2025 All Blacks v France series
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As someone mentioned earlier, if our game plan really is supposed to be a wide game spreading thr ball to the edges, then ALB should be thr first midfielder picked.
But it's not. And he won't.
@mariner4life said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
As someone mentioned earlier, if our game plan really is supposed to be a wide game spreading thr ball to the edges, then ALB should be thr first midfielder picked.
But it's not. And he won't.
matching players skill sets to a game plan?....you're weird dude
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As someone mentioned earlier, if our game plan really is supposed to be a wide game spreading thr ball to the edges, then ALB should be thr first midfielder picked.
But it's not. And he won't.
@mariner4life said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
As someone mentioned earlier, if our game plan really is supposed to be a wide game spreading thr ball to the edges, then ALB should be thr first midfielder picked.
But it's not. And he won't.
The last time we played a successful wide game was when we had the ALB/Crotty/SBW trio mixing it up as midfield starters with Ioane on the wing.
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@mariner4life said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
As someone mentioned earlier, if our game plan really is supposed to be a wide game spreading thr ball to the edges, then ALB should be thr first midfielder picked.
But it's not. And he won't.
The last time we played a successful wide game was when we had the ALB/Crotty/SBW trio mixing it up as midfield starters with Ioane on the wing.
@ACT-Crusader said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@mariner4life said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
As someone mentioned earlier, if our game plan really is supposed to be a wide game spreading thr ball to the edges, then ALB should be thr first midfielder picked.
But it's not. And he won't.
The last time we played a successful wide game was when we had the ALB/Crotty/SBW trio mixing it up as midfield starters with Ioane on the wing.
And how many RWCs did those guys win together?
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@ACT-Crusader said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@mariner4life said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
As someone mentioned earlier, if our game plan really is supposed to be a wide game spreading thr ball to the edges, then ALB should be thr first midfielder picked.
But it's not. And he won't.
The last time we played a successful wide game was when we had the ALB/Crotty/SBW trio mixing it up as midfield starters with Ioane on the wing.
And how many RWCs did those guys win together?
@canefan said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@ACT-Crusader said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@mariner4life said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
As someone mentioned earlier, if our game plan really is supposed to be a wide game spreading thr ball to the edges, then ALB should be thr first midfielder picked.
But it's not. And he won't.
The last time we played a successful wide game was when we had the ALB/Crotty/SBW trio mixing it up as midfield starters with Ioane on the wing.
And how many RWCs did those guys win together?
yeah perfect metric.
How many did Cullen, Wilson, lomu, Bunce, Little, etc win again?
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@canefan said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@ACT-Crusader said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@mariner4life said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
As someone mentioned earlier, if our game plan really is supposed to be a wide game spreading thr ball to the edges, then ALB should be thr first midfielder picked.
But it's not. And he won't.
The last time we played a successful wide game was when we had the ALB/Crotty/SBW trio mixing it up as midfield starters with Ioane on the wing.
And how many RWCs did those guys win together?
yeah perfect metric.
How many did Cullen, Wilson, lomu, Bunce, Little, etc win again?
@mariner4life said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@canefan said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@ACT-Crusader said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@mariner4life said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
As someone mentioned earlier, if our game plan really is supposed to be a wide game spreading thr ball to the edges, then ALB should be thr first midfielder picked.
But it's not. And he won't.
The last time we played a successful wide game was when we had the ALB/Crotty/SBW trio mixing it up as midfield starters with Ioane on the wing.
And how many RWCs did those guys win together?
yeah perfect metric.
How many did Cullen, Wilson, lomu, Bunce, Little, etc win again?
Good point. Mine was much clumsier. The wide game plan is flawed. We need a blend of up the guts power rugby before we feed the backs
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It’s only flawed if you don’t have the players to execute it. Crotty, ALB and SBW all had good passing games but more importantly used angles to create opportunities and space.
Jordie and Ioane are quite different and that’s one of the reasons things aren’t humming.
I think we have players currently running around that have been and could be ABs that possess the skill sets to use what ball the forwards provide to create and exploit space in the wider channels.
