All Blacks 2025
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Possible bolter, ENS, assuming the fullback position is now his with Stevenson's departure. There's an impressive outside back under 25.
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@WoodysRFC I wouldn't call him a bolter, should have been there this year. Fingers crossed he carries his form after his injury.
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@frugby said in All Blacks 2025:
Hot take. Caleb Tangitau bolts into the All Blacks next year.
Happy to take Highlanders bias on this, but in a world where there seem to be few impressive u25 wingers in this country, I can see him bolting in.
While it's obviously possible, Tangutau wasn't even very good in the NPC this year...
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@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:
@frugby said in All Blacks 2025:
Hot take. Caleb Tangitau bolts into the All Blacks next year.
Happy to take Highlanders bias on this, but in a world where there seem to be few impressive u25 wingers in this country, I can see him bolting in.
While it's obviously possible, Tangutau wasn't even very good in the NPC this year...
Sounds like Fihaki...
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@frugby said in All Blacks 2025:
Hot take. Caleb Tangitau bolts into the All Blacks next year.
Happy to take Highlanders bias on this, but in a world where there seem to be few impressive u25 wingers in this country, I can see him bolting in.
Lol a winger that was left completely in no man’s land defensively on numerous occasions in the NPC this year has a lot to fix if this is to become true.
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@frugby said in All Blacks 2025:
Hot take. Caleb Tangitau bolts into the All Blacks next year.
Happy to take Highlanders bias on this, but in a world where there seem to be few impressive u25 wingers in this country, I can see him bolting in.
Lol a winger that was left completely in no man’s land defensively on numerous occasions in the NPC this year has a lot to fix if this is to become true.
Because Mark Tele'a is famed for his defence... As has been pointed out above, he possesses unique physical abilities, and it feels like a while since we've had a winger shoot through.
Even ENS is 25, which is quite old for a winger who has never played for the ABs.
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Went digging into the dark Web and found Devlin's new podcast and an interview with Fozzie and he mentioned a name from the past who is at the Verblitz being Tiaan Falcon ...
... not saying he is AB level, but he was, in my opinion, at Perofeta level.
We're all woe is us about Plummer ... felt he had more to give than Harry IMO.
Saucy young fulla ...
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@booboo said in All Blacks 2025:
Went digging into the dark Web and found Devlin's new podcast and an interview with Fozzie and he mentioned a name from the past who is at the Verblitz being Tiaan Falcon ...
... not saying he is AB level, but he was, in my opinion, at Perofeta level.
We're all woe is us about Plummer ... felt he had more to give than Harry IMO.
Saucy young fulla ...
He must have been bloody impressive in those 4 Super Rugby games he played.
He's like Kaleb Trask. All hype but yet to see what it's all about.
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@African-Monkey yeah blink and you miss it right, no idea how you could form the idea he excels at SR let alone deem him good enough for the ABs.
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@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@African-Monkey yeah blink and you miss it right, no idea how you could form the idea he excels at SR let alone deem him good enough for the ABs.
And say that he's on par, if not better than 2 guys who have played SR for 6-8 seasons, won NPC and SR titles and represented the ABs.
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Ok. I'm wrong. Again. Just felt he is indicative of a level of player we should try and retain. And at that time was on a level with Perofeta.
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@booboo said in All Blacks 2025:
Ok. I'm wrong. Again. Just felt he is indicative of a level of player we should try and retain. And at that time was on a level with Perofeta.
Just struggling to see what you could be referencing, off 4 games over 2 years? Any level of player we should probably try and retain, but wouldn't he be close to eligible for Japan by now if he was any good?
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@frugby said in All Blacks 2025:
Hot take. Caleb Tangitau bolts into the All Blacks next year.
Happy to take Highlanders bias on this, but in a world where there seem to be few impressive u25 wingers in this country, I can see him bolting in.
How old is Leroy Carter ?
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@cgrant said in All Blacks 2025:
How old is Leroy Carter ?
Older than you think. Now 25, the same age as Naholo.
As to others, Macca Springer is halfway there right?
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2025:
@cgrant said in All Blacks 2025:
How old is Leroy Carter ?
Older than you think. Now 25, the same age as Naholo.
As to others, Macca Springer is halfway there right?
