All Blacks 2025
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@reprobate said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
Why wouldn't a Sititi-Savea-Sotutu back row work at Test level?
It certainly could, depending on game plan - and particularly if you used a couple of big volume work rate guys like Holland, Newell in the tight. And depends on the use of bench loosies too.
I would quite like to see what Sotutu could do if he were told to go hard for 40. He still contributes very effectively in key moments at the end of games, but he doesn't have the workrate of some others over that 80 minutes, might be pacing himself somewhat?As the saffas have shown, who cares? If he can give 40 minutes of impact better than some guys who play 80, let him empty the tank and get his sub on
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@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
Why wouldn't a Sititi-Savea-Sotutu back row work at Test level?
Would provide some nice alliteration that’s for sure, the likes of which we haven’t seen since the Killer Bs ( Beattie, Barclay and Brown ) played for Scotland.
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@reprobate said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
Why wouldn't a Sititi-Savea-Sotutu back row work at Test level?
It certainly could, depending on game plan - and particularly if you used a couple of big volume work rate guys like Holland, Newell in the tight. And depends on the use of bench loosies too.
I would quite like to see what Sotutu could do if he were told to go hard for 40. He still contributes very effectively in key moments at the end of games, but he doesn't have the workrate of some others over that 80 minutes, might be pacing himself somewhat?Sotutu generally has excellent durability over the season. His workrate game to game hasn't been as high as other but he was in the top 5 for a lot of stats across the whole season last year for totals.
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@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
Why wouldn't a Sititi-Savea-Sotutu back row work at Test level?
At least give it a go ffs
I worry about our lineout.
I know Sotutu isn't terrible and Sititi can be used.
If we have Vaii's workrate at lock that's a good thing, right? But, you add Barrett as the other lock and suddenly we have five hybrids from 4-7. -
@gt12 said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
Why wouldn't a Sititi-Savea-Sotutu back row work at Test level?
At least give it a go ffs
I worry about our lineout.
I know Sotutu isn't terrible and Sititi can be used.
If we have Vaii's workrate at lock that's a good thing, right? But, you add Barrett as the other lock and suddenly we have five hybrids from 4-7.
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@gt12 said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
Why wouldn't a Sititi-Savea-Sotutu back row work at Test level?
At least give it a go ffs
I worry about our lineout.
I know Sotutu isn't terrible and Sititi can be used.
If we have Vaii's workrate at lock that's a good thing, right? But, you add Barrett as the other lock and suddenly we have five hybrids from 4-7.Barrett is the guy in that lineout list who doesn't really fit the job requirements properly in my opinion. He isn't a particularly good lineout lock, Sotutu is pretty good for a loosie, and Sititi is fine as a secondary loosie target.
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@gt12 said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
Why wouldn't a Sititi-Savea-Sotutu back row work at Test level?
At least give it a go ffs
I worry about our lineout.
I know Sotutu isn't terrible and Sititi can be used.
If we have Vaii's workrate at lock that's a good thing, right? But, you add Barrett as the other lock and suddenly we have five hybrids from 4-7.Sotutu won the most lineouts of all NZ players last year in SR. The Blues didn't use him as much this year but he is an excellent lineout operator.
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@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:
@gt12 said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
Why wouldn't a Sititi-Savea-Sotutu back row work at Test level?
At least give it a go ffs
I worry about our lineout.
I know Sotutu isn't terrible and Sititi can be used.
If we have Vaii's workrate at lock that's a good thing, right? But, you add Barrett as the other lock and suddenly we have five hybrids from 4-7.Sotutu won the most lineouts of all NZ players last year in SR. The Blues didn't use him as much this year but he is an excellent lineout operator.
Long arms and good aerial skills.
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I don't see SB as a hybrid. If he isn't playing as one of the top locks or doesn't balance lineout weakness elsewhere in his game then choose someone who can.
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@Duluth said in All Blacks 2025:
@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:
@gt12 said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
Why wouldn't a Sititi-Savea-Sotutu back row work at Test level?
At least give it a go ffs
I worry about our lineout.
I know Sotutu isn't terrible and Sititi can be used.
If we have Vaii's workrate at lock that's a good thing, right? But, you add Barrett as the other lock and suddenly we have five hybrids from 4-7.Sotutu won the most lineouts of all NZ players last year in SR. The Blues didn't use him as much this year but he is an excellent lineout operator.
Long arms and good aerial skills.
And he uses those long arms really well in mauls too.
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@Steven-Harris said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky 💯 i have said it before and i will say it again a loose forward trio of Savea,Sititi and Sotutu would be one of the most skilkful ball trio going around
The three S’s would be an unfortunste name for the trio
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@Tim said in All Blacks 2025:
@brodean Nick Bishop had some comments on him that he's shown his carrying ability at test level in the past, but with the Blues he's used very strictly to tackle and clean. Limits his turnover opportunities too.
That's probably a fair comment but without his cleans we lose that game last night. He allows us to retain possession for long periods when we needed too. That's how the last RWC final was played and that's how it was when we won 2011.
He's also faster getting to the ball on breakouts compared to Blackadder who has no 4th or 5th gear.
According to those opta stats his running impact is high as a percentage. When he runs he has a high impact.
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@Tim said in All Blacks 2025:
@brodean Nick Bishop had some comments on him that he's shown his carrying ability at test level in the past, but with the Blues he's used very strictly to tackle and clean. Limits his turnover opportunities too.
I can't believe that people log onto here and proceed to bash the Bishop publicly.
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Cleanouts are critical, as the Canes found out to their cost last night. Being given a limited but very important task, and performing that well for the good of the team and resulting in victory? Sounds like good coaching and good player performance to me
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Looking at the match pack stats for loose forwards this season:
Defenders Beaten ( carries ) :
36 Lio-Willie (143)
22 Sotutu (131)
23 Kirifi (125)
18 Lakai (168)
16 Papali'i (56)
15 Iose (74)
10 Finau (79)
9 Parker (70)
2 Blackadder (65)Defenders Beaten per carry:
0.28 Papali'i
0.25 Lio-Willie
0.2 Iose
0.18 Kirifi
0.17 Sotutu
0.13 Finau
0.13 Parker
0.11 Lakai
0.03 Blackadder( Sititi not in the match pack)
2025 Qualifying Finals
