All Blacks 2025
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My own thoughts:
If Asafa Aumua is fit, he should come back as reserve Hooker. He's clearly in our top three in that position.
Dalton Papalii must be promoted to the All Blacks squad. He's our best 7.
I'd like to see Josh Beehre given a chance for the All
Blacks at 6. I see him, Scott Parker and (the now injured) Tupou Vaii as the three contenders for that position in 2027.With Vaii out, Sam Darry should be back in the All Blacks squad at Lock.
We need to develop more strength in depth at 10. I'm fine with DMac starting against Ireland and England, but Ruben Love needs to given the keys against Scotland and/or Wales, with another 10 (I like Rivez Reihana) given some game time too.
Caleb Tangitau's pace would be useful on the Wing against both Ireland and England. I'd like to see him in the full squad and given some game time.
Players I've been impressed with generally in 2025 and I'd strongly consider for the All Blacks XV squad.
Xavier Numia, Josh Fusitua, George Dyer, Jack Taylor, Bradley Slater, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Antonio Shalfoon, Devan Flanders, Anton Segner, Corey Kurow, Christian Lio-Willie, Dylan Pledger, Josh Jacomb, Harry Godfrey, Riley Higgins, AJ Lam, Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod, Bailyn Sullivan, Jacob R-K, Xavier Tito-Harris, Oli Mathis.
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@SouthernMann said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
I think one of Lasaqa and Casey will make it. JJ dropped a him around Casey saying it would be a toss up between the likes of him and someone established like Blackadder.
With the midfield. The mix of Lam, MacLeod, Havili and Ennor are guys who have a been investigated and tried without a lot of success.
Cooper Roberts is playing his way into a team like this. Higgins should be there if available. Just looks at the balance between who is ready and who has prospects worth checking out.
Reaching myth and legend levels…..
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
@SouthernMann said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
I think one of Lasaqa and Casey will make it. JJ dropped a him around Casey saying it would be a toss up between the likes of him and someone established like Blackadder.
With the midfield. The mix of Lam, MacLeod, Havili and Ennor are guys who have a been investigated and tried without a lot of success.
Cooper Roberts is playing his way into a team like this. Higgins should be there if available. Just looks at the balance between who is ready and who has prospects worth checking out.
Reaching myth and legend levels…..
Riley Higgins is not a myth, but his footwork is SO good that reality questions itself.
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Most of us have argued for the last thirty years that having all the All Blacks based in New Zealand and on central contracts is wise and helps us compete better on the international stage in the professional era.
I still believe that. I don't want to see us sucked into any club Vs country shenanigans.
However, a problem at the moment is the current coaching team's insistence on picking the most highly paid NZ players regardless of their form, whether they are carrying a minor injury or whether they look like the best options to develop for the 2027 RWC.
It's good that we won the Bledisloe Cup yet again, it's good that we managed to string two consecutive wins together, it's good that we have unearthed a few gems this year, it's acceptable that we finished 2nd in the Rugby Championship behind an excellent Springbok squad.
But I remain deeply concerned about the current selection strategy and some key on-field tactics.
That's why I think Robertson is a bit restricted in who he can select up to 27.
All the big NZR contracts for the next two years have already been dished out.
He's pretty much locked in to the current crop of contractors.And . . . that's why I like the SA model.
More flexible.
NZR wouldn't have to make such large player commitments.Like Rassie can bring a player in from where ever; have look; go yeah nah; see you later.
And hasn't really cost him or SAR anything.
And just as important, hasn't cost the particular player anything either.The Aussies have just gone the same way.
Give it a couple of years for the new selection process to bed in, and the they'll be fielding their best possible combos.
Just in time for WC 27.
Which is probably why they made the decision now, to guarantee they field their best team.As for club v country.
Most of the worlds domestic rugby comps are in trouble at the mo, and I dont see that changing anytime soon.
Conversely international rugby in most places is smashing it commercially.
Going forward I see clubs as the ones that are going to be feeling the squeeze; not the countries.
I dont see NZR (a $300m per annum business) taking much crap from a shitty little overseas rugby club, which is probably close to being bankrupt, or is bankrupt. -
@mohikamo and I suspect the likes of Richie, Conrad, Dan, Nonu could all have still commanded decent nzr coin post 2015, but I think all of them probably knew it was time to move on, leave the legacy rather than fade out.
Now, a few players certainly seem like they are just going through the motions, and they are among those.with bigger contracts.
@taniwharugby
yep, all of those guys could have stretched it out for a bit longer -
That's why I think Robertson is a bit restricted in who he can select up to 27.
All the big NZR contracts for the next two years have already been dished out.
He's pretty much locked in to the current crop of contractors.And . . . that's why I like the SA model.
More flexible.
NZR wouldn't have to make such large player commitments.Like Rassie can bring a player in from where ever; have look; go yeah nah; see you later.
And hasn't really cost him or SAR anything.
And just as important, hasn't cost the particular player anything either.The Aussies have just gone the same way.
Give it a couple of years for the new selection process to bed in, and the they'll be fielding their best possible combos.
Just in time for WC 27.
Which is probably why they made the decision now, to guarantee they field their best team.As for club v country.
Most of the worlds domestic rugby comps are in trouble at the mo, and I dont see that changing anytime soon.
Conversely international rugby in most places is smashing it commercially.
Going forward I see clubs as the ones that are going to be feeling the squeeze; not the countries.
I dont see NZR (a $300m per annum business) taking much crap from a shitty little overseas rugby club, which is probably close to being bankrupt, or is bankrupt.@mohikamo My answer is for the All Blacks selectors to grow a pair and to only select players who deserve selection based on current form and future promise.
If NZR waste their money on over the hill players to stop them going to Rugby 360 or for marketing purposes, that's their problem.
