All Blacks 2025
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@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
@reprobate I think Lam may well get picked as a wing who can cover the midfield. In the absence of ALB that's a valuable attribute.
Jordie is clearly the number 1 second five and ALB when fit is number 2. On form, I'd pick Tupaea ahead of Davey. Not convinced the others are currently better - we may find out if they're put to the test.
Well it depends on what you want in that position of course. I think Tavatavanawai has been very impressive for the highlanders, but he is a very different player. Higgins likewise - has some weaknesses, but his hands and ability to keep the ball alive are a big attacking upside.
@reprobate I like the look of Higgins - hopefully he makes the grade. He's definitely a good distributor and I think that's what you need at second five in elite international rugby.
Even though Big Jim is one of my Ta$man boys - I'm still to be convinced he's what we need at second five. Carries well. Excellent pilferer. Can he distribute effectively? Can he kick effectively? At elite international level?
There's been much criticism that even with Jordie and Rieko in the midfield, we're poor distributors. I'm sceptical about sticking converted wings in there and expecting it to improve.
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@Chris-B i don't like Jordan at fullback yet because I don't think he's great st bringing other people in to the game or kicking.
Fucking great winger though@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@Chris-B i don't like Jordan at fullback yet because I don't think he's great st bringing other people in to the game or kicking.
Fucking great winger thoughAren't you the guy saying the coaches need to take some risks?
If you're like me and you want DMac starting at first five and Jordie playing second five, who do you want at fullback?
It's going to be Will and it's not close.
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@reprobate I like the look of Higgins - hopefully he makes the grade. He's definitely a good distributor and I think that's what you need at second five in elite international rugby.
Even though Big Jim is one of my Ta$man boys - I'm still to be convinced he's what we need at second five. Carries well. Excellent pilferer. Can he distribute effectively? Can he kick effectively? At elite international level?
There's been much criticism that even with Jordie and Rieko in the midfield, we're poor distributors. I'm sceptical about sticking converted wings in there and expecting it to improve.
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
Even though Big Jim is one of my Ta$man boys - I'm still to be convinced he's what we need at second five. Carries well. Excellent pilferer. Can he distribute effectively? Can he kick effectively? At elite international level?
We'll never know. It's not just about whether it looks like you're a silky passer though, it's about creating space. Jim definitely does that and his kicking has proven very effective at super level.
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@Chris-B i don't like Jordan at fullback yet because I don't think he's great st bringing other people in to the game or kicking.
Fucking great winger thoughAren't you the guy saying the coaches need to take some risks?
If you're like me and you want DMac starting at first five and Jordie playing second five, who do you want at fullback?
It's going to be Will and it's not close.
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
who do you want at fullback?
The guy with the Stu & Bernie type combination with DMac.
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@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
Even though Big Jim is one of my Ta$man boys - I'm still to be convinced he's what we need at second five. Carries well. Excellent pilferer. Can he distribute effectively? Can he kick effectively? At elite international level?
We'll never know. It's not just about whether it looks like you're a silky passer though, it's about creating space. Jim definitely does that and his kicking has proven very effective at super level.
@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
Even though Big Jim is one of my Ta$man boys - I'm still to be convinced he's what we need at second five. Carries well. Excellent pilferer. Can he distribute effectively? Can he kick effectively? At elite international level?
We'll never know. It's not just about whether it looks like you're a silky passer though, it's about creating space. Jim definitely does that and his kicking has proven very effective at super level.
Yeah - and maybe Razor will pick him. He can only pick four or five midfielders, though. And barring injury, Jordie and Rieko are locked in. ALB would be if he weren't injured and I think Billy would be as well. So then I'm picking Quinn Tupaea - and we're into quibbling about who comes next. I don't really mind.
I just give my opinions
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@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
Even though Big Jim is one of my Ta$man boys - I'm still to be convinced he's what we need at second five. Carries well. Excellent pilferer. Can he distribute effectively? Can he kick effectively? At elite international level?
We'll never know. It's not just about whether it looks like you're a silky passer though, it's about creating space. Jim definitely does that and his kicking has proven very effective at super level.
Yeah - and maybe Razor will pick him. He can only pick four or five midfielders, though. And barring injury, Jordie and Rieko are locked in. ALB would be if he weren't injured and I think Billy would be as well. So then I'm picking Quinn Tupaea - and we're into quibbling about who comes next. I don't really mind.
