All Blacks 2025
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Some random thoughts on random players from the first few weeks...
Jordan - seems to be looking to pass and set up others more this season. Even when he scored his try against the Reds when Preston put him in the gap his first thought was to look for support.
Finau - is it just me or is he looking to get involved more this season? Outside of the usual highlights I am noticing him getting involved in the dirty work. Something which hasn't been obvious to me in the past.
Vaa'i - is starting to look like he may be our best lock, and even more pleasing to me he is looking like he is becoming a leader. Future captain material?
@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2025:
Some random thoughts on random players from the first few weeks...
Jordan - seems to be looking to pass and set up others more this season. Even when he scored his try against the Reds when Preston put him in the gap his first thought was to look for support.
Finau - is it just me or is he looking to get involved more this season? Outside of the usual highlights I am noticing him getting involved in the dirty work. Something which hasn't been obvious to me in the past.
Vaa'i - is starting to look like he may be our best lock, and even more pleasing to me he is looking like he is becoming a leader. Future captain material?
Jordan was cutting lines like Keith Richards today.
Imperious.
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@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2025:
Some random thoughts on random players from the first few weeks...
Jordan - seems to be looking to pass and set up others more this season. Even when he scored his try against the Reds when Preston put him in the gap his first thought was to look for support.
Finau - is it just me or is he looking to get involved more this season? Outside of the usual highlights I am noticing him getting involved in the dirty work. Something which hasn't been obvious to me in the past.
Vaa'i - is starting to look like he may be our best lock, and even more pleasing to me he is looking like he is becoming a leader. Future captain material?
Jordan was cutting lines like Keith Richards today.
Imperious.
@Jet said in All Blacks 2025:
@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2025:
Some random thoughts on random players from the first few weeks...
Jordan - seems to be looking to pass and set up others more this season. Even when he scored his try against the Reds when Preston put him in the gap his first thought was to look for support.
Finau - is it just me or is he looking to get involved more this season? Outside of the usual highlights I am noticing him getting involved in the dirty work. Something which hasn't been obvious to me in the past.
Vaa'i - is starting to look like he may be our best lock, and even more pleasing to me he is looking like he is becoming a leader. Future captain material?
Jordan was cutting lines like Keith Richards today.
Imperious.
I feel like no one has watched Jordan in super rugby before. To me it feels like he's having a quiet season, he's usually on another level.
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@Jet said in All Blacks 2025:
@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2025:
Some random thoughts on random players from the first few weeks...
Jordan - seems to be looking to pass and set up others more this season. Even when he scored his try against the Reds when Preston put him in the gap his first thought was to look for support.
Finau - is it just me or is he looking to get involved more this season? Outside of the usual highlights I am noticing him getting involved in the dirty work. Something which hasn't been obvious to me in the past.
Vaa'i - is starting to look like he may be our best lock, and even more pleasing to me he is looking like he is becoming a leader. Future captain material?
Jordan was cutting lines like Keith Richards today.
Imperious.
I feel like no one has watched Jordan in super rugby before. To me it feels like he's having a quiet season, he's usually on another level.
@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@Jet said in All Blacks 2025:
@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2025:
Some random thoughts on random players from the first few weeks...
Jordan - seems to be looking to pass and set up others more this season. Even when he scored his try against the Reds when Preston put him in the gap his first thought was to look for support.
Finau - is it just me or is he looking to get involved more this season? Outside of the usual highlights I am noticing him getting involved in the dirty work. Something which hasn't been obvious to me in the past.
Vaa'i - is starting to look like he may be our best lock, and even more pleasing to me he is looking like he is becoming a leader. Future captain material?
Jordan was cutting lines like Keith Richards today.
Imperious.
I feel like no one has watched Jordan in super rugby before. To me it feels like he's having a quiet season, he's usually on another level.
That's why I am suspecting he has lost a yard of pace. On the bright side he seems to looking for support now, which is a good thing otherwise he could be BB mark 2.
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@SBW1 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Frank Which warrants another thread on our depth at 10.
I remember when the thought of Beaver at 10 was seen as a failure of Henry's coaching.
.Oh, how we laughed.
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It is the spot that we should have had; after losing to France we dropped to 3rd. Probably seesaw a bit too as Ireland could get 2nd spot back again with a big win, one would imagine.
