All Blacks 2025
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ALB has signed through to 2028, but he will be in Japan rather than with the Chiefs next season.
https://www.allblacks.com/news/anton-lienert-brown-recommits-to-new-zealand-rugby-to-2028
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I'm interested in the perspectives of others when it comes to the point of difference our loose forwards bring as individuals.
After his debut season I'm happy for Sititi to come back when fit. But Savea, Kirifi and Lakai (and to a lesser extent Lio-Willie) appear to be much the same.
No doubt Parker will get an opportunity once for, so he can join Finau and Vaai.
I'd like to see Beehre also in that mix as his cameos in the tight were always noticeably positive.
We have the bodies to have an imposing pack, despite the preferences of the coach.
@antipodean said in All Blacks 2025:
But Savea, Kirifi and Lakai (and to a lesser extent Lio-Willie) appear to be much the same.
can't agree with this point because Savea continues to be an enigma.
The ruck attendance stats posted in the other thread don't seem to match the eye test so i would be interest as to how many of those he arrived at 3rd and leaned on. He absolutely cleaned a couple later in the test, memorable for their exception.
But he's getting picked, he's playing 80, and he is going to do his own thing. The bigger question is what shirt should he wear?The other 3 are small busy loose forwards without a real point of difference.
With Vaai and Finau playing the dirty stuff, Savea doing his thing, what do we need from the #8? Is it purely a worker? If so, then that guy can't be another smaller body, he needs to make a difference when contact is required.
I tell you what, a Finau, Savea, Vaai starting trio with Sititi off the bench would be tough to handle.
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@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Does he have Aderns PR team or something?
Maybe we need the politics section back so you righty tighties can keep it in your pants on the sports threads. :winking_face_with_tongue:
@Nepia said in All Blacks 2025:
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Does he have Aderns PR team or something?
Maybe we need the politics section back so you righty tighties can keep it in your pants on the sports threads. :winking_face_with_tongue:
It wasn't meant as a political post, she did have a good PR team
probably not as good as Beauden's though TBH! -
@booboo said in All Blacks 2025:
injuries?
Updated
Tu'ungafasi
Williams
Lomax (did he get reinjured?)
Aumua
Barrett
Lord
Darry
Sititi
Jacobsen
Blackadder
Lakai
Parker
Barrett B
Perofeta
Ioane
ClarkeOthers
@booboo I fed those names into Chat GTP and asked it if they would be available for the start of the Rugby Championship.
Unavailable for Start of Championship-
^Ofa Tu’ungafasi – Undergoing neck surgery and ruled out for the rest of Super Rugby Pacific, making him unlikely to return by early August oai_citation:0‡SuperSport.
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^Beauden Barrett – Suffered a fractured right hand in early March. Expected 6–8 weeks of recovery, which means he’ll be close to match fitness in May–June; likely fully fit by August oai_citation:1‡RUGBY.com.au oai_citation:2‡SABC Sport oai_citation:3‡RugbyPass.
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^Wallace Sititi – Long-term knee injury still ruling him out.
🟡 Mid-Term/Conditional – Likely Fit by August
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^Josh Lord – “Mid-term” knee concern; unclear timeline but expected back pre-championship.
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^Ethan Blackadder – Quad injury with unspecified timeline, but recovery likely before August.
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^Scott Barrett – Despite recent breaks (missed two tests vs France due to a broken finger), he's training and expected to be match-ready well before the Rugby Championship oai_citation:4‡Reddit oai_citation:5‡Reddit oai_citation:6‡Reuters.
Fit or Uninjured- Scott Barrett, Tamati Williams, Tyrell Lomax, Asafo Aumua, Luke Jacobsen, Peter Lakai, Simon Parker, Reiko Ioane, Caleb Clarke, Stephen Perofeta—all expected to be available once their minor issues settle.
🟢 Summary Table
Player Status Likely Available in August Ofa Tu’ungafasi Out rest of Super Rugby (neck surgery) 
NoBeauden Barrett Fractured hand (6–8 weeks) YesSam Darry Season-ending shoulder NoWallace Sititi Long-term knee NoTyrell Lomax Ankle injury (short-term) YesAsafo Aumua Concussion (returned) YesLuke Jacobsen Minor nose issue YesScott Barrett Broken finger, back in training YesJosh Lord Mid-term knee ProbablyEthan Blackadder Quad injury 
️ LikelyPeter Lakai Fit YesSimon Parker Fit YesReiko Ioane Fit YesCaleb Clarke Minor thigh issue YesStephen Perofeta Calf strain (short) YesTamati Williams Fit Yes
🟢 Final Take
- Definitely unavailable: Tu’ungafasi, Darry, Sititi.
- Uncertain depending on recovery: Blackadder, Lord.
