All Blacks 2025
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The midfield is shaping as the most fascinating battle for the All Blacks squad this year. There are loads of players in the frame, but few who should/are actually shoe-ins to make the squad.
The Incumbents
Jordie Barrett - The incumbent second five is currently playing at Leinster, so won't be able to be compared to those playing Super Rugby. Has the best long-range kicking game, and is a certainty to hold his spot in the squad.Rieko Ioane - The incumbent centre has split opinions for the ABs, and a lacklustre start to the Super Rugby season won't be helping his case. You wonder whether a rumoured sabbatical would have been a good option for him too. On current form, could he struggle to make the squad?
Anton Lienert-Brown - Another who split opinions, the incumbent bench option had some decent showings last year, but hardly enough to nail his spot. Looks good in a good Chiefs backline, but has equally been outshone by others. Should be under-pressure.
David Havili - Give me strength. Should be nowhere near it - Next.
Billy Proctor - Impressed in limited chances for the ABs last year. Has a big chance to show his quality if he returns to a struggling Canes side. Due back in the next couple of weeks if the positive reports are to be believed, though conflicting reports suggest it could be much longer, which would derail an ABs push.
The NZ EOYT Boys
Quinn Tupaea - Just three rounds in, but he has started the year like a house on fire, and looks back to his best - if not even better than his previous level. On current form, he walks back into the ABs squad, and has serious claims to start.
Riley Higgins - Due back in a few weeks, and will have ground to make up. Was tipped to be the big mover this year, but his own injuries and his team's struggling form may mean he has to wait for the time being, but with a good run over the second half of the season, it could be the case of performing at the right time.
AJ Lam - Has been ineffectual for the Blues through the first three rounds. A good player, but probably one who has looked slightly better than he is because of the quality around him. Unless he can prove otherwise, his All Blacks chances seem slim.
Dallas McLeod - Benched for the first two for the Crusaders, but likely to start this week. With a big season, the current coaching group will have him in mind. Certainly showed he has the attributes for Canterbury, and was picked by the last coaching group for good reason. One to watch.
The Chasing Pack
Timoci Tavatavanawai - Easily the biggest mover over the first three rounds, after making what seems to be a full-time switch to the midfield. A tougher outing versus Moana Pasifika, but still beat several defenders and won three turnovers. May not be the man to start at 12, but he looks a very enticing bench option.Brayden Ennor - Don't forget about Ennor. If he can put a run of games together, he might be the smartest centre in the country, or at the very least one of the better distributors. Seems to be the wrong age profile though, and can't stay fit.
Peter Umaga-Jensen - Seems a longshot, but was capped by the All Blacks for a reason. Midfield injuries are presenting him a chance to have a genuine run of games. A return to black does look highly unlikely that said.
The Could be Worth a Look if Bizarre things Occur
Tanielu Tele'a - Looking good in an improved Highlanders team. Nowhere near All Black quality as things stand, but might be in the frame for the NZ XVCorey Evans/Xavi Taele/Zarn Sullivan - Would suggest any of these guys are All Blacks this year, but the way things going, someone else is going to get a chance in the Blues midfield at some point, and if they spark a turnaround in form, they will always be in the international conversation.
@frugby said in All Blacks 2025:
Tanielu Tele'a - Looking good in an improved Highlanders team. Nowhere near All Black quality as things stand, but might be in the frame for the NZ XV
I mean if they actually want a centre to succeed at the game style Ioane is locked into, Tele'a is miles in front of anyone.
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Tupaea has been a fucking workhorse too (leader in carries against the Saders with 15, Blues with 19, and third against Brumbies with 11).
The most important thing for me from Tupaea so far has been that he is more accurate on defense. He was 10 made, one missed against the Brumbies, and the same against the Crusaders, and 9 and one with the Blues (rugbypass stats, so beware). That feels crucial as it has been his biggest issue for me.