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one of the things ive liked about proctor when ive watched him (and thats less than most of you i would guess so i could be wrong), he seemed to always work hard to get on the outside shoulder, working hard to connect with his wing and grow that seed of doubt in the defending winger..."should i come in"\
lots of guys try and hit the inside shoulder of the drifting defence which doesnt connect with the outsides as well
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It’s only flawed if you don’t have the players to execute it. Crotty, ALB and SBW all had good passing games but more importantly used angles to create opportunities and space.
Jordie and Ioane are quite different and that’s one of the reasons things aren’t humming.
I think we have players currently running around that have been and could be ABs that possess the skill sets to use what ball the forwards provide to create and exploit space in the wider channels.
@ACT-Crusader said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
It’s only flawed if you don’t have the players to execute it. Crotty, ALB and SBW all had good passing games but more importantly used angles to create opportunities and space.
Jordie and Ioane are quite different and that’s one of the reasons things aren’t humming.
I think we have players currently running around that have been and could be ABs that possess the skill sets to use what ball the forwards provide to create and exploit space in the wider channels.
It would help if we didn't stand so flat as well
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PROPS:
Tamaiti Williams (Crusaders)
Ethan de Groot (Highlanders)
Josh Fusitu'a (Blues)
Tyrel Lomax (Hurricanes)
Fletcher Newell (Crusaders)
Pasilio Tosi (Hurricanes)HOOKERS:
Codie Taylor (Crusaders)
Samisoni Taukei'aho (Chiefs)
George Bell (Crusaders)LOCKS:
Scott Barrett (c) (Crusaders)
Tupou Vaa'i (Chiefs)
Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues)
Fabian Holland (Highlanders)LOOSE FORWARDS:
Ethan Blackadder (Crusaders)
Samipeni Finau (Chiefs)
Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika)
Peter Lakai (Hurricanes)
Dalton Papalii (Blues)
Wallace Sititi (Chiefs)
Luke Jacobson (Chiefs)HALFBACKS:
Cameron Roigard (Hurricanes)
Cortez Ratima (Chiefs)
Noah Hotham (Crusaders)FIRST FIVES:
Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)
Beauden Barrett (Blues)MIDFIELDERS:
Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes)
Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs)
Rieko Ioane (Blues)
Billy Proctor (Hurricanes)
David Havili (Crusaders)OUTSIDE BACKS:
Caleb Clarke (Blues)
Emoni Narawa (Chiefs)
Sevu Reece (Crusaders)
Will Jordan (Crusaders)
Ruben Love (Hurricanes)Unavailable due to injury: Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes), Simon Parker (Chiefs), Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs)
Personally I'd have Ollie Norris ahead of Fusitu'a but the signs are there that the latter is getting the nod. Would also have Brodie McAlister ahead of Bell.
I think if the Maori All Blacks weren't playing then Rivez Reihana would be in this squad at the expense of David Havili. If I were in charge of selecting I'd also go for Folau Fakatava ahead of Hotham for much the same reason.
I can see Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Reihana and a fit Simon Parker and Caleb Tangitau all playing a role on the EOYT.
@Mr-Fish said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
PROPS:
Tamaiti Williams (Crusaders)
Ethan de Groot (Highlanders)
Josh Fusitu'a (Blues)
Tyrel Lomax (Hurricanes)
Fletcher Newell (Crusaders)
Pasilio Tosi (Hurricanes)HOOKERS:
Codie Taylor (Crusaders)
Samisoni Taukei'aho (Chiefs)
George Bell (Crusaders)LOCKS:
Scott Barrett (c) (Crusaders)
Tupou Vaa'i (Chiefs)
Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues)
Fabian Holland (Highlanders)LOOSE FORWARDS:
Ethan Blackadder (Crusaders)
Samipeni Finau (Chiefs)
Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika)
Peter Lakai (Hurricanes)
Dalton Papalii (Blues)
Wallace Sititi (Chiefs)
Luke Jacobson (Chiefs)HALFBACKS:
Cameron Roigard (Hurricanes)
Cortez Ratima (Chiefs)
Noah Hotham (Crusaders)FIRST FIVES:
Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)
Beauden Barrett (Blues)MIDFIELDERS:
Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes)
Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs)
Rieko Ioane (Blues)
Billy Proctor (Hurricanes)
David Havili (Crusaders)OUTSIDE BACKS:
Caleb Clarke (Blues)
Emoni Narawa (Chiefs)
Sevu Reece (Crusaders)
Will Jordan (Crusaders)
Ruben Love (Hurricanes)Unavailable due to injury: Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes), Simon Parker (Chiefs), Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs)
Personally I'd have Ollie Norris ahead of Fusitu'a but the signs are there that the latter is getting the nod. Would also have Brodie McAlister ahead of Bell.