- Likely fit: Beauden Barrett (prior hand issue), Scott Barrett, Lomax, Aumua, Jacobsen, Williams, Parker, Ioane, Clarke, Perofeta, Lakai.
So by early August, most of the squad should be ready—except for the long-term injured trio and two players who are the last to fully recover.
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@Nepia said in All Blacks 2025:
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Does he have Aderns PR team or something?
Maybe we need the politics section back so you righty tighties can keep it in your pants on the sports threads. :winking_face_with_tongue:
It wasn't meant as a political post, she did have a good PR team
probably not as good as Beauden's though TBH!@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
@Nepia said in All Blacks 2025:
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Does he have Aderns PR team or something?
Maybe we need the politics section back so you righty tighties can keep it in your pants on the sports threads. :winking_face_with_tongue:
It wasn't meant as a political post, she did have a good PR team
probably not as good as Beauden's though TBH!No one has good a PR team as the Barrett family.
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@booboo I fed those names into Chat GTP and asked it if they would be available for the start of the Rugby Championship.
Unavailable for Start of Championship-
^Ofa Tu’ungafasi – Undergoing neck surgery and ruled out for the rest of Super Rugby Pacific, making him unlikely to return by early August oai_citation:0‡SuperSport.
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^Beauden Barrett – Suffered a fractured right hand in early March. Expected 6–8 weeks of recovery, which means he’ll be close to match fitness in May–June; likely fully fit by August oai_citation:1‡RUGBY.com.au oai_citation:2‡SABC Sport oai_citation:3‡RugbyPass.
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^Wallace Sititi – Long-term knee injury still ruling him out.
🟡 Mid-Term/Conditional – Likely Fit by August
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^Josh Lord – “Mid-term” knee concern; unclear timeline but expected back pre-championship.
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^Ethan Blackadder – Quad injury with unspecified timeline, but recovery likely before August.
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^Scott Barrett – Despite recent breaks (missed two tests vs France due to a broken finger), he's training and expected to be match-ready well before the Rugby Championship oai_citation:4‡Reddit oai_citation:5‡Reddit oai_citation:6‡Reuters.
Fit or Uninjured- Scott Barrett, Tamati Williams, Tyrell Lomax, Asafo Aumua, Luke Jacobsen, Peter Lakai, Simon Parker, Reiko Ioane, Caleb Clarke, Stephen Perofeta—all expected to be available once their minor issues settle.
🟢 Summary Table
Player Status Likely Available in August Ofa Tu’ungafasi Out rest of Super Rugby (neck surgery) NoBeauden Barrett Fractured hand (6–8 weeks) YesSam Darry Season-ending shoulder NoWallace Sititi Long-term knee NoTyrell Lomax Ankle injury (short-term) YesAsafo Aumua Concussion (returned) YesLuke Jacobsen Minor nose issue YesScott Barrett Broken finger, back in training YesJosh Lord Mid-term knee ProbablyEthan Blackadder Quad injury ️ LikelyPeter Lakai Fit YesSimon Parker Fit YesReiko Ioane Fit YesCaleb Clarke Minor thigh issue YesStephen Perofeta Calf strain (short) YesTamati Williams Fit Yes
🟢 Final Take
- Definitely unavailable: Tu’ungafasi, Darry, Sititi.
- Uncertain depending on recovery: Blackadder, Lord.
- Likely fit: Beauden Barrett (prior hand issue), Scott Barrett, Lomax, Aumua, Jacobsen, Williams, Parker, Ioane, Clarke, Perofeta, Lakai.
So by early August, most of the squad should be ready—except for the long-term injured trio and two players who are the last to fully recover.
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@sparky Sititi had surgery on his ankle, not a knee injury. When I posted a couple of weeks back that he would be in his moon boot for 3 weeks that was directly from him.
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AI slop 🤨
@zedsdeadbaby It's also missed Caleb Clarke's injury.
https://www.rugby.com.au/news/injured-nz-winger-to-miss-part-of-rugby-championship-2025714
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@antipodean said in All Blacks 2025:
But Savea, Kirifi and Lakai (and to a lesser extent Lio-Willie) appear to be much the same.
can't agree with this point because Savea continues to be an enigma.
The ruck attendance stats posted in the other thread don't seem to match the eye test so i would be interest as to how many of those he arrived at 3rd and leaned on. He absolutely cleaned a couple later in the test, memorable for their exception.
But he's getting picked, he's playing 80, and he is going to do his own thing. The bigger question is what shirt should he wear?The other 3 are small busy loose forwards without a real point of difference.
With Vaai and Finau playing the dirty stuff, Savea doing his thing, what do we need from the #8? Is it purely a worker? If so, then that guy can't be another smaller body, he needs to make a difference when contact is required.
I tell you what, a Finau, Savea, Vaai starting trio with Sititi off the bench would be tough to handle.
