All Blacks 2025
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@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@booboo said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
So with Reiko Ioane back in form, who misses out in the selection for the ABs in midfield?
Proctor
ALB.
Who's your backup 12? Havili or Lam?
I thought ALB is injured?
@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@booboo said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
So with Reiko Ioane back in form, who misses out in the selection for the ABs in midfield?
Proctor
ALB.
Who's your backup 12? Havili or Lam?
I thought ALB is injured?
My bad. Didn't know it was season-ending.
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@chchfanatic Savea, Sititi, Lakai, Parker, Jacobson Papalii, Blackadder to be selected.
Kirifi just misses out.
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
@chchfanatic Savea, Sititi, Lakai, Parker, Jacobson Papalii, Blackadder to be selected.
Kirifi just misses out.
Plenty of time for Blackadder to get injured between now and AB team naming.
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I don't think it is scandalous to consider Savea and Sititi are viewed as ahead of Sotutu at 8 in AB coaches' eyes (and of course they play 7 and 6 as well) but he seems pretty useful to the Blues to me, not sure he has really been playing as badly as some here suggested (I haven't seen today's game).
@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2025:
I don't think it is scandalous to consider Savea and Sititi are viewed as ahead of Sotutu at 8 in AB coaches' eyes (and of course they play 7 and 6 as well) but he seems pretty useful to the Blues to me, not sure he has really been playing as badly as some here suggested (I haven't seen today's game).
I thought Sotutu had a fine game today. Showed lovely hands and some good defensive work too
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@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
@chchfanatic said in All Blacks 2025:
Jacobsen are certainties.
I'm sure he will be picked but there's no way Jacobson should be a certainty
I really can see him being the starting 6 and stated the reasons earlier in this thread.
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
@chchfanatic said in All Blacks 2025:
Jacobsen are certainties.
I'm sure he will be picked but there's no way Jacobson should be a certainty
I really can see him being the starting 6 and stated the reasons earlier in this thread.
What reasons? He's probably the 4th best 6 at the Chiefs behind Finau, Sititi and Parker
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Nobody here picking Beauden? Or more accurately, picking the coaches to pick BB?
@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2025:
Nobody here picking Beauden? Or more accurately, picking the coaches to pick BB?
You obviously haven't read any Marc Hinton article.
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@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2025:
I don't think it is scandalous to consider Savea and Sititi are viewed as ahead of Sotutu at 8 in AB coaches' eyes (and of course they play 7 and 6 as well) but he seems pretty useful to the Blues to me, not sure he has really been playing as badly as some here suggested (I haven't seen today's game).
I thought Sotutu had a fine game today. Showed lovely hands and some good defensive work too
@KiwiMurph being at the game last night and watching from a very elevated position Sotutu Always attracts a lot of defenders
Has a great ability to throw a a late pass before contact or just take contact and get gainlineI watched both the 2 number 8s closely last night Gleeson got through a ton of work with many carries without getting gainline
Looked busy but far less impactful
Hoskins showed some great touches last night
Stats imo dont always tell a full story but i would be curious to compare both as reference point -
@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2025:
Nobody here picking Beauden? Or more accurately, picking the coaches to pick BB?
You obviously haven't read any Marc Hinton article.
@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2025:
@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2025:
Nobody here picking Beauden? Or more accurately, picking the coaches to pick BB?
You obviously haven't read any Marc Hinton article.
I didn't realize Hinton was a poster here!
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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:
David Havili and Reiko Ioane have these last few games to show what they can do.
Somebody in Blue seems to be reading your posts.
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@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
@chchfanatic said in All Blacks 2025:
Jacobsen are certainties.
I'm sure he will be picked but there's no way Jacobson should be a certainty
I really can see him being the starting 6 and stated the reasons earlier in this thread.
What reasons? He's probably the 4th best 6 at the Chiefs behind Finau, Sititi and Parker
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
@chchfanatic said in All Blacks 2025:
Jacobsen are certainties.
I'm sure he will be picked but there's no way Jacobson should be a certainty
I really can see him being the starting 6 and stated the reasons earlier in this thread.