Springer is the other young one who springs to mind.
I guess what I am getting at, is throughout history, the ABs have had wingers just burst through, and generally they are u25...
Age of Recent Debut ABs Outsides:
Love - 23
Stevenson - 26 (Player 1 Test)
Narawa - 24
Tele'a - 25
Fainga'anuku - 22
Jordan - 22
Clarke - 21
Reece - 22
Bridge - 23
Duffie - 27 (Played 2 Games)
Ioane - 19
Milner-Skudder - 24
Naholo - 24
Halai - 25 (Played 1 Test)
Piatau - 22
Savea - 21There is the odd exception, namely Tele'a who was a month off 26, but looking at the current guys seen as the next cabs, and it is an intriguing list:
NZ XV Squad:
Kini Naholo - 25
Emoni Narawa - 25
Chay Fihaki - 23
Shaun Stevenson - 27Three guys there, who are getting to the point where they are too old to have a career as an ABs outside, and someone who to this point looks nowhere near ABs quality.
Those spoken about past this group:
Etene Nanai-Seturo - 25
Timoci Tavatavanawai - 26
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens - 23Looking at this landscape, and factoring in historic trends, I kind of expect a winger to bolt into the ABs next year, and to me Tangitau is the obvious one, though Springer not far behind. Kade Banks is the other one I look at. Other possibility would be someone like Xavi Taele getting an extended run on the wing in a strong Blues side...
But the current ABs squad is short of a winger (Reece), and looking at age profiles and trends, I would expect Tele'a to fall off a cliff by the end of the year. New young winger needed, because outside of JRK and Fihaki, all of the other players on the fringe will theoretically be past their best by the 2027 RWC.
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I think Tangitau needs to worry about getting into the Landers 23 first before we even mention him as a contender. Julian Savea was a school boy / under 20 super star and he only made his AB debut at 21, Tangitau is no way near that and he hasn't even played Super yet.
With so many other contenders in the outsides, he's going to have to play one of the best seasons we've ever seen from a rookie to even get a look in. Just can't see it happening, especially because he didn't set the NPC a light either.
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
I think Tangitau needs to worry about getting into the Landers 23 first before we even mention him as a contender. Julian Savea was a school boy / under 20 super star and he only made his AB debut at 21, Tangitau is no way near that and he hasn't even played Super yet.
With so many other contenders in the outsides, he's going to have to play one of the best seasons we've ever seen from a rookie to even get a look in. Just can't see it happening, especially because he didn't set the NPC a light either.
Think you are forgetting Tangitau was equally a hyped school boy and U20 Star... his progress his been slightly stunted by going to 7s for a year, and the sheer talent ahead of him in the pecking order.
Wasn't perfect in shit Auckland team, but lets see. As I mention, I'm tipping him as a bolter, so obviously he is going to need to have a great season, but I think it is eminently possible then your making it out to be.
We aren't talking about a Mosese Dawai or a Ngane Punivai. He could turn out to be the next Tevita Li, but playing the law of averages, NZR is due a winger flying through from nowhere.
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I've heard Michael Manson has been promised a spot on the bench
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Julian Savea took a huge leap from 2011 to 2012 in terms of his Super Rugby performance. Before 2012 his game was quite rough around the edges.
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@frugby said in All Blacks 2025:
Tele'a
but it is generally speed the wingers lose, right? And he doesn't have that much speed to lose..
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@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2025:
@frugby said in All Blacks 2025:
Tele'a
but it is generally speed the wingers lose, right? And he doesn't have that much speed to lose..
Like NMS...
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@Kiwidom Vaenuku is still eligible for the U20s next year. He did get a few games for BOP.
Another couple of young wingers from the same cohort are Waisake Salabiau and Maloni Kunawave. They have yet to establish themselves in the NPC though.
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@SouthernMann said in All Blacks 2025:
I've heard Michael Manson has been promised a spot on the bench
i see what you did there
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We should look at the 2023 NZS squad first. The starters were Kiseki Fifita and Tevita Naufahu. Fifita won't be seen for a couple of years (LDS mission). Frank Vaenuku was a reserve but made the NZ U20s ahead of the other two. It appears that Naufahu has gone to the Dolphins.