I think if the Maori All Blacks weren't playing then Rivez Reihana would be in this squad at the expense of David Havili. If I were in charge of selecting I'd also go for Folau Fakatava ahead of Hotham for much the same reason.
I can see Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Reihana and a fit Simon Parker and Caleb Tangitau all playing a role on the EOYT.
Ahead of the squad naming, pretty confident with this selection.
Potential additional injury cover: George Dyer, George Bower, Christian Lio-Willie.
Can also see Finlay Christie and Braydon Ennor squeezing in ahead of Hotham and Tupaea, who can both play for the Maori.
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@Mr-Fish said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
PROPS:
Tamaiti Williams (Crusaders)
Ethan de Groot (Highlanders)
Josh Fusitu'a (Blues)
Tyrel Lomax (Hurricanes)
Fletcher Newell (Crusaders)
Pasilio Tosi (Hurricanes)HOOKERS:
Codie Taylor (Crusaders)
Samisoni Taukei'aho (Chiefs)
George Bell (Crusaders)LOCKS:
Scott Barrett (c) (Crusaders)
Tupou Vaa'i (Chiefs)
Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues)
Fabian Holland (Highlanders)LOOSE FORWARDS:
Ethan Blackadder (Crusaders)
Samipeni Finau (Chiefs)
Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika)
Peter Lakai (Hurricanes)
Dalton Papalii (Blues)
Wallace Sititi (Chiefs)
Luke Jacobson (Chiefs)HALFBACKS:
Cameron Roigard (Hurricanes)
Cortez Ratima (Chiefs)
Noah Hotham (Crusaders)FIRST FIVES:
Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)
Beauden Barrett (Blues)MIDFIELDERS:
Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes)
Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs)
Rieko Ioane (Blues)
Billy Proctor (Hurricanes)
David Havili (Crusaders)OUTSIDE BACKS:
Caleb Clarke (Blues)
Emoni Narawa (Chiefs)
Sevu Reece (Crusaders)
Will Jordan (Crusaders)
Ruben Love (Hurricanes)Unavailable due to injury: Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes), Simon Parker (Chiefs), Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs)
Personally I'd have Ollie Norris ahead of Fusitu'a but the signs are there that the latter is getting the nod. Would also have Brodie McAlister ahead of Bell.
I think if the Maori All Blacks weren't playing then Rivez Reihana would be in this squad at the expense of David Havili. If I were in charge of selecting I'd also go for Folau Fakatava ahead of Hotham for much the same reason.
I can see Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Reihana and a fit Simon Parker and Caleb Tangitau all playing a role on the EOYT.
Ahead of the squad naming, pretty confident with this selection.
Potential additional injury cover: George Dyer, George Bower, Christian Lio-Willie.
Can also see Finlay Christie and Braydon Ennor squeezing in ahead of Hotham and Tupaea, who can both play for the Maori.
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@Mr-Fish Bower will be the third LHP, but the rest looks right. It wouldn't surprise me if Christian Lio-Willie makes the squad. They might go with Christie for the ABs and Hotham for the Māori.
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It’s only flawed if you don’t have the players to execute it. Crotty, ALB and SBW all had good passing games but more importantly used angles to create opportunities and space.
Jordie and Ioane are quite different and that’s one of the reasons things aren’t humming.
I think we have players currently running around that have been and could be ABs that possess the skill sets to use what ball the forwards provide to create and exploit space in the wider channels.
@ACT-Crusader said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
It’s only flawed if you don’t have the players to execute it. Crotty, ALB and SBW all had good passing games but more importantly used angles to create opportunities and space.
Jordie and Ioane are quite different and that’s one of the reasons things aren’t humming.
I think we have players currently running around that have been and could be ABs that possess the skill sets to use what ball the forwards provide to create and exploit space in the wider channels.
