2025 All Blacks v France series
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ALB has been very good this season and he is a leader in this team. I am not surprised by his naming one bit. Like many senior AB in the past 15 years, they have been selected even when under a cloud with cover bought in.
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@Frank said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Can Tupaea play 13?
He used to play mostly 13, but probably 4-5 years ago now. I don't think he's started there recently. Recently meaning in the past 2-3 years - maybe once I think.
@Chris-B said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@Frank said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Can Tupaea play 13?
He used to play mostly 13, but probably 4-5 years ago now.
Tupaea has mainly been a 12 (since school) who has played 13, but probably more for Waikato than the Chiefs.
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Maybe Blackadder time is not over in the black jersey
Crusaders loose forward Ethan Blackadder is one of the unlucky names to miss out, although it must be said he's another who has struggled with injury problems."He could have easily been picked," Robertson says.
"It's margins and we've got to balance the squad. He'll be in and around at some stage this campaign.
"We're just looking for a little bit more versatility."
@Chris said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Maybe Blackadder time is not over in the black jersey
Crusaders loose forward Ethan Blackadder is one of the unlucky names to miss out, although it must be said he's another who has struggled with injury problems."He could have easily been picked," Robertson says.
"It's margins and we've got to balance the squad. He'll be in and around at some stage this campaign.
"We're just looking for a little bit more versatility."
He can play all three positions can't he ?
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@Chris said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Maybe Blackadder time is not over in the black jersey
Crusaders loose forward Ethan Blackadder is one of the unlucky names to miss out, although it must be said he's another who has struggled with injury problems."He could have easily been picked," Robertson says.
"It's margins and we've got to balance the squad. He'll be in and around at some stage this campaign.
"We're just looking for a little bit more versatility."
He can play all three positions can't he ?
@MN5 said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@Chris said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Maybe Blackadder time is not over in the black jersey
Crusaders loose forward Ethan Blackadder is one of the unlucky names to miss out, although it must be said he's another who has struggled with injury problems."He could have easily been picked," Robertson says.
"It's margins and we've got to balance the squad. He'll be in and around at some stage this campaign.
"We're just looking for a little bit more versatility."
He can play all three positions can't he ?
Not effectively
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Maybe Blackadder time is not over in the black jersey
Crusaders loose forward Ethan Blackadder is one of the unlucky names to miss out, although it must be said he's another who has struggled with injury problems."He could have easily been picked," Robertson says.
"It's margins and we've got to balance the squad. He'll be in and around at some stage this campaign.
"We're just looking for a little bit more versatility."
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@MN5 said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@Chris said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Maybe Blackadder time is not over in the black jersey
Crusaders loose forward Ethan Blackadder is one of the unlucky names to miss out, although it must be said he's another who has struggled with injury problems."He could have easily been picked," Robertson says.
"It's margins and we've got to balance the squad. He'll be in and around at some stage this campaign.
"We're just looking for a little bit more versatility."
He can play all three positions can't he ?
Not effectively
@KiwiMurph said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@MN5 said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@Chris said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Maybe Blackadder time is not over in the black jersey
Crusaders loose forward Ethan Blackadder is one of the unlucky names to miss out, although it must be said he's another who has struggled with injury problems."He could have easily been picked," Robertson says.
"It's margins and we've got to balance the squad. He'll be in and around at some stage this campaign.
"We're just looking for a little bit more versatility."
He can play all three positions can't he ?
Not effectively
That wasn't what I asked
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@Old-Samurai-Jack said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Blackadder is a surprise, but can understand it due to the continuous injuries.
They really missed an opportunity not naming him as the injury cover.
@reprobate said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@Old-Samurai-Jack said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Blackadder is a surprise, but can understand it due to the continuous injuries.
They really missed an opportunity not naming him as the injury cover.
Gold
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@Chris-B said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@Frank said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Can Tupaea play 13?
He used to play mostly 13, but probably 4-5 years ago now.
Tupaea has mainly been a 12 (since school) who has played 13, but probably more for Waikato than the Chiefs.
@Bovidae Yeah - I looked at this very question a few weeks ago, because someone said he was only a 12, but my memory was that he'd played more at 13 than what he has.
https://all.rugby/player/quinn-tupaea
2019/20 he played a lot of 13, but very little since - starting anyway.
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If I remember correctly, Rieko's mainly a left wing - but, he can play right wing as well?
If you name him on the wing, you can effectively cover all positions against injury - without ALB needing to be on the bench. e.g.
