All Blacks 2025
-
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Fihaki and Bell are shaping up as two of the most biased AB selections of all time. Neither with any runs on the board bar age grade stuff, and now both have 5 or 6 players easily ahead of them this year. Bell is not even the best hooker at the Crusaders and Fihaki has the worst stats of any NZ winger that is in the frame by some distance.
I'm expecting more of the same from Razor this year.
Havilli and Blackadder want you to hold their beers
-
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Bell is not even the best hooker at the Crusaders and Fihaki has the worst stats of any NZ winger that is in the frame by some distance.
It’s debatable whether he’s even the second best at the moment with the way Moananu is playing. They have 2 of the 3 NZ20s hookers coming through as well which goes back to my point last week, I’d expect to see some movement from 1 or 2 of these guys over the next year or 2.
Unfortunately, for as long as guys are selected for the ABs after coming off the bench all season, we will never see those players hit their full potential. Also, if they get selected for the ABs after being on the bench for the majority of the season, why leave that franchise.
McCalister has seen the light and I’m sure he feels it’s paying off for him up in Hamilton, he’s no longer 3rd string. Would you not rather guys like Bell getting regular minutes elsewhere and fulfilling his potential? It’s a bit of a rabbit hole and probably a topic for another day but it makes sense imo. Will only strengthen other position specific needy franchises in the process and make sides stronger across the board, NZR should see that.
Sorry for the rant, just something I’ve been thinking about the last few days.
-
@Landers92 said in All Blacks 2025:
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Bell is not even the best hooker at the Crusaders and Fihaki has the worst stats of any NZ winger that is in the frame by some distance.
It’s debatable whether he’s even the second best at the moment with the way Moananu is playing. They have 2 of the 3 NZ20s hookers coming through as well which goes back to my point last week, I’d expect to see some movement from 1 or 2 of these guys over the next year or 2.
Unfortunately, for as long as guys are selected for the ABs after coming off the bench all season, we will never see those players hit their full potential. Also, if they get selected for the ABs after being on the bench for the majority of the season, why leave that franchise.
McCalister has seen the light and I’m sure he feels it’s paying off for him up in Hamilton, he’s no longer 3rd string. Would you not rather guys like Bell getting regular minutes elsewhere and fulfilling his potential? It’s a bit of a rabbit hole and probably a topic for another day but it makes sense imo. Will only strengthen other position specific needy franchises in the process and make sides stronger across the board, NZR should see that.
Sorry for the rant, just something I’ve been thinking about the last few days.
Perceptions of free market, franchise led when in reality NZ R is pumping the contracts of some franchises far more than others. Which is both good management by the franchises and them being able to get away with it.
Where would be plenty of benefits to the All Blacks should the majority of the ABs and AB XV be starting week in and out.
A salary cap probably wouldn't work. But a player points system for franchises would.
Anyway. There is a slight additional rant which is somewhat off topic.
-
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Fihaki and Bell are shaping up as two of the most biased AB selections of all time. Neither with any runs on the board bar age grade stuff, and now both have 5 or 6 players easily ahead of them this year. Bell is not even the best hooker at the Crusaders and Fihaki has the worst stats of any NZ winger that is in the frame by some distance.
I'm expecting more of the same from Razor this year.
Havilli and Blackadder want you to hold their beers
Shane Philpott too (RIP), Ben Blair, George Bridge. Many more, enough to fill the whole bar
-
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Fihaki and Bell are shaping up as two of the most biased AB selections of all time. Neither with any runs on the board bar age grade stuff, and now both have 5 or 6 players easily ahead of them this year. Bell is not even the best hooker at the Crusaders and Fihaki has the worst stats of any NZ winger that is in the frame by some distance.
I'm expecting more of the same from Razor this year.
Havilli and Blackadder want you to hold their beers
Shane Philpott too (RIP), Ben Blair, George Bridge. Many more, enough to fill the whole bar
Bernie McCahill, Mike Clamp, Marty Berry....
-
@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2025:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Fihaki and Bell are shaping up as two of the most biased AB selections of all time. Neither with any runs on the board bar age grade stuff, and now both have 5 or 6 players easily ahead of them this year. Bell is not even the best hooker at the Crusaders and Fihaki has the worst stats of any NZ winger that is in the frame by some distance.
I'm expecting more of the same from Razor this year.
Havilli and Blackadder want you to hold their beers
Shane Philpott too (RIP), Ben Blair, George Bridge. Many more, enough to fill the whole bar
Bernie McCahill, Mike Clamp, Marty Berry....
