched for the rest of the year after rupturing a tendon in his shoulder during the tour match against the Sharks.

Leicester Fainga’anuku – Set to return

While he has been back playing, injuries have prevented Fainga’anuku from getting time in the black jersey after having a fibula fracture and high ankle sprain which saw him miss both the July tests and tour of South Africa.

Fehi Fineanganofo - In doubt

The one-test winger has been battling with injuries for most of the campaign, but his latest will have him in doubt for the upcoming tour. Along with having completed a head injury assessment he also picked up an upper hamstring injury while playing for Bay of Plenty in the NPC.

Leroy Carter – Out for the season

The winger sustained a high ankle injury while attempting to score in the opening Bledisloe Cup test against the Wallabies. He has since undergone surgery.

Players used this season in the position: Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan, Damian McKenzie, Fehi Fineanganofo, Leroy Carter, Josh Moorby, Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Emoni Narawa, Chay Fihaki.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/all-blacks-assessing-the-growing-injury-toll-ahead-of-northern-tour/KV2GU4GZOZCUFEE2YM5SA43NVE/

Hi everyone.

I have started work on prettying this subs flair. User flair being the first. I’ve been working between PC and mobile, all seems ok so far, though it did have a couple of issues, which I hope is sorted, there could be more and I apologise in advance for that, but it’s a start. Post flair with custom emojis will be updated in due course and more user flair ones will be added as well.

Cheers.

Firstly, not the knock-on advantage, that's fine IMO.

But when the ref awards a penalty advantage and the team awarded does their thing - goes on for multiple phases etc, then breaks down, and in the eyes of the ref no advantage is gained and back we go... for mine, a lot of the time this 'advantage'goes on way too long.

Personally, I would put a phase limit [e.g. 4 or 5] or a meterage gained from the intiial infringement before calling time on the advantage. To me, if the ball is under your team's control for 4 or 5 phases while under penalty advantage then that's plenty of time.

Thoughts?

Played in the same stadium and just before the All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe 2. Many of the 7s players will probably rotate through the 15 a side Black Ferns team. Eg Black Ferns 15s regular starting fullback Renee Holmes played in this match and Jorja Miller/Pouri-Lane played in the last WRWC..

Because this opens up a huge can of worms that could benefit the fatigue draining running quick style of Rennie .

The wording was deliberate I found.

Preventing quick ball is DIFFERENT to not rolling , impeding passage etc etc as it pertains to the ruck

Just found it interesting that this ref (never seen him before I don't think - and if I did I don't remember him)

Used those choice words.

Was it campaigned outside the game silently ( if it was . I think it's brilliant)

or was it just the preference of the ref .

Not counting BIL and Barbarians.

EDIT : Corrections

1.Rhodesia did defeat the All Blacks 10–8 on 27 July 1949 on their 1949 tour of Southern Africa. The historic match took place at Hartsfield Rugby Ground in Bulawayo. Not only did they win that first match, but three days later on July 30, 1949, Rhodesia also managed a 3–3 draw against New Zealand in Salisbury (now Harare).

1. The last draw between Scotland and the All Blacks (New Zealand) was on 12 November 1983 at Murrayfield, Edinburgh — a 25–25 draw during the 1983 New Zealand tour. 

If that doesn't make you smile.

Honestly, I find it just so depressing that this is where we are. It’s so grim.

It’s 2026 and we’ve still got kiwis celebrating NZ thrashing Australia like it means anything good. What is there to celebrate? Are we celebrating that Aussie rugby is dead? That a trial game between possibles and probables would be harder? That the Bledisloe might as well be used as an oversized paperweight?

That’s our partner. They’re the ones that are meant to sharpen the ABs. They’re the ones that we have financial agreements with. They’re the ones that we negotiate media rights packages with. They’re the ones that our young guys were meant to be playing to get better so they can get the All Blacks across the line at World Cups. We saw how that worked out in SA. One streaky win followed by three losses. Awesome.

Our fan base spent decades wanting to see a sport pulled down in a country where it has always needed elevating. We’ve spat the dummy any time there’s been a loss instead of thanking the rugby gods, and asking for a few more so that the game had a chance.

I look forward to 2027, where we beat Australia by 60 and lose in the quarters at an Australian hosted World Cup with hardly any Aussie fans.

I gotta say some of the midfield combos we’re seeing in this years npc are top tier. I want to know who stands out for ya’ll given what we’ve seen so far. Mcleod and Rova for me seem been a good pairing

Seen a lot of talk about Dmac and Beaudy but wanted to highlight Fabian Holland who was yesterdays man of the match for me. The man was everywhere doing the hard work, a big mean locking machine. I’m not normally a fan of Scott Barrett but the Holland/Barrett lock combo was on fire, you love to see it.

And this is awesome. We actually expect to pile on points . During razor we didn’t.

But there are other coaches on board for the areas of : defence (tackling ), set piece (special attack)

Imagine if we had a “Mike Blair” effect for defence as an example .
and then imagine if we had a “Mike Blair “ effect for the set piece attack

This whole talk about the Ab not being the end product is annoying.
We ran the wallabies off in the first half literally but then the rest of our Rugby acumen got exposed .
No variation in how to accumulate points ( drop goal to slow things down once we in the 5- 10-22) etc etc

So yeah still giving Rennie benefit of the doubt. I like him. He’s picked Blair and he’s picked the other coaches . But maybe it’s genuinely the limit of these other coaches that will stunt our rugby growth .

You can tell the backline love their rugby atm. It’s really really healthy

I just realised that if all 3 Barretts manage to play a game together next year as they did last week, it will be 10 years of playing together in the All Blacks.

An entire decade together on the ABs despite the age differences. Considering normal player attrition, that’s fucking nuts. You’d think at least one would’ve been perhaps not quite elite enough to stick around that long, but no.

Anyone got a clip of that stupidly brilliant pass he did half way across the field?

Or was he just desperate to play a part in the match?

According to Renee, it's Jacobson > Blackadder > Lakai for 7.

I really enjoyed the Lakai-Sititi combo, they were so good. What happens when Ardie, Jacobson, blackadder all come back? Lakai back to the bench and Sititi not even in the 23?