I just give my opinions
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@Bones Fuck Razor then.
He's required in Ta$man!
We'll also take Havili, Blackadder, Christie, Faingaánuku, Frizell and, fuck it, Jordan, Hotham and Lomax as well.
Fuck you all!
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@frugby said in All Blacks 2025:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@frugby said in All Blacks 2025:
I am genuinely curious, what do these "bold" selections actually look like? Wallace Sititi and Pasilio Tosi were both very bold picks.
See, for me this is concerning. We've got so used to mediocrity that selecting absolute stand out form players and only getting them on the field if injury strikes, is considered very bold.
Sititi showed good form, but hardly put in a body of work that said he was an All Black for the here and now. As for Tosi - was he on anyone's radar?
Sititi's performance in the semi final vs the Canes was about as obvious of a 'pick me I'm All Black material' as it gets - he was the best player on the field by a country mile.
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
@frugby said in All Blacks 2025:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@frugby said in All Blacks 2025:
I am genuinely curious, what do these "bold" selections actually look like? Wallace Sititi and Pasilio Tosi were both very bold picks.
See, for me this is concerning. We've got so used to mediocrity that selecting absolute stand out form players and only getting them on the field if injury strikes, is considered very bold.
Sititi showed good form, but hardly put in a body of work that said he was an All Black for the here and now. As for Tosi - was he on anyone's radar?
Sititi's performance in the semi final vs the Canes was about as obvious of a 'pick me I'm All Black material' as it gets - he was the best player on the field by a country mile.
But probably only got picked because the form player in the comp was hated by Jason Ryan
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@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
@frugby said in All Blacks 2025:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@frugby said in All Blacks 2025:
I am genuinely curious, what do these "bold" selections actually look like? Wallace Sititi and Pasilio Tosi were both very bold picks.
See, for me this is concerning. We've got so used to mediocrity that selecting absolute stand out form players and only getting them on the field if injury strikes, is considered very bold.
Sititi showed good form, but hardly put in a body of work that said he was an All Black for the here and now. As for Tosi - was he on anyone's radar?
Sititi's performance in the semi final vs the Canes was about as obvious of a 'pick me I'm All Black material' as it gets - he was the best player on the field by a country mile.
But probably only got picked because the form player in the comp was hated by Jason Ryan
@DaGrubster said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
@frugby said in All Blacks 2025:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@frugby said in All Blacks 2025:
I am genuinely curious, what do these "bold" selections actually look like? Wallace Sititi and Pasilio Tosi were both very bold picks.
See, for me this is concerning. We've got so used to mediocrity that selecting absolute stand out form players and only getting them on the field if injury strikes, is considered very bold.
Sititi showed good form, but hardly put in a body of work that said he was an All Black for the here and now. As for Tosi - was he on anyone's radar?
Sititi's performance in the semi final vs the Canes was about as obvious of a 'pick me I'm All Black material' as it gets - he was the best player on the field by a country mile.
But probably only got picked because the form player in the comp was hated by Jason Ryan
And then got a game because Razor's pet is made of glass
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@Chris-B i don't like Jordan at fullback yet because I don't think he's great st bringing other people in to the game or kicking.
Fucking great winger thoughAren't you the guy saying the coaches need to take some risks?
If you're like me and you want DMac starting at first five and Jordie playing second five, who do you want at fullback?
It's going to be Will and it's not close.
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@Chris-B i don't like Jordan at fullback yet because I don't think he's great st bringing other people in to the game or kicking.
Fucking great winger thoughAren't you the guy saying the coaches need to take some risks?
If you're like me and you want DMac starting at first five and Jordie playing second five, who do you want at fullback?
It's going to be Will and it's not close.
I want Jordan on a wing, Stephenson at fullback, and someone mad fast on the other wing, but I guess we have to settle for Clark. Chaos ball!! Give us the ball at your own peril.
Then some fluffybunnies in the midfield to do fuck all but give them the seed.
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Regardless of anything this year with guys like Williams Taylor Lomax Barrett Vaai Savea Sititi Roigard DMac in the frontend we are going to be there, or there abouts.
Last year didn't quite live up to my expectations. Here's hoping 2025 will.
Biggest mistake in 2024 not starting DMac in Paris
Splashed the cash on Scotland v ABs tickets. Chicago is a bit far for the weekend from London. -
Regardless of anything this year with guys like Williams Taylor Lomax Barrett Vaai Savea Sititi Roigard DMac in the frontend we are going to be there, or there abouts.
