All Blacks 2025
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2025:
i find NZ rugby to be hyper insular and conservative.
I'd add we constantly look to replace retired players with exact replicas rather than pick the best player for that position and let them develop their own style.
E.g. We still look for a Kaino replacement when he last played in Black when he retired best part of a decade ago.
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2025:
i find NZ rugby to be hyper insular and conservative.
I'd add we constantly look to replace retired players with exact replicas rather than pick the best player for that position and let them develop their own style.
E.g. We still look for a Kaino replacement when he last played in Black when he retired best part of a decade ago.
Even more so with Nonu and Smith. By crikey the ABs miss those two.
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@Frank said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
Devan Flanders could be in the conversation by the end of Super. Hopefully he comes back from his long-term injury with the same form he showed in 2024. He's the reason Howden went down to the Landers, he has the size for a test 6, and has the mobility, skillset and speed required at the next level. Would like to see more physicality in his game though, hopefully he can show that when he comes back.
Do you ever get sick of pumping Canes players?
Nope not when I think they deserve to be in the equation. Funny the guys that I talked up last year all played for the ABs (Love, Proctor and Lakai) so I’m not just talking out my arse.
I’m not saying Flanders will be an AB, I’m just pointing out that he could be another option to look at, if you read my comments I also said he needs to work on his physicality etc on defence and would need to first stay on the field for a good stretch of time to show what he’s made of.
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@Frank said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
Devan Flanders could be in the conversation by the end of Super. Hopefully he comes back from his long-term injury with the same form he showed in 2024. He's the reason Howden went down to the Landers, he has the size for a test 6, and has the mobility, skillset and speed required at the next level. Would like to see more physicality in his game though, hopefully he can show that when he comes back.
Do you ever get sick of pumping Canes players?
Nope not when I think they deserve to be in the equation. Funny the guys that I talked up last year all played for the ABs (Love, Proctor and Lakai) so I’m not just talking out my arse.
I’m not saying Flanders will be an AB, I’m just pointing out that he could be another option to look at, if you read my comments I also said he needs to work on his physicality etc on defence and would need to first stay on the field for a good stretch of time to show what he’s made of.
Steady, all three of these guys are far from automatic selections.
In saying that I do love your enthusiasm so don't ever change
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@Frank said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
Devan Flanders could be in the conversation by the end of Super. Hopefully he comes back from his long-term injury with the same form he showed in 2024. He's the reason Howden went down to the Landers, he has the size for a test 6, and has the mobility, skillset and speed required at the next level. Would like to see more physicality in his game though, hopefully he can show that when he comes back.
Do you ever get sick of pumping Canes players?
Nope not when I think they deserve to be in the equation. Funny the guys that I talked up last year all played for the ABs (Love, Proctor and Lakai) so I’m not just talking out my arse.
I’m not saying Flanders will be an AB, I’m just pointing out that he could be another option to look at, if you read my comments I also said he needs to work on his physicality etc on defence and would need to first stay on the field for a good stretch of time to show what he’s made of.
Steady, all three of these guys are far from automatic selections.
In saying that I do love your enthusiasm so don't ever change
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@Frank said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
Devan Flanders could be in the conversation by the end of Super. Hopefully he comes back from his long-term injury with the same form he showed in 2024. He's the reason Howden went down to the Landers, he has the size for a test 6, and has the mobility, skillset and speed required at the next level. Would like to see more physicality in his game though, hopefully he can show that when he comes back.
Do you ever get sick of pumping Canes players?
Nope not when I think they deserve to be in the equation. Funny the guys that I talked up last year all played for the ABs (Love, Proctor and Lakai) so I’m not just talking out my arse.
I’m not saying Flanders will be an AB, I’m just pointing out that he could be another option to look at, if you read my comments I also said he needs to work on his physicality etc on defence and would need to first stay on the field for a good stretch of time to show what he’s made of.
Steady, all three of these guys are far from automatic selections.
In saying that I do love your enthusiasm so don't ever change
Most of the ABs atm aren’t automatic selections but they are all in the frame for squad selection until they don’t get picked.
