2025 All Blacks v France series
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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 -
@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@Steven-Harris said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@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 meAumua would’ve made it.
Parker, by all accounts would’ve also.I think Tu’ungafasi is an interesting one. We have built depth at prop and the role he has been playing for the ABs we have options.
Tangitau, not sure. Definitely a prospect.
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@chchfanatic looked to be bang on the money I think, good sauce.
Very pleased for Norris, I think he has international quality.
You have to assume that they'll look at Vaaii getting some time at 6, I feel like they may have missed a trick by skipping over Ah Kuoi, but hard to complain.We need an ABXV with a real schedule so we can have Moananu, Fusitua, Ah kuoi etc playing against (second-ranked) international teams.
Edit: I think chch fanatic only missed on one, with Fusitua missing
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. -
@chchfanatic looked to be bang on the money I think, good sauce.
Very pleased for Norris, I think he has international quality.
You have to assume that they'll look at Vaaii getting some time at 6, I feel like they may have missed a trick by skipping over Ah Kuoi, but hard to complain.We need an ABXV with a real schedule so we can have Moananu, Fusitua, Ah kuoi etc playing against (second-ranked) international teams.
Edit: I think chch fanatic only missed on one, with Fusitua missing
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.@gt12 An AB XV would be an interesting team to pick
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Also, really pleased for McAllister.
Arguably, it's a shame that moving to a good team where you share duties will likely get you ahead of moving to the Landers, where you may likely start, but good on McAllister.
He was excellent for us and is the third best running around, age be dammed (also at 28, he could have easily a WC run in him).
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@Wurzel said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
No Bell, Blackadder, Havili and Fihaki. Razor-hater's gonna need new material.
It's taken him 12 months to figure out what we all knew last year.
@nzzp said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@Wurzel said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
No Bell, Blackadder, Havili and Fihaki. Razor-hater's gonna need new material.
It's taken him 12 months to figure out what we all knew last year.
Bell and Fihaki shouldn't have been selected. The weird thing is that both Havili and Blackadder were quite a bit better this year than last at Super level.
In Havili's case, his form wasn't better than Tupaea or Jim though, and ALB and Jordie for better or worse are fixtures.
For Blackadder, well I think he outplayed Sititi, Finau and Jacobson (albeit only semi-conscious) in the final, and outplayed Sotutu (possibly also semi-conscious) and Papalii in the semi. More versatile than CLW. I would have had him first, Dalton second, and LJ third in the battle for that 'worker' spot.What do we know about Lakai's injury?
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@Jet said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Lock to cover loose forwards according to Razor.
Of all the people involved in the All Blacks, Razor is the one most in need of a HIA. Locks to cover loose forwards is fucking retarded. We've done this before - or is that news to him too?
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@nzzp said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@Wurzel said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
No Bell, Blackadder, Havili and Fihaki. Razor-hater's gonna need new material.
It's taken him 12 months to figure out what we all knew last year.
Bell and Fihaki shouldn't have been selected. The weird thing is that both Havili and Blackadder were quite a bit better this year than last at Super level.
In Havili's case, his form wasn't better than Tupaea or Jim though, and ALB and Jordie for better or worse are fixtures.
For Blackadder, well I think he outplayed Sititi, Finau and Jacobson (albeit only semi-conscious) in the final, and outplayed Sotutu (possibly also semi-conscious) and Papalii in the semi. More versatile than CLW. I would have had him first, Dalton second, and LJ third in the battle for that 'worker' spot.What do we know about Lakai's injury?
@reprobate said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Bell and Fihaki shouldn't have been selected. The weird thing is that both Havili and Blackadder were quite a bit better this year than last at Super level.
I was a bit tongue in cheek.
Havili was excellent at 12 until he came up against the bigger teams. I don't think he's got enough to take up a squad slot.
Blackadder has strong work rate, but in my opinion not fast enough or big enough for the top level. Can see how he gets picked, and can see his value, but his ceiling is quite limited for Tests. Super does not actually transfer well to Test level.
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@reprobate said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Bell and Fihaki shouldn't have been selected. The weird thing is that both Havili and Blackadder were quite a bit better this year than last at Super level.
I was a bit tongue in cheek.
Havili was excellent at 12 until he came up against the bigger teams. I don't think he's got enough to take up a squad slot.
Blackadder has strong work rate, but in my opinion not fast enough or big enough for the top level. Can see how he gets picked, and can see his value, but his ceiling is quite limited for Tests. Super does not actually transfer well to Test level.
@nzzp said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@reprobate said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Bell and Fihaki shouldn't have been selected. The weird thing is that both Havili and Blackadder were quite a bit better this year than last at Super level.
I was a bit tongue in cheek.
Havili was excellent at 12 until he came up against the bigger teams. I don't think he's got enough to take up a squad slot.
Blackadder has strong work rate, but in my opinion not fast enough or big enough for the top level. Can see how he gets picked, and can see his value, but his ceiling is quite limited for Tests. Super does not actually transfer well to Test level.
His best AB performances were against the Boks. Got over the gain line consistently and set up tries.
I’m not surprised by his omission given QT is now fit and firing.
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How is Narawa injury cover for ALB? On what planet does that make any sense?
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How is Narawa injury cover for ALB? On what planet does that make any sense?
@antipodean because they have TNT
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How is Narawa injury cover for ALB? On what planet does that make any sense?
@antipodean said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
How is Narawa injury cover for ALB? On what planet does that make any sense?
Well he is a wing/centre, so really probably there to cover both.
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Re: Clarke, there's every chance I am not remembering this accurately and it's a bit difficult to confirm, but I thought he started SR strong, then was out injured for a few weeks, then didn't come back as strong after injury? So the claims of him being in "dreadful form" are a bit exaggerated. Or have I got that mixed up?
Regardless, he is the best winger in NZ by a country mile, leaving him out would have been insane, especially considering his form in black last year.
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How is Narawa injury cover for ALB? On what planet does that make any sense?
@antipodean said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
How is Narawa injury cover for ALB? On what planet does that make any sense?
Narawa was exceptional for Bay Of Plenty last year at 13.
They could use more wing cover
There is plenty of 12 cover already in the squad.
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@antipodean said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
How is Narawa injury cover for ALB? On what planet does that make any sense?
Well he is a wing/centre, so really probably there to cover both.
@Dan54 said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@antipodean said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
How is Narawa injury cover for ALB? On what planet does that make any sense?
Well he is a wing/centre, so really probably there to cover both.
Playing centre at NPC isn't a qualification on your CV to cover that position in Test rugby. I'd have a different opinion if he'd spent some time there during the SR season and acquitted himself well.
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@chchfanatic looked to be bang on the money I think, good sauce.
Very pleased for Norris, I think he has international quality.
You have to assume that they'll look at Vaaii getting some time at 6, I feel like they may have missed a trick by skipping over Ah Kuoi, but hard to complain.We need an ABXV with a real schedule so we can have Moananu, Fusitua, Ah kuoi etc playing against (second-ranked) international teams.
Edit: I think chch fanatic only missed on one, with Fusitua missing
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.