What reasons? He's probably the 4th best 6 at the Chiefs behind Finau, Sititi and Parker
Razor and co like a guy that will tackle heaps, clean a lot, and carry close to the ruck, like the previous crew which included Ryan and how they always had North Island fern favourite Shannon Frizzell.
Luke Jacobsen fills that role best I feel (not saying I agree with it, but it's they way I think they'll go).
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@KiwiMurph being at the game last night and watching from a very elevated position Sotutu Always attracts a lot of defenders
Has a great ability to throw a a late pass before contact or just take contact and get gainlineI watched both the 2 number 8s closely last night Gleeson got through a ton of work with many carries without getting gainline
Looked busy but far less impactful
Hoskins showed some great touches last night
Stats imo dont always tell a full story but i would be curious to compare both as reference point@Steven-Harris said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiMurph being at the game last night and watching from a very elevated position Sotutu Always attracts a lot of defenders
Has a great ability to throw a a late pass before contact or just take contact and get gainlineI watched both the 2 number 8s closely last night Gleeson got through a ton of work with many carries without getting gainline
Looked busy but far less impactful
Hoskins showed some great touches last night
Stats imo dont always tell a full story but i would be curious to compare both as reference pointSotutu has had a great 2nd half of the season after a stop start 1st half of it (mainly due to suspension).
Obviously he's not in the frame, but despite the critics from Chch death riding him at every opportunity, he's shown his class for us in what's been a mediocre season for us.
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@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
@chchfanatic said in All Blacks 2025:
Jacobsen are certainties.
I'm sure he will be picked but there's no way Jacobson should be a certainty
I really can see him being the starting 6 and stated the reasons earlier in this thread.
What reasons? He's probably the 4th best 6 at the Chiefs behind Finau, Sititi and Parker
Razor and co like a guy that will tackle heaps, clean a lot, and carry close to the ruck, like the previous crew which included Ryan and how they always had North Island fern favourite Shannon Frizzell.
Luke Jacobsen fills that role best I feel (not saying I agree with it, but it's they way I think they'll go).
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
@chchfanatic said in All Blacks 2025:
Jacobsen are certainties.
I'm sure he will be picked but there's no way Jacobson should be a certainty
I really can see him being the starting 6 and stated the reasons earlier in this thread.
What reasons? He's probably the 4th best 6 at the Chiefs behind Finau, Sititi and Parker
Razor and co like a guy that will tackle heaps, clean a lot, and carry close to the ruck, like the previous crew which included Ryan and how they always had North Island fern favourite Shannon Frizzell.
Luke Jacobsen fills that role best I feel (not saying I agree with it, but it's they way I think they'll go).
Thanks.
My disagreement would come from Razor and Ryan (Ryan having time as ABs forwards coach before Razor) trying a lot of different players at 6 other than Jacobson
Frizell
Akira
Finau
Blackadder
SititiI'd be surprised if suddenly Jacobson is seen as the guy at 6.
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@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:
If Blackadder is fit I believe the coaches will prefer a trio of:
- Blackadder
- Savea
- Sititi
EB even if picked will last about 5 minutes and be gone for the season. Then we can pick someone who will play hard and be durable
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@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:
If Blackadder is fit I believe the coaches will prefer a trio of:
- Blackadder
- Savea
- Sititi
EB even if picked will last about 5 minutes and be gone for the season. Then we can pick someone who will play hard and be durable
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:
If Blackadder is fit I believe the coaches will prefer a trio of:
- Blackadder
- Savea
- Sititi
EB even if picked will last about 5 minutes and be gone for the season. Then we can pick someone who will play hard and be durable
Well thats kind of obvious to everyone but Razor and Ryan.
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@Steven-Harris said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiMurph being at the game last night and watching from a very elevated position Sotutu Always attracts a lot of defenders
Has a great ability to throw a a late pass before contact or just take contact and get gainlineI watched both the 2 number 8s closely last night Gleeson got through a ton of work with many carries without getting gainline
Looked busy but far less impactful
Hoskins showed some great touches last night
Stats imo dont always tell a full story but i would be curious to compare both as reference pointSotutu has had a great 2nd half of the season after a stop start 1st half of it (mainly due to suspension).
Obviously he's not in the frame, but despite the critics from Chch death riding him at every opportunity, he's shown his class for us in what's been a mediocre season for us.
