All Blacks 2025
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Fun fact.
Ardie Savea, Dalton Papali'i, Hoskins Sotutu, and Ethan Blackadder are the only loose forwards in NZ and eligible who have won a test against South Africa.
None of Vaa'i, Sititi, Jacobson, Finau, Parker, Lakai, or Kirifi have won a test against South Africa as an All Black loose forward.
So that will mean we will head into the tests against South Africa with only one loose forward experiencing success against the old foe in Ardie Savea.
@brodean bit silly including Parker, Kirifi and Lakai in that stat...given they have never lost a test against SA either...
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@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
I don't see the hype around Dalton.
I do.
He's fast. 8 tries for the All Blacks and one of the quickest forwards around in supporting the ball carrier and reaching the breakdown.
He combines size with athleticism: 193cm and 113 kgs.
His work at the breakdown is excellent. Only Ardie Savea among NZ Players has achieved more turnovers in Super Rugby since 2020.
His work rate is superb. He regularly makes 20+ tackles a game and has made as many as 28.
He is consistent and in good form. He topped TSF poll of Blues MVP this year.
Excellent post.
What does Jacobsen bring to the table that Papalii doesn’t have ?
( and please, no one mention the concrete shoulder that no one has ever seen at test level )
My hot take is that Jacobsen shouldn't be the guy making way for Papali'i.
Overall he was easily the best Chiefs loose forward this season and basically carried the team. He has a good overall game, experience and is tough
Lakai, Kirifi, and Sititi are all sub standard test cleaners and all three should not be in the squad at anyone time. One of these guys should not be there.
When it comes to carry game they have struggled against big sides.
Kirifi won zero turnovers against France and Lio-Willie actually did a better job in this area.
With Lakai, Kirifi, Sititi, and Savea in the squad we have too many guys who view securing the attacking breakdown as a secondary priority. They all struggle to shift bigger bodies compared to Papali'i and Jacobson.
Jacobson is the only guy in the squad who combines work rate and attacking breakdown ability. Finau is techincally very good but he has a low workrate. Parker also has a low workrate.
@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
I don't see the hype around Dalton.
I do.
He's fast. 8 tries for the All Blacks and one of the quickest forwards around in supporting the ball carrier and reaching the breakdown.
He combines size with athleticism: 193cm and 113 kgs.
His work at the breakdown is excellent. Only Ardie Savea among NZ Players has achieved more turnovers in Super Rugby since 2020.
His work rate is superb. He regularly makes 20+ tackles a game and has made as many as 28.
He is consistent and in good form. He topped TSF poll of Blues MVP this year.
Excellent post.
What does Jacobsen bring to the table that Papalii doesn’t have ?
( and please, no one mention the concrete shoulder that no one has ever seen at test level )
My hot take is that Jacobsen shouldn't be the guy making way for Papali'i.
Overall he was easily the best Chiefs loose forward this season and basically carried the team. He has a good overall game, experience and is tough
Lakai, Kirifi, and Sititi are all sub standard test cleaners and all three should not be in the squad at anyone time. One of these guys should not be there.
When it comes to carry game they have struggled against big sides.
Kirifi won zero turnovers against France and Lio-Willie actually did a better job in this area.
With Lakai, Kirifi, Sititi, and Savea in the squad we have too many guys who view securing the attacking breakdown as a secondary priority. They all struggle to shift bigger bodies compared to Papali'i and Jacobson.
Jacobson is the only guy in the squad who combines work rate and attacking breakdown ability. Finau is techincally very good but he has a low workrate. Parker also has a low workrate.
@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
I don't see the hype around Dalton.
I do.
He's fast. 8 tries for the All Blacks and one of the quickest forwards around in supporting the ball carrier and reaching the breakdown.
He combines size with athleticism: 193cm and 113 kgs.
His work at the breakdown is excellent. Only Ardie Savea among NZ Players has achieved more turnovers in Super Rugby since 2020.
His work rate is superb. He regularly makes 20+ tackles a game and has made as many as 28.
He is consistent and in good form. He topped TSF poll of Blues MVP this year.
Excellent post.
What does Jacobsen bring to the table that Papalii doesn’t have ?
( and please, no one mention the concrete shoulder that no one has ever seen at test level )
My hot take is that Jacobsen shouldn't be the guy making way for Papali'i.
Overall he was easily the best Chiefs loose forward this season and basically carried the team. He has a good overall game, experience and is tough
Lakai, Kirifi, and Sititi are all sub standard test cleaners and all three should not be in the squad at anyone time. One of these guys should not be there.
When it comes to carry game they have struggled against big sides.
Kirifi won zero turnovers against France and Lio-Willie actually did a better job in this area.
With Lakai, Kirifi, Sititi, and Savea in the squad we have too many guys who view securing the attacking breakdown as a secondary priority. They all struggle to shift bigger bodies compared to Papali'i and Jacobson.