@SBW1 said in All Blacks 2025:
It is the spot that should have had, after losing to France we dropped to 3rd. Probably seesaw a bit too as Ireland could get 2nd spot back again with a big win, one would imagine.
Nope, they're playing Italy next, that's it until they tour. No points for beating Italy, same for France when they beat Scotland
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
Any update on BB's injury?
Fracture so could be gone for about 6-8 weeks.
This is a bit of an evil thought, but I hope the AB selectors are forced to look at other 10 candidates and that his hand takes ages to heal.
@Frank said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
Any update on BB's injury?
Fracture so could be gone for about 6-8 weeks.
This is a bit of an evil thought, but I hope the AB selectors are forced to look at other 10 candidates and that his hand takes ages to heal.
Other than DMac there's not many 10s putting their hand up
Jacomb looks more comfortable at 15 and floats in/out of games
Perofeta yet to play
Godfrey has a good running game and poor kicking game
Kemara has been relegated to about the 4th playmaker for Crusaders (behind Preston, Havili and Jordan) and is not really playing the role of a 10 (from a Crusaders point of view I understand it - I'm just talking about evaluating 10 play)
Robinson has been a nice surprise so far for Highlanders
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@Frank said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
Any update on BB's injury?
Fracture so could be gone for about 6-8 weeks.
This is a bit of an evil thought, but I hope the AB selectors are forced to look at other 10 candidates and that his hand takes ages to heal.
Other than DMac there's not many 10s putting their hand up
Jacomb looks more comfortable at 15 and floats in/out of games
Perofeta yet to play
Godfrey has a good running game and poor kicking game
Kemara has been relegated to about the 4th playmaker for Crusaders (behind Preston, Havili and Jordan) and is not really playing the role of a 10 (from a Crusaders point of view I understand it - I'm just talking about evaluating 10 play)
Robinson has been a nice surprise so far for Highlanders
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
Robinson has been a nice surprise so far for Highlanders
Yeah having never seen him before, I've definitely been surprised at his ability to run the plays - probably should be tempered by him having a great game plan to play to and some bloody good options running off him (i.e. not crashing straight into a tackler).
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@Frank said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
Any update on BB's injury?
Fracture so could be gone for about 6-8 weeks.
This is a bit of an evil thought, but I hope the AB selectors are forced to look at other 10 candidates and that his hand takes ages to heal.
Other than DMac there's not many 10s putting their hand up
Jacomb looks more comfortable at 15 and floats in/out of games
Perofeta yet to play
Godfrey has a good running game and poor kicking game
Kemara has been relegated to about the 4th playmaker for Crusaders (behind Preston, Havili and Jordan) and is not really playing the role of a 10 (from a Crusaders point of view I understand it - I'm just talking about evaluating 10 play)
Robinson has been a nice surprise so far for Highlanders
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
@Frank said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
Any update on BB's injury?
Fracture so could be gone for about 6-8 weeks.
This is a bit of an evil thought, but I hope the AB selectors are forced to look at other 10 candidates and that his hand takes ages to heal.
Other than DMac there's not many 10s putting their hand up
Jacomb looks more comfortable at 15 and floats in/out of games
Perofeta yet to play
Godfrey has a good running game and poor kicking game
Kemara has been relegated to about the 4th playmaker for Crusaders (behind Preston, Havili and Jordan) and is not really playing the role of a 10 (from a Crusaders point of view I understand it - I'm just talking about evaluating 10 play)
Robinson has been a nice surprise so far for Highlanders
Perofeta's strategy of manning the bench before an AB squad bid would be perfect if he was playing for the Saders... He should have come to the Canes and walked into the 10 slot. Reminds me of the logjam at the Crusaders years ago
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@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@Frank said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
Any update on BB's injury?
Fracture so could be gone for about 6-8 weeks.
This is a bit of an evil thought, but I hope the AB selectors are forced to look at other 10 candidates and that his hand takes ages to heal.
That's how Wallace got his start, JB at 12 too. Fozz and Razor both seem too dependent on their favourites
To be fair, in JB's case he had excelled at 15 in the previous season and it's understandable for Robertson to stick with known players in his first season/few games.
That said, if I see Havili in the 23, I'll happily join the favourites bandwagon.