Other players I saw were Nathan Salmon, Dan Maisiri and Luca Fuller. Not forgetting Kyan Rangitutia. Most of these are young enough to still be involved in the SR U20s next year, which should indicate which players have made the next step.
From the 2024 cohort. Both starting wingers for NZS (Siale Pahulu and Ollie Guerin) are centres for their schools and only Y12. Some other outside backs who played for either the NZS, NZ Barbarian U18s or Māori U18s are Peni Havea, Wiremu Brailey and David Lewai.
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@Kiwidom said in All Blacks 2025:
Stanley Solomon
Not sure if he'll ever make Super, he's far too small. His game would be better suited to Sevens.
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@frugby said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
I think Tangitau needs to worry about getting into the Landers 23 first before we even mention him as a contender. Julian Savea was a school boy / under 20 super star and he only made his AB debut at 21, Tangitau is no way near that and he hasn't even played Super yet.
With so many other contenders in the outsides, he's going to have to play one of the best seasons we've ever seen from a rookie to even get a look in. Just can't see it happening, especially because he didn't set the NPC a light either.
Think you are forgetting Tangitau was equally a hyped school boy and U20 Star... his progress his been slightly stunted by going to 7s for a year, and the sheer talent ahead of him in the pecking order.
Wasn't perfect in shit Auckland team, but lets see. As I mention, I'm tipping him as a bolter, so obviously he is going to need to have a great season, but I think it is eminently possible then your making it out to be.
We aren't talking about a Mosese Dawai or a Ngane Punivai. He could turn out to be the next Tevita Li, but playing the law of averages, NZR is due a winger flying through from nowhere.
Equally as hyped as Julian Savea? You’re kidding yourself. Savea was destroying people at age grade level and was touted as the biggest thing since Jonah. There was huge anticipation for him to make his Super debut but like @KiwiMurph he probably didn’t settle into that level of rugby until about 2012.
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@Kiwidom said in All Blacks 2025:
@frugby The other wingers from the last few NZ under 20s squads have hardly set the world on fire either :
Macca Springer
Nik Vikena - moved to Sydney
Codey Vai - 7s
Stanley Solomon
Isaac Hutchinson
Frank VaenukuAll these guys are way too young to be writing off yet
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Olli Mathis ?
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The people on here who were calling Jordie average and not in the league of Kriel / De Allende or other top centres need to watch Leinster's last few games since Jordie became available, 3 MOTM worthy performances in a row.... anyone who thinks Jordie isn't a top 3 centre in the world must be kidding themselves.
Maybe just maybe.... it's our coaches (ie Jason Holland) who aren't utilizing him as well as we could be, just look at recently how Jordie was praising Leinster and 2024 Hurricanes attack coach Tyler Blyeendal for his coaching & influence on his game.
The All Black's current problems are not cattle-related, we just have poor technical coaches and are really missing a Tony Brown / Wayne Smith / Joe Schmidt, etc...or even just a Nick Evans or Blyeendaal creative influence in the coaching group.
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@darylmitchell said in All Blacks 2025:
The people on here who were calling Jordie average and not in the league of Kriel / De Allende or other top centres need to watch Leinster's last few games since Jordie became available, 3 MOTM worthy performances in a row.... anyone who thinks Jordie isn't a top 3 centre in the world must be kidding themselves.
Maybe just maybe.... it's our coaches (ie Jason Holland) who aren't utilizing him as well as we could be, just look at recently how Jordie was praising Leinster and 2024 Hurricanes attack coach Tyler Blyeendal for his coaching & influence on his game.
The All Black's current problems are not cattle-related, we just have poor technical coaches and are really missing a Tony Brown / Wayne Smith / Joe Schmidt, etc...or even just a Nick Evans or Blyeendaal creative influence in the coaching group.
I watched a bit of that game and it’s no wonder Jordie dominated. I just don’t think that rugby is as high as Super (at the highest level). Jordie didn’t dominate this year because he was up against better competition. Even when the Canes were hot Jordie didn’t have the impact you’d think he would for a player of his calibre. Maybe he’s in form now or maybe the competition over there is a little easier. It’s laughable that Northern fans think Super is a weak competition when a player who hardly performed goes over there and dominates.