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Tupaea has been a fucking workhorse too (leader in carries against the Saders with 15, Blues with 19, and third against Brumbies with 11).
The most important thing for me from Tupaea so far has been that he is more accurate on defense. He was 10 made, one missed against the Brumbies, and the same against the Crusaders, and 9 and one with the Blues (rugbypass stats, so beware). That feels crucial as it has been his biggest issue for me.
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Tupaea's start to the year is better than Jordie has ever played at 12.
Still won't make a difference. JB will get off the plane from Ireland and walk in.
@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2025:
Tupaea's start to the year is better than Jordie has ever played at 12.
Still won't make a difference. JB will get off the plane from Ireland and walk in.
Gee when I post about AB bolters it is far too early. One week later and you're making predictions.
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Jordie Barrett - may return a better player. Huge versatility worth considering for bench at least. Personally I worry why we never seemed to make great use of his kicking power, is he that accurate? Partnership with Ioane looked pedestrian-something strange or under-used there.
Rieko Ioane - Second season blues affecting most of the team. Still a good winger? If he doesn't have speed he doesn't have USP.
Anton Lienert-Brown - reputation of steady player undid recently by brainfarts. Not explosive, distribution usually pretty good.
David Havili - "Give me strength. Should be nowhere near it - Next." Yes we keep saying that but when less than normally injured, SR sneaks him back in. Must be future son-in-law, has pictures of SR's comb - or something.
Billy Proctor - "Impressed" yes but needs more time at international level to gauge speed and defending. Looks like a good classical 13 to me.
The NZ EOYT Boys
Quinn Tupaea - agreed, must be a contender.
Riley Higgins - not good for an AB 12 to have injury clouds. Maybe we really were spoiled with Nonu (who by the way is still playing)..
AJ Lam - Damn, my project player. Seems to have lost initiative.
Dallas McLeod - Can never have enough Crusaders in the ABs. Some are even not that injured.
The Chasing Pack
Timoci Tavatavanawai - exciting.Brayden Ennor - damn, I'm not a fan, and he's always injured. I'll chalk that to bias.
Peter Umaga-Jensen - I was a fan but he has really gone off the boil.
The Could be Worth a Look if Bizarre things Occur
Tanielu Tele'a - not sure.Corey Evans/Xavi Taele/Zarn Sullivan - Sullivan is surely better at 15 and needs to get some games first?
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Everyone should really have a look at JB form at Leinster. He has been v v v good. Wouldn’t be surprised though if he’s a surprise selection at fullback, rather than centre. His game management at 15 for Leinster has been v good
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Everyone should really have a look at JB form at Leinster. He has been v v v good. Wouldn’t be surprised though if he’s a surprise selection at fullback, rather than centre. His game management at 15 for Leinster has been v good
@KiwiInLondon said in All Blacks 2025:
Everyone should really have a look at JB form at Leinster. He has been v v v good. Wouldn’t be surprised though if he’s a surprise selection at fullback, rather than centre. His game management at 15 for Leinster has been v good
I was hoping to on Saturday after seeing the fine performances in SR and then he wasn't bloody playing.
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A backline of Roigard, McKenzie, Clarke, Tupaea, ???, Jordan, Barrett doesn't sound too bad to be honest. Need a really good distributing centre to put their hand up - ALB is probably the best of the bunch in that facet of the game but Proctor will hopefully have plenty of time to stake a claim this season.
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@KiwiInLondon said in All Blacks 2025:
Everyone should really have a look at JB form at Leinster. He has been v v v good. Wouldn’t be surprised though if he’s a surprise selection at fullback, rather than centre. His game management at 15 for Leinster has been v good
I was hoping to on Saturday after seeing the fine performances in SR and then he wasn't bloody playing.
