All Blacks 2025
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For me, neither Jim nor Havili is a contender for a starting spot. Havili isn't as good as Barrett or Tupaea, and Jim would represent too drastic a change in style for Robertson, based on how conservative he was last year.
If I'm right in that, then for me at least Jim would have the inside running over Dave as he has far more potential as an impact player - if you're chasing a game or desperately defending a lead, which one do you want coming off the bench? -
So based on some of the rumours circling, this is where I feel the squad is at for next week, a few positions still up in the air.
PROPS:
- Tyrel Lomax (Hurricanes)
- Fletcher Newell (Crusaders)
- Pasilio Tosi (Hurricanes)
- Tamaiti Williams (Crusaders)
- Josh Fusitua (Blues)
- Ethan De Groot (Highlanders)
HOOKERS:
- Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes) / George Bell - injury cover (Crusaders)
- Samisoni Taukei'aho (Chiefs)
- Codie Taylor (Crusaders)
LOCKS:
- Tupou Va'ai (Chiefs)
- Fabian Holland (Highlanders)
- Scott Barrett (Crusaders)
- Patrick Tuipolotu (Blues)
LOOSE FORWARDS:
- Peter Lakai (Hurricanes)
- Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika)
- Dalton Papali'i (Blues)
- Luke Jacobsen (Chiefs)/Lio-Willie (Crusaders)/Hoskins Sotutu (Blues)
- Du Plessis Kirifi (Hurricanes)
- Samipeni Finau (Chiefs)
- Wallace Sititi (Chiefs)
HALFBACKS:
- Cam Roigard (Hurricanes)
- Cortez Ratima (Chiefs)
- Noah Hotham (Crusaders)
FIRST FIVES:
- Beauden Barrett (Blues)
- Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)
CENTRES:
- David Havili (Crusaders)
- Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs)
- Billy Proctor (Hurricanes)
- Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes)
CENTRE/WING
- Rieko Ioane (Blues)
- Timoci Tavatavanawai (Highlanders)
OUTSIDES:
- Ruben Love (Hurricanes)
- Will Jordan (Crusaders)
- Caleb Clarke (Blues)
- Sevu Reece (Crusaders)
- Emoni Narawa (Chiefs)
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So based on some of the rumours circling, this is where I feel the squad is at for next week, a few positions still up in the air.
PROPS:
- Tyrel Lomax (Hurricanes)
- Fletcher Newell (Crusaders)
- Pasilio Tosi (Hurricanes)
- Tamaiti Williams (Crusaders)
- Josh Fusitua (Blues)
- Ethan De Groot (Highlanders)
HOOKERS:
- Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes) / George Bell - injury cover (Crusaders)
- Samisoni Taukei'aho (Chiefs)
- Codie Taylor (Crusaders)
LOCKS:
- Tupou Va'ai (Chiefs)
- Fabian Holland (Highlanders)
- Scott Barrett (Crusaders)
- Patrick Tuipolotu (Blues)
LOOSE FORWARDS:
- Peter Lakai (Hurricanes)
- Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika)
- Dalton Papali'i (Blues)
- Luke Jacobsen (Chiefs)/Lio-Willie (Crusaders)/Hoskins Sotutu (Blues)
- Du Plessis Kirifi (Hurricanes)
- Samipeni Finau (Chiefs)
- Wallace Sititi (Chiefs)
HALFBACKS:
- Cam Roigard (Hurricanes)
- Cortez Ratima (Chiefs)
- Noah Hotham (Crusaders)
FIRST FIVES:
- Beauden Barrett (Blues)
- Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)
CENTRES:
- David Havili (Crusaders)
- Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs)
- Billy Proctor (Hurricanes)
- Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes)
CENTRE/WING
- Rieko Ioane (Blues)
- Timoci Tavatavanawai (Highlanders)
OUTSIDES:
- Ruben Love (Hurricanes)
- Will Jordan (Crusaders)
- Caleb Clarke (Blues)
- Sevu Reece (Crusaders)
- Emoni Narawa (Chiefs)
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So based on some of the rumours circling, this is where I feel the squad is at for next week, a few positions still up in the air.