Going back to that Tosi selection last year, even I didn’t see that coming. I still personally think he’s got a lot to work on but the upside is quite obvious to see as he’s a large human and is fairly mobile for his size.
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@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@Frank said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
Devan Flanders could be in the conversation by the end of Super. Hopefully he comes back from his long-term injury with the same form he showed in 2024. He's the reason Howden went down to the Landers, he has the size for a test 6, and has the mobility, skillset and speed required at the next level. Would like to see more physicality in his game though, hopefully he can show that when he comes back.
Do you ever get sick of pumping Canes players?
Nope not when I think they deserve to be in the equation. Funny the guys that I talked up last year all played for the ABs (Love, Proctor and Lakai) so I’m not just talking out my arse.
I’m not saying Flanders will be an AB, I’m just pointing out that he could be another option to look at, if you read my comments I also said he needs to work on his physicality etc on defence and would need to first stay on the field for a good stretch of time to show what he’s made of.
Steady, all three of these guys are far from automatic selections.
In saying that I do love your enthusiasm so don't ever change
Most of the ABs atm aren’t automatic selections but they are all in the frame for squad selection until they don’t get picked.
Going back to that Tosi selection last year, even I didn’t see that coming. I still personally think he’s got a lot to work on but the upside is quite obvious to see as he’s a large human and is fairly mobile for his size.
@Canes4life Agree on your second point.
On your first point - if everyone is fit:
Williams, Taylor, Lomax, Barrett, Vaaí, Not sure about 6, Savea, Sititi, Roigard, McKenzie (but maybe Beaudy for reasons I don't really understand), Clarke, Jordie, Rieko, Reece, Jordan.
de Groot, Taukei'aho, Tosi, Tuipolotu, Blackadder, Ratima, Tupaea, Barrett/Love
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@Canes4life Agree on your second point.
On your first point - if everyone is fit:
Williams, Taylor, Lomax, Barrett, Vaaí, Not sure about 6, Savea, Sititi, Roigard, McKenzie (but maybe Beaudy for reasons I don't really understand), Clarke, Jordie, Rieko, Reece, Jordan.
de Groot, Taukei'aho, Tosi, Tuipolotu, Blackadder, Ratima, Tupaea, Barrett/Love
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life Agree on your second point.
On your first point - if everyone is fit:
Williams, Taylor, Lomax, Barrett, Vaaí, Not sure about 6, Savea, Sititi, Roigard, McKenzie (but maybe Beaudy for reasons I don't really understand), Clarke, Jordie, Rieko, Reece, Jordan.
de Groot, Taukei'aho, Tosi, Tuipolotu, Blackadder, Ratima, Tupaea, Barrett/Love
Reiko and Blackadder. nah. Been there, done that. Let’s stop flogging a dead horse.
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@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life Agree on your second point.
On your first point - if everyone is fit:
Williams, Taylor, Lomax, Barrett, Vaaí, Not sure about 6, Savea, Sititi, Roigard, McKenzie (but maybe Beaudy for reasons I don't really understand), Clarke, Jordie, Rieko, Reece, Jordan.
de Groot, Taukei'aho, Tosi, Tuipolotu, Blackadder, Ratima, Tupaea, Barrett/Love
Reiko and Blackadder. nah. Been there, done that. Let’s stop flogging a dead horse.
@Canes4life Rieko has been our first choice centre for the past 4 years. ALB has been second choice and is broken. I'll be amazed if they don't pick Rieko even though he's not played particularly well in Super.
Coaches love Ethan.
Edit: All coaches love Ethan - not just the current ones.
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And apparently it's a 35 man squad, so (and I reserve the right to change all this after the play-offs):
Norris, Aumua, Newell, Lord, Holland, Frizell (if available), Finau, Papali'i, Hotham, Proctor, Lam, Tangitau
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
And apparently it's a 35 man squad, so (and I reserve the right to change all this after the play-offs):
Norris, Aumua, Newell, Lord, Holland, Frizell (if available), Finau, Papali'i, Hotham, Proctor, Lam, Tangitau
Bell, Bower, Strange, CLW, McLeod and Fihaki want you to wash your mouth out.
