All Blacks 2025
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So, wing.
Clark is a lock in 11, he was very good last year.
When was the last time Rieko played there? I don't think he's an option.
Reece and Narawa are similar for me - both relatively small and not extreme pace, with good skills and atypical winger strengths e.g. pick and go. I don't reckon those skills transfer to the test arena as well. Narawa/Reece are far less likely to burrow over in tight games we really want to win, regardless of how many times they do it at Super level.
I'm gutted Tangitau is injured, he was playing the house down and looked like just the player you want if Jordan is to play 15.
Carter has some good skills and reasonable pace / good acceleration, and the halfback/wing combo has some great potential re the bench, but high ball, defense, positional play I haven't seen enough yet. -
@george33 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life Dalton will definitely be in the loose forwards,
He’s not a certainty, unless you know something everyone else doesn’t.
Blackadder, Jacobsen and Papali’i are all like for like. I’d pick Jacobsen out of the three.
Certainties for me are:
- Savea
- Sititi
Probables are:
- Finau
- Lakai
- Jacobsen
Possibles are:
- Parker
- Blackadder
- Papali’i
- Kirifi
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@george33 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life Dalton will definitely be in the loose forwards,
He’s not a certainty, unless you know something everyone else doesn’t.
Blackadder, Jacobsen and Papali’i are all like for like. I’d pick Jacobsen out of the three.
Certainties for me are:
- Savea
- Sititi
Probables are:
- Finau
- Lakai
- Jacobsen
Possibles are:
- Parker
- Blackadder
- Papali’i
- Kirifi
I'd agree with this list overall. It's a shame that both certainties are X factor types and no grafters/bruisers are playing the house down and demanding to be picked.
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I think Lakai is a very good bench option.
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So, wing.
Clark is a lock in 11, he was very good last year.
When was the last time Rieko played there? I don't think he's an option.
Reece and Narawa are similar for me - both relatively small and not extreme pace, with good skills and atypical winger strengths e.g. pick and go. I don't reckon those skills transfer to the test arena as well. Narawa/Reece are far less likely to burrow over in tight games we really want to win, regardless of how many times they do it at Super level.
I'm gutted Tangitau is injured, he was playing the house down and looked like just the player you want if Jordan is to play 15.
Carter has some good skills and reasonable pace / good acceleration, and the halfback/wing combo has some great potential re the bench, but high ball, defense, positional play I haven't seen enough yet.@reprobate said in All Blacks 2025:
So, wing.
Clark is a lock in 11, he was very good last year.
When was the last time Rieko played there? I don't think he's an option.
Reece and Narawa are similar for me - both relatively small and not extreme pace, with good skills and atypical winger strengths e.g. pick and go. I don't reckon those skills transfer to the test arena as well. Narawa/Reece are far less likely to burrow over in tight games we really want to win, regardless of how many times they do it at Super level.
I'm gutted Tangitau is injured, he was playing the house down and looked like just the player you want if Jordan is to play 15.
Carter has some good skills and reasonable pace / good acceleration, and the halfback/wing combo has some great potential re the bench, but high ball, defense, positional play I haven't seen enough yet.Rieko's been our incumbent centre for the past four years. He hasn't suddenly lost all his pace - they'll pick him at centre and back themselves to coach him back into form. Proctor is possibly the most serious contender he's faced, though - so it will be interesting to see how that duel plays out over the international season. I fully expect Rieko to be the starting 13 for France 1. I'll be extremely surprised if he appears at wing and certainly if he appears as a starting wing.
They clearly want Will to be their fullback, so he won't be starting there either, unless there's an injury crisis. They might shift him there for the last 20 minutes to accommodate Beaudy/DMac/Love.
I think Clarke and Reece are locked in with Teleá moving on. Then probably one more wing. Tangitau looked the business early on. Carter is eye-catching, but I haven't watched him closely. Narawa in the frame. But, I'm sort of thinking AJ Lam. Saw Razor saying something along the lines that they're not discounting 6-2 benches and AJ becomes a valuable commodity in those circumstances.
