All Blacks 2025
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I agree @Dan54 no way Love could be considered at 10 for the ABs, he doesn't have nearly enough time there at the professional level. Right now he's a 15, but behind DMac and Jordan who are both clearly superior players.
If Love is serious about playing 10 then he needs to push his case with the Canes and play a full season there, not be shunted around to accommodate other players. He chose to play 15 a couple of years back when given the choice so I am not convinced he actually wants to be a 10 first.
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
I agree @Dan54 no way Love could be considered at 10 for the ABs, he doesn't have nearly enough time there at the professional level. Right now he's a 15, but behind DMac and Jordan who are both clearly superior players.
If Love is serious about playing 10 then he needs to push his case with the Canes and play a full season there, not be shunted around to accommodate other players. He chose to play 15 a couple of years back when given the choice so I am not convinced he actually wants to be a 10 first.
I agree, but would be reasonably comfortable with him as the bench 10/15 right now, particularly if Jordie is at 12 and Roigard at 9, I think that works.
He comes on to play 15 most games, and if we're comfortable give him a go at 10. If we have a 10 injury, then we have a 9 and 12 (both hurricanes) who can kick and are experienced enough to take pressure off, and a pack who could just stick it up the jumper if needed. -
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
So what's the NZR plan for the first five spot in 2028?
We have had similar concerns about other positions, especially lock and halfback. Both have righted themselves. With 10 we will be coming to the end of an era with Barrett and the departure of Mo'unga. McKenzie in theory should still be around. Jacomb will be 27 and probably making a decision about if he sees a future in NZ. Then there will be Simpson and Muliaina. Mika will have played three seasons and NPC level and two at Super.
The Chiefs will be pissed if they grudgingly agree to let Jacomb go and down the line him and Muliaina are both ABs out of the Landers.
Needs tend to right themselves.
@SouthernMann said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
So what's the NZR plan for the first five spot in 2028?
We have had similar concerns about other positions, especially lock and halfback. Both have righted themselves. With 10 we will be coming to the end of an era with Barrett and the departure of Mo'unga. McKenzie in theory should still be around. Jacomb will be 27 and probably making a decision about if he sees a future in NZ. Then there will be Simpson and Muliaina. Mika will have played three seasons and NPC level and two at Super.
The Chiefs will be pissed if they grudgingly agree to let Jacomb go and down the line him and Muliaina are both ABs out of the Landers.
Needs tend to right themselves.
We are still short a young 2m TH lock. Patty T can’t go in forever and we need a backup to Tupou V.
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@SouthernMann said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
So what's the NZR plan for the first five spot in 2028?
We have had similar concerns about other positions, especially lock and halfback. Both have righted themselves. With 10 we will be coming to the end of an era with Barrett and the departure of Mo'unga. McKenzie in theory should still be around. Jacomb will be 27 and probably making a decision about if he sees a future in NZ. Then there will be Simpson and Muliaina. Mika will have played three seasons and NPC level and two at Super.
The Chiefs will be pissed if they grudgingly agree to let Jacomb go and down the line him and Muliaina are both ABs out of the Landers.
Needs tend to right themselves.
We are still short a young 2m TH lock. Patty T can’t go in forever and we need a backup to Tupou V.
@pakman said in All Blacks 2025:
@SouthernMann said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
So what's the NZR plan for the first five spot in 2028?
We have had similar concerns about other positions, especially lock and halfback. Both have righted themselves. With 10 we will be coming to the end of an era with Barrett and the departure of Mo'unga. McKenzie in theory should still be around. Jacomb will be 27 and probably making a decision about if he sees a future in NZ. Then there will be Simpson and Muliaina. Mika will have played three seasons and NPC level and two at Super.
The Chiefs will be pissed if they grudgingly agree to let Jacomb go and down the line him and Muliaina are both ABs out of the Landers.
Needs tend to right themselves.
We are still short a young 2m TH lock. Patty T can’t go in forever and we need a backup to Tupou V.
Lord
Darry
Holland
BeehreFor a start.
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@pakman said in All Blacks 2025:
@SouthernMann said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
So what's the NZR plan for the first five spot in 2028?
We have had similar concerns about other positions, especially lock and halfback. Both have righted themselves. With 10 we will be coming to the end of an era with Barrett and the departure of Mo'unga. McKenzie in theory should still be around. Jacomb will be 27 and probably making a decision about if he sees a future in NZ. Then there will be Simpson and Muliaina. Mika will have played three seasons and NPC level and two at Super.