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@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life Agree on your second point.
On your first point - if everyone is fit:
Williams, Taylor, Lomax, Barrett, Vaaí, Not sure about 6, Savea, Sititi, Roigard, McKenzie (but maybe Beaudy for reasons I don't really understand), Clarke, Jordie, Rieko, Reece, Jordan.
de Groot, Taukei'aho, Tosi, Tuipolotu, Blackadder, Ratima, Tupaea, Barrett/Love
Reiko and Blackadder. nah. Been there, done that. Let’s stop flogging a dead horse.
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
Reiko and Blackadder. nah. Been there, done that. Let’s stop flogging an injured
a deadhorse.FIFY
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And apparently it's a 35 man squad, so (and I reserve the right to change all this after the play-offs):
Norris, Aumua, Newell, Lord, Holland, Frizell (if available), Finau, Papali'i, Hotham, Proctor, Lam, Tangitau
@Chris-B Chris I find it interesting Crusaders fans never really pump Christian Lio-Willie tires, he's been your most consistent player over the last few seasons in my opinion. I will never forget the Moana game he was rested, Moana absolutely ambushed the Crusaders that night
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@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
And apparently it's a 35 man squad, so (and I reserve the right to change all this after the play-offs):
Norris, Aumua, Newell, Lord, Holland, Frizell (if available), Finau, Papali'i, Hotham, Proctor, Lam, Tangitau
Bell, Bower, Strange, CLW, McLeod and Fihaki want you to wash your mouth out.
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@Chris-B Chris I find it interesting Crusaders fans never really pump Christian Lio-Willie tires, he's been your most consistent player over the last few seasons in my opinion. I will never forget the Moana game he was rested, Moana absolutely ambushed the Crusaders that night
@Grooter He's not far away - made the AB's XV last year.
But, it's a tough row to hoe in the loose forwards.
I've picked six - Savea, Sititi, Blackadder, Frizell, Finau, Papalií
But, the you've got, Jacobson, Lakai, Sotutu, Lio-Willie, Haig, Parker, Kirifi, Grace and whomever else you want to throw in that's been mentioned in the thread that I've forgotten. Frizz might not be back.
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
Devan Flanders could be in the conversation by the end of Super. Hopefully he comes back from his long-term injury with the same form he showed in 2024. He's the reason Howden went down to the Landers, he has the size for a test 6, and has the mobility, skillset and speed required at the next level. Would like to see more physicality in his game though, hopefully he can show that when he comes back.
Do you ever get sick of pumping Canes players?
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@Grooter He's not far away - made the AB's XV last year.
But, it's a tough row to hoe in the loose forwards.
I've picked six - Savea, Sititi, Blackadder, Frizell, Finau, Papalií
But, the you've got, Jacobson, Lakai, Sotutu, Lio-Willie, Haig, Parker, Kirifi, Grace and whomever else you want to throw in that's been mentioned in the thread that I've forgotten. Frizz might not be back.
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
@Grooter He's not far away - made the AB's XV last year.
But, it's a tough row to hoe in the loose forwards.
I've picked six - Savea, Sititi, Blackadder, Frizell, Finau, Papalií
But, the you've got, Jacobson, Lakai, Sotutu, Lio-Willie, Haig, Parker, Kirifi, Grace and whomever else you want to throw in that's been mentioned in the thread that I've forgotten. Frizz might not be back.
Since when has he achieved such levels of Richie Mounganess ?
One excellent test against the Boks and some inconsistency apart from that doesn't really justify it.
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@booboo said in All Blacks 2025:
@Frank
Kirifi, Lakai, Iose, Flanders on the bench, Ardie makes the squad with Howden ...How dare you miss out Shields.
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@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
@Grooter He's not far away - made the AB's XV last year.
But, it's a tough row to hoe in the loose forwards.