Edit: Sevu's got 18 test tries from 32 tests - a reasonable strike rate, but the AB database no longer readily tells me who he scored against and neither does that lazy slackarse ChatGPT - who tells me a "breakdown isn't readily available" and I could consult the AB database. Presumably it's now fucked off to the pub with the other interns!
I reckon Narawa's taller and probably a bit heavier than Sevu - possibly quicker as well - but there was evidently something that didn't appeal last year.
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
Blackadder just needs to focus on getting on the field, right now he isn't in the picture.
As the saying goes, the best ability is availability.
Robertson's use of the bench, and his substitutions, were poor last season. Often he was reluctant to go to the bench early, and got lucky in the game against England (with the BB concussion, allowing Telea to return).
@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
Blackadder just needs to focus on getting on the field, right now he isn't in the picture.
As the saying goes, the best ability is availability.
Robertson's use of the bench, and his substitutions, were poor last season. Often he was reluctant to go to the bench early, and got lucky in the game against England (with the BB concussion, allowing Telea to return).
Rassie plays chess, Razor is currently playing checkers
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@reprobate said in All Blacks 2025:
So, wing.
Clark is a lock in 11, he was very good last year.
When was the last time Rieko played there? I don't think he's an option.
Reece and Narawa are similar for me - both relatively small and not extreme pace, with good skills and atypical winger strengths e.g. pick and go. I don't reckon those skills transfer to the test arena as well. Narawa/Reece are far less likely to burrow over in tight games we really want to win, regardless of how many times they do it at Super level.
I'm gutted Tangitau is injured, he was playing the house down and looked like just the player you want if Jordan is to play 15.
Carter has some good skills and reasonable pace / good acceleration, and the halfback/wing combo has some great potential re the bench, but high ball, defense, positional play I haven't seen enough yet.Rieko's been our incumbent centre for the past four years. He hasn't suddenly lost all his pace - they'll pick him at centre and back themselves to coach him back into form. Proctor is possibly the most serious contender he's faced, though - so it will be interesting to see how that duel plays out over the international season. I fully expect Rieko to be the starting 13 for France 1. I'll be extremely surprised if he appears at wing and certainly if he appears as a starting wing.
They clearly want Will to be their fullback, so he won't be starting there either, unless there's an injury crisis. They might shift him there for the last 20 minutes to accommodate Beaudy/DMac/Love.
I think Clarke and Reece are locked in with Teleá moving on. Then probably one more wing. Tangitau looked the business early on. Carter is eye-catching, but I haven't watched him closely. Narawa in the frame. But, I'm sort of thinking AJ Lam. Saw Razor saying something along the lines that they're not discounting 6-2 benches and AJ becomes a valuable commodity in those circumstances.
Edit: Sevu's got 18 test tries from 32 tests - a reasonable strike rate, but the AB database no longer readily tells me who he scored against and neither does that lazy slackarse ChatGPT - who tells me a "breakdown isn't readily available" and I could consult the AB database. Presumably it's now fucked off to the pub with the other interns!
I reckon Narawa's taller and probably a bit heavier than Sevu - possibly quicker as well - but there was evidently something that didn't appeal last year.
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
@reprobate said in All Blacks 2025:
So, wing.
Clark is a lock in 11, he was very good last year.
When was the last time Rieko played there? I don't think he's an option.
Reece and Narawa are similar for me - both relatively small and not extreme pace, with good skills and atypical winger strengths e.g. pick and go. I don't reckon those skills transfer to the test arena as well. Narawa/Reece are far less likely to burrow over in tight games we really want to win, regardless of how many times they do it at Super level.
I'm gutted Tangitau is injured, he was playing the house down and looked like just the player you want if Jordan is to play 15.
Carter has some good skills and reasonable pace / good acceleration, and the halfback/wing combo has some great potential re the bench, but high ball, defense, positional play I haven't seen enough yet.Rieko's been our incumbent centre for the past four years. He hasn't suddenly lost all his pace - they'll pick him at centre and back themselves to coach him back into form. Proctor is possibly the most serious contender he's faced, though - so it will be interesting to see how that duel plays out over the international season. I fully expect Rieko to be the starting 13 for France 1. I'll be extremely surprised if he appears at wing and certainly if he appears as a starting wing.