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2025:
@Steven-Harris said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiMurph being at the game last night and watching from a very elevated position Sotutu Always attracts a lot of defenders
Has a great ability to throw a a late pass before contact or just take contact and get gainlineI watched both the 2 number 8s closely last night Gleeson got through a ton of work with many carries without getting gainline
Looked busy but far less impactful
Hoskins showed some great touches last night
Stats imo dont always tell a full story but i would be curious to compare both as reference pointSotutu has had a great 2nd half of the season after a stop start 1st half of it (mainly due to suspension).
Obviously he's not in the frame, but despite the critics from Chch death riding him at every opportunity, he's shown his class for us in what's been a mediocre season for us.
So much of the Blues attack went through him last year. He was so good at distributing, carrying and had good footwork. Not valued by these selectors, but if you want to have some threats in close then he's your man.
Suspect he'll pick up an English contract shortly - if his heart is in it
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@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2025:
@Steven-Harris said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiMurph being at the game last night and watching from a very elevated position Sotutu Always attracts a lot of defenders
Has a great ability to throw a a late pass before contact or just take contact and get gainlineI watched both the 2 number 8s closely last night Gleeson got through a ton of work with many carries without getting gainline
Looked busy but far less impactful
Hoskins showed some great touches last night
Stats imo dont always tell a full story but i would be curious to compare both as reference pointSotutu has had a great 2nd half of the season after a stop start 1st half of it (mainly due to suspension).
Obviously he's not in the frame, but despite the critics from Chch death riding him at every opportunity, he's shown his class for us in what's been a mediocre season for us.
So much of the Blues attack went through him last year. He was so good at distributing, carrying and had good footwork. Not valued by these selectors, but if you want to have some threats in close then he's your man.
Suspect he'll pick up an English contract shortly - if his heart is in it
@nzzp said in All Blacks 2025:
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2025:
@Steven-Harris said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiMurph being at the game last night and watching from a very elevated position Sotutu Always attracts a lot of defenders
Has a great ability to throw a a late pass before contact or just take contact and get gainlineI watched both the 2 number 8s closely last night Gleeson got through a ton of work with many carries without getting gainline
Looked busy but far less impactful
Hoskins showed some great touches last night
Stats imo dont always tell a full story but i would be curious to compare both as reference pointSotutu has had a great 2nd half of the season after a stop start 1st half of it (mainly due to suspension).
Obviously he's not in the frame, but despite the critics from Chch death riding him at every opportunity, he's shown his class for us in what's been a mediocre season for us.
So much of the Blues attack went through him last year. He was so good at distributing, carrying and had good footwork. Not valued by these selectors, but if you want to have some threats in close then he's your man.
Suspect he'll pick up an English contract shortly - if his heart is in it
You don’t think Ardie provides those skills? Plus he’s the most likely to play 80
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@nzzp said in All Blacks 2025:
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2025:
@Steven-Harris said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiMurph being at the game last night and watching from a very elevated position Sotutu Always attracts a lot of defenders
Has a great ability to throw a a late pass before contact or just take contact and get gainlineI watched both the 2 number 8s closely last night Gleeson got through a ton of work with many carries without getting gainline
Looked busy but far less impactful
Hoskins showed some great touches last night
Stats imo dont always tell a full story but i would be curious to compare both as reference pointSotutu has had a great 2nd half of the season after a stop start 1st half of it (mainly due to suspension).
Obviously he's not in the frame, but despite the critics from Chch death riding him at every opportunity, he's shown his class for us in what's been a mediocre season for us.
So much of the Blues attack went through him last year. He was so good at distributing, carrying and had good footwork. Not valued by these selectors, but if you want to have some threats in close then he's your man.
Suspect he'll pick up an English contract shortly - if his heart is in it
You don’t think Ardie provides those skills? Plus he’s the most likely to play 80
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2025:
You don’t think Ardie provides those skills? Plus he’s the most likely to play 80
I don't see the last game but R10-14 Hoskins apparently played the full 80:
https://all.rugby/player/hoskins-sotutuand Ardie played most of this season at 7:
https://all.rugby/player/ardie-savea