PROPS:
- Tyrel Lomax (Hurricanes)
- Fletcher Newell (Crusaders)
- Pasilio Tosi (Hurricanes)
- Tamaiti Williams (Crusaders)
- Josh Fusitua (Blues)
- Ethan De Groot (Highlanders)
HOOKERS:
- Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes) / George Bell - injury cover (Crusaders)
- Samisoni Taukei'aho (Chiefs)
- Codie Taylor (Crusaders)
LOCKS:
- Tupou Va'ai (Chiefs)
- Fabian Holland (Highlanders)
- Scott Barrett (Crusaders)
- Patrick Tuipolotu (Blues)
LOOSE FORWARDS:
- Peter Lakai (Hurricanes)
- Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika)
- Dalton Papali'i (Blues)
- Luke Jacobsen (Chiefs)/Lio-Willie (Crusaders)/Hoskins Sotutu (Blues)
- Du Plessis Kirifi (Hurricanes)
- Samipeni Finau (Chiefs)
- Wallace Sititi (Chiefs)
HALFBACKS:
- Cam Roigard (Hurricanes)
- Cortez Ratima (Chiefs)
- Noah Hotham (Crusaders)
FIRST FIVES:
- Beauden Barrett (Blues)
- Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)
CENTRES:
- David Havili (Crusaders)
- Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs)
- Billy Proctor (Hurricanes)
- Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes)
CENTRE/WING
- Rieko Ioane (Blues)
- Timoci Tavatavanawai (Highlanders)
OUTSIDES:
- Ruben Love (Hurricanes)
- Will Jordan (Crusaders)
- Caleb Clarke (Blues)
- Sevu Reece (Crusaders)
- Emoni Narawa (Chiefs)
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@Canes4life I think you need to lose a back.
@pakman said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life I think you need to lose a back.
Hmmm, you're right, Havili, Tavatavanawai and Tupaea are probably vying for two spots. One of them will likely miss out.
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@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:
Is this based on Silverfern rumours?
No Blackadder?
see above
@chchfanatic said in All Blacks 2025:
All I’ve heard is that Big Jim looks to be in. Holland in. No blackadder.
Fusitua in. Proctor in. Reiko as a wing/centre.
Either Christian Lio Willie or Hoskins. Still have made the final call.
Forgot Kirifi too -
@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:
Is this based on Silverfern rumours?
No Blackadder?
Yep, rumours are he's missing out. But nothing set in stone yet.
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@pakman said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life I think you need to lose a back.
Hmmm, you're right, Havili, Tavatavanawai and Tupaea are probably vying for two spots. One of them will likely miss out.
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I can't picture a situation where a fit Blackadder misses out on selection. With three 12 options and two 13 options available even with ALB injured, I don't see why Tavatavanawai would be needed as injury cover either. Unless it was coming straight from the top, I'm not sure how someone would learn that Ioane was being considered as a wing either. Would love to know how close to the team your source is @chchfanatic.
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I can't picture a situation where a fit Blackadder misses out on selection. With three 12 options and two 13 options available even with ALB injured, I don't see why Tavatavanawai would be needed as injury cover either. Unless it was coming straight from the top, I'm not sure how someone would learn that Ioane was being considered as a wing either. Would love to know how close to the team your source is @chchfanatic.
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:
I can't picture a situation where a fit Blackadder misses out on selection. With three 12 options and two 13 options available even with ALB injured, I don't see why Tavatavanawai would be needed as injury cover either. Unless it was coming straight from the top, I'm not sure how someone would learn that Ioane was being considered as a wing either. Would love to know how close to the team your source is @chchfanatic.
Very close if @chchfanatic is telling me I am believing it.
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@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:
I can't picture a situation where a fit Blackadder misses out on selection. With three 12 options and two 13 options available even with ALB injured, I don't see why Tavatavanawai would be needed as injury cover either. Unless it was coming straight from the top, I'm not sure how someone would learn that Ioane was being considered as a wing either. Would love to know how close to the team your source is @chchfanatic.
Very close if @chchfanatic is telling me I am believing it.