They clearly want Will to be their fullback, so he won't be starting there either, unless there's an injury crisis. They might shift him there for the last 20 minutes to accommodate Beaudy/DMac/Love.
I think Clarke and Reece are locked in with Teleá moving on. Then probably one more wing. Tangitau looked the business early on. Carter is eye-catching, but I haven't watched him closely. Narawa in the frame. But, I'm sort of thinking AJ Lam. Saw Razor saying something along the lines that they're not discounting 6-2 benches and AJ becomes a valuable commodity in those circumstances.
AJ Lam has been the Blues best back this year.
He was around the squad at the eoyt last year. He was sitting with the team against Ireland and France so I think he will be in Razor and co thinking. We will see whether it's enough for selection.
He's a big unit and has better conditioning than Tavatavanawai. He offers utility that Carter doesn't and size that Narawa doesn't.
He kind of needs to get selected now to get in the mix so he can establish himself before Fainga'anuku comes back.
That said I think Tele'a will probably be in there regardless of current form.
I think they'll be conservative for France and they will pick minimal players they haven't worked with before - in fact I'd be surprised if there are any new players. Carter doesn't strike me as an international player.
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@Canes4life How long is Caleb Tangitau out for? Is he still going to be unavailable in July? I agree that Narawa would be the next option on the wing.
In terms of the loosies, it is two from Jacobson, Papali'i, Kirifi, Blackadder and Sotutu. I like Jacobson and Papali'i's calmness in high-pressure situations.
David Havili and Reiko Ioane have these last few games to show what they can do. But neither seems to offer any more as much as other available options.
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life How long is Caleb Tangitau out for? Is he still going to be unavailable in July? I agree that Narawa would be the next option on the wing.
Tangitaus projected return is early/mid July.
All going well - he will likely be involved in some way shape or form. -
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
@reprobate said in All Blacks 2025:
So, wing.
Clark is a lock in 11, he was very good last year.
When was the last time Rieko played there? I don't think he's an option.
Reece and Narawa are similar for me - both relatively small and not extreme pace, with good skills and atypical winger strengths e.g. pick and go. I don't reckon those skills transfer to the test arena as well. Narawa/Reece are far less likely to burrow over in tight games we really want to win, regardless of how many times they do it at Super level.
I'm gutted Tangitau is injured, he was playing the house down and looked like just the player you want if Jordan is to play 15.
Carter has some good skills and reasonable pace / good acceleration, and the halfback/wing combo has some great potential re the bench, but high ball, defense, positional play I haven't seen enough yet.Rieko's been our incumbent centre for the past four years. He hasn't suddenly lost all his pace - they'll pick him at centre and back themselves to coach him back into form. Proctor is possibly the most serious contender he's faced, though - so it will be interesting to see how that duel plays out over the international season. I fully expect Rieko to be the starting 13 for France 1. I'll be extremely surprised if he appears at wing and certainly if he appears as a starting wing.
They clearly want Will to be their fullback, so he won't be starting there either, unless there's an injury crisis. They might shift him there for the last 20 minutes to accommodate Beaudy/DMac/Love.
I think Clarke and Reece are locked in with Teleá moving on. Then probably one more wing. Tangitau looked the business early on. Carter is eye-catching, but I haven't watched him closely. Narawa in the frame. But, I'm sort of thinking AJ Lam. Saw Razor saying something along the lines that they're not discounting 6-2 benches and AJ becomes a valuable commodity in those circumstances.
AJ Lam has been the Blues best back this year.
He was around the squad at the eoyt last year. He was sitting with the team against Ireland and France so I think he will be in Razor and co thinking. We will see whether it's enough for selection.
He's a big unit and has better conditioning than Tavatavanawai. He offers utility that Carter doesn't and size that Narawa doesn't.
He kind of needs to get selected now to get in the mix so he can establish himself before Fainga'anuku comes back.
That said I think Tele'a will probably be in there regardless of current form.
I think they'll be conservative for France and they will pick minimal players they haven't worked with before - in fact I'd be surprised if there are any new players. Carter doesn't strike me as an international player.
