2025 All Blacks v France series

[brodean]

@MN5 said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

@hikastags said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

Ok if we are judging by the weekend, Will Jordan is the All Black fullback.

I know Jordan will be fb. Just my opinion it should be Jordie.

I think the All Blacks are far more dynamic when they have a big ball-running 12 which takes a boat load of pressure off whoever the 10 is. The South Africans lick their lips at Jordie playing 12. He's too tall to be used as a crash-ball merchant and the big Saffas nail him like he's made of paper.

Indeed. Has never stood out vs De Allende or Esterhuizen and PSDT hit him so hard and often in the WC final I can only assume he owed him some money.

I don't think you can really fault Jordie in the RWC final considering he was having to cover loose forward on top of his 12 duties.

[Kiwiwomble]

@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

@hikastags

I certainly think there is value in this kind of configuration:

12. Tavatavanawai/Tupaea
13. Jordan
14. Jordie Barrett

....what? has jordan played 13 before? the last time we saw Jordie on the wing was not pretty

it would be peak AB selectors to select loads of midfielders....and then play one of the names outside back in midfield...and then one of the midfielders on the win

[brodean]

@Kiwiwomble

Forum auto formatting. Wrapping it in code tags.

12. Tavatavanawai/Tupaea
14. Jordan
15. Jordie Barrett

[Duluth]

@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

Forum auto formatting.

I can't turn it off either

You can put a backslash before the first '.' and that fixes it

eg

[Nepia]

@hikastags said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

Jordie's not quick, and he's not elusive. If most people could build a fullback in a lab, I reckon they'd build Christian Cullen - and Jordie most certainly isn't that.
Also it was the Chiefs back 3 who looked silly in what was largely a kicking battle on the weekend, not Will Jordan - he was dominant.

Quick enough. Do you enjoy watching a 6ft 5 Jordie cart it up as a crash-ball 12 where the South Africans chew him up like nothing?

And no, it would be Jordie considering the kicking game in today's game.

We tried Jordie at fullback, we rightly moved him to 12.

If he wasn't a Barrett I'd say that Tupaea would have his spot at 12, and he'd likely be on the bench, especially after a rather quiet test year last year (regardless of what he's been doing in NH rugby). But he's Barrett so likely Quinn is watching from the sidelines and we all complain that we have a midfield that can't cart the ball in traffic despite the fact one of them is built like a lock.

[Kiwiwomble]

@Nepia said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

@hikastags said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

Jordie's not quick, and he's not elusive. If most people could build a fullback in a lab, I reckon they'd build Christian Cullen - and Jordie most certainly isn't that.
Also it was the Chiefs back 3 who looked silly in what was largely a kicking battle on the weekend, not Will Jordan - he was dominant.

Quick enough. Do you enjoy watching a 6ft 5 Jordie cart it up as a crash-ball 12 where the South Africans chew him up like nothing?

And no, it would be Jordie considering the kicking game in today's game.

We tried Jordie at fullback, we rightly moved him to 12.

If he wasn't a Barrett I'd say that Tupaea would have his spot at 12, and he'd likely be on the bench, especially after a rather quiet test year last year (regardless of what he's been doing in NH rugby). But he's Barrett so likely Quinn is watching from the sidelines and we all complain that we have a midfield that can't cart the ball in traffic despite the fact one of them is built like a lock.

was that though also a bit because we were weak in midfield? we were getting found out with the rush defence and thought a big ball player might help

@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

@Kiwiwomble

Forum auto formatting. Wrapping it in code tags.

12. Tavatavanawai/Tupaea
14. Jordan
15. Jordie Barrett

out, thats fine, im not against it

[antipodean]

@akan004 I don't know why the media bother asking Scott a single question. Every answer is meaningless word salad.

And tbh it looks like that's how he coaches too when you see what he's managed to do with our backline.

[hikastags]

@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

@hikastags

I certainly think there is value in this kind of configuration:

12. Tavatavanawai/Tupaea
14. Jordan
15. Jordie Barrett

Agree.

