Retallick is a key player for sure. When he fronted up in the RC, the Boks were road kill for 60 minutes up front. He and Barrett are crucial. This time is flying under the radar, and it's a mistake.
Retallick is a key player for sure. When he fronted up in the RC, the Boks were road kill for 60 minutes up front. He and Barrett are crucial. This time is flying under the radar, and it's a mistake.
It's nice to know that the absence of Retallick is a blow to the wee abs, which it is, but the absence of Marx, the World's best hooker, against Ireland is an excuse.
Marx is nowhere near the best hooker in the world. He has been pretty poor the past several years. This season, he has been ineffective.
So unlikely.
The game produced the best outcome for each teams: IR got NZ and SA rugby got FR,
In the current context, both IR and SA rugby are favourites.
NZ vs SA rugby and IR vs FR would have been the other way.
It won't surprise me if they do but to do that they must run the ball, it's what they do best, they look a completely different side when they adopt a kicking game.
I'm not writing them off.
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The All Blacks are not the force they have been, but they are still capable of beating any team in world rugby - if their tight five is competitive.
The All Blacks usually play much better when Retalick is fit and in top form. Without this, the All Blacks have no chance.