Nonu in for SBW for France clash

I'm not the only one saying it, that's the general consensus. Expecting a first test All Black in Naholo to hit best form after 11 weeks with a broken foot was simply a bad call, as many said it was. Piutau, Moala continue good form on their way to a crushing semi win in the ITM semi last night, Akita Ioane a certain All Black, the best player on this years ITM from what I've seen.

Nadolo couldn't play for another country, was in NZ Sevens 2012 and 2013

Well as long as TM says it was never a close call then that must be true. SBW has been the better player between the 2 in black this year and has excelled off the bench. I seriously dont get people that are so sure about such things. Its no surprise that Nonu is starting but SBW is pressing him without a doubt. As for Naholo, NMS is one of NZs best players in this WC and Naholo wont get a run unless injury hits.

Ralph, France would probably need to consider getting points in their simple plan too. I thought the defence was pretty good by France against Ireland. But lots of bootlace tackles, Ben Smith, Skudder, the Bus and even Nonu are quite good at overcoming that tackling technique. They might need to go a bit higher. The ABs are pretty good at overcoming disruptive play, and I don't think the refs are letting it go, particular if intentional slowing down. Do France have enough discipline?. Probably not. Concerned with France. Concerned for all knock out games. But the bookies aren't. So I'll go with them.

The French are going to bring a very simple game plan - disrupt the All Blacks and tackle like demons. That's it. We won't get fast ball for long sections of the game.

If the French beat this All Black team then I hope they go on with it this time and win the tournament. An Ireland v France rematch in the final wouldn't be a bad thing.

Not sure Train Without A Station, you could be onto something. My thoughts would be that it allowed them to carry an extra loose Forward in the RWC2015 squad. I think the durability of Retallick and Whitelock, whom are both relatively comfortable getting through 80mins may have been a factor.

NMS is a great player! Savea has his work cut out for him especially with Waisake Naholo at his heels. Milner-Shudder is a natural player, doesn't have to think much just comes naturally. In 2009 he was trialling as a rugby league hopeful with the Canterbury Bulldogs in Sydney. Also at the Bulldogs at that time was Sonny Bill Williams. Not having made it into the top team at the Bulldogs Nehe returned to Palmerston North in 2011 and resumed playing rugby union for Old Boys Marist Club then Massey University. In his first year back he made the Manawatu Turbos representative team. He also played in the New Zealand Touch team. Impressive form in 2014 saw his rise begin to come into All Black consideration. He went on the 2014 Maori All Black tour of Japan, then played Super 15 rugby in 2015 for The Hurricanes. His exciting, elusive running as a winger/fullback Also... Ex All Black Tanerau Latimer (five tests; six games 2009) is Nehe's first cousin. Ben Atiga was another All Black (1 test 2003) from the same wider family. NMS is Ngati Porou and Tapuika tribes but also is of Tongan descent. His Grandparents are originally from Mu'a/Lapaha/'Ata'ata island in Tonga. Two members of the earlier generations of the Skudder family were part of 94 a group of Tongans who volunteered to join the Maori Battalion and Niue Battalion during WW1. In case you're interested.

The AB's have been playing Kaino at lock this year to develop him as cover. I assume it's because there is not a lot of international quality locks they think are good enough.

Agree on the up a gear thing. Its a bit disconcerting that for at least two matches Milner-Skudder- our newest and rawest (fit at least) All Black, was the best player on the field. Kind of shows up the others a bit, scarely so.

Yeah as I said I'd start Cane, that would give us much more mobility around the breakdowns. I think he adds more than Kaino. One thing is mandatory though and that is Carter must be running the advantage line regularly. 2007 and 2011 had long periods of nothing happening because of the line hardly ever breached. We want to avoid that as much as possible.

Fair call Die hard and he certainly looks the most exciting prospect on the block. Having said that I'd rather see him in an All Black jumper for the next RWC than any other.

The whole All Black team has to find the next gear, no doubt the French will. Frederic Michalak vs Dan Carter will be interesting. DC and Michalak were both there in 2007, Carter limped off while Michalak came on and helped spark the French win. DC has got to get hungrier for action, can't stand to deep but has to be prepared to take on the line and look for any opportunities... As well as kicking for space & for over laps out wide. The All Blacks forward pack - especially the tight five have to do the work, no more spreading out wide before securing quality go forward ball. The tackled player needs to be their top priority, they need fast recycled ball to catch the French out. Read is one player who needs to start working up the middle with the rest of the loose forwards to help establish authority around the rucks... The easy tries out wide will come once the platform has been created. The All Blacks back line has looked off beat due to the rushing defence. Thats because the All Blacks have not created enough momentum, they need the opposition to be back peddling not setting themselves up preparing to shut them down. Fast ball, with fast basics is all thats required. The All Blacks have key men across the park to spark the attack. Ma'a Nonu is one, Read at the back of the scrum and McCaws leadership with Dan Carter the middleman who combines them all. The French are a hard team to dissect, but once you've created the tactics and the strategy at the start of the game, then the ABs need to go for the throat to finish them off.

Kaino locking? Whitlock is a player who needs a big game this week, he's great in the lineouts but his work around the field has been poor. Kaino to replace Retallick or Whitlock as lock would mean either one of these players is just terrible or they're injured. Kaino is another player who needs a big game or Vito will put him on the bench. Kaino will be marking Thierry Dusautoir. A massive task subduing Dusautoir, probably take both of them Vito/Kaino to shut him down. Nonu is marking Wesley Fofana, he's the French weapon that has to eliminated, he's scored 13 tries already. Nonu has to be onto it, with speed and good footwork to outsmart him. Nonu needs a BIG game this week. SBW is on the bench and no doubt will play a big role as well.

All Blacks 36 France 10 Argentina 18 Ireland 22 Australia 28 Scotland 12 Wales 15 Springboks 23 ends

Things are a lot different than 2007. We're not playing Ben Smith at centre for starters and we don't have a rest and rotation policy in place for the semis. We're also about a thousand times more mindful of an upset, if not more. I think we can expect France to be organised in defence and put in some big hits. They'll contest the breakdown with gusto and test us under the highball. The key for them will be whether the can make any inroads on attack because the All Blacks' tackle completion rate has been high and Ireland really stymied them in that area. The All Blacks need their passes to stick, particularly in a knockout game where there are fewer try scoring opportunities. It's interesting that they want Sam Cane involved so much that they aren't fielding a back-up lock. I'm looking forward to seeing how good we are.

Not sure we should assume Naholo's role is over at this stage. If NZ stays in the tournament Naholo may still be required.

I know it rocks the boat but I would have gone for Cane and McCaw on the sides. I think Cane offers more than Kaino in terms of mobility and fitness around the field and he's not exactly a pushover. Kaino's not the granite force he was in 2011- hasnt been all year. Plus when it comes to ever having to deal with Pooper should we get there McCaw and Cane would look after the breakdown quickly.

I really don't think they think like that WQ. The Wallabies on the other hand do. Such as blooding JOC about three years too soon to TN playing USA just recently.

Kaino is actually the replacement lock. Vito is the six or eight cover. It will be interesting who plays where and when assuming no injuries. I think they want to finish with McCaw Cane and Vito in the loose with Kaino locking.