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@brodean Mostly agree, but I think Teleá would be a bit of a pointless selection unless they really don't rate the other options and think they'll use him as a bridge (not George) to Big Leicester.
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
@brodean Mostly agree, but I think Teleá would be a bit of a pointless selection unless they really don't rate the other options and think they'll use him as a bridge (not George) to Big Leicester.
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Let's not circle jerk over Lester as the second coming just yet. He has to come back and prove he deserves a place. Except of course Razor is doing the selecting.....
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Let's not circle jerk over Lester as the second coming just yet. He has to come back and prove he deserves a place. Except of course Razor is doing the selecting.....
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
Let's not circle jerk over Lester as the second coming just yet. He has to come back and prove he deserves a place. Except of course Razor is doing the selecting.....
ANY All Black who leaves young before there is any danger of them being dropped becomes a legend, sheesh, don't you know that ?
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@Jet said in All Blacks 2025:
The Super Rugby rules wont be used during the upcoming Lions Tour.
They will be using the 20 min RC.
The usual skullduggery of walking to line outs, lads going down for a breather, collapsed scrums and the ubiquitous water boys will be en vogue once again.
Most likely. But it will be interesting to see how BOK refs in the 1st test compared to Piardi and Amashukeli. He could set the tone for the test series.
@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2025:
@Jet said in All Blacks 2025:
The Super Rugby rules wont be used during the upcoming Lions Tour.
They will be using the 20 min RC.
The usual skullduggery of walking to line outs, lads going down for a breather, collapsed scrums and the ubiquitous water boys will be en vogue once again.
Most likely. But it will be interesting to see how BOK refs in the 1st test compared to Piardi and Amashukeli. He could set the tone for the test series.
My impression of Amashukeli in the past is he's pretty tough on time-wasting and like to keep the game moving.
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Let's not circle jerk over Lester as the second coming just yet. He has to come back and prove he deserves a place. Except of course Razor is doing the selecting.....
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
Let's not circle jerk over Lester as the second coming just yet. He has to come back and prove he deserves a place. Except of course Razor is doing the selecting.....
On the other hand, Big Leicester's got five Super rugby winners medals, which is more than the other AB midfielders have put together. Unless you pick Dave Havili.
You chippy Canes fans!
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@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
Let's not circle jerk over Lester as the second coming just yet. He has to come back and prove he deserves a place. Except of course Razor is doing the selecting.....
On the other hand, Big Leicester's got five Super rugby winners medals, which is more than the other AB midfielders have put together. Unless you pick Dave Havili.
You chippy Canes fans!
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
Let's not circle jerk over Lester as the second coming just yet. He has to come back and prove he deserves a place. Except of course Razor is doing the selecting.....
On the other hand, Big Leicester's got five Super rugby winners medals, which is more than the other AB midfielders have put together. Unless you pick Dave Havili.
You chippy Canes fans!
Razor says SR doesn't mean shit
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@reprobate said in All Blacks 2025:
So, wing.
Clark is a lock in 11, he was very good last year.
When was the last time Rieko played there? I don't think he's an option.
Reece and Narawa are similar for me - both relatively small and not extreme pace, with good skills and atypical winger strengths e.g. pick and go. I don't reckon those skills transfer to the test arena as well. Narawa/Reece are far less likely to burrow over in tight games we really want to win, regardless of how many times they do it at Super level.
I'm gutted Tangitau is injured, he was playing the house down and looked like just the player you want if Jordan is to play 15.
Carter has some good skills and reasonable pace / good acceleration, and the halfback/wing combo has some great potential re the bench, but high ball, defense, positional play I haven't seen enough yet.Rieko's been our incumbent centre for the past four years. He hasn't suddenly lost all his pace - they'll pick him at centre and back themselves to coach him back into form. Proctor is possibly the most serious contender he's faced, though - so it will be interesting to see how that duel plays out over the international season. I fully expect Rieko to be the starting 13 for France 1. I'll be extremely surprised if he appears at wing and certainly if he appears as a starting wing.