Ball in two hands too. Always creating doubt.
Surprising so many pro's still get this wrong and just "tuck and truck".
See Tom Wright for his no try against the chiefs (DMAC's miracle play).
If Wright carries the ball in his left hand he scores.
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@Mr-Fish Bower will be the third LHP, but the rest looks right. It wouldn't surprise me if Christian Lio-Willie makes the squad. They might go with Christie for the ABs and Hotham for the Māori.
@sparky said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@Mr-Fish Bower will be the third LHP, but the rest looks right. It wouldn't surprise me if Christian Lio-Willie makes the squad. They might go with Christie for the ABs and Hotham for the Māori.
I think Bower might be in as injury cover if either of Tamaiti Williams or Fletcher Newell is unavailable, but they'll otherwise go with Fusitu'a as the 'apprentice' to back up Williams and De Groot.
Suspect Lio-Willie will be in as cover for Luke Jacobson.
Just on the basis that Hotham moved ahead of Christie in the pecking order last year, I assume he'll hold his spot given his longer-term upside, but it's entirely possible that Hotham is 'held back' for the series so that he can get two starts for the Maori.
I'm also still not convinced that Narawa will be selected. Can see Razor going for Ennor instead, given Ioane, Tupaea and Ennor could all cover wing.
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@Mr-Fish said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
PROPS:
Tamaiti Williams (Crusaders)
Ethan de Groot (Highlanders)
Josh Fusitu'a (Blues)
Tyrel Lomax (Hurricanes)
Fletcher Newell (Crusaders)
Pasilio Tosi (Hurricanes)HOOKERS:
Codie Taylor (Crusaders)
Samisoni Taukei'aho (Chiefs)
George Bell (Crusaders)LOCKS:
Scott Barrett (c) (Crusaders)
Tupou Vaa'i (Chiefs)
Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues)
Fabian Holland (Highlanders)LOOSE FORWARDS:
Ethan Blackadder (Crusaders)
Samipeni Finau (Chiefs)
Ardie Savea (Moana Pasifika)
Peter Lakai (Hurricanes)
Dalton Papalii (Blues)
Wallace Sititi (Chiefs)
Luke Jacobson (Chiefs)HALFBACKS:
Cameron Roigard (Hurricanes)
Cortez Ratima (Chiefs)
Noah Hotham (Crusaders)FIRST FIVES:
Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)
Beauden Barrett (Blues)MIDFIELDERS:
Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes)
Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs)
Rieko Ioane (Blues)
Billy Proctor (Hurricanes)
David Havili (Crusaders)OUTSIDE BACKS:
Caleb Clarke (Blues)
Emoni Narawa (Chiefs)
Sevu Reece (Crusaders)
Will Jordan (Crusaders)
Ruben Love (Hurricanes)Unavailable due to injury: Asafo Aumua (Hurricanes), Simon Parker (Chiefs), Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs)
Personally I'd have Ollie Norris ahead of Fusitu'a but the signs are there that the latter is getting the nod. Would also have Brodie McAlister ahead of Bell.
I think if the Maori All Blacks weren't playing then Rivez Reihana would be in this squad at the expense of David Havili. If I were in charge of selecting I'd also go for Folau Fakatava ahead of Hotham for much the same reason.
I can see Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Reihana and a fit Simon Parker and Caleb Tangitau all playing a role on the EOYT.
Ahead of the squad naming, pretty confident with this selection.
Potential additional injury cover: George Dyer, George Bower, Christian Lio-Willie.
Can also see Finlay Christie and Braydon Ennor squeezing in ahead of Hotham and Tupaea, who can both play for the Maori.
@Mr-Fish That looks pretty close to me.
I've gone a bit cold on my earlier picks of Carter and Norris after Saturday night - and Dave Havili has firmed in the betting (for me).
I still think AJ Lam is a good chance - replacing Narawa in your selection, but that's really a 50/50 call.
Razor will have a couple of surprises!
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@Mr-Fish That looks pretty close to me.
I've gone a bit cold on my earlier picks of Carter and Norris after Saturday night - and Dave Havili has firmed in the betting (for me).
I still think AJ Lam is a good chance - replacing Narawa in your selection, but that's really a 50/50 call.
Razor will have a couple of surprises!
