All Blacks 2025
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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.
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Overall the French series was a success. New players were tried and we got an idea of what some players have to offer.
Holland was a major win. His combination with Tuipulotu and with Vaa'i there at 6 offered a lot. We saw how dominant the lineout and maul could be in the first half of the second test.
The biggest questions are around who will be the loose forwards and who will be center?
Will Savea be 7 or 8 or will he continue to move around mid game?
Savea, Kirifi, Lio Willie, Lakai and Sititi are all a bit too samey so would hope they make a decision on who to back out of those and pick a bit more variety for the remaining positions.
Would suspect that Savea, Sititi and Finau are the first three named in the squad and that the rest will be selected from there.
Can't see someone like Parker coming in with no test experience and no game time. Suspect he will need to get some games under his belt in the NPC to come under consideration for the EOYT.
Papali'i showed he can offer genuine impact off the bench and he helped us dominate possession for the last 10 minutes. Took a clean lineout on the French 5m line. Made a dominant tackle on Taofifenua. Made strong carries and probably scored a try.
Still Papali'i was only in as injury cover so there is that.
Not sure on the injury status of Jacobson or Blackadder or Lakai but suspect that they will be picking 6 from the following:
Savea, Sititi, Finau, Lakai, Kirifi, Lio-Willie, Papali'i, Jacobson and Blackadder.
@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:
Overall the French series was a success. New players were tried and we got an idea of what some players have to offer.
Holland was a major win. His combination with Tuipulotu and with Vaa'i there at 6 offered a lot. We saw how dominant the lineout and maul could be in the first half of the second test.
The biggest questions are around who will be the loose forwards and who will be center?
Will Savea be 7 or 8 or will he continue to move around mid game?
Savea, Kirifi, Lio Willie, Lakai and Sititi are all a bit too samey so would hope they make a decision on who to back out of those and pick a bit more variety for the remaining positions.
Would suspect that Savea, Sititi and Finau are the first three named in the squad and that the rest will be selected from there.
Can't see someone like Parker coming in with no test experience and no game time. Suspect he will need to get some games under his belt in the NPC to come under consideration for the EOYT.
Papali'i showed he can offer genuine impact off the bench and he helped us dominate possession for the last 10 minutes. Took a clean lineout on the French 5m line. Made a dominant tackle on Taofifenua. Made strong carries and probably scored a try.
Still Papali'i was only in as injury cover so there is that.
Not sure on the injury status of Jacobson or Blackadder or Lakai but suspect that they will be picking 6 from the following:
Savea, Sititi, Finau, Lakai, Kirifi, Lio-Willie, Papali'i, Jacobson and Blackadder.
As Lakai was noted as ruled out by injury we can expect him to be added.
I I reckon the decision will come down to the lock situation. If another is added (Darry/Lord), then can see Vaa’i as sixth man, with Kirifi dropping out.
No extra locks and choice for last spot between Kirifi/Lio Willie/Paps/Bladder. Parker and Hoss on edge of discussions.
For me, I’d prefer Lakai and Jacobson seen as punchy 7s and RD and Wally seen as running 8s. Which leaves a need for two big 6s.
So I’d go for Parker if Vaa’i required in engine room. Ah Khoi would also fit the spec.
Luke/Parker/Wally was a nicely balanced unit for Minor Champions.
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@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.
@pakman said in All Blacks 2025:
@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.
Must've tripped.
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Has there been any word on Hotham's injury from the weekend?
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Has there been any word on Hotham's injury from the weekend?
@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2025:
Has there been any word on Hotham's injury from the weekend?
High ankle sprain
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Sparky's 37 for the Rugby Championship (what I'd pick, not what I think it will be and obviously some guys will drop out if their injuries don't heal in time)
Tamati Williams
Ethan de Groot
Ollie Norris
Tyrell Lomax
Fletcher Newell
Pasilio TosiCodie Taylor
Asafo Aumua
Samisoni Taukei'ahoScott Barrett (c)
Tupou Vaa'i
Patrick Tuipolutu
Fabian Holland
Sam DarrySimon Parker (New Cap)
Samipeni Finau
Ardie Savea
Dalton Papalii
Christian Lio-Willie
Wallace SititiCam Roigard
Cortez Ratima
Noah HothamBeauden Barrett
Damien McKenzie
Rivez Reihana (New Cap)Jordie Barrett
Quinn Tupaea
Timoci Tavatavanawai
Billy Proctor
Anton Leinert-BrownReiko Ioane
Caleb Clarke
Emoni Narawa
Sevu ReeceWill Jordan
Ruben LoveOn Standby:
George Bower, Brodie McAlister, Josh Beehre, Peter Lakai, Folau Fakatava, AJ Lam, Leroy Carter
Not considered: Ofa Tu'ungafasi (out for the season), Caleb Tangitau (needs to show form and fitness), Leicester Fainga'anuku (needs to show some form back in NZ), Riley Higgins (this world ain't ready yet)
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Sparky's 37 for the Rugby Championship (what I'd pick, not what I think it will be and obviously some guys will drop out if their injuries don't heal in time)
Tamati Williams
Ethan de Groot
Ollie Norris
Tyrell Lomax
Fletcher Newell
Pasilio TosiCodie Taylor
Asafo Aumua
Samisoni Taukei'ahoScott Barrett (c)
Tupou Vaa'i
Patrick Tuipolutu
Fabian Holland
Sam DarrySimon Parker (New Cap)
Samipeni Finau
Ardie Savea
Dalton Papalii
Christian Lio-Willie
Wallace SititiCam Roigard
Cortez Ratima
Noah HothamBeauden Barrett
Damien McKenzie
Rivez Reihana (New Cap)Jordie Barrett
Quinn Tupaea
Timoci Tavatavanawai
Billy Proctor
Anton Leinert-BrownReiko Ioane
Caleb Clarke
Emoni Narawa
Sevu ReeceWill Jordan
Ruben LoveOn Standby:
George Bower, Brodie McAlister, Josh Beehre, Peter Lakai, Folau Fakatava, AJ Lam, Leroy Carter
Not considered: Ofa Tu'ungafasi (out for the season), Caleb Tangitau (needs to show form and fitness), Leicester Fainga'anuku (needs to show some form back in NZ), Riley Higgins (this world ain't ready yet)
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@pakman That was a tough call. My heart wanted to pick Peter Lakai, but my head went with CL-W. Slightly bigger unit and he's impressed me a lot with his decision making this year.