He was absent from the discussion of first / second to the breakdown in the discussion on the rugby pod (no idea if by design or not).
They did mention stat hunters who go to many rucks as the third when they shouldn’t be needed….
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@antipodean said in All Blacks 2025:
But Savea, Kirifi and Lakai (and to a lesser extent Lio-Willie) appear to be much the same.
can't agree with this point because Savea continues to be an enigma.
The ruck attendance stats posted in the other thread don't seem to match the eye test so i would be interest as to how many of those he arrived at 3rd and leaned on. He absolutely cleaned a couple later in the test, memorable for their exception.
But he's getting picked, he's playing 80, and he is going to do his own thing. The bigger question is what shirt should he wear?The other 3 are small busy loose forwards without a real point of difference.
With Vaai and Finau playing the dirty stuff, Savea doing his thing, what do we need from the #8? Is it purely a worker? If so, then that guy can't be another smaller body, he needs to make a difference when contact is required.
I tell you what, a Finau, Savea, Vaai starting trio with Sititi off the bench would be tough to handle.
@mariner4life much like the post 2am dancefloor hunt it's no secret I prefer big bodies.
Vaai, Finau and Savea is probably the best we can hope for with the current administration.
But I view with great scepticism stats suggesting Ardie does much at ruck time other than try to be the next person to carry.
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@antipodean said in All Blacks 2025:
But Savea, Kirifi and Lakai (and to a lesser extent Lio-Willie) appear to be much the same.
can't agree with this point because Savea continues to be an enigma.
The ruck attendance stats posted in the other thread don't seem to match the eye test so i would be interest as to how many of those he arrived at 3rd and leaned on. He absolutely cleaned a couple later in the test, memorable for their exception.
But he's getting picked, he's playing 80, and he is going to do his own thing. The bigger question is what shirt should he wear?The other 3 are small busy loose forwards without a real point of difference.
With Vaai and Finau playing the dirty stuff, Savea doing his thing, what do we need from the #8? Is it purely a worker? If so, then that guy can't be another smaller body, he needs to make a difference when contact is required.
I tell you what, a Finau, Savea, Vaai starting trio with Sititi off the bench would be tough to handle.
@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2025:
The ruck attendance stats posted in the other thread don't seem to match the eye test so i would be interest as to how many of those he arrived at 3rd and leaned on. He absolutely cleaned a couple later in the test, memorable for their exception.
Looking at the attacking rucks throughout the game, I thought Savea was physical at the breakdown. He had one particularly poor clean in the first half, going off his feet too quickly to move Fickou - who was already out of the play - which led to the Guillard penalty in the 35th minute.
But if it wasn't for Savea, with Kirifi looking a bit overwhelmed in the first half and Finau being positioned out wide, the AB attacking breakdown would've become a massacre.
I'll agree that Savea was not good enough at the attacking ruck in 2024. But I think he was more than good enough in this area during this Test series, while also being one of the biggest attacking threats in the team (chip-kick not included).
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Lakai, though heavily strapped up, was running around with the Wellington Lions today at training. Good signs. I feared he sustained a longer term injury in that last round robin game against the Brumbies. Razor will be happy after some of the comments he made about Lakai after his injury, comments that make me think he's high up in Razor's plan leading into the next WC.
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@booboo I fed those names into Chat GTP and asked it if they would be available for the start of the Rugby Championship.
Unavailable for Start of Championship-
^Ofa Tu’ungafasi – Undergoing neck surgery and ruled out for the rest of Super Rugby Pacific, making him unlikely to return by early August oai_citation:0‡SuperSport.
-
^Beauden Barrett – Suffered a fractured right hand in early March. Expected 6–8 weeks of recovery, which means he’ll be close to match fitness in May–June; likely fully fit by August oai_citation:1‡RUGBY.com.au oai_citation:2‡SABC Sport oai_citation:3‡RugbyPass.
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^Wallace Sititi – Long-term knee injury still ruling him out.
🟡 Mid-Term/Conditional – Likely Fit by August
-
^Josh Lord – “Mid-term” knee concern; unclear timeline but expected back pre-championship.
-
^Ethan Blackadder – Quad injury with unspecified timeline, but recovery likely before August.
-
^Scott Barrett – Despite recent breaks (missed two tests vs France due to a broken finger), he's training and expected to be match-ready well before the Rugby Championship oai_citation:4‡Reddit oai_citation:5‡Reddit oai_citation:6‡Reuters.
Fit or Uninjured- Scott Barrett, Tamati Williams, Tyrell Lomax, Asafo Aumua, Luke Jacobsen, Peter Lakai, Simon Parker, Reiko Ioane, Caleb Clarke, Stephen Perofeta—all expected to be available once their minor issues settle.