Roigard, Beaudy, Rieko, Jordie, Proctor, Reece, Jordan
Ratima, DMac, Tupaea
@Chris-B said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
If I remember correctly, Rieko's mainly a left wing - but, he can play right wing as well?
If you name him on the wing, you can effectively cover all positions against injury - without ALB needing to be on the bench. e.g.
Roigard, Beaudy, Rieko, Jordie, Proctor, Reece, Jordan
Ratima, DMac, Tupaea
It’s a home test against France, so I would take this chance to get a mix of young and experienced.
Roigard, Love
Jordie, Proctor
Clarke, Reece/Ioane
Jordan -
@sparky one of the blokes on reddit was saying apparently he made a late night call to Razor that burned some bridges. Obviously nothing more than hearsay at this stage, and it's not like he wasn't already battling for a spot in the squad. But anyone here know anything about that / can confirm / deny?
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@Chris-B said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
If I remember correctly, Rieko's mainly a left wing - but, he can play right wing as well?
If you name him on the wing, you can effectively cover all positions against injury - without ALB needing to be on the bench. e.g.
Roigard, Beaudy, Rieko, Jordie, Proctor, Reece, Jordan
Ratima, DMac, Tupaea
It’s a home test against France, so I would take this chance to get a mix of young and experienced.
Roigard, Love
Jordie, Proctor
Clarke, Reece/Ioane
Jordan -
@MN5 said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@Chris said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Maybe Blackadder time is not over in the black jersey
Crusaders loose forward Ethan Blackadder is one of the unlucky names to miss out, although it must be said he's another who has struggled with injury problems."He could have easily been picked," Robertson says.
"It's margins and we've got to balance the squad. He'll be in and around at some stage this campaign.
"We're just looking for a little bit more versatility."
He can play all three positions can't he ?
Not effectively
@KiwiMurph said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@MN5 said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@Chris said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Maybe Blackadder time is not over in the black jersey
Crusaders loose forward Ethan Blackadder is one of the unlucky names to miss out, although it must be said he's another who has struggled with injury problems."He could have easily been picked," Robertson says.
"It's margins and we've got to balance the squad. He'll be in and around at some stage this campaign.
"We're just looking for a little bit more versatility."
He can play all three positions can't he ?
Not effectively
since when has that been a consideration?
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@ACT-Crusader I'll be amazed if Love starts the first test at first five!
If we win the first couple handsomely, maybe.
@Chris-B said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@ACT-Crusader I'll be amazed if Love starts the first test at first five!
If we win the first couple handsomely, maybe.
No time like the present.
I’ve had a gutful of the play of Barrett and DMac at 10
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interesting squad.
Tight 5 pretty much selected itself bar maybe the next hooker in line.
I can understand the loose forward numbers, not as attritional as some think, we don't tend to go through too many.
Lots of 12s which is interesting.I look forward to seeing how this squad is turned in to a team.
@mariner4life said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
interesting squad.
Tight 5 pretty much selected itself bar maybe the next hooker in line.
I can understand the loose forward numbers, not as attritional as some think, we don't tend to go through too many.
Lots of 12s which is interesting.I look forward to seeing how this squad is turned in to a team.
Well last year he selected 7 loosies, then needed more due to injury no?
So this year 5 + (FFS) locks who a) there is no evidence can cover 6 well, and b) are not in any way similar to the loosies selected...Squad to team will be very interesting, given the claims of being bolder. I fear it could be close to exactly the same team as last year, with the boldness being digging his heels in on the small loosies and shit backs.
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@sparky one of the blokes on reddit was saying apparently he made a late night call to Razor that burned some bridges. Obviously nothing more than hearsay at this stage, and it's not like he wasn't already battling for a spot in the squad. But anyone here know anything about that / can confirm / deny?
@handa457 said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@sparky one of the blokes on reddit was saying apparently he made a late night call to Razor that burned some bridges. Obviously nothing more than hearsay at this stage, and it's not like he wasn't already battling for a spot in the squad. But anyone here know anything about that / can confirm / deny?
I think @Nogusta said last year that Razor had ghosted him last year before the EOYT which may have caused some friction there?
Not trying to cause a big gossip session, but just elaborating on that point you made.
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@AmberArmy who would you have had in ?
For me its as close to the best we available given the unavailabilities One or 2 you could debate but in the main its pretty spot on and you could hardly accuse Razor of bias
If it was’nt for injury i would suggest Tangitau,Amua,Tu’ungafasi and possibly Parker are a lock in
I do feel for Dalton Papalii , but thats just me