I'd add Leicester in the mix once he's back too. He's been unbelievable in the Top14 playing midfield.

[Nepia]

@Kiwiwomble said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

@Nepia said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

@hikastags said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

Jordie's not quick, and he's not elusive. If most people could build a fullback in a lab, I reckon they'd build Christian Cullen - and Jordie most certainly isn't that.
Also it was the Chiefs back 3 who looked silly in what was largely a kicking battle on the weekend, not Will Jordan - he was dominant.

Quick enough. Do you enjoy watching a 6ft 5 Jordie cart it up as a crash-ball 12 where the South Africans chew him up like nothing?

And no, it would be Jordie considering the kicking game in today's game.

We tried Jordie at fullback, we rightly moved him to 12.

If he wasn't a Barrett I'd say that Tupaea would have his spot at 12, and he'd likely be on the bench, especially after a rather quiet test year last year (regardless of what he's been doing in NH rugby). But he's Barrett so likely Quinn is watching from the sidelines and we all complain that we have a midfield that can't cart the ball in traffic despite the fact one of them is built like a lock.

was that though also a bit because we were weak in midfield? we were getting found out with the rush defence and thought a big ball player might help

I don't think it has to be zero sum.

[KiwiMurph]

I think Tavatavanawai is best used off of the bench - he runs sideways a lot - which you can get away with at Super level.

[Kiwiwomble]

@Nepia said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

@Kiwiwomble said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

@Nepia said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

@hikastags said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

Jordie's not quick, and he's not elusive. If most people could build a fullback in a lab, I reckon they'd build Christian Cullen - and Jordie most certainly isn't that.
Also it was the Chiefs back 3 who looked silly in what was largely a kicking battle on the weekend, not Will Jordan - he was dominant.

Quick enough. Do you enjoy watching a 6ft 5 Jordie cart it up as a crash-ball 12 where the South Africans chew him up like nothing?

And no, it would be Jordie considering the kicking game in today's game.

We tried Jordie at fullback, we rightly moved him to 12.

If he wasn't a Barrett I'd say that Tupaea would have his spot at 12, and he'd likely be on the bench, especially after a rather quiet test year last year (regardless of what he's been doing in NH rugby). But he's Barrett so likely Quinn is watching from the sidelines and we all complain that we have a midfield that can't cart the ball in traffic despite the fact one of them is built like a lock.

was that though also a bit because we were weak in midfield? we were getting found out with the rush defence and thought a big ball player might help

I don't think it has to be zero sum.

i feel the use of the term "also a bit" suggested i also thought it was multi faceted

[nonpartizan]

@KiwiMurph said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

I think Tavatavanawai is best used off of the bench - he runs sideways a lot - which you can get away with at Super level.

What do you see as his best attribute in that role? Punching holes in tired defences? I only ask since I barely saw any Highlanders games so have no idea of his qualities.

[Kiwiwomble]

@KiwiMurph said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

I think Tavatavanawai is best used off of the bench - he runs sideways a lot - which you can get away with at Super level.

probably right, has the ability to either change the flow of a game or shut one down with his turnovers

@nonpartizan said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

@KiwiMurph said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

I think Tavatavanawai is best used off of the bench - he runs sideways a lot - which you can get away with at Super level.

What do you see as his best attribute in that role? Punching holes in tired defences? I only ask since I barely saw any Highlanders games so have no idea of his qualities.

hes a strong runner although as has been pointed out probably doesnt have the top end speed...so more a ensure getting over the advantage line than running in tries from our own half, strong on defence and LOVES a turnover, strong stance over a ruck

[brodean]

@nonpartizan

His key metrics are defenders beaten, offloads, and turnovers won. He does run sideways a lot and we already have two of those as the main 10 option.

[KiwiMurph]

@nonpartizan said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

@KiwiMurph said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

I think Tavatavanawai is best used off of the bench - he runs sideways a lot - which you can get away with at Super level.

What do you see as his best attribute in that role? Punching holes in tired defences? I only ask since I barely saw any Highlanders games so have no idea of his qualities.