@Chris said in All Blacks 2025:
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:
I can't picture a situation where a fit Blackadder misses out on selection. With three 12 options and two 13 options available even with ALB injured, I don't see why Tavatavanawai would be needed as injury cover either. Unless it was coming straight from the top, I'm not sure how someone would learn that Ioane was being considered as a wing either. Would love to know how close to the team your source is @chchfanatic.
Very close if @chchfanatic is telling me I am believing it.
Yeah he's usually bang on when he posts runours.
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I know chchfanatic is normally right on the money but three weeks ago he said Hoskins Sotutu was never in the selection frame and now he's on the cusp despite not exactly having a glorious last few games.
Will absolutely graciously take the L if it's all proven correct in a week! Just hard to envisage.
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I know chchfanatic is normally right on the money but three weeks ago he said Hoskins Sotutu was never in the selection frame and now he's on the cusp despite not exactly having a glorious last few games.
Will absolutely graciously take the L if it's all proven correct in a week! Just hard to envisage.
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:
I know chchfanatic is normally right on the money but three weeks ago he said Hoskins Sotutu was never in the selection frame and now he's on the cusp despite not exactly having a glorious last few games.
Will absolutely graciously take the L if it's all proven correct in a week! Just hard to envisage.
One bad game. The week before he was bloody MOTM.
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@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:
I know chchfanatic is normally right on the money but three weeks ago he said Hoskins Sotutu was never in the selection frame and now he's on the cusp despite not exactly having a glorious last few games.
Will absolutely graciously take the L if it's all proven correct in a week! Just hard to envisage.
One bad game. The week before he was bloody MOTM.
@reprobate said in All Blacks 2025:
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:
I know chchfanatic is normally right on the money but three weeks ago he said Hoskins Sotutu was never in the selection frame and now he's on the cusp despite not exactly having a glorious last few games.
Will absolutely graciously take the L if it's all proven correct in a week! Just hard to envisage.
One bad game. The week before he was bloody MOTM.
I don't think Sotutu was anywhere near MOTM in the quarter-final to be honest but regardless, one good game doesn't jump you from never in contention to 50/50.
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@reprobate said in All Blacks 2025:
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:
I know chchfanatic is normally right on the money but three weeks ago he said Hoskins Sotutu was never in the selection frame and now he's on the cusp despite not exactly having a glorious last few games.
Will absolutely graciously take the L if it's all proven correct in a week! Just hard to envisage.
One bad game. The week before he was bloody MOTM.
I don't think Sotutu was anywhere near MOTM in the quarter-final to be honest but regardless, one good game doesn't jump you from never in contention to 50/50.
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Well according to the fern poll he was comfortably MOTM. Not sure how you can say he was no where near it without some kind of bias?
@brodean alternatively, Blues fans are biased towards Hoskins because they think he doesn't get a fair crack. Evidently we just saw the game differently.
He only got one single vote for MOTM in the other two games played since chchfanatic's previous comments so I don't think it matters hugely either way.
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With the potential selection of both Kirifi and Lakai, I hope stronger consideration of a 6:2 bench is taken this season. They were close a couple of times last year but I think with where the game is at and where we have depth, what happens in the last 20 minutes it is far more critical to have fresh forwards.
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@reprobate said in All Blacks 2025:
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:
I know chchfanatic is normally right on the money but three weeks ago he said Hoskins Sotutu was never in the selection frame and now he's on the cusp despite not exactly having a glorious last few games.
Will absolutely graciously take the L if it's all proven correct in a week! Just hard to envisage.
One bad game. The week before he was bloody MOTM.
I don't think Sotutu was anywhere near MOTM in the quarter-final to be honest but regardless, one good game doesn't jump you from never in contention to 50/50.
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:
@reprobate said in All Blacks 2025:
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:
I know chchfanatic is normally right on the money but three weeks ago he said Hoskins Sotutu was never in the selection frame and now he's on the cusp despite not exactly having a glorious last few games.
Will absolutely graciously take the L if it's all proven correct in a week! Just hard to envisage.
One bad game. The week before he was bloody MOTM.
I don't think Sotutu was anywhere near MOTM in the quarter-final to be honest but regardless, one good game doesn't jump you from never in contention to 50/50.
Never? He's been an AB! This year coming back from injury!