Jacobson is the only guy in the squad who combines work rate and attacking breakdown ability. Finau is techincally very good but he has a low workrate. Parker also has a low workrate.
It makes a lot more sense to dump Kirifi for Papali’I
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@brodean bit silly including Parker, Kirifi and Lakai in that stat...given they have never lost a test against SA either...
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2025:
@brodean bit silly including Parker, Kirifi and Lakai in that stat...given they have never lost a test against SA either...
Possibly lost a game against them though for the baabaas? I can't be arsed looking it up.
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Godfrey over Reihana? Whoever wrote this can piss off.
Razor's idea is cool in theory but ultimately he is going to alienate a bunch of players spreading caps to thin. How will players become world class if the caps are being shared around?
We will see higher exodus because of this.
Players will be able to command more money overseas once they can show they're an All Black after one or two caps.
Rassies system only works due to their selection policy allowing overseas selections.
Also I personally don't believe you can build excellence with this approach. What we will end up with is a bunch of mediocre teams.
The forth teams backline would be mediocre even at Super Rugby level.
@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:
Godfrey over Reihana? Whoever wrote this can piss off.
Razor's idea is cool in theory but ultimately he is going to alienate a bunch of players spreading caps to thin. How will players become world class if the caps are being shared around?
We will see higher exodus because of this.
Players will be able to command more money overseas once they can show they're an All Black after one or two caps.
But that has been the case for the past two and a half decades with AB coaches handing out caps here or there.
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@brodean bit silly including Parker, Kirifi and Lakai in that stat...given they have never lost a test against SA either...
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2025:
@brodean bit silly including Parker, Kirifi and Lakai in that stat...given they have never lost a test against SA either...
Beating South Africa is invaluable experience that cannot be underestimated. Beating Frances top team in France and beating South Africa are the true tests for players at the moment.
You never know a player has what it takes to be a part of beating South Africa until they do it.
South Africa are going to come at us with next level physicality in these tests.
They will only really care about 2 results this year.
Breaking Fortress Eden Park and winning two games in NZ in a single year.
These are really the only two major things left for Rassie to achieve in his coaching career and also forthe players who have won 2 RWC and won a Lions series.
They will throw everything at us and we be putting out mostly green players in the loose forwards.
Only one has beaten South Africa.
Most of the loosies in the team weren't around Super teams back in 2020 when we were last facing their Super teams.
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Fun fact.
Ardie Savea, Dalton Papali'i, Hoskins Sotutu, and Ethan Blackadder are the only loose forwards in NZ and eligible who have won a test against South Africa.
None of Vaa'i, Sititi, Jacobson, Finau, Parker, Lakai, or Kirifi have won a test against South Africa as an All Black loose forward.
So that will mean we will head into the tests against South Africa with only one loose forward experiencing success against the old foe in Ardie Savea.
@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:
None of Vaa'i, Sititi, Jacobson, Finau, Parker, Lakai, or Kirifi have won a test against South Africa as an All Black loose forward.
Not entirely correct unless you are only talking about starting as a loose forward. Vaa'i came on to play 6 against SA at Mt Smart in 2023.
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@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:
None of Vaa'i, Sititi, Jacobson, Finau, Parker, Lakai, or Kirifi have won a test against South Africa as an All Black loose forward.
Not entirely correct unless you are only talking about starting as a loose forward. Vaa'i came on to play 6 against SA at Mt Smart in 2023.
@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2025:
@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:
None of Vaa'i, Sititi, Jacobson, Finau, Parker, Lakai, or Kirifi have won a test against South Africa as an All Black loose forward.
Not entirely correct unless you are only talking about starting as a loose forward. Vaa'i came on to play 6 against SA at Mt Smart in 2023.
That one we scored 20 points to 3 in the first half.
Then 15 points to 17 in the second half.
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@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2025:
@brodean bit silly including Parker, Kirifi and Lakai in that stat...given they have never lost a test against SA either...
Beating South Africa is invaluable experience that cannot be underestimated. Beating Frances top team in France and beating South Africa are the true tests for players at the moment.
You never know a player has what it takes to be a part of beating South Africa until they do it.
South Africa are going to come at us with next level physicality in these tests.
They will only really care about 2 results this year.
Breaking Fortress Eden Park and winning two games in NZ in a single year.
These are really the only two major things left for Rassie to achieve in his coaching career and also forthe players who have won 2 RWC and won a Lions series.
They will throw everything at us and we be putting out mostly green players in the loose forwards.
Only one has beaten South Africa.
Most of the loosies in the team weren't around Super teams back in 2020 when we were last facing their Super teams.
@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:
You never know a player has what it takes to be a part of beating South Africa until they do it.