Yeah he could be a real weapon late in games. Like having another loosie in relation to breakdown turnovers and against a tiring defence his pocket rocket style power could be very useful.

[nonpartizan]

TX @brodean @KiwiMurph @Kiwiwomble

[akan004]

@antipodean said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

@akan004 I don't know why the media bother asking Scott a single question. Every answer is meaningless word salad.

And tbh it looks like that's how he coaches too when you see what he's managed to do with our backline.

The only good one was the one with Millsy and Guy, the last one that I posted. He talks about why Blackadder was not selected. They don't think he's making enough of an impact, namely his post contact carry metres and a lack of dominant tackles. Sounds like he reads the fern.

[No Quarter]

@Nepia said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

@hikastags said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

Jordie's not quick, and he's not elusive. If most people could build a fullback in a lab, I reckon they'd build Christian Cullen - and Jordie most certainly isn't that.
Also it was the Chiefs back 3 who looked silly in what was largely a kicking battle on the weekend, not Will Jordan - he was dominant.

Quick enough. Do you enjoy watching a 6ft 5 Jordie cart it up as a crash-ball 12 where the South Africans chew him up like nothing?

And no, it would be Jordie considering the kicking game in today's game.

We tried Jordie at fullback, we rightly moved him to 12.

If he wasn't a Barrett I'd say that Tupaea would have his spot at 12, and he'd likely be on the bench, especially after a rather quiet test year last year (regardless of what he's been doing in NH rugby). But he's Barrett so likely Quinn is watching from the sidelines and we all complain that we have a midfield that can't cart the ball in traffic despite the fact one of them is built like a lock.

Oh come on Neps, don't let your hatred of the supremely talented Barrett Brothers cloud your judgement Jordie was superb at fullback the majority of games he played there, and the coaches were loathe to move him despite the somewhat desperate need for his skillset at 12 at the time. I think we have enough quality in the midfield now to be able to push him back to 15 to shore up our defense, particularly against quality kicking. If you had both Clarke and Jordie in the back three then kicking to them is not going to get many rewards, and when it comes to SA in particular, that's pretty much their entire gameplan.

[Nepia]

@No-Quarter said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

@Nepia said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

@hikastags said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

Jordie's not quick, and he's not elusive. If most people could build a fullback in a lab, I reckon they'd build Christian Cullen - and Jordie most certainly isn't that.
Also it was the Chiefs back 3 who looked silly in what was largely a kicking battle on the weekend, not Will Jordan - he was dominant.

Quick enough. Do you enjoy watching a 6ft 5 Jordie cart it up as a crash-ball 12 where the South Africans chew him up like nothing?

And no, it would be Jordie considering the kicking game in today's game.

We tried Jordie at fullback, we rightly moved him to 12.

If he wasn't a Barrett I'd say that Tupaea would have his spot at 12, and he'd likely be on the bench, especially after a rather quiet test year last year (regardless of what he's been doing in NH rugby). But he's Barrett so likely Quinn is watching from the sidelines and we all complain that we have a midfield that can't cart the ball in traffic despite the fact one of them is built like a lock.

Oh come on Neps, don't let your hatred of the supremely talented Barrett Brothers cloud your judgement Jordie was superb at fullback the majority of games he played there, and the coaches were loathe to move him despite the somewhat desperate need for his skillset at 12 at the time. I think we have enough quality in the midfield now to be able to push him back to 15 to shore up our defense, particularly against quality kicking. If you had both Clarke and Jordie in the back three then kicking to them is not going to get many rewards, and when it comes to SA in particular, that's pretty much their entire gameplan.

What sort of revisionism is this? If Jordie was superb at fullback he'd still be there, he was decidedly average if you take Barrett fanboi glasses off.

[Canes4life]

@KiwiMurph said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

I think Tavatavanawai is best used off of the bench - he runs sideways a lot - which you can get away with at Super level.

Someone needs to put disrespect on his name before his first test. Getting him angry might be the best policy.