🟢 Summary Table
Player Status Likely Available in August Ofa Tu’ungafasi Out rest of Super Rugby (neck surgery) NoBeauden Barrett Fractured hand (6–8 weeks) YesSam Darry Season-ending shoulder NoWallace Sititi Long-term knee NoTyrell Lomax Ankle injury (short-term) YesAsafo Aumua Concussion (returned) YesLuke Jacobsen Minor nose issue YesScott Barrett Broken finger, back in training YesJosh Lord Mid-term knee ProbablyEthan Blackadder Quad injury ️ LikelyPeter Lakai Fit YesSimon Parker Fit YesReiko Ioane Fit YesCaleb Clarke Minor thigh issue YesStephen Perofeta Calf strain (short) YesTamati Williams Fit Yes
🟢 Final Take
- Definitely unavailable: Tu’ungafasi, Darry, Sititi.
- Uncertain depending on recovery: Blackadder, Lord.
- Likely fit: Beauden Barrett (prior hand issue), Scott Barrett, Lomax, Aumua, Jacobsen, Williams, Parker, Ioane, Clarke, Perofeta, Lakai.
So by early August, most of the squad should be ready—except for the long-term injured trio and two players who are the last to fully recover.
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
@booboo I fed those names into Chat GTP and asked it if they would be available for the start of the Rugby Championship.
Unavailable for Start of Championship-
^Ofa Tu’ungafasi – Undergoing neck surgery and ruled out for the rest of Super Rugby Pacific, making him unlikely to return by early August oai_citation:0‡SuperSport.
-
^Beauden Barrett – Suffered a fractured right hand in early March. Expected 6–8 weeks of recovery, which means he’ll be close to match fitness in May–June; likely fully fit by August oai_citation:1‡RUGBY.com.au oai_citation:2‡SABC Sport oai_citation:3‡RugbyPass.
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^Wallace Sititi – Long-term knee injury still ruling him out.
🟡 Mid-Term/Conditional – Likely Fit by August
-
^Josh Lord – “Mid-term” knee concern; unclear timeline but expected back pre-championship.
-
^Ethan Blackadder – Quad injury with unspecified timeline, but recovery likely before August.
-
^Scott Barrett – Despite recent breaks (missed two tests vs France due to a broken finger), he's training and expected to be match-ready well before the Rugby Championship oai_citation:4‡Reddit oai_citation:5‡Reddit oai_citation:6‡Reuters.
Fit or Uninjured- Scott Barrett, Tamati Williams, Tyrell Lomax, Asafo Aumua, Luke Jacobsen, Peter Lakai, Simon Parker, Reiko Ioane, Caleb Clarke, Stephen Perofeta—all expected to be available once their minor issues settle.
🟢 Summary Table
Player Status Likely Available in August Ofa Tu’ungafasi Out rest of Super Rugby (neck surgery) NoBeauden Barrett Fractured hand (6–8 weeks) YesSam Darry Season-ending shoulder NoWallace Sititi Long-term knee NoTyrell Lomax Ankle injury (short-term) YesAsafo Aumua Concussion (returned) YesLuke Jacobsen Minor nose issue YesScott Barrett Broken finger, back in training YesJosh Lord Mid-term knee ProbablyEthan Blackadder Quad injury ️ LikelyPeter Lakai Fit YesSimon Parker Fit YesReiko Ioane Fit YesCaleb Clarke Minor thigh issue YesStephen Perofeta Calf strain (short) YesTamati Williams Fit Yes
🟢 Final Take
- Definitely unavailable: Tu’ungafasi, Darry, Sititi.
- Uncertain depending on recovery: Blackadder, Lord.
- Likely fit: Beauden Barrett (prior hand issue), Scott Barrett, Lomax, Aumua, Jacobsen, Williams, Parker, Ioane, Clarke, Perofeta, Lakai.
So by early August, most of the squad should be ready—except for the long-term injured trio and two players who are the last to fully recover.
I see AI can’t spell Jacobson!
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@sparky Sititi had surgery on his ankle, not a knee injury. When I posted a couple of weeks back that he would be in his moon boot for 3 weeks that was directly from him.
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@mariner4life much like the post 2am dancefloor hunt it's no secret I prefer big bodies.
Vaai, Finau and Savea is probably the best we can hope for with the current administration.
But I view with great scepticism stats suggesting Ardie does much at ruck time other than try to be the next person to carry.
@antipodean said in All Blacks 2025:
@mariner4life much like the post 2am dancefloor hunt it's no secret I prefer big bodies.
Vaai, Finau and Savea is probably the best we can hope for with the current administration.
But I view with great scepticism stats suggesting Ardie does much at ruck time other than try to be the next person to carry.
I saw him do a solid clean out on Saturday, so seems he knows how to do it.