The Chiefs will be pissed if they grudgingly agree to let Jacomb go and down the line him and Muliaina are both ABs out of the Landers.
Needs tend to right themselves.
We are still short a young 2m TH lock. Patty T can’t go in forever and we need a backup to Tupou V.
Lord
Darry
Holland
BeehreFor a start.
@booboo said in All Blacks 2025:
@pakman said in All Blacks 2025:
@SouthernMann said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
So what's the NZR plan for the first five spot in 2028?
We have had similar concerns about other positions, especially lock and halfback. Both have righted themselves. With 10 we will be coming to the end of an era with Barrett and the departure of Mo'unga. McKenzie in theory should still be around. Jacomb will be 27 and probably making a decision about if he sees a future in NZ. Then there will be Simpson and Muliaina. Mika will have played three seasons and NPC level and two at Super.
The Chiefs will be pissed if they grudgingly agree to let Jacomb go and down the line him and Muliaina are both ABs out of the Landers.
Needs tend to right themselves.
We are still short a young 2m TH lock. Patty T can’t go in forever and we need a backup to Tupou V.
Lord
Darry
Holland
BeehreFor a start.
I'm guessing they're considered LH?
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@booboo said in All Blacks 2025:
@pakman said in All Blacks 2025:
@SouthernMann said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
So what's the NZR plan for the first five spot in 2028?
We have had similar concerns about other positions, especially lock and halfback. Both have righted themselves. With 10 we will be coming to the end of an era with Barrett and the departure of Mo'unga. McKenzie in theory should still be around. Jacomb will be 27 and probably making a decision about if he sees a future in NZ. Then there will be Simpson and Muliaina. Mika will have played three seasons and NPC level and two at Super.
The Chiefs will be pissed if they grudgingly agree to let Jacomb go and down the line him and Muliaina are both ABs out of the Landers.
Needs tend to right themselves.
We are still short a young 2m TH lock. Patty T can’t go in forever and we need a backup to Tupou V.
Lord
Darry
Holland
BeehreFor a start.
I'm guessing they're considered LH?
@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@booboo said in All Blacks 2025:
@pakman said in All Blacks 2025:
@SouthernMann said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
So what's the NZR plan for the first five spot in 2028?
We have had similar concerns about other positions, especially lock and halfback. Both have righted themselves. With 10 we will be coming to the end of an era with Barrett and the departure of Mo'unga. McKenzie in theory should still be around. Jacomb will be 27 and probably making a decision about if he sees a future in NZ. Then there will be Simpson and Muliaina. Mika will have played three seasons and NPC level and two at Super.
The Chiefs will be pissed if they grudgingly agree to let Jacomb go and down the line him and Muliaina are both ABs out of the Landers.
Needs tend to right themselves.
We are still short a young 2m TH lock. Patty T can’t go in forever and we need a backup to Tupou V.
Lord
Darry
Holland
BeehreFor a start.
I'm guessing they're considered LH?
They're a lock. Just bind up and fucken push.
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@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@booboo said in All Blacks 2025:
@pakman said in All Blacks 2025:
@SouthernMann said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
So what's the NZR plan for the first five spot in 2028?
We have had similar concerns about other positions, especially lock and halfback. Both have righted themselves. With 10 we will be coming to the end of an era with Barrett and the departure of Mo'unga. McKenzie in theory should still be around. Jacomb will be 27 and probably making a decision about if he sees a future in NZ. Then there will be Simpson and Muliaina. Mika will have played three seasons and NPC level and two at Super.
The Chiefs will be pissed if they grudgingly agree to let Jacomb go and down the line him and Muliaina are both ABs out of the Landers.
Needs tend to right themselves.
We are still short a young 2m TH lock. Patty T can’t go in forever and we need a backup to Tupou V.
Lord
Darry
Holland
BeehreFor a start.
I'm guessing they're considered LH?
They're a lock. Just bind up and fucken push.
@booboo said in All Blacks 2025:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@booboo said in All Blacks 2025:
@pakman said in All Blacks 2025:
@SouthernMann said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
So what's the NZR plan for the first five spot in 2028?
We have had similar concerns about other positions, especially lock and halfback. Both have righted themselves. With 10 we will be coming to the end of an era with Barrett and the departure of Mo'unga. McKenzie in theory should still be around. Jacomb will be 27 and probably making a decision about if he sees a future in NZ. Then there will be Simpson and Muliaina. Mika will have played three seasons and NPC level and two at Super.