They clearly want Will to be their fullback, so he won't be starting there either, unless there's an injury crisis. They might shift him there for the last 20 minutes to accommodate Beaudy/DMac/Love.
I think Clarke and Reece are locked in with Teleá moving on. Then probably one more wing. Tangitau looked the business early on. Carter is eye-catching, but I haven't watched him closely. Narawa in the frame. But, I'm sort of thinking AJ Lam. Saw Razor saying something along the lines that they're not discounting 6-2 benches and AJ becomes a valuable commodity in those circumstances.
Edit: Sevu's got 18 test tries from 32 tests - a reasonable strike rate, but the AB database no longer readily tells me who he scored against and neither does that lazy slackarse ChatGPT - who tells me a "breakdown isn't readily available" and I could consult the AB database. Presumably it's now fucked off to the pub with the other interns!
I reckon Narawa's taller and probably a bit heavier than Sevu - possibly quicker as well - but there was evidently something that didn't appeal last year.
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Chat GTP tells me this about big Leicester's form for Toulon this season.
"Leicester Fainga’anuku scored 5 tries during the 2024–25 Top 14 season while playing for Toulon. He featured in 16 matches, starting all of them, and accumulated a total of 1,193 minutes on the field. His performance contributed to Toulon’s strong season, including a notable 45–26 victory over La Rochelle on January 26, 2025.  
Fainga’anuku is set to return to the Crusaders in 2026 after his stint in France."
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I think Blackadder is way more in the picture than people realise. He's always been perpetually injured and hardly played any Super as a result, but despite that he started every single game at 6 he was fit for last season. I suspect they see him as their "high workrate" 6 to pair with Ardie and Sititi.
In summary, in amongst plenty of brilliance from Ardie and Sititi, I expect our loosies to get smacked around in their core roles all season again.
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
I think Blackadder is way more in the picture than people realise. He's always been perpetually injured and hardly played any Super as a result, but despite that he started every single game at 6 he was fit for last season. I suspect they see him as their "high workrate" 6 to pair with Ardie and Sititi.
In summary, in amongst plenty of brilliance from Ardie and Sititi, I expect our loosies to get smacked around in their core roles all season again.
I think we all realise he's completely in the picture regardless of whether he plays or his form ....
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@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
Let's not circle jerk over Lester as the second coming just yet. He has to come back and prove he deserves a place. Except of course Razor is doing the selecting.....
On the other hand, Big Leicester's got five Super rugby winners medals, which is more than the other AB midfielders have put together. Unless you pick Dave Havili.
You chippy Canes fans!
Razor says SR doesn't mean shit
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@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
Let's not circle jerk over Lester as the second coming just yet. He has to come back and prove he deserves a place. Except of course Razor is doing the selecting.....
On the other hand, Big Leicester's got five Super rugby winners medals, which is more than the other AB midfielders have put together. Unless you pick Dave Havili.
You chippy Canes fans!
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
Let's not circle jerk over Lester as the second coming just yet. He has to come back and prove he deserves a place. Except of course Razor is doing the selecting.....
On the other hand, Big Leicester's got five Super rugby winners medals, which is more than the other AB midfielders have put together. Unless you pick Dave Havili.
You chippy Canes fans!
Leicester will in as soon as they can get him in the ABs, they were keen to get him back, that wasn’t to just play SR.
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@Chris-B
Savea hasn't been in his optimum position for years. Same goes for Reiko
Openside and wing.@BerniesCorner said in All Blacks 2025:
@Chris-B
Savea hasn't been in his optimum position for years. Same goes for Reiko
Openside and wing.But, they've seen off all comers at centre and number 8.
IMO it makes some sense to deploy Ardie at 7 this year - moving Wallace to 8 and as long as they're comfortable with who they can field at 6.
Rieko's age is on the edge of the AB wing cliff.
We could easily have won a RWC with him at centre - wasn't his fault we didn't - and for me that's a benchmark. I don't see them moving him back to wing. They'd have to say, "well he's not good enough at centre, where he's been playing for us for the past four years - he's bound to be great on the wing, where he's barely played." I think they'd more likely drop him - but that won't happen.