Last year didn't quite live up to my expectations. Here's hoping 2025 will.
Biggest mistake in 2024 not starting DMac in Paris
Splashed the cash on Scotland v ABs tickets. Chicago is a bit far for the weekend from London.@BerniesCorner said in All Blacks 2025:
Regardless of anything this year with guys like Williams Taylor Lomax Barrett Vaai Savea Sititi Roigard DMac in the frontend we are going to be there, or there abouts.
Last year didn't quite live up to my expectations. Here's hoping 2025 will.
Biggest mistake in 2024 not starting DMac in Paris
Splashed the cash on Scotland v ABs tickets. Chicago is a bit far for the weekend from London.The pressure valve will go right up on Robertson this year IMO. I think much of the public gave him a fair bit of leeway last year, but the expectation will be a lot higher this year for the ABs to win the majority of tests they play.
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@BerniesCorner said in All Blacks 2025:
Regardless of anything this year with guys like Williams Taylor Lomax Barrett Vaai Savea Sititi Roigard DMac in the frontend we are going to be there, or there abouts.
Last year didn't quite live up to my expectations. Here's hoping 2025 will.
Biggest mistake in 2024 not starting DMac in Paris
Splashed the cash on Scotland v ABs tickets. Chicago is a bit far for the weekend from London.The pressure valve will go right up on Robertson this year IMO. I think much of the public gave him a fair bit of leeway last year, but the expectation will be a lot higher this year for the ABs to win the majority of tests they play.
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@BerniesCorner said in All Blacks 2025:
Regardless of anything this year with guys like Williams Taylor Lomax Barrett Vaai Savea Sititi Roigard DMac in the frontend we are going to be there, or there abouts.
Last year didn't quite live up to my expectations. Here's hoping 2025 will.
Biggest mistake in 2024 not starting DMac in Paris
Splashed the cash on Scotland v ABs tickets. Chicago is a bit far for the weekend from London.The pressure valve will go right up on Robertson this year IMO. I think much of the public gave him a fair bit of leeway last year, but the expectation will be a lot higher this year for the ABs to win the majority of tests they play.
And to show progress building the squad
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@BerniesCorner said in All Blacks 2025:
Regardless of anything this year with guys like Williams Taylor Lomax Barrett Vaai Savea Sititi Roigard DMac in the frontend we are going to be there, or there abouts.
Last year didn't quite live up to my expectations. Here's hoping 2025 will.
Biggest mistake in 2024 not starting DMac in Paris
Splashed the cash on Scotland v ABs tickets. Chicago is a bit far for the weekend from London.The pressure valve will go right up on Robertson this year IMO. I think much of the public gave him a fair bit of leeway last year, but the expectation will be a lot higher this year for the ABs to win the majority of tests they play.
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@BerniesCorner said in All Blacks 2025:
Regardless of anything this year with guys like Williams Taylor Lomax Barrett Vaai Savea Sititi Roigard DMac in the frontend we are going to be there, or there abouts.
Last year didn't quite live up to my expectations. Here's hoping 2025 will.
Biggest mistake in 2024 not starting DMac in Paris
Splashed the cash on Scotland v ABs tickets. Chicago is a bit far for the weekend from London.The pressure valve will go right up on Robertson this year IMO. I think much of the public gave him a fair bit of leeway last year, but the expectation will be a lot higher this year for the ABs to win the majority of tests they play.
They did exactly that last year with 10 out of 14 games won though.
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@BerniesCorner said in All Blacks 2025:
Regardless of anything this year with guys like Williams Taylor Lomax Barrett Vaai Savea Sititi Roigard DMac in the frontend we are going to be there, or there abouts.
Last year didn't quite live up to my expectations. Here's hoping 2025 will.
Biggest mistake in 2024 not starting DMac in Paris
Splashed the cash on Scotland v ABs tickets. Chicago is a bit far for the weekend from London.The pressure valve will go right up on Robertson this year IMO. I think much of the public gave him a fair bit of leeway last year, but the expectation will be a lot higher this year for the ABs to win the majority of tests they play.
They did exactly that last year with 10 out of 14 games won though.
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@BerniesCorner said in All Blacks 2025:
Regardless of anything this year with guys like Williams Taylor Lomax Barrett Vaai Savea Sititi Roigard DMac in the frontend we are going to be there, or there abouts.