You can absolutely get fucked for this comment. "Chuck" was excellent.
-
@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2025:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Fihaki and Bell are shaping up as two of the most biased AB selections of all time. Neither with any runs on the board bar age grade stuff, and now both have 5 or 6 players easily ahead of them this year. Bell is not even the best hooker at the Crusaders and Fihaki has the worst stats of any NZ winger that is in the frame by some distance.
I'm expecting more of the same from Razor this year.
Havilli and Blackadder want you to hold their beers
Shane Philpott too (RIP), Ben Blair, George Bridge. Many more, enough to fill the whole bar
Bernie McCahill, Mike Clamp, Marty Berry....
I thought we were talking about Cantablacks. Lots of other guys who were less deserving of the jersey than others. Mark Carter was another
-
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2025:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Fihaki and Bell are shaping up as two of the most biased AB selections of all time. Neither with any runs on the board bar age grade stuff, and now both have 5 or 6 players easily ahead of them this year. Bell is not even the best hooker at the Crusaders and Fihaki has the worst stats of any NZ winger that is in the frame by some distance.
I'm expecting more of the same from Razor this year.
Havilli and Blackadder want you to hold their beers
Shane Philpott too (RIP), Ben Blair, George Bridge. Many more, enough to fill the whole bar
Bernie McCahill, Mike Clamp, Marty Berry....
I thought we were talking about Cantablacks. Lots of other guys who were less deserving of the jersey than others. Mark Carter was another
Christ here we go.
Carter had one Bledisloe Cup game where he was immense. There’s been far less deserving ABs than him.
-
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2025:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Fihaki and Bell are shaping up as two of the most biased AB selections of all time. Neither with any runs on the board bar age grade stuff, and now both have 5 or 6 players easily ahead of them this year. Bell is not even the best hooker at the Crusaders and Fihaki has the worst stats of any NZ winger that is in the frame by some distance.
I'm expecting more of the same from Razor this year.
Havilli and Blackadder want you to hold their beers
Shane Philpott too (RIP), Ben Blair, George Bridge. Many more, enough to fill the whole bar
Bernie McCahill, Mike Clamp, Marty Berry....
I thought we were talking about Cantablacks. Lots of other guys who were less deserving of the jersey than others. Mark Carter was another
Christ here we go.
Carter had one Bledisloe Cup game where he was immense. There’s been far less deserving ABs than him.
Totally fair. But I didn't think we were ranking them, just mentioning to them, and one swallow does not make a Summer either
-
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
There’s been far less deserving ABs than him.
Especially in the last few years. Project players, one test wonders, etc.
Not players whose form demanded squad selection and fitness or competition within the squad denied them additional caps and they took what looked like a better option in a short career.
Busted league converts. Players quantitatively worse than others in our highest competition. And I don't accept the argument some make that coaches are taking a punt on a "Richie McCaw" as none of them seemed to be standouts amongst age group or put in PotM performances on debut etc.
-
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2025:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Fihaki and Bell are shaping up as two of the most biased AB selections of all time. Neither with any runs on the board bar age grade stuff, and now both have 5 or 6 players easily ahead of them this year. Bell is not even the best hooker at the Crusaders and Fihaki has the worst stats of any NZ winger that is in the frame by some distance.
I'm expecting more of the same from Razor this year.
Havilli and Blackadder want you to hold their beers
Shane Philpott too (RIP), Ben Blair, George Bridge. Many more, enough to fill the whole bar
Bernie McCahill, Mike Clamp, Marty Berry....
I thought we were talking about Cantablacks. Lots of other guys who were less deserving of the jersey than others. Mark Carter was another
Christ here we go.
Carter had one Bledisloe Cup game where he was immense. There’s been far less deserving ABs than him.
Totally fair. But I didn't think we were ranking them, just mentioning to them, and one swallow does not make a Summer either
He went ok in the other games from what I remember.
I couldn’t stand how the media always had a go at him and wanked on about how he was keeping Duane Monkley and Paul Henderson out of the side.
-
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2025:
What would wasting a year look like exactly?
A new AB coach trying to change set-in-stone NZ Rugby eligibility rules for an overseas player rather than try new talent - and giving up after 12 months?
all the while sticking with players who have proven to not be what we need, instead of trying exciting young up and comers, along with sticking with poor tactics that didn't seem to showcase the bast talents of our players
I can understand the sticking with the old guard for year 1 while he gets his feet under the table (don't want to see the same for year 2) . Just don't get his Mo'unga/eligibility fight - at all
TBF it was one helluva schedule in first year. ‘Honeymoon’ now over.
