All Blacks 2025
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@WoodysRFC said in All Blacks 2025:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@antipodean said in All Blacks 2025:
@Bones any NZ player plying their trade outside of NZ is by definition not giving any value to NZ.
I'm also on record about his form this year and I've routinely said he should be in the 23 as a super sub so I'm not sure where the "don't like the guy" shit comes from.
And for the record I've never been a fan of sabbaticals. Ex-All Blacks can make money after their representative career is over.
Quite frankly I'm forming the opinion that some long standing All Blacks are hanging around too long thanks in part to this sort of accommodation - impacting new All Blacks' development and our competitiveness.
Yeah I'm talking about NZ rugby, he definitely provides huge value there. You're focusing on the AB's. He's got a fucking massive fan base outside of GOM's shouting at clouds on an internet forum.
What if it was Aaron Smith? Anyone would fucking bite your hand off to have been able to keep him in NZ and let him feather his nest briefly overseas.
If NZ rugby can keep superstars in the system, whilst saving money on wages and allowing players to feather their nest, I struggle to see how that's such an awful thing. I much prefer the likes of White lock getting a few more years in NZ and providing huge value rather than fucking off at the pinnacle of their career.
He's a pretty fucking incredible rugby player, shocking people are still arguing he's out of form etc, can't help but feel some people don't have a fucking clue sometimes.
Who has suggested he's out of form in this year's SR? @Virgil I think we have an early contender for strawman of the year award.
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@antipodean said in All Blacks 2025:
strengthens the jersey, and saves rugby. Especially if they're automatic picks after playing in less demanding competitions where the evidence is they come back worse.
Speaking of straw men.
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@chchfanatic said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life never talked about those two. But pretty sure they’re in. Heard there’s a few players covering injury. Bell is one of them.
Sotutu v CLW will be interesting. I thought they’d cut Hoskins all together. Obviously he’s improved on whatever they were looking for.I expect Lakai, Sititi and RD locked in, so if they go for Kirifi and one of CLW/Hoss, then 6s will be two from Finau/Parker/Jacobson.
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@pakman said in All Blacks 2025:
@chchfanatic said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life never talked about those two. But pretty sure they’re in. Heard there’s a few players covering injury. Bell is one of them.
Sotutu v CLW will be interesting. I thought they’d cut Hoskins all together. Obviously he’s improved on whatever they were looking for.I expect Lakai, Sititi and RD locked in, so if they go for Kirifi and one of CLW/Hoss, then 6s will be two from Finau/Parker/Jacobson.
I think Parker would have been a certainty, and apparently his injury is being managed by AB medical staff. Just not sure if he is recovered in time for French series.
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@Jet said in All Blacks 2025:
Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens as a bolter?
I think he would be in the picture had he not been injured by that dog act from a grub at the end of last season.
Im not saying I can walk on water, but I am bigger than Jesus Christ.
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@chchfanatic said in All Blacks 2025:
All I’ve heard is that Big Jim looks to be in. Holland in. No blackadder.
Fusitua in. Proctor in. Reiko as a wing/centre.
Either Christian Lio Willie or Hoskins. Still have made the final call.
Forgot Kirifi tooThat sounds encouraging…!
I really hope that Razor backs himself and becomes the AB coach everyone thought he would be.
He was too conservative last year and looked a bit overawed at times.
This AB group has the potential to become a great AB side imo.
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@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2025:
@chchfanatic said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life never talked about those two. But pretty sure they’re in. Heard there’s a few players covering injury. Bell is one of them.
Sotutu v CLW will be interesting. I thought they’d cut Hoskins all together. Obviously he’s improved on whatever they were looking for.I wonder if he took a knock in that game, didn't look like himself.
He did, head clash with Ennor wasn't it, but not.taken off for HIA.
Bug bear of mine.
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For me, neither Jim nor Havili is a contender for a starting spot. Havili isn't as good as Barrett or Tupaea, and Jim would represent too drastic a change in style for Robertson, based on how conservative he was last year.
If I'm right in that, then for me at least Jim would have the inside running over Dave as he has far more potential as an impact player - if you're chasing a game or desperately defending a lead, which one do you want coming off the bench? -
So based on some of the rumours circling, this is where I feel the squad is at for next week, a few positions still up in the air.
PROPS:
- Tyrel Lomax (Hurricanes)
- Fletcher Newell (Crusaders)
- Pasilio Tosi (Hurricanes)
- Tamaiti Williams (Crusaders)
- Josh Fusitua (Blues)
- Ethan De Groot (Highlanders)
HOOKERS:
- Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes) / George Bell - injury cover (Crusaders)
- Samisoni Taukei'aho (Chiefs)
- Codie Taylor (Crusaders)
LOCKS:
- Tupou Va'ai (Chiefs)
- Fabian Holland (Highlanders)
- Scott Barrett (Crusaders)
- Patrick Tuipolotu (Blues)
LOOSE FORWARDS:
- Peter Lakai (Hurricanes)
- Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika)
- Dalton Papali'i (Blues)
- Luke Jacobsen (Chiefs)/Lio-Willie (Crusaders)/Hoskins Sotutu (Blues)
- Du Plessis Kirifi (Hurricanes)
- Samipeni Finau (Chiefs)
- Wallace Sititi (Chiefs)
HALFBACKS:
- Cam Roigard (Hurricanes)
- Cortez Ratima (Chiefs)
- Noah Hotham (Crusaders)
FIRST FIVES:
- Beauden Barrett (Blues)
- Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)
CENTRES:
- David Havili (Crusaders)
- Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs)
- Billy Proctor (Hurricanes)
- Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes)
CENTRE/WING
- Rieko Ioane (Blues)
- Timoci Tavatavanawai (Highlanders)
OUTSIDES:
- Ruben Love (Hurricanes)
- Will Jordan (Crusaders)
- Caleb Clarke (Blues)
- Sevu Reece (Crusaders)
- Emoni Narawa (Chiefs)
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@Canes4life I think you need to lose a back.
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@pakman said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life I think you need to lose a back.
Hmmm, you're right, Havili, Tavatavanawai and Tupaea are probably vying for two spots. One of them will likely miss out.
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@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:
Is this based on Silverfern rumours?
No Blackadder?
see above
@chchfanatic said in All Blacks 2025:
All I’ve heard is that Big Jim looks to be in. Holland in. No blackadder.
Fusitua in. Proctor in. Reiko as a wing/centre.
Either Christian Lio Willie or Hoskins. Still have made the final call.
Forgot Kirifi too -
@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:
Is this based on Silverfern rumours?
No Blackadder?
Yep, rumours are he's missing out. But nothing set in stone yet.
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I can't picture a situation where a fit Blackadder misses out on selection. With three 12 options and two 13 options available even with ALB injured, I don't see why Tavatavanawai would be needed as injury cover either. Unless it was coming straight from the top, I'm not sure how someone would learn that Ioane was being considered as a wing either. Would love to know how close to the team your source is @chchfanatic.