The Chiefs will be pissed if they grudgingly agree to let Jacomb go and down the line him and Muliaina are both ABs out of the Landers.
Needs tend to right themselves.
We are still short a young 2m TH lock. Patty T can’t go in forever and we need a backup to Tupou V.
Lord
Darry
Holland
BeehreFor a start.
I'm guessing they're considered LH?
They're a lock. Just bind up and fucken push.
Wing and lock solved in one fel...fow.... statement.
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@pakman said in All Blacks 2025:
@SouthernMann said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
So what's the NZR plan for the first five spot in 2028?
We have had similar concerns about other positions, especially lock and halfback. Both have righted themselves. With 10 we will be coming to the end of an era with Barrett and the departure of Mo'unga. McKenzie in theory should still be around. Jacomb will be 27 and probably making a decision about if he sees a future in NZ. Then there will be Simpson and Muliaina. Mika will have played three seasons and NPC level and two at Super.
The Chiefs will be pissed if they grudgingly agree to let Jacomb go and down the line him and Muliaina are both ABs out of the Landers.
Needs tend to right themselves.
We are still short a young 2m TH lock. Patty T can’t go in forever and we need a backup to Tupou V.
Lord
Darry
Holland
BeehreFor a start.
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@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@booboo said in All Blacks 2025:
@pakman said in All Blacks 2025:
@SouthernMann said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
So what's the NZR plan for the first five spot in 2028?
We have had similar concerns about other positions, especially lock and halfback. Both have righted themselves. With 10 we will be coming to the end of an era with Barrett and the departure of Mo'unga. McKenzie in theory should still be around. Jacomb will be 27 and probably making a decision about if he sees a future in NZ. Then there will be Simpson and Muliaina. Mika will have played three seasons and NPC level and two at Super.
The Chiefs will be pissed if they grudgingly agree to let Jacomb go and down the line him and Muliaina are both ABs out of the Landers.
Needs tend to right themselves.
We are still short a young 2m TH lock. Patty T can’t go in forever and we need a backup to Tupou V.
Lord
Darry
Holland
BeehreFor a start.
I'm guessing they're considered LH?
They're a lock. Just bind up and fucken push.
-
@pakman said in All Blacks 2025:
@SouthernMann said in All Blacks 2025:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
So what's the NZR plan for the first five spot in 2028?
We have had similar concerns about other positions, especially lock and halfback. Both have righted themselves. With 10 we will be coming to the end of an era with Barrett and the departure of Mo'unga. McKenzie in theory should still be around. Jacomb will be 27 and probably making a decision about if he sees a future in NZ. Then there will be Simpson and Muliaina. Mika will have played three seasons and NPC level and two at Super.
The Chiefs will be pissed if they grudgingly agree to let Jacomb go and down the line him and Muliaina are both ABs out of the Landers.
Needs tend to right themselves.
We are still short a young 2m TH lock. Patty T can’t go in forever and we need a backup to Tupou V.
Lord
Darry
Holland
BeehreFor a start.
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Well if you look at the current make up of the 23 (assuming no injuries):
- De Groot (Foster RWC 23 starter)
- Taylor (Hansen RWC 23 Starter)
- Newell (Foster)
- Scott Barrett (Hansen RWC 23 starter)
- Va’ai (Foster)
- Parker ( Robertson)
- Savea (Hansen RWC 23 starter)
- Sititi (Robertson)
- Roigard ( Foster Debut 23)
- Barrett (Hansen RWC 23 starter)
- Ioane ( Hansen RWC 23 starter)
- J Barrett (Hansen RWC 23 Starter)
- Proctor (Robertson)
- Narawa (Foster - debut 23 one cap)
- Jordan (Foster)
- Taukei’aho (Foster)
- Williams (Foster RWC 23 bench)
- Lomax (Foster RWC 23 starter)
- Holland (Robertson)
- Kirifi/Lakai (Robertson)
- Ratima (Robertson)
- Tupaea (Foster)
- Dmac (Hansen RWC 23 bench)
Hansen Debutants: 7
Foster: 10
Robertson: 6Out of Fosters 11: Roigard, Va’ai, Newell, Tupea, Narawa had limited opportunities.
So in the current 23, who exactly has Foster had the most time with? And any forwards in particular that are setting the world on fire that weren’t brought in by Jason Ryan? What exactly did Foster develop in his four years?
Obviously apart from the two stooges at 10, a defunct centre pairing, a backrow with no depth at 6 or 8. Beauden at fullback, Christie as your 2nd halfback?
