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All Blacks 2025

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  • Canes4lifeC Offline
    Canes4lifeC Offline
    Canes4life
    replied to sparky last edited by Canes4life
    #4349

    @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.

    S 1 Reply Last reply
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  • S Offline
    S Offline
    ShaquilleOatmeal
    replied to Canes4life last edited by ShaquilleOatmeal
    #4350

    @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.

    Canes4lifeC 1 Reply Last reply
    2
  • Canes4lifeC Offline
    Canes4lifeC Offline
    Canes4life
    replied to ShaquilleOatmeal last edited by Canes4life
    #4351

    @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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  • S Offline
    S Offline
    SBW1
    wrote last edited by
    #4352

    We are going to need our big guns back for the two games on the road against the Pumas.

    1 Reply Last reply
    1
  • B Offline
    B Offline
    brodean
    wrote last edited by brodean
    #4353

    Who are our big guns?

    Canes4lifeC 1 Reply Last reply
    1
  • mariner4lifeM Offline
    mariner4lifeM Offline
    mariner4life
    wrote last edited by
    #4354

    Joey Manu and Kalyn Ponga

    A 1 Reply Last reply
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  • Canes4lifeC Offline
    Canes4lifeC Offline
    Canes4life
    replied to brodean last edited by Canes4life
    #4355

    @brodean said in All Blacks 2025:

    Who are our big guns?

    Ethan Blackadder and David Havili... duh

    1 Reply Last reply
    2
  • S Offline
    S Offline
    SBW1
    wrote last edited by
    #4356

    Williams, Sititi.

    1 Reply Last reply
    0
  • B Offline
    B Offline
    brodean
    wrote last edited by
    #4357

    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.

    1 Reply Last reply
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  • S Offline
    S Offline
    SBW1
    wrote last edited by
    #4358

    They won't be completely at full strength against the Pumas, they will probably have a stronger squad for the 2nd test with an eye on the Boks, you would imagine.

    1 Reply Last reply
    0
  • A Offline
    A Offline
    African Monkey
    replied to mariner4life last edited by
    #4359

    @mariner4life said in All Blacks 2025:

    Joey Manu and Kalyn Ponga

    Leave that content for @SBW1 please and thank you.

    S 1 Reply Last reply
    3
  • P Offline
    P Offline
    pakman
    wrote last edited by pakman
    #4360

    When is the squad named?

    BovidaeB 1 Reply Last reply
    0
  • BovidaeB Offline
    BovidaeB Offline
    Bovidae
    replied to pakman last edited by
    #4361

    @pakman said in All Blacks 2025:

    When is the squad named?

    August 4, after the first round of the NPC.

    Canes4lifeC 1 Reply Last reply
    3
  • Canes4lifeC Offline
    Canes4lifeC Offline
    Canes4life
    replied to Bovidae last edited by
    #4362

    @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?

    sparkyS BovidaeB 2 Replies Last reply
    0
  • sparkyS Offline
    sparkyS Offline
    sparky
    replied to Canes4life last edited by
    #4363

    @Canes4life

    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.

    1 Reply Last reply
    1
  • BovidaeB Offline
    BovidaeB Offline
    Bovidae
    replied to Canes4life last edited by
    #4364

    @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.

    sparkyS Canes4lifeC 2 Replies Last reply
    1
  • sparkyS Offline
    sparkyS Offline
    sparky
    replied to Bovidae last edited by
    #4365

    @Bovidae Doesn't he just have to play one game of NPC Rugby to be All Blacks eligible again?

    1 Reply Last reply
    0
  • M Offline
    M Offline
    Mr Fish
    wrote last edited by
    #4366

    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.

    BonesB 1 Reply Last reply
    2
  • BonesB Offline
    BonesB Offline
    Bones
    replied to Mr Fish last edited by
    #4367

    @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?

    KiwiMurphK M 2 Replies Last reply
    2
  • Canes4lifeC Offline
    Canes4lifeC Offline
    Canes4life
    replied to Bovidae last edited by Canes4life
    #4368

    @Bovidae said in All Blacks 2025:

    @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.

    He’s available for the Rugby Championship mate, it’s been mentioned a number of times recently.

    He might not be selected for the RC but I wouldn’t be surprised if the AB coaches bring him in if injuries strike.

    BovidaeB 1 Reply Last reply
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