I've picked six - Savea, Sititi, Blackadder, Frizell, Finau, Papalií
But, the you've got, Jacobson, Lakai, Sotutu, Lio-Willie, Haig, Parker, Kirifi, Grace and whomever else you want to throw in that's been mentioned in the thread that I've forgotten. Frizz might not be back.
Since when has he achieved such levels of Richie Mounganess ?
One excellent test against the Boks and some inconsistency apart from that doesn't really justify it.
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
@Grooter He's not far away - made the AB's XV last year.
But, it's a tough row to hoe in the loose forwards.
I've picked six - Savea, Sititi, Blackadder, Frizell, Finau, Papalií
But, the you've got, Jacobson, Lakai, Sotutu, Lio-Willie, Haig, Parker, Kirifi, Grace and whomever else you want to throw in that's been mentioned in the thread that I've forgotten. Frizz might not be back.
Since when has he achieved such levels of Richie Mounganess ?
One excellent test against the Boks and some inconsistency apart from that doesn't really justify it.
You're welcome to pick your own team.
I reckon if Frizz is back he'll be close.
@Canes4life said - Most of the ABs atm aren’t automatic selections
I reckon at least 75% are - and Razor said this week that they're about 90% there (or something similar).
So let's mark me when they pick their team.
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@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
@Grooter He's not far away - made the AB's XV last year.
But, it's a tough row to hoe in the loose forwards.
I've picked six - Savea, Sititi, Blackadder, Frizell, Finau, Papalií
But, the you've got, Jacobson, Lakai, Sotutu, Lio-Willie, Haig, Parker, Kirifi, Grace and whomever else you want to throw in that's been mentioned in the thread that I've forgotten. Frizz might not be back.
Since when has he achieved such levels of Richie Mounganess ?
One excellent test against the Boks and some inconsistency apart from that doesn't really justify it.
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
@Grooter He's not far away - made the AB's XV last year.
But, it's a tough row to hoe in the loose forwards.
I've picked six - Savea, Sititi, Blackadder, Frizell, Finau, Papalií
But, the you've got, Jacobson, Lakai, Sotutu, Lio-Willie, Haig, Parker, Kirifi, Grace and whomever else you want to throw in that's been mentioned in the thread that I've forgotten. Frizz might not be back.
Since when has he achieved such levels of Richie Mounganess ?
One excellent test against the Boks and some inconsistency apart from that doesn't really justify it.
Everyone has forgotten about him so it probably shows how much he has been missed
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@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
@Grooter He's not far away - made the AB's XV last year.
But, it's a tough row to hoe in the loose forwards.
I've picked six - Savea, Sititi, Blackadder, Frizell, Finau, Papalií
But, the you've got, Jacobson, Lakai, Sotutu, Lio-Willie, Haig, Parker, Kirifi, Grace and whomever else you want to throw in that's been mentioned in the thread that I've forgotten. Frizz might not be back.
Since when has he achieved such levels of Richie Mounganess ?
One excellent test against the Boks and some inconsistency apart from that doesn't really justify it.
You're welcome to pick your own team.
I reckon if Frizz is back he'll be close.
@Canes4life said - Most of the ABs atm aren’t automatic selections
I reckon at least 75% are - and Razor said this week that they're about 90% there (or something similar).
So let's mark me when they pick their team.
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
@Grooter He's not far away - made the AB's XV last year.
But, it's a tough row to hoe in the loose forwards.
I've picked six - Savea, Sititi, Blackadder, Frizell, Finau, Papalií
But, the you've got, Jacobson, Lakai, Sotutu, Lio-Willie, Haig, Parker, Kirifi, Grace and whomever else you want to throw in that's been mentioned in the thread that I've forgotten. Frizz might not be back.
Since when has he achieved such levels of Richie Mounganess ?
One excellent test against the Boks and some inconsistency apart from that doesn't really justify it.
You're welcome to pick your own team.
I reckon if Frizz is back he'll be close.
@Canes4life said - Most of the ABs atm aren’t automatic selections
I reckon at least 75% are - and Razor said this week that they're about 90% there (or something similar).
So let's mark me when they pick their team.
I read the fern so I don't need to