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According to Wikipedia: Peter Lakai is 186cm and 108 kg. The same sauce claims CL-W is 189 cm and 111 kg.
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
According to Wikipedia: Peter Lakai is 186cm and 108 kg. The same sauce claims CL-W is 189 cm and 111 kg.
The eye test thoroughly disagrees. And you really need to stop placing such reliance on AI and Wiki...
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@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
According to Wikipedia: Peter Lakai is 186cm and 108 kg. The same sauce claims CL-W is 189 cm and 111 kg.
The eye test thoroughly disagrees. And you really need to stop placing such reliance on AI and Wiki...
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Sparky's 37 for the Rugby Championship (what I'd pick, not what I think it will be and obviously some guys will drop out if their injuries don't heal in time)
Tamati Williams
Ethan de Groot
Ollie Norris
Tyrell Lomax
Fletcher Newell
Pasilio TosiCodie Taylor
Asafo Aumua
Samisoni Taukei'ahoScott Barrett (c)
Tupou Vaa'i
Patrick Tuipolutu
Fabian Holland
Sam DarrySimon Parker (New Cap)
Samipeni Finau
Ardie Savea
Dalton Papalii
Christian Lio-Willie
Wallace SititiCam Roigard
Cortez Ratima
Noah HothamBeauden Barrett
Damien McKenzie
Rivez Reihana (New Cap)Jordie Barrett
Quinn Tupaea
Timoci Tavatavanawai
Billy Proctor
Anton Leinert-BrownReiko Ioane
Caleb Clarke
Emoni Narawa
Sevu ReeceWill Jordan
Ruben LoveOn Standby:
George Bower, Brodie McAlister, Josh Beehre, Peter Lakai, Folau Fakatava, AJ Lam, Leroy Carter
Not considered: Ofa Tu'ungafasi (out for the season), Caleb Tangitau (needs to show form and fitness), Leicester Fainga'anuku (needs to show some form back in NZ), Riley Higgins (this world ain't ready yet)
@sparky would do Jacobson and Lakai over Papali'i and Lio-Willie, and assuming everyone is fit, Lord over Darry. Otherwise, no arguments from me. Don't think Reihana will make the cut just yet, with another loosie selected in his place, but would like to see him involved.
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@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
According to Wikipedia: Peter Lakai is 186cm and 108 kg. The same sauce claims CL-W is 189 cm and 111 kg.
The eye test thoroughly disagrees. And you really need to stop placing such reliance on AI and Wiki...
@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
According to Wikipedia: Peter Lakai is 186cm and 108 kg. The same sauce claims CL-W is 189 cm and 111 kg.
The eye test thoroughly disagrees. And you really need to stop placing such reliance on AI and Wiki...
Agree ! Lio Willie standing next to Kirifi proves that he must be around 182 - 184 cm high. I can't see how he could weigh more than 105 kgs.
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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:
@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.
sevea should wear a jersey with S on the back,cos he fits no description of a position
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Overall the French series was a success. New players were tried and we got an idea of what some players have to offer.
Holland was a major win. His combination with Tuipulotu and with Vaa'i there at 6 offered a lot. We saw how dominant the lineout and maul could be in the first half of the second test.
The biggest questions are around who will be the loose forwards and who will be center?
Will Savea be 7 or 8 or will he continue to move around mid game?
Savea, Kirifi, Lio Willie, Lakai and Sititi are all a bit too samey so would hope they make a decision on who to back out of those and pick a bit more variety for the remaining positions.
Would suspect that Savea, Sititi and Finau are the first three named in the squad and that the rest will be selected from there.
Can't see someone like Parker coming in with no test experience and no game time. Suspect he will need to get some games under his belt in the NPC to come under consideration for the EOYT.
Papali'i showed he can offer genuine impact off the bench and he helped us dominate possession for the last 10 minutes. Took a clean lineout on the French 5m line. Made a dominant tackle on Taofifenua. Made strong carries and probably scored a try.
Still Papali'i was only in as injury cover so there is that.
Not sure on the injury status of Jacobson or Blackadder or Lakai but suspect that they will be picking 6 from the following:
Savea, Sititi, Finau, Lakai, Kirifi, Lio-Willie, Papali'i, Jacobson and Blackadder.
I agree Robertson learned a lot and expanded the talent pool. Just hope he learned enough to get us closer to an established midfield and loose trio.
And the 10 spot is still problematic - at some stage we need to bite the bullet and give someone other than DMac and BB a decent opportunity
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Big Fletch has signed a new contract.
https://twitter.com/allblacks/status/1948111765797027875?s=46
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@pakman said in All Blacks 2025:
Lakai I see as a 7 with utility value. CLW as an undersized 8.
Yeah I can't see how Lakai doesn't make the squad. He's got plenty of experience at both 7 and 8 versus Lio-Willie and Kirifi who only really cover one position.
