All Blacks 2025
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An extremely predictable and disappointing squad. It’s obvious they’ve moved on from Reece and Lienert-Brown as options for big test matches, so why are they in the squad? Robertson knows they’re not good enough but doesn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. He’ll wait for them to get injured or retire before replacing them. Those two, along with Christie and a few others, simply aren’t test quality. Robertson’s selections are the opposite of ruthless. He is infuriatingly timid.
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@ACT-Crusader The only surprise for me is that Timoci isn't listed among those injured, but I reckon that's just an oversight.
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The only real surprise for me is Lord over Darry.
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
The only real surprise for me is Lord over Darry.
Any selections you'd do different?
I can't say I'm a fan of Kirifi due to size.
Wouldn't have minded Ah Kuoi in, but not sure who for.
Otherwise it's difficult to quibble. Seems us lot are wanting change for change's sake.
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This idea that you can’t drop underperforming players and select inexperienced players or players with 'work-ons' is ridiculous. At some point, when he knows a players can’t do the job, Robertson has to take a punt on someone with potential and back himself to help them realise it. Two years out from the World Cup. The All Blacks will either be full of guys who are two years worse than they are now, or new players who haven’t been given any time to get used to test rugby.
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The XV Squad is named tomorrow. Given it is the same number of the games, I would expect a pretty similar squad makeup to last year - (3 Hookers, 5 Props, 4 Locks, 5 Loose Forwards, 2 Half Backs, 2 First Fives, 4 Midfielders, 4 Outside Backs)
Possible Squad:
Hookers: Brodie McAllister, Jack Taylor, Kurt Eklund
Props: Xavier Numia, Josh Bartlett, George Dyer, Seb Calder, Pouri Rakete-Stones
Locks: Sam Darry, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Isaia Walker-Leawere
Loose Forwards: Devan Flanders, Sean Withy, Christian Lio-Willie, Dalton Papalii, Malachi Wrampling
Halfbacks: Dylan Pledger, Kyle Preston
First Five: Josh Jacomb
Midfielders: AJ Lam, David Havili, Brayden Ennor, Dallas McLeod
Outside Backs: Caleb Tangitau, Fehi Fineanganofo, Chay Fihaki, Jona Nareki
If Finau/Lord and Love get released down for a game, they may not take anymore than this.
@frugby said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
Props: Xavier Numia, Josh Bartlett, George Dyer, Seb Calder, Pouri Rakete-Stones
If Rakete-Stones is fit.
Midfielders: AJ Lam, David Havili, Brayden Ennor, Dallas McLeod
I'd like them to take Rona.
Outside Backs: Caleb Tangitau, Fehi Fineanganofo, Chay Fihaki, Jona Nareki
ENS
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squad is a clear statement that they think they not only have the right players, but they are close to clicking. We may beg to differ, but at least i can admire their commitment to the path.
Given that appears to be the case, i now hope it either goes spectacularly right, or spectacularly wrong. Another middle of the road tour means another 12 months of the same shit, and in fact probably right through to the World Cup.
There are some very lucky tourists who will get a mean holiday.
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This idea that you can’t drop underperforming players and select inexperienced players or players with 'work-ons' is ridiculous. At some point, when he knows a players can’t do the job, Robertson has to take a punt on someone with potential and back himself to help them realise it. Two years out from the World Cup. The All Blacks will either be full of guys who are two years worse than they are now, or new players who haven’t been given any time to get used to test rugby.
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
This idea that you can’t drop underperforming players and select inexperienced players or players with 'work-ons' is ridiculous. At some point, when he knows a players can’t do the job, Robertson has to take a punt on someone with potential and back himself to help them realise it. Two years out from the World Cup. The All Blacks will either be full of guys who are two years worse than they are now, or new players who haven’t been given any time to get used to test rugby.
Agreed. And then look at the schedule next year - tour in South Africa. Hard to imagine he is going to be particularly brave in selecting for that.
Given this is the weakest Wales side in forever this tour should have been one to bring at least a couple of bolters for that last match.
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@Chris-B said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
Is Kyran Taumoefolau eligible for the AB XV?
I think he becomes eligible in 2026.
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@Chris-B said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
Is Kyran Taumoefolau eligible for the AB XV?
I think he becomes eligible in 2026.
@nonpartizan Certainly for the ABs - just not sure if he can play for the AB XV - or if they're governed by the same rules?
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Yep, I not surprised with squad. They pinned their team early in season, and were never going to make big changes. Christie was a certainty almost with Hotham out, much as I like Pledger, probably ABVX is right. I perhaps would of preferred a few changes, but I suspect they may well be trying (rightly or wrongly) having different styles for different teams, partly because I not sure they know exactly who they want.
The hardest thing to remember is because we don't think say a Kirifi is big enough or Reece is fast enough, or BB is the 10 we fancy, they obviously have a different opinion. So who is right or wrong will be shown down the track.
ie I don't go along that Kirifi is too small, or Proctor is out of depth, but we all see things differently. -
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
The only real surprise for me is Lord over Darry.
Any selections you'd do different?
I can't say I'm a fan of Kirifi due to size.
