All Blacks 2025
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@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?
@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@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?
TJ Perenara when he returned from Japan a couple of years back.
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@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.
That wasn't what Paul Cully said in a recent article as the circumstances around his departure (age, etc) were different. We'll see if that is correct.
I've found a link to the article:
@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@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.
That wasn't what Paul Cully said in a recent article as the circumstances around his departure (age, etc) were different. We'll see if that is correct.
I've found a link to the article:
LF has been mentioned a few times on a couple of podcasts recently and maybe also the most recent Breakdown episode that all he has to do is play one NPC game and he can play for the ABs (if selected). I’m sure he wouldn’t say no if after the first week of NPC, Razor picks him for the RC.
Will Razor do that though? I’m not sure.
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@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.
That wasn't what Paul Cully said in a recent article as the circumstances around his departure (age, etc) were different. We'll see if that is correct.
I've found a link to the article:
LF has been mentioned a few times on a couple of podcasts recently and maybe also the most recent Breakdown episode that all he has to do is play one NPC game and he can play for the ABs (if selected). I’m sure he wouldn’t say no if after the first week of NPC, Razor picks him for the RC.
Will Razor do that though? I’m not sure.
This is the (most recent) official requirement but, again, the NZR will make exemptions if need be.
But given Ta$man play before the Rugby Championship kicks off, they probably won't have to.
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With Noah Hotham under an injury cloud and may need to be replaced, who is the next cab off the rank? Xavier Roe, Kyle Preston?
But please no Christie. -
With Noah Hotham under an injury cloud and may need to be replaced, who is the next cab off the rank? Xavier Roe, Kyle Preston?
But please no Christie. -
@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@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?
TJ Perenara when he returned from Japan a couple of years back.
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@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?
TJ Perenara when he returned from Japan a couple of years back.
Oh true, that wasn't a sabbatical?
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@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@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?
The only one I can think is Luke McAlister was parachuted back in and given an exemption
I think that was 08/09 so over 15 years ago and 4 AB coaches ago.
@KiwiMurph He was around when we had a lot of depth at 10, pretty sure he faced the Lions when Dan Carter was injured.
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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.
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@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@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?
TJ Perenara when he returned from Japan a couple of years back.
Oh true, that wasn't a sabbatical?
@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@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?
TJ Perenara when he returned from Japan a couple of years back.
Oh true, that wasn't a sabbatical?
Nope, Perenara signed a new deal while he was overseas.
Same situation with Barrett last year. Contract ended at NZR, didn't take a sabbatical, but signed a deal with NZ before going to Japan and was ushered straight into the team for July (though that was something Barrett would have specifically negotiated in his new contract).
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@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@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?
The only one I can think is Luke McAlister was parachuted back in and given an exemption
I think that was 08/09 so over 15 years ago and 4 AB coaches ago.
And he was pants wasn't he?
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@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?
The only one I can think is Luke McAlister was parachuted back in and given an exemption
I think that was 08/09 so over 15 years ago and 4 AB coaches ago.
And he was pants wasn't he?
Lucky Luke would push the current incumbents
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With Noah Hotham under an injury cloud and may need to be replaced, who is the next cab off the rank? Xavier Roe, Kyle Preston?
But please no Christie.@1kiwi said in All Blacks 2025:
With Noah Hotham under an injury cloud and may need to be replaced, who is the next cab off the rank? Xavier Roe, Kyle Preston?
But please no Christie.Preston has some attributes that the ABs could do with (solid kicking game off both feet and pace), but he showed this year he can be a bit sloppy when clearing the ball under pressure. I think he needs more time.
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I think Ratima has been a bit disappointing to be honest. If Hotham is out I'd prefer Fakatava - he was one of very few highlights in the AUNZ lions game, service looked crisp.
@reprobate I thought he was good in the 3rd test.
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@reprobate I thought he was good in the 3rd test.
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2025:
@reprobate I thought he was good in the 3rd test.
Yeah I thought he alright. The only problem I have with Ratima as back up to Roigard is that they are very similar players, with Ratima not being quite as good.
I think there are other options as the back up 9 who are just as good as Ratima but bring something a bit different.
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It's quite annoying that Mark Tele’a is playing NPC and is not around the ABs squad when Razor and co whinge about selection eligibility of players like Mounga and Frizell.
Tele’a had a quiet season in the beginning of SRP but came could in the end. He's still comfortably the best right wing in the country if Jordan is playing fullback.
I can't remember a single good game Reece has played against the Boks and he's also had some poor games against the Puma's like the one we lost last year in Wellington.