Can’t wait until the World Club comp when our teams dominate the North.
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@darylmitchell said in All Blacks 2025:
The people on here who were calling Jordie average and not in the league of Kriel / De Allende or other top centres need to watch Leinster's last few games since Jordie became available, 3 MOTM worthy performances in a row.... anyone who thinks Jordie isn't a top 3 centre in the world must be kidding themselves.
Maybe just maybe.... it's our coaches (ie Jason Holland) who aren't utilizing him as well as we could be, just look at recently how Jordie was praising Leinster and 2024 Hurricanes attack coach Tyler Blyeendal for his coaching & influence on his game.
The All Black's current problems are not cattle-related, we just have poor technical coaches and are really missing a Tony Brown / Wayne Smith / Joe Schmidt, etc...or even just a Nick Evans or Blyeendaal creative influence in the coaching group.
This isn’t quite ‘David Havilli will make a great back up 10 based on Super rugby form’ level crazy talk but it’s certainly up there
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Really hoping Razor improves his coaching setup before 2027. Any of those names mentioned above. Thought Nick Evans was going to get a role with the Saders.
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@darylmitchell said in All Blacks 2025:
The people on here who were calling Jordie average and not in the league of Kriel / De Allende or other top centres need to watch Leinster's last few games since Jordie became available, 3 MOTM worthy performances in a row.... anyone who thinks Jordie isn't a top 3 centre in the world must be kidding themselves.
Maybe just maybe.... it's our coaches (ie Jason Holland) who aren't utilizing him as well as we could be, just look at recently how Jordie was praising Leinster and 2024 Hurricanes attack coach Tyler Blyeendal for his coaching & influence on his game.
The All Black's current problems are not cattle-related, we just have poor technical coaches and are really missing a Tony Brown / Wayne Smith / Joe Schmidt, etc...or even just a Nick Evans or Blyeendaal creative influence in the coaching group.
I watched a bit of that game and it’s no wonder Jordie dominated. I just don’t think that rugby is as high as Super (at the highest level). Jordie didn’t dominate this year because he was up against better competition. Even when the Canes were hot Jordie didn’t have the impact you’d think he would for a player of his calibre. Maybe he’s in form now or maybe the competition over there is a little easier. It’s laughable that Northern fans think Super is a weak competition when a player who hardly performed goes over there and dominates.
Can’t wait until the World Club comp when our teams dominate the North.
The double standards on here are incredible.
If anything you just backed up my statement & despite having seemingly the best cattle in the world we managed to choke 4 very winnable tests in 2024 due to inadequate coaching staff.
Usually you people are using the 'perceived' poor strength of Super Rugby to excuse the All Black coaches and ironically this post implies our players in Super are the best in the world and therefore have no excuses for losing to SA twice (who's franchises are currently wallowing at the bottom of the URC table......)
And a NZ side just took out another World Schools Champs yesterday beating those supposed heavyweight SA schools.
This narrative that our losses to SA and France and the 3 extremely poor and lucky victories over a terrible England side were excusable because... uh...Mo'unga not here?
I'm tired of the amount of apologism on here.
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@darylmitchell said in All Blacks 2025:
And a NZ side just took out another World Schools Champs yesterday beating those supposed heavyweight SA schools.
yeah but to put that in perspective the SA team they beat in the final Paul Roos Gymnasium were missing a number of their star players.
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@Chris South Africa U20's finished 8th, 7th, 4th, 5th, in the last 4 World Champs, heck even Arg and Australia have been doing a lot better at U20 level since 2019. And the South Africa franchises are currently getting reamed in the European Champions Cup and URC comps....
You people with this mindset there's 'no shame in losing to SA' are part of the problem. They're not the fearsome opponent you believe they are. The SA franchise overall had a lower win % in all Super Rugby matches going back to 1996 than Australian teams overall and only won 3 titles in 26 years.
You people have convinced yourself that they're worthy of so much respect, in reality, they're extremely overrated.
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@darylmitchell said in All Blacks 2025:
This narrative that our losses to SA and France and the 3 extremely poor and lucky victories over a terrible England side
You don't get it with ways.
In Didn't Happen World they were either all loseable or all winable. As it happened, 3 were lost, and 3 were won.
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