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@Frank said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
Any update on BB's injury?
Fracture so could be gone for about 6-8 weeks.
This is a bit of an evil thought, but I hope the AB selectors are forced to look at other 10 candidates and that his hand takes ages to heal.
That's how Wallace got his start, JB at 12 too. Fozz and Razor both seem too dependent on their favourites
To be fair, in JB's case he had excelled at 15 in the previous season and it's understandable for Robertson to stick with known players in his first season/few games.
That said, if I see Havili in the 23, I'll happily join the favourites bandwagon.
Funny what makes some people happy nowadays.
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@Victor-Meldrew I don't think the cupboard is as bare as it was in 2011.
@SBW1 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew I don't think the cupboard is as bare as it was in 2011.
Yeah, but if DMac or BB go down who - with even minimal Test experience - steps in?
NZR and Robertson need a kick up the arse for not developing players like Plummer but instead arguing about Mo'unga's eligibility.
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@SBW1 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew I don't think the cupboard is as bare as it was in 2011.
Yeah, but if DMac or BB go down who - with even minimal Test experience - steps in?
NZR and Robertson need a kick up the arse for not developing players like Plummer but instead arguing about Mo'unga's eligibility.
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@SBW1 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew I don't think the cupboard is as bare as it was in 2011.
Yeah, but if DMac or BB go down who - with even minimal Test experience - steps in?
NZR and Robertson need a kick up the arse for not developing players like Plummer but instead arguing about Mo'unga's eligibility.
Hardly NZR fault for categorically saying 'he's not eligible and is not going to change' at every opportunity. That's all on razor
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@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@SBW1 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew I don't think the cupboard is as bare as it was in 2011.
Yeah, but if DMac or BB go down who - with even minimal Test experience - steps in?
NZR and Robertson need a kick up the arse for not developing players like Plummer but instead arguing about Mo'unga's eligibility.
Hardly NZR fault for categorically saying 'he's not eligible and is not going to change' at every opportunity. That's all on razor
@Machpants said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@SBW1 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew I don't think the cupboard is as bare as it was in 2011.
Yeah, but if DMac or BB go down who - with even minimal Test experience - steps in?
NZR and Robertson need a kick up the arse for not developing players like Plummer but instead arguing about Mo'unga's eligibility.
Hardly NZR fault for categorically saying 'he's not eligible and is not going to change' at every opportunity. That's all on razor
I'd argue NZR should have told him to stop wanking on about Mo'unga and do what he'd been paid to do, though.
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@Machpants said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@SBW1 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew I don't think the cupboard is as bare as it was in 2011.
Yeah, but if DMac or BB go down who - with even minimal Test experience - steps in?
NZR and Robertson need a kick up the arse for not developing players like Plummer but instead arguing about Mo'unga's eligibility.
Hardly NZR fault for categorically saying 'he's not eligible and is not going to change' at every opportunity. That's all on razor
I'd argue NZR should have told him to stop wanking on about Mo'unga and do what he'd been paid to do, though.
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@Machpants said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@SBW1 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew I don't think the cupboard is as bare as it was in 2011.
Yeah, but if DMac or BB go down who - with even minimal Test experience - steps in?
NZR and Robertson need a kick up the arse for not developing players like Plummer but instead arguing about Mo'unga's eligibility.
Hardly NZR fault for categorically saying 'he's not eligible and is not going to change' at every opportunity. That's all on razor
I'd argue NZR should have told him to stop wanking on about Mo'unga and do what he'd been paid to do, though.
Robinson doesn't look like a "just shut the fuck up and so your job" kind of guy
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@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@Machpants said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@SBW1 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew I don't think the cupboard is as bare as it was in 2011.
Yeah, but if DMac or BB go down who - with even minimal Test experience - steps in?
NZR and Robertson need a kick up the arse for not developing players like Plummer but instead arguing about Mo'unga's eligibility.
Hardly NZR fault for categorically saying 'he's not eligible and is not going to change' at every opportunity. That's all on razor
I'd argue NZR should have told him to stop wanking on about Mo'unga and do what he'd been paid to do, though.
Robinson doesn't look like a "just shut the fuck up and so your job" kind of guy
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@Machpants said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@SBW1 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew I don't think the cupboard is as bare as it was in 2011.