If only we selected David Havili, the best performance by a 2nd 5 against the old guard since Ma’a rocked the 12 shirt.
We have a renewal of loosies of sorts that need to start somewhere and yes the expectation of success is still very high but we can’t spring something out of the air that is simply not there either.
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@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:
You never know a player has what it takes to be a part of beating South Africa until they do it.
If only we selected David Havili, the best performance by a 2nd 5 against the old guard since Ma’a rocked the 12 shirt.
We have a renewal of loosies of sorts that need to start somewhere and yes the expectation of success is still very high but we can’t spring something out of the air that is simply not there either.
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2025:
@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:
You never know a player has what it takes to be a part of beating South Africa until they do it.
If only we selected David Havili, the best performance by a 2nd 5 against the old guard since Ma’a rocked the 12 shirt.
We have a renewal of loosies of sorts that need to start somewhere and yes the expectation of success is still very high but we can’t spring something out of the air that is simply not there either.
All blacks players of old earned there aB status doing great deeds, against huge odds. Some new players will thrive and elevate themselves to a standard they havent shown previously and some will not be able to take that extra step.
Sa will be slight favourites in NZ and we will have to play at our, or somewhere approaching our best to beat them but we are in New Zealand and some players will take that step up and set themselves up for great careers.
They have to quite frankly.
Sa wont be as good in Nz as they are at home (obvs) so we give it everything and math the deeds of past All Blacks sides that have beaten SA against the odds.
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@DaGrubster said in All Blacks 2025:
@SBW1 said in All Blacks 2025:
Who is this clown?
Someone yet to discover there's no NZRU anymore?
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This post is deleted!
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Just rewatched last year’s Jo’burg test. Striking how superior ABs were to Boks, who were remarkably toothless.
Apart from the obvious comment that Boks were extremely fortunate to end up with W, a few comments:- Hard cleaning 7 key;
- Blackadder had many involvements, but very much quantity over quality;
- Obvious AB weakness aerially. Off the top of my head Boks got 75% pay. Caleb Clarke, who was excellent in the air, was the only one of the AB back three who matched his opposition.; and
- Bench was changed extremely poorly. But it was after that Boks got back into game, aided by a rather partial referee.
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@WoodysRFC said in All Blacks 2025:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@WoodysRFC said in All Blacks 2025:
@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2025:
@zedsdeadbaby said in All Blacks 2025:
Was really impressed last year when he deputised when Roigard was out but maybe it’s just me
Don't get me wrong mate, he was pretty handy, just I don't really think he is a real high level 9. That is the case with a bloody lot of good players we got in the country, and absolutely no insult to them. I think perhaps Viljoen could evelop a snappier pass, and pick his times to break or angle he runs, he tends to get isolated at times. Once again that's not real bad, and these things could come to round him off as a top level 9.
Seems a bit harsh, was my POD against Harbour, he's young and has a higher ceiling than the likes of Preston etc, although probably will be overtaken by Jai Tamati anyway.
Why does he have a higher ceiling? Yet another bit part canes player selected to the universe XV that would crush the world XV.
I'm completely neutral in this discussion, as a Highlanders supporter, but apologies if I hurt your feelings. He's a 21 year old, early in his career, who in his limited opportunities has bossed players considerably more experienced than he is. Preston is 26 and in his first season, and was immediately moved to the bench once Hotham was fit and healthy.
No feelings hurt, I was just asking the question...as a highlanders supporter
️I've definitely missed the bossing though.
@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@WoodysRFC said in All Blacks 2025:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@WoodysRFC said in All Blacks 2025:
@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2025:
@zedsdeadbaby said in All Blacks 2025:
Was really impressed last year when he deputised when Roigard was out but maybe it’s just me
Don't get me wrong mate, he was pretty handy, just I don't really think he is a real high level 9. That is the case with a bloody lot of good players we got in the country, and absolutely no insult to them. I think perhaps Viljoen could evelop a snappier pass, and pick his times to break or angle he runs, he tends to get isolated at times. Once again that's not real bad, and these things could come to round him off as a top level 9.
Seems a bit harsh, was my POD against Harbour, he's young and has a higher ceiling than the likes of Preston etc, although probably will be overtaken by Jai Tamati anyway.
Why does he have a higher ceiling? Yet another bit part canes player selected to the universe XV that would crush the world XV.
I'm completely neutral in this discussion, as a Highlanders supporter, but apologies if I hurt your feelings. He's a 21 year old, early in his career, who in his limited opportunities has bossed players considerably more experienced than he is. Preston is 26 and in his first season, and was immediately moved to the bench once Hotham was fit and healthy.
No feelings hurt, I was just asking the question...as a highlanders supporter
️I've definitely missed the bossing though.
Mate, he absolutely humiliated... Um... L Campbell, on Friday night, he's All Blacks ready.
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