Wouldn’t think he just joined the academy two months ago. Little celebration at the end.

Keith Wood: a No. 2 with the soul of a No. 10 😅

And that was before Gazzotti and Zapedowski went down, too. Between injuries and the internationals leaving for the France team, Yannick Bru is in for a a tough couple of weeks.

Apologies for the quality, Canal+ didn't offer more -_-

Like what do you mean Leigh Halfpenny and Sione Tuipulotu are the same height?

How is LBB and Hugo Keenan taller than Sam Simmonds?

I picture Fin Smith and Henry Pollock about the same height but HP is somehow 10 centimetres taller

What else is there?

All Blacks 36-man squad

Hookers: Codie Taylor, Asafo Aumua, George Bell

Props: Ethan de Groot, George Bower, Xavier Numia, Fletcher Newell,
Pasilio Tosi, Saula Ma'u.

Locks: Scott Barrett, Josh Lord, Fabian Holland, Jamie Hannah, Tupou Vaa'i.

Loose Forwards: Anton Segner, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Ethan Blackadder,
Christian Lio-Willie, Peter Lakai, Wallace Sititi.
Halfbacks: Cam Roigard, Kyle Preston, Cortez Ratima.

First Five-Eighths: Richie Mo'unga, Damian McKenzie, Josh Jacomb.

Midfielders: Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Anton Lienert-Brown.

Outside Backs: Rieko Ioane, Chay Fihaki, Fehi Fineanganofo,
Josh Moorby, Will Jordan, Beauden Barrett.

Match Thread - Canterbury v Northland | Hilux NPC 2026 | Round 13

Venue: One NZ Stadium, Christchurch | Weather: 26 C, Clouds

Officials: James Doleman, Marcus Playle, Fraser Hannon, Liam Scanlon (tmo)

Match Page: https://www.rugbybot.com/match/6490

Match Threads: https://www.rugbybot.com/mt

Time

Lineups

RugbyBot

RugbyBot was made by /u/paimoe. PM or post in /r/RugbyBot for assistance.

We saw with Owen Farrell, that people can be very slow to notice real decline in greats - which is unavoidable now he can basically no even play Premiership Rugby anymore, despite being drafted in to a Lions tour just 16 months ago.

There is a lot of confusion about why Sale are struggling so much this season - at what point do we look at how good Curry x2 and Ford are in 2026?

I found the Ford and England discussions very strange last year, because he was struggling in the Premiership and his performances were lacking for England but covered up with a few points for kicks.

As for Curry x2, they just barely play and when they do, their performances are underwhelming, but there is an assumption they can just keep coming back at the top level. Maybe for Tom you can make an exception, but Ben never showed that next level to start with, so should he get the same benefit of the doubt?

It's okay when it's one player, but the danger is suddenly you can turn around and you've got 8 players in your squad who are over the hill and no longer impactful at the top level.

'World Cup isn't long away', is something i've never agreed with in terms of not trying new things. People start saying it when there's 3 years to go and risk fossilising.

I'm very worried that George, LCD, Curry x2 and Ford are no longer starting International level players...let alone in another 12 months.

Is there anyone out there that you think is on the brink of being done at the level they're generally perceived as being at? People just haven't noticed it yet?

​

Bristol Bears have completed the signing of highly-rated young Samoan forward Totoa Auvaa.

The 21-year-old, a powerful young back five forward with exciting physical attributes and significant potential, joins the Bears following his departure from Saracens to continue his development under Director of Rugby Pat Lam.

Director of Rugby and former Samoa captain, Pat Lam, said: “Totoa is a big, physical young man with enormous potential, who unfortunately has made some mistakes since arriving from a small village in Samoa to the massive city of London.

“His agent reached out to me, to see if I would be willing to help him and give him a second chance. I’ve always believed that young people deserve the opportunity to learn from those experiences, grow and become better people.

“Having spent time with Totoa, I feel confident that we can provide him with the mentorship, guidance, support and structure to give him the best possible opportunity to succeed, not just as a rugby player, but as a person. Someone his parents and family all the way back in Samoa will be proud of.

“He has a huge amount of ability and we’re looking forward to helping him develop, make the most of this opportunity and become a valued member of the Bears family.”

Some points of note:

Ryunosuke Ito not named as has gone back to play for his Uni. Leaves us very light at 10. I like Komura a lot and think he's great for his club but I don't think he's started at 10 for Japan and has been used as a utility sub.

However, Otsuka (prop) and Chisu Lee (centre) are named and have not been recalled by their Unis which is good.

First call up for Austin Moriyama who has been on Eddie's radar for a while as was named in a provisional squad at the beginning of the year. Excited to see how he goes as has shown a lot of promise for his club.

Makisi not named but also not on the injured list - maybe having a break?

Takeuchi Shuhei back thank god! I think I read he was celebrating the birth of his second child so congrats to him and I am sure he will be properly fired up as always!