@Bones was also surprised. They have an odd way of rotating their squad
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@KiwiInLondon yeah I would not be opposed to Jordie at fullback again, he is rock solid in that position and has a few MOTM performances for the All Blacks there. Superb under the high ball, strong tackler, strong with ball in hand, and just enough pace to finish chances off. We really need someone better than Jordan who is well suited to the wing where is deficiencies are less exposed so we only get his upside on attack.
On 13 Rieko is our most talented, but we have to start using his strengths. He's one of the quickest players in the game and we never seem to even try and give him half a yard of space to skin his opposite. Just using him as a crash ball merchant was bizarre.
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@KiwiInLondon yeah I would not be opposed to Jordie at fullback again, he is rock solid in that position and has a few MOTM performances for the All Blacks there. Superb under the high ball, strong tackler, strong with ball in hand, and just enough pace to finish chances off. We really need someone better than Jordan who is well suited to the wing where is deficiencies are less exposed so we only get his upside on attack.
On 13 Rieko is our most talented, but we have to start using his strengths. He's one of the quickest players in the game and we never seem to even try and give him half a yard of space to skin his opposite. Just using him as a crash ball merchant was bizarre.
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Just using him as a crash ball merchant was bizarre.
the whole backline formation last year seemed designed to deliberately play against the selected players.
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@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Just using him as a crash ball merchant was bizarre.
the whole backline formation last year seemed designed to deliberately play against the selected players.
@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Just using him as a crash ball merchant was bizarre.
the whole backline formation last year seemed designed to deliberately play against the selected players.
You spelled Beauden Barrett wrong.
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Everyone should really have a look at JB form at Leinster. He has been v v v good. Wouldn’t be surprised though if he’s a surprise selection at fullback, rather than centre. His game management at 15 for Leinster has been v good
@KiwiInLondon said in All Blacks 2025:
Everyone should really have a look at JB form at Leinster. He has been v v v good. Wouldn’t be surprised though if he’s a surprise selection at fullback, rather than centre. His game management at 15 for Leinster has been v good
He needs to be a lot better than he was in his last stint as AB fullback if he's the answer going forward.
I don't remember these rock solid performances NQ mentioned.
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@KiwiInLondon said in All Blacks 2025:
Everyone should really have a look at JB form at Leinster. He has been v v v good. Wouldn’t be surprised though if he’s a surprise selection at fullback, rather than centre. His game management at 15 for Leinster has been v good
He needs to be a lot better than he was in his last stint as AB fullback if he's the answer going forward.
I don't remember these rock solid performances NQ mentioned.
@Nepia said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiInLondon said in All Blacks 2025:
Everyone should really have a look at JB form at Leinster. He has been v v v good. Wouldn’t be surprised though if he’s a surprise selection at fullback, rather than centre. His game management at 15 for Leinster has been v good
He needs to be a lot better than he was in his last stint as AB fullback if he's the answer going forward.
I don't remember these rock solid performances NQ mentioned.
Have you tried comparing him to the incumbent?
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@Nepia said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiInLondon said in All Blacks 2025:
Everyone should really have a look at JB form at Leinster. He has been v v v good. Wouldn’t be surprised though if he’s a surprise selection at fullback, rather than centre. His game management at 15 for Leinster has been v good
He needs to be a lot better than he was in his last stint as AB fullback if he's the answer going forward.
I don't remember these rock solid performances NQ mentioned.
Have you tried comparing him to the incumbent?
@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@Nepia said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiInLondon said in All Blacks 2025:
Everyone should really have a look at JB form at Leinster. He has been v v v good. Wouldn’t be surprised though if he’s a surprise selection at fullback, rather than centre. His game management at 15 for Leinster has been v good
He needs to be a lot better than he was in his last stint as AB fullback if he's the answer going forward.
I don't remember these rock solid performances NQ mentioned.
Have you tried comparing him to the incumbent?
you're not allowed to do that, ask Shaun Stephenson
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Anyone new needs to be perfect, not just a talented option. Or a prospect playing for the Crusaders.
