All Blacks vs Samoa highlights: International rugby live scores, blog

ebop, he needs to do the good stuff when its 0-0, not when its 40-0. Hard to argue that his first 40 was anywhere near AB standard I would have thought.

If Crotty isn't fit to start next week then I am sure tonight's midfield combo will get the start, a Lions test is no place for newbies. SBW can do some wonderful things but that was genuinely horrible first 40. His inside shoulder work was poor but its not like he cant fix that up in a week, although I prefer him off the bench against a tiring D line. If the BIL start Farrell at 12 its not such a big deal, if they start Teo, which I think they will do, then our 12 channel will have to be rock solid.

Really good observations, both Kaino and Cane just owned those gain-line tackles last night. Kaino repeated the tackle he made on Digby back in the 2011 RWC, spot tackle, wrapped up the Samoan ball runner, picked him up and started walking towards the sideline with him, huge strength. Really good to see him have a solid work out and come through it with flying colours. While Ardie was impressive Read is a freak show is terms of involvements whenever he plays, both in defence, attack and his lineout work. If Read is fit I think Ardie comes off the pine in a 5-3 bench split.

Why do so many punters, generally Non New Zealanders always complain about players of Samoan heritage playing for NZ. 1. 6 of 7 All Blacks of Samoan heritage who played last night were NZ born. 2. 1 of 7 All Blacks of Samoan heritage moved to New Zealand as a child at the age of 4 3. 7 of 7 All Blacks of Samoan heritage learned all their rugby in NZ 4. 7 of 7 All Blacks of Samoan heritage are all products of the NZ system 5. 0 of 7 All Blacks of Samoan heritage had any input from the Samoan Rugby Union 6. 0 of 7 All Blacks of Samoan heritage are forced to play for NZ 7. 7 of 7 All Blacks of Samoan heritage chose to play for their country NZ 8. 7 of 7 All Blacks of Samoan heritage are NZ citizens This misconception that because they are of Samoan extraction means that they should play for Samoa is nonsensical. 11 of last nights Starting XV were NZ born raised and educated players. The NZ rugby system is what developed them not Samoa, not the SARU. SBW is half white for example, so Samoa has no more claim to him than New Zealand, he only got a Samoan passport when he wanted to go play in France. Tim Nanai-Williams opted to play for New Zealand first but once he realised he wasn't going to crack the ABs he switched allegiance using the Olympic Loophole. Nanai-Williams another player born and raised New Zealander of Samoan heritage. Sure more could be done to help the Pacific Islands but what many people overlook is the fact that a very large portion of Samoan rugby players are from New Zealand. Samoan rugby would not be what it is today without the NZ raised players. New Zealand rugby pushed for eligibility to be relaxed around ex AB stars so they could turn out for the Islands and World Rugby smacked that down in 2010. World Rugby has since extended the eligibility criteria for foreign born players to turn out for their adopted country so will we see more guys throwing their hats in with the Pacific or will they leave NZ and Australia earlier. Make no mistake many of the players who are turning out for the islands in recent times are products of foreign systems, many of the players aren't even born in the country that they represent. That doesn't make them less Pi it does however make them citizens of another country.

Yes but without Crotty the names being put forward have no experience of big tests. ALB debuted last year and we are now saying he and one of JBarrett, Reiko, Laumape? will start against the Iions? Can't see it. For all SBWs flaws he's still the most experienced midfielder and is capable of improving on that performance. There's a reason Hansen keeps backing the guys who have been with him through the tough matches. I'm not his biggest fan either but I also don't think Hansens going to go with a raw midfield.

Why do people say that it is not a great advert for international rugby?!?! Aside from the All Blacks, world rugby has never been so competitive! And having a side to chase that is likely to go down as the best side in history can only create more excitement about the game.

The forward pass to butcher Sopoaga's try. Dropping the ball onto Barrett's foot instead of passing inside to ALB. Having the ball stripped in the tackle. Out of position in the defensive alignment. Committing to the breakdown when it was the wrong option. Overunning in support.. ... ... Countless, innumerable errors. It is no exaggeration to say that GBK's error rate was higher than all of the other ABs combined. GBK is a massive liability, for the minor luxury of an occasional myrical ofload.

Don't think so champ. Sure, SBW made a couple of mistakes as did others but he did some very good things and the kind of things that will freak the Lions out.