Wouldn't have minded Ah Kuoi in, but not sure who for.
Otherwise it's difficult to quibble. Seems us lot are wanting change for change's sake.
@booboo said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
The only real surprise for me is Lord over Darry.
Any selections you'd do different?
I can't say I'm a fan of Kirifi due to size.
Wouldn't have minded Ah Kuoi in, but not sure who for.
Otherwise it's difficult to quibble. Seems us lot are wanting change for change's sake.
Yeah - I really struggle to see compelling alternatives.
I would pick Papali'i over Kirifi - which won't surprise anyone who follows my theme of picking big men over little men - but, it's a back to the future selection and Dalton's never been McCaw.
If Blackadder were fit, he might have taken Finau's spot - Samipeni hasn't really impressed - but, Ethan's not fit and it would be back to the future again. And Ethan's never been Kaino.
Tangitau looked the business in Super rugby, but reports from NPC are that he's got major holes in his game. I haven't watched him.
Pledger - like Hotham last year (I think) - is probably better off in the AB XV, where he'll get to play.
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@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
This idea that you can’t drop underperforming players and select inexperienced players or players with 'work-ons' is ridiculous. At some point, when he knows a players can’t do the job, Robertson has to take a punt on someone with potential and back himself to help them realise it. Two years out from the World Cup. The All Blacks will either be full of guys who are two years worse than they are now, or new players who haven’t been given any time to get used to test rugby.
Agreed. And then look at the schedule next year - tour in South Africa. Hard to imagine he is going to be particularly brave in selecting for that.
Given this is the weakest Wales side in forever this tour should have been one to bring at least a couple of bolters for that last match.
@nonpartizan said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
This idea that you can’t drop underperforming players and select inexperienced players or players with 'work-ons' is ridiculous. At some point, when he knows a players can’t do the job, Robertson has to take a punt on someone with potential and back himself to help them realise it. Two years out from the World Cup. The All Blacks will either be full of guys who are two years worse than they are now, or new players who haven’t been given any time to get used to test rugby.
Agreed. And then look at the schedule next year - tour in South Africa. Hard to imagine he is going to be particularly brave in selecting for that.
Given this is the weakest Wales side in forever this tour should have been one to bring at least a couple of bolters for that last match.
I’m concerned he’s run out of time. He started and continued far too conservatively and may have wasted an entire World Cup cycle. As a result, talented players - Love, for example - could head overseas, rather than stick around for the next World Cup, when the choice will be between a player in his late-twenties with only a handful of caps against weak opposition, or a player in his early-twenties, uncapped but with just as much potential.
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@booboo said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
The only real surprise for me is Lord over Darry.
Any selections you'd do different?
I can't say I'm a fan of Kirifi due to size.
Wouldn't have minded Ah Kuoi in, but not sure who for.
Otherwise it's difficult to quibble. Seems us lot are wanting change for change's sake.
Yeah - I really struggle to see compelling alternatives.
I would pick Papali'i over Kirifi - which won't surprise anyone who follows my theme of picking big men over little men - but, it's a back to the future selection and Dalton's never been McCaw.
If Blackadder were fit, he might have taken Finau's spot - Samipeni hasn't really impressed - but, Ethan's not fit and it would be back to the future again. And Ethan's never been Kaino.
Tangitau looked the business in Super rugby, but reports from NPC are that he's got major holes in his game. I haven't watched him.
Pledger - like Hotham last year (I think) - is probably better off in the AB XV, where he'll get to play.
@Chris-B said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
I would pick Papali'i over Kirifi - which won't surprise anyone who follows my theme of picking big men over little men - but, it's a back to the future selection and Dalton's never been McCaw.
Papalii is the same age as Kirifi.
I would like the the ABs maximise the impact those in the squad are having.
Just because Papalii isn't McCaw doesnt mean he wouldn't add value - at test level every little bit counts - if he's an upgrade then pick him.
I saw more from Papalii in 15 odd minutes in the 3rd France test than Kirifi has shown all AB season.
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@Chris-B said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
I would pick Papali'i over Kirifi - which won't surprise anyone who follows my theme of picking big men over little men - but, it's a back to the future selection and Dalton's never been McCaw.
Papalii is the same age as Kirifi.
I would like the the ABs maximise the impact those in the squad are having.
Just because Papalii isn't McCaw doesnt mean he wouldn't add value - at test level every little bit counts - if he's an upgrade then pick him.
I saw more from Papalii in 15 odd minutes in the 3rd France test than Kirifi has shown all AB season.
@KiwiMurph I agree with you.
Razor apparently doesn't.
The point I'm making is that where he's wielded the new broom, there's often been plenty of complaint - and there's a degree of personal preference involved - as well as them knowing what gameplan they're trying to implement.
It's probably an interesting exercise to list the five best players in the AB XV and the five worst players in the ABs - if there's positional overlap then that's where you'd look for change.
DPK vs Paps might fall there.
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There gon' be some shit lost on this tour me thinks....
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There gon' be some shit lost on this tour me thinks....
@taniwharugby Scotland has me nervous, Finn Russell could wake up and decide he wants to create history, hopefully he's in no such mood
