All Blacks 2025
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@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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@Canes4life But of the three Peter Lakai is the one who is yet to be trusted in a Test starting XV for the All Blacks.
He's a talent, he's versatile and time is on his side, but I don't quite see him as good enough yet at either 7 or 8 for the ABs. I think Peter Lakai will develop into a world-class player for the All Blacks, but he's not there yet.
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life But of the three Peter Lakai is the one who is yet to be trusted in a Test starting XV for the All Blacks.
He's a talent, he's versatile and time is on his side, but I don't quite see him as good enough yet at either 7 or 8 for the ABs. I think Peter Lakai will develop into a world-class player for the All Blacks, but he's not there yet.
The fact he hasn't started a test isn't his fault. If he were to start in a test, I'd imagine he wouldn't let the jersey down. He pretty much played a full game against a stronger French side last year away and didn't look out of place.
If you think Lio-Willie and Kirifi are good enough to play test rugby, then Lakai is even more suited in my opinion. If Lakai was fit, Kirfi or Lio-Willie probably wouldn't have got that opportunity so 'trust' isn't an issue for Lakai. He played pretty much a full season at 7 for the Canes in 2024 and almost a full season at 8 for the Canes this year and definitely looked the goods. The fact he can play both positions to a high standard puts him in a good place in terms of selection.
Razor and co will want to get him back in the environment considering he'll likely be a big piece of the puzzle come RWC 2027. Out all the other loosies, Lakai probably would be the most suited to provide 'impact' off the bench' due to his explosiveness.
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@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life But of the three Peter Lakai is the one who is yet to be trusted in a Test starting XV for the All Blacks.
He's a talent, he's versatile and time is on his side, but I don't quite see him as good enough yet at either 7 or 8 for the ABs. I think Peter Lakai will develop into a world-class player for the All Blacks, but he's not there yet.
The fact he hasn't started a test isn't his fault. If he were to start in a test, I'd imagine he wouldn't let the jersey down. He pretty much played a full game against a stronger French side last year away and didn't look out of place.
If you think Lio-Willie and Kirifi are good enough to play test rugby, then Lakai is even more suited in my opinion. If Lakai was fit, Kirfi or Lio-Willie probably wouldn't have got that opportunity so 'trust' isn't an issue for Lakai. He played pretty much a full season at 7 for the Canes in 2024 and almost a full season at 8 for the Canes this year and definitely looked the goods. The fact he can play both positions to a high standard puts him in a good place in terms of selection.
Razor and co will want to get him back in the environment considering he'll likely be a big piece of the puzzle come RWC 2027. Out all the other loosies, Lakai probably would be the most suited to provide 'impact' off the bench' due to his explosiveness.
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life But of the three Peter Lakai is the one who is yet to be trusted in a Test starting XV for the All Blacks.
He's a talent, he's versatile and time is on his side, but I don't quite see him as good enough yet at either 7 or 8 for the ABs. I think Peter Lakai will develop into a world-class player for the All Blacks, but he's not there yet.
The fact he hasn't started a test isn't his fault. If he were to start in a test, I'd imagine he wouldn't let the jersey down. He pretty much played a full game against a stronger French side last year away and didn't look out of place.
If you think Lio-Willie and Kirifi are good enough to play test rugby, then Lakai is even more suited in my opinion. If Lakai was fit, Kirfi or Lio-Willie probably wouldn't have got that opportunity so 'trust' isn't an issue for Lakai. He played pretty much a full season at 7 for the Canes in 2024 and almost a full season at 8 for the Canes this year and definitely looked the goods. The fact he can play both positions to a high standard puts him in a good place in terms of selection.
Razor and co will want to get him back in the environment considering he'll likely be a big piece of the puzzle come RWC 2027. Out all the other loosies, Lakai probably would be the most suited to provide 'impact' off the bench' due to his explosiveness.
Get him in the squad, give him game time, let him (hopefully) realise his potential. Stick with Lio-Willie and Kirifi and they'll get to the World Cup wishing they had better players. The All Blacks have a few place holders at the moment. I'd much rather they pick guys with promise and see if they can get them to the required level. Robertson talked about being more bold in his selections. Time to really go for it.
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life But of the three Peter Lakai is the one who is yet to be trusted in a Test starting XV for the All Blacks.
He's a talent, he's versatile and time is on his side, but I don't quite see him as good enough yet at either 7 or 8 for the ABs. I think Peter Lakai will develop into a world-class player for the All Blacks, but he's not there yet.
The fact he hasn't started a test isn't his fault. If he were to start in a test, I'd imagine he wouldn't let the jersey down. He pretty much played a full game against a stronger French side last year away and didn't look out of place.