-
@reprobate said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiInLondon said in All Blacks 2025:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiInLondon said in All Blacks 2025:
Yes so many of the young and up and coming players have justified everyone sentiments about Robertson with their continued and improved form in this super rugby season....
Any position in mind? Tough to think of any 10's that haven't improved except for Miller and Hohepa.
More a lot have gone backwards or have stagnated. When you look at the ABs XV squad, it’s actually quite disappointing how many haven’t kicked on to another gear (Kirifi has been good but seems to be slipping as the season goes on). Holland, who was a big prospect last season, hasn’t showed the same level (aside from one game against the bottom team).
As for the up and coming ABs from last season. Aumua, Roigard, Ratima, Tosi, Laki, and Love haven’t exactly been setting the world on fire.
The only players that have noticeably improved imo has been Jordon (has played more like a fullback), Vai’i and Finau have got better.
I am critical of Robertson but I do feel a bit sorry for him. If Barrett continues to show good game management and McKenzie shits the bed in another semi/final, who is he supposed to select? ALB and Reiko are the only real options at 13 despite Reiko being bang average and ALB being injury prone and slow. Reece, despite being terrible last season, continues to outshine every winger through sheer enthusiasm. For all the criticism of Jordon at 15, what exactly has Love shown to provide any competition at all? Still don’t have a clear option for our backup hooker with Taylor still the obvious no. 1. Lock is ok but one injury there and we have no idea who the third lock would be. Literally only have one out and out six pushing for selection. We don’t have an 8 if Savea is sensibly selected at 7.
Jesus mate, I'm as negative as the next guy, but Taylor, Taukei'aho, Aumua is hardly a weak trio of hookers.
And Moananu is worthy of a conversation. Hooker depth a real strength at the mo.
-
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:
@antipodean said in All Blacks 2025:
@Grooter Moananu strikes me as the hooker version of Kirifi - having an excellent SR season but possibly too small for Test rugby.
Hopefully I'm wrong. About both.
I don't really see how being short would be a massive problem for a hooker? Being light, yes, but he's heavier than plenty of other international hookers (including Codie Taylor, Peato Mauvaka).
And potentially an advantage at scrum time, as Bongi shows.
-
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2025:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Fihaki and Bell are shaping up as two of the most biased AB selections of all time. Neither with any runs on the board bar age grade stuff, and now both have 5 or 6 players easily ahead of them this year. Bell is not even the best hooker at the Crusaders and Fihaki has the worst stats of any NZ winger that is in the frame by some distance.
I'm expecting more of the same from Razor this year.
Havilli and Blackadder want you to hold their beers
Shane Philpott too (RIP), Ben Blair, George Bridge. Many more, enough to fill the whole bar
Bernie McCahill, Mike Clamp, Marty Berry....
I thought we were talking about Cantablacks. Lots of other guys who were less deserving of the jersey than others. Mark Carter was another
Christ here we go.
Carter had one Bledisloe Cup game where he was immense. There’s been far less deserving ABs than him.
He made one outstanding tackle on Lynagh and we moved the best 7 to ever play the game to accomodate him. Not sure he was immense in the rest of the game.
In all honesty I can't remember at all how he went in the other tests he played so not going to argue there.
Was one hell of a tackle though.
-
@antipodean said in All Blacks 2025:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
There’s been far less deserving ABs than him.
Especially in the last few years. Project players, one test wonders, etc.
Not players whose form demanded squad selection and fitness or competition within the squad denied them additional caps and they took what looked like a better option in a short career.
Busted league converts. Players quantitatively worse than others in our highest competition. And I don't accept the argument some make that coaches are taking a punt on a "Richie McCaw" as none of them seemed to be standouts amongst age group or put in PotM performances on debut etc.
I wonder how Nonu would have fared in today's AB environment & selection policy?
-
We have absolutely no idea how Razor will pick his squad, people are losing their mind over hypotheticals… there is no way to know how he picks his team this year.
What we do know about Razor, is he has had success at every level, which would suggest it is no fluke. He is clearly a smart cookie when it comes to rugby, and I’d trust him to get the best out of the current pool of players, which simply has some gaping holes.
I get the vibe there is a whole crew of Aucklanders who are willing him on to fail, which I find really weird.
I’d be willing to bet good money Chay Fihaki doesn’t crack the first All Blacks squad.