And out of the barely capped Foster debutants, should any of them not be there and Robertson should have selected another player?
@jimmyb said in All Blacks 2025:
What exactly did Foster develop in his four years?
A team which lost the RWC by 1 point with 14 players?
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@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
So what's the NZR plan for the first five spot in 2028?
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Fabian Holland has the beef to be a tighthead lock and probably will play in that role once Dunshea leaves the Highlanders.
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@Mr-Fish He does according to Wiki, but compared to Etzebeth, who's the same height, I'd say he's got a few kegs to go...
@pakman said in All Blacks 2025:
@Mr-Fish He does according to Wiki, but compared to Etzebeth, who's the same height, I'd say he's got a few kegs to go...
Erzbeth is 11 years his senior though. Look at him in 2014 and Holland (now) looks like a much bigger guy than what Etzbeth did then.
Holland will need to go into the tighthead locking role fairly shortly at the Landers when Josh Tengblad comes in. At that point he will be the dominant lock size wise. By a long way.
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@pakman said in All Blacks 2025:
@Mr-Fish He does according to Wiki, but compared to Etzebeth, who's the same height, I'd say he's got a few kegs to go...
Erzbeth is 11 years his senior though. Look at him in 2014 and Holland (now) looks like a much bigger guy than what Etzbeth did then.
Holland will need to go into the tighthead locking role fairly shortly at the Landers when Josh Tengblad comes in. At that point he will be the dominant lock size wise. By a long way.
@SouthernMann said in All Blacks 2025:
@pakman said in All Blacks 2025:
@Mr-Fish He does according to Wiki, but compared to Etzebeth, who's the same height, I'd say he's got a few kegs to go...
Erzbeth is 11 years his senior though. Look at him in 2014 and Holland (now) looks like a much bigger guy than what Etzbeth did then.
Holland will need to go into the tighthead locking role fairly shortly at the Landers when Josh Tengblad comes in. At that point he will be the dominant lock size wise. By a long way.
If this is true then I’m certainly looking forward to a ‘Mountain from Game of Thrones’ sized Holland running around in 2036.
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@jimmyb said in All Blacks 2025:
What exactly did Foster develop in his four years?
A team which lost the RWC by 1 point with 14 players?
@Victor-Meldrew
Lets be honest the WC 2023 was a lottery. NZ was inconsistent with game plan and selections haphazard.
The WC was poorly organized, particularly the seedings and the TMOs a hindrance.
The French people had lost interest after the quarter finals.
The tournament was a bit of a let down after starting so well.
For all the moaners we are now on a much more consistent path. -
@pakman said in All Blacks 2025:
@Mr-Fish He does according to Wiki, but compared to Etzebeth, who's the same height, I'd say he's got a few kegs to go...
Erzbeth is 11 years his senior though. Look at him in 2014 and Holland (now) looks like a much bigger guy than what Etzbeth did then.
Holland will need to go into the tighthead locking role fairly shortly at the Landers when Josh Tengblad comes in. At that point he will be the dominant lock size wise. By a long way.
@SouthernMann said in All Blacks 2025:
@pakman said in All Blacks 2025:
@Mr-Fish He does according to Wiki, but compared to Etzebeth, who's the same height, I'd say he's got a few kegs to go...
Erzbeth is 11 years his senior though. Look at him in 2014 and Holland (now) looks like a much bigger guy than what Etzbeth did then.
Holland will need to go into the tighthead locking role fairly shortly at the Landers when Josh Tengblad comes in. At that point he will be the dominant lock size wise. By a long way.
With no stats to back it up I would have thought Holland is a bigger unit now than the baby faced eben when he first came into their squad. He was nowhere near the intimidating figure he is now.
I remember people joking around saying he looked like zoolander . -
My understanding was that EE came from a pretty tough background in CT and that with his size then was why he had a reputation early on. Some of the SA posters may be able to confirm this?!
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@Chris-B Agree, although it beggars belief how few caps Ruben Love has received for a potentially world class player.
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
@Chris-B Agree, although it beggars belief how few caps Ruben Love has received for a potentially world class player.
We are yet to see him rip up super rugby and demand selection in the ABs.
He needs to earn it but is stuck in that catch 22 of being in the squad and needs minutes and 15-20 minutes every 4-8 weeks aint going to help him.
I would have thought with his aerial skills he would have been an ideal candidate for our backline, and that we need to develop another 10. But is it really his poistion?