Last year didn't quite live up to my expectations. Here's hoping 2025 will.
Biggest mistake in 2024 not starting DMac in Paris
Splashed the cash on Scotland v ABs tickets. Chicago is a bit far for the weekend from London.The pressure valve will go right up on Robertson this year IMO. I think much of the public gave him a fair bit of leeway last year, but the expectation will be a lot higher this year for the ABs to win the majority of tests they play.
They did exactly that last year with 10 out of 14 games won though.
Losing 4 tests in a year is an average year for the ABs.
The losses weren’t scrutinised as much as they will be this year. The expectation (like it used to be) will be to win every game we play this year and when we lose, the blow torch will be turned up a little more by both the fans and media. This is a good thing IMO because we want to get back to being the best again.
Losing to Argentina for example won’t be tolerated again.
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@BerniesCorner said in All Blacks 2025:
Regardless of anything this year with guys like Williams Taylor Lomax Barrett Vaai Savea Sititi Roigard DMac in the frontend we are going to be there, or there abouts.
Last year didn't quite live up to my expectations. Here's hoping 2025 will.
Biggest mistake in 2024 not starting DMac in Paris
Splashed the cash on Scotland v ABs tickets. Chicago is a bit far for the weekend from London.The pressure valve will go right up on Robertson this year IMO. I think much of the public gave him a fair bit of leeway last year, but the expectation will be a lot higher this year for the ABs to win the majority of tests they play.
And to show progress building the squad
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@BerniesCorner said in All Blacks 2025:
Regardless of anything this year with guys like Williams Taylor Lomax Barrett Vaai Savea Sititi Roigard DMac in the frontend we are going to be there, or there abouts.
Last year didn't quite live up to my expectations. Here's hoping 2025 will.
Biggest mistake in 2024 not starting DMac in Paris
Splashed the cash on Scotland v ABs tickets. Chicago is a bit far for the weekend from London.The pressure valve will go right up on Robertson this year IMO. I think much of the public gave him a fair bit of leeway last year, but the expectation will be a lot higher this year for the ABs to win the majority of tests they play.
And to show progress building the squad
And to win well. Fuck being an AB coach.
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@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@BerniesCorner said in All Blacks 2025:
Regardless of anything this year with guys like Williams Taylor Lomax Barrett Vaai Savea Sititi Roigard DMac in the frontend we are going to be there, or there abouts.
Last year didn't quite live up to my expectations. Here's hoping 2025 will.
Biggest mistake in 2024 not starting DMac in Paris
Splashed the cash on Scotland v ABs tickets. Chicago is a bit far for the weekend from London.The pressure valve will go right up on Robertson this year IMO. I think much of the public gave him a fair bit of leeway last year, but the expectation will be a lot higher this year for the ABs to win the majority of tests they play.
They did exactly that last year with 10 out of 14 games won though.
Losing 4 tests in a year is an average year for the ABs.
The losses weren’t scrutinised as much as they will be this year. The expectation (like it used to be) will be to win every game we play this year and when we lose, the blow torch will be turned up a little more by both the fans and media. This is a good thing IMO because we want to get back to being the best again.
Losing to Argentina for example won’t be tolerated again.
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@BerniesCorner said in All Blacks 2025:
Regardless of anything this year with guys like Williams Taylor Lomax Barrett Vaai Savea Sititi Roigard DMac in the frontend we are going to be there, or there abouts.
Last year didn't quite live up to my expectations. Here's hoping 2025 will.
Biggest mistake in 2024 not starting DMac in Paris
Splashed the cash on Scotland v ABs tickets. Chicago is a bit far for the weekend from London.The pressure valve will go right up on Robertson this year IMO. I think much of the public gave him a fair bit of leeway last year, but the expectation will be a lot higher this year for the ABs to win the majority of tests they play.
They did exactly that last year with 10 out of 14 games won though.
Losing 4 tests in a year is an average year for the ABs.
The losses weren’t scrutinised as much as they will be this year. The expectation (like it used to be) will be to win every game we play this year and when we lose, the blow torch will be turned up a little more by both the fans and media. This is a good thing IMO because we want to get back to being the best again.
Losing to Argentina for example won’t be tolerated again.
You reckon ?
I remember the media jizz fest before Razor even started, lauding him as a messiah after the ‘horrible’ years of Ian Foster ( who had just guided the ABs to a WC final it needs to be said )