The All Blacks are about excellence and winning.
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@mohikamo My answer is for the All Blacks selectors to grow a pair and to only select players who deserve selection based on current form and future promise.
If NZR waste their money on over the hill players to stop them going to Rugby 360 or for marketing purposes, that's their problem.
The All Blacks are about excellence and winning.
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
@mohikamo My answer is for the All Blacks selectors to grow a pair and to only select players who deserve selection based on current form and future promise.
If NZR waste their money on over the hill players to stop them going to Rugby 360 or for marketing purposes, that's their problem.
The All Blacks are about excellence and winning.
Too right. At the moment the tail is wagging the dog, and I don't like it. Nothing wrong with going abroad to earn big coin. But at that point lets realise their interests and those of the ABs no longer align
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Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales on consecutive weeks in November.
" Operation Grand Slam"
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales on consecutive weeks in November.
" Operation Grand Slam"
Upvote for Bond even if it is the most overrated one ever.
I didn't realise the games essentially go from hardest to easiest. That should help them get it.
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Personally I wouldn't pick Beauden Barrett for the All Blacks XV based on his horrific 2025 form, let alone the All Blacks squad.
He could help us all out by retiring from international rugby.
https://twitter.com/chalynrugby/status/1974734526925750368?s=46
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@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales on consecutive weeks in November.
" Operation Grand Slam"
Upvote for Bond even if it is the most overrated one ever.
I didn't realise the games essentially go from hardest to easiest. That should help them get it.
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales on consecutive weeks in November.
" Operation Grand Slam"
Upvote for Bond even if it is the most overrated one ever.
I didn't realise the games essentially go from hardest to easiest. That should help them get it.
Nah, we needed Ireland, Wales, England, Scotland, we can't beat two good teams in a row.
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@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales on consecutive weeks in November.
" Operation Grand Slam"
Upvote for Bond even if it is the most overrated one ever.
I didn't realise the games essentially go from hardest to easiest. That should help them get it.
Nah, we needed Ireland, Wales, England, Scotland, we can't beat two good teams in a row.
@Nepia said in All Blacks 2025:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales on consecutive weeks in November.
" Operation Grand Slam"
Upvote for Bond even if it is the most overrated one ever.
I didn't realise the games essentially go from hardest to easiest. That should help them get it.
Nah, we needed Ireland, Wales, England, Scotland, we can't beat two good teams in a row.
As it stands they'll need to beat three good teams and then Wales
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Personally I wouldn't pick Beauden Barrett for the All Blacks XV based on his horrific 2025 form, let alone the All Blacks squad.
He could help us all out by retiring from international rugby.
https://twitter.com/chalynrugby/status/1974734526925750368?s=46
@sparky said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
Personally I wouldn't pick Beauden Barrett for the All Blacks XV based on his horrific 2025 form, let alone the All Blacks squad.
He could help us all out by retiring from international rugby.
https://twitter.com/chalynrugby/status/1974734526925750368?s=46
I bet Razor will start him in Chicago. Ugh
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@reprobate said in All Blacks 2025:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2025:
For a head coach who is a former loose forward, and a forward coach who appears to highly rated...
How can they not be concerned by the way our loose forwards got absolutely bitched last night? And thats with the best Wallaby loosie half fit coming off the bench?
Wilson made yards at will, and had starch on D. Mcreight was a menace at the breakdown. They were highly visible and highly effective.And this is a theme over a period of time. Remember what the effectively reserve French #8 did to us?
Waaay too negative there mate: this week was a major improvement from last week when the 4 best loosies on the park were all Aussies. This time it was only the 3 best, because Hooper missed QT really badly for the try.
Lol fair.
Lucky we have the best player in the world though aye?
Proving good PR and tiktok moments beats actual output.
Lakai being our stand-up despite being little more than adequate is damning.@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2025:
Lakai being our stand-up despite being little more than adequate is damning.
Same with Ginga. When your 5th string, last-gasp halfback (admittedly playing his guts out) looks the goods, it speaks volumes.
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Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales on consecutive weeks in November.
" Operation Grand Slam"
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales on consecutive weeks in November.
I actually fancy Scotland to win against us. Can see us beating Ireland and Wales though.
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2025:
Lakai being our stand-up despite being little more than adequate is damning.
Same with Ginga. When your 5th string, last-gasp halfback (admittedly playing his guts out) looks the goods, it speaks volumes.
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2025:
Lakai being our stand-up despite being little more than adequate is damning.
Same with Ginga. When your 5th string, last-gasp halfback (admittedly playing his guts out) looks the goods, it speaks volumes.
I still don't want him in the squad for the tour. Cam, Ratima, Preston for me
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Tyrel Lomax gone for the season. That’s two important tight forwards now gone burgers.
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@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2025:
Lakai being our stand-up despite being little more than adequate is damning.
Same with Ginga. When your 5th string, last-gasp halfback (admittedly playing his guts out) looks the goods, it speaks volumes.
I still don't want him in the squad for the tour. Cam, Ratima, Preston for me
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2025:
Lakai being our stand-up despite being little more than adequate is damning.
Same with Ginga. When your 5th string, last-gasp halfback (admittedly playing his guts out) looks the goods, it speaks volumes.
I still don't want him in the squad for the tour. Cam, Ratima, Preston for me
Nor me - just pointing out how an average player can shine in this team.
He can leave with his head held pretty high, though.
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Beauden Barrett? Anton Leinert-Brown? Luke Jacobson? Sevu Reece?
All too long in the tooth and with too many miles on the clock and their glory days a long time ago to be much use to us. Pick younger, better players. This is the All Blacks Northern tour, not Cocoon 3.