Probably thinks your stars are swearing

The BIL defencive pressure is nothing new, the All Blacks will be expecting it and it simply gives attacking options in other areas. The Crusaders poor performance all round in that game made it look like it was an impenetrable wall, the All Blacks quality in attack will be much better then what the Crusaders dished up. Let's see if it looks like that late into the second half when the All Blacks lift another gear and often make a tight game look otherwise on the scoreboard.

Yes Tim NW stood SBW up like a lame duck, that won't go unnoticed. SBW only got better as the Samoans wilted. Lions will probe his defences more next week but admittedly SBW will look to improve there as well but of anyone he had more negatives than anyone else in a match where the positives, SBW included, were many. Hansen's faith in his incumbents is a master stroke.

That match was tailor made for Perenara to come on when he did. The Smith Perenara combo works perfectly, Smiths crisp passing allowed the ABs to Keep dotting down while the Samoan fire died down. That first 20 was so important for this series as it allowed the ABs settle in within a safe environment. They'll get it in their faces x 10 next week but at least the cobwebs are coming off.

In your mind an ocassional offload outweighs getting regularly turnover, regularly stepped AND regularly knocking on. Union just isn't your game, chap.

Hey Rick what do you think of the combination of Ngatai-ALB

Is their any other Lock in world rugby that does as much as Rettalick in defence and attack for their team?

How about great-great grandfathers country of birth Sheek? Scotland and Samoa may well fight out the next Rugby World Cup final. This is tongue n cheek, I get your point. Maybe not a great advert for international rugby but a great advert for ABs strength. And I doubt very much this was Samoa's strongest team. Maybe the 5yr residency rule will at least slow the Fijian expatriation.

Hey Highlander It was interesting watching the grunt work that Kaino has in the ruck and seemingbly setting the physicality levels for the team, and in his understudy A Savea have New Zealand found the most diverse forward in world rugby? his understanding of core rolls as an 8 was in my opinion astounding. He seemed to dominate tackles behind the gainline just about everytime, no longer have we got a great tackler that was bringing everybody down bit he didn't seem to control the tackle zone, today we saw a very physical display against a very physical opposition. Tomorrow a few of our Samoan brothers will wake up sore because of Ardie Savea. He stayed in the outskirts of every ruck if he wasnt adding his weight. That was all made possible because of the in the ruck presence of Cane I thought he proved why he is New Zealands 7 he did a lot of the dirty work, his discipline at times was next level if Nick was watching he might be thinking like Im thinking that rushing Reid back might not be so important, and if it is does that come at Kaino's expence? I think Savea and Cane showed they work good together defensively and they have to both be on the field for 80 my opinion of course. So Great levels set by Kaino and Savea and Cane had blinders. I haven't seen in years where potential penalties were never blown, when the ref spoke hands came off the ball. The ref seemed a lot better for the run in the LionsVSCrusaders game his comunication was really calm and he let the game flow and was clear and precise at set piece he only missed a potential knockon at the base of the scrum by Savea, but that seemed both their worst moment and maybe 1 or 2 penalties when the AB defensive line got their timing wrong.

You were a big Isaia Turneova fan ten years ago, ebop. A guy who played 36 Tests and never, not once, managed to catch the ball without subsequently knocking it on. Girly Bill Kardashian is the new Isaia Turneova, another strong candidate for Worst All Black of All Time. But I'm here to help. This is the part of The Roar website you're looking for: http://www.theroar.com.au/category/rugby-league/

Agreed. The kid seems "to the manner born." With Laumape pressing now, Ioane being groomed for the centres in progress and Jordie Barrett a possibility at inside-centre if he isn't consigned to fullback, the ABs are looking good for midfield talent. Which is rather startling, given that (and backup hooker) were the problem areas after RWC 2015 retirements. There is no longer a case for keeping Girly Bill Kardashian in the squad. He's the new Isaia Toeava, utterly shithouse but the AB selectors are too stubborn to admit it.

The Samoans were really poor after 30 minutes. AB's brilliant but the defensive structure completely disappeared from Samoa and, whilst I'm sure the BIL will recognise the size of their task, they will know that they will bring a defensive pressure that will mean that sort of Harlem Globetrotter rugby won't happen. Their lineout will stack up and they'll kick their goals too. The space the Samoans created with their pick and drive early will encourage also. Somebody earlier commented on the likely contrast of styles and I agree completely. Will be a fascinating, high quality test match. Whilst I'm trying to take the air out of some Kiwi tyres here, I am the first to admit we (the Wallabies) couldn't live with the AB's in that form and the gap is getting wider. I rate the BIL a chance but nobody else gets close.