If you think Lio-Willie and Kirifi are good enough to play test rugby, then Lakai is even more suited in my opinion. If Lakai was fit, Kirfi or Lio-Willie probably wouldn't have got that opportunity so 'trust' isn't an issue for Lakai. He played pretty much a full season at 7 for the Canes in 2024 and almost a full season at 8 for the Canes this year and definitely looked the goods. The fact he can play both positions to a high standard puts him in a good place in terms of selection.
Razor and co will want to get him back in the environment considering he'll likely be a big piece of the puzzle come RWC 2027. Out all the other loosies, Lakai probably would be the most suited to provide 'impact' off the bench' due to his explosiveness.
Get him in the squad, give him game time, let him (hopefully) realise his potential. Stick with Lio-Willie and Kirifi and they'll get to the World Cup wishing they had better players. The All Blacks have a few place holders at the moment. I'd much rather they pick guys with promise and see if they can get them to the required level. Robertson talked about being more bold in his selections. Time to really go for it.
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life But of the three Peter Lakai is the one who is yet to be trusted in a Test starting XV for the All Blacks.
He's a talent, he's versatile and time is on his side, but I don't quite see him as good enough yet at either 7 or 8 for the ABs. I think Peter Lakai will develop into a world-class player for the All Blacks, but he's not there yet.
The fact he hasn't started a test isn't his fault. If he were to start in a test, I'd imagine he wouldn't let the jersey down. He pretty much played a full game against a stronger French side last year away and didn't look out of place.
If you think Lio-Willie and Kirifi are good enough to play test rugby, then Lakai is even more suited in my opinion. If Lakai was fit, Kirfi or Lio-Willie probably wouldn't have got that opportunity so 'trust' isn't an issue for Lakai. He played pretty much a full season at 7 for the Canes in 2024 and almost a full season at 8 for the Canes this year and definitely looked the goods. The fact he can play both positions to a high standard puts him in a good place in terms of selection.
Razor and co will want to get him back in the environment considering he'll likely be a big piece of the puzzle come RWC 2027. Out all the other loosies, Lakai probably would be the most suited to provide 'impact' off the bench' due to his explosiveness.
Get him in the squad, give him game time, let him (hopefully) realise his potential. Stick with Lio-Willie and Kirifi and they'll get to the World Cup wishing they had better players. The All Blacks have a few place holders at the moment. I'd much rather they pick guys with promise and see if they can get them to the required level. Robertson talked about being more bold in his selections. Time to really go for it.
Yeah and when you factor in Lakai's age (only 22) he's got a lot of growth still in him. He's already played a lot of rugby, he's been influential in two NPC titles, he's been one of the better performing Canes players over the past two seasons and I only see him getting better.
You compare his build to when Ardie was the same age and he is certainly more suited to test rugby. I guess when you combine Ghanaian and Tongan genes you are likely to get a solid athlete. I'd say he will be around the 110kg+ mark come the RWC in 2027.
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Joey Manu and Kalyn Ponga
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Well yeah Williams is literally a big gun.
There is a lot of hype around Sititi but having won zero tests against SA or France or Argentina he doesn't qualify as a big gun yet. He's still finding his feet at this level really.
He looked very tentative this year for the Chiefs. Not sure how much of his games he was playing through injuries but young players with a handful of caps can't be expected to rock back up into test rugby with zero game time and perform like a legendary test veteran.
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Joey Manu and Kalyn Ponga
@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2025:
Joey Manu and Kalyn Ponga
Leave that content for @SBW1 please and thank you.
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@pakman said in All Blacks 2025:
When is the squad named?
August 4, after the first round of the NPC.
@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2025:
@pakman said in All Blacks 2025:
When is the squad named?
August 4, after the first round of the NPC.
Is that strategic timing to get Lester back in the squad?
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2025:
@pakman said in All Blacks 2025:
When is the squad named?
August 4, after the first round of the NPC.
Is that strategic timing to get Lester back in the squad?
On the plus side it will get some of the big names playing a round of NPC.
And it might help a little with a couple of the tight selections, although I expect Robertson and co. will know their squad already.
But it does worry me that our squad will have less preparation time together than South Africa.
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2025:
@pakman said in All Blacks 2025:
When is the squad named?
August 4, after the first round of the NPC.
Is that strategic timing to get Lester back in the squad?
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
Is that strategic timing to get Lester back in the squad?
No. LF isn't available for selection until the EOYT.
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
Is that strategic timing to get Lester back in the squad?
No. LF isn't available for selection until the EOYT.
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He doesn't have to play any games. If Robertson wants Leicester in the squad, NZR will let Robertson select him.
NZR might publicly say that the requirement is to play NPC but they've ignored that rule in recent years when convenient.
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:
He doesn't have to play any games. If Robertson wants Leicester in the squad, NZR will let Robertson select him.
NZR might publicly say that the requirement is to play NPC but they've ignored that rule in recent years when convenient.
I can't think of any, who did they do that with?