Yeah, but if DMac or BB go down who - with even minimal Test experience - steps in?
NZR and Robertson need a kick up the arse for not developing players like Plummer but instead arguing about Mo'unga's eligibility.
Hardly NZR fault for categorically saying 'he's not eligible and is not going to change' at every opportunity. That's all on razor
I'd argue NZR should have told him to stop wanking on about Mo'unga and do what he'd been paid to do, though.
Robinson doesn't look like a "just shut the fuck up and so your job" kind of guy
Either that or he was still trying to work thru the PowerPoint pack....
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@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@Machpants said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@SBW1 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew I don't think the cupboard is as bare as it was in 2011.
Yeah, but if DMac or BB go down who - with even minimal Test experience - steps in?
NZR and Robertson need a kick up the arse for not developing players like Plummer but instead arguing about Mo'unga's eligibility.
Hardly NZR fault for categorically saying 'he's not eligible and is not going to change' at every opportunity. That's all on razor
I'd argue NZR should have told him to stop wanking on about Mo'unga and do what he'd been paid to do, though.
Robinson doesn't look like a "just shut the fuck up and so your job" kind of guy
Either that or he was still trying to work thru the PowerPoint pack....
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@Machpants said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@SBW1 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew I don't think the cupboard is as bare as it was in 2011.
Yeah, but if DMac or BB go down who - with even minimal Test experience - steps in?
NZR and Robertson need a kick up the arse for not developing players like Plummer but instead arguing about Mo'unga's eligibility.
Hardly NZR fault for categorically saying 'he's not eligible and is not going to change' at every opportunity. That's all on razor
I'd argue NZR should have told him to stop wanking on about Mo'unga and do what he'd been paid to do, though.
Robinson doesn't look like a "just shut the fuck up and so your job" kind of guy
Either that or he was still trying to work thru the PowerPoint pack....
Making Steve Tew look awesome
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@Machpants said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@SBW1 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew I don't think the cupboard is as bare as it was in 2011.
Yeah, but if DMac or BB go down who - with even minimal Test experience - steps in?
NZR and Robertson need a kick up the arse for not developing players like Plummer but instead arguing about Mo'unga's eligibility.
Hardly NZR fault for categorically saying 'he's not eligible and is not going to change' at every opportunity. That's all on razor
I'd argue NZR should have told him to stop wanking on about Mo'unga and do what he'd been paid to do, though.
@Victor-Meldrew Could not agree more with this statement.
It has been bloody embarrassing listening to an AB coach pining for a player who knew when he left NZ for Japan that Razor would be the coach.
Just do your job Razor. -
@Victor-Meldrew Could not agree more with this statement.
It has been bloody embarrassing listening to an AB coach pining for a player who knew when he left NZ for Japan that Razor would be the coach.
Just do your job Razor.@Jimmy-Jimmy said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew Could not agree more with this statement.
It has been bloody embarrassing listening to an AB coach pining for a player who knew when he left NZ for Japan that Razor would be the coach.
Just do your job Razor.Maybe he left after a discussion or three with Razor though...
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@Machpants said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@SBW1 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew I don't think the cupboard is as bare as it was in 2011.
Yeah, but if DMac or BB go down who - with even minimal Test experience - steps in?
NZR and Robertson need a kick up the arse for not developing players like Plummer but instead arguing about Mo'unga's eligibility.
Hardly NZR fault for categorically saying 'he's not eligible and is not going to change' at every opportunity. That's all on razor
I'd argue NZR should have told him to stop wanking on about Mo'unga and do what he'd been paid to do, though.
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@Machpants said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@SBW1 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew I don't think the cupboard is as bare as it was in 2011.
Yeah, but if DMac or BB go down who - with even minimal Test experience - steps in?
NZR and Robertson need a kick up the arse for not developing players like Plummer but instead arguing about Mo'unga's eligibility.
Hardly NZR fault for categorically saying 'he's not eligible and is not going to change' at every opportunity. That's all on razor
I'd argue NZR should have told him to stop wanking on about Mo'unga and do what he'd been paid to do, though.
They indulged him by entering in negotiations to bring him back, leaked the news to the press, which upset the club and player thst it was leaked.
Not a great negotiation tactic
