All Blacks 2025
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@Victor-Meldrew I think the argument would be, the fringe 'bolters' e.g Tangitau, are better served PLAYING for the NZ XV than holding tackle bags for the ABs.
The only place you could argue there is possibly an opening is 10, and nobody has put anything up yet to suggest they could bolt in.
Better off having guys like Reece holding the tackle bags.
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I don't actually understand why Paps would be in the XV. He's a known quantity. If they don't think he's AB level for the EOYT the only thing useful for the XV I imagine would be leadership for others. But that would be unfair on him.
@nostrildamus said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
I don't actually understand why Paps would be in the XV. He's a known quantity. If they don't think he's AB level for the EOYT the only thing useful for the XV I imagine would be leadership for others. But that would be unfair on him.
Dunno.
Maybe he might want to turn up, play like a man possessed , and force himself into the equation for next year?
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@nonpartizan said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
@nzzp said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
@frugby said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
The only place you could argue there is possibly an opening is 10, and nobody has put anything up yet to suggest they could bolt in.
No one has been given a run, except BB and DMac.
And even then DMac has only played when BB is injured. So he doesn't really think beyond BB which is nuts when you consider just how uneven his play is.
DMac got a good run at the start of last year. He'd previously had about five intermittent starts - now he's been developed into a credible option.
The very clear plan is Waiting on Rich-Mo. He was clearly our best 10 when he departed and that's surely been reinforced in his absence. Seems to still be killing it in Japan, so hopefully he'll come back still very good.
He'd have to fall away massively not to be better than the best of the youngsters.
Can't see us going into 2027 in a worse five-eighth depth position than 2011 (Carter, Slade, Cruden, Beaver) - unless Richie gets broken or is a total bust.
@Chris-B said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
The very clear plan is Waiting on Rich-Mo. He was clearly our best 10 when he departed and that's surely been reinforced in his absence. ..
"Out of New Zealand’s three main fly-halves, Richie Mo’unga has the worst record against the top nations after All Blacks legend Jeff Wilson revealed a surprising statistic."
Wilson at about 17:20...
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@KiwiMurph That him and Kemara never really crossed over. David Havili was even preferred ahead of him in 2024.
@frugby said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
@KiwiMurph That him and Kemara never really crossed over. David Havili was even preferred ahead of him in 2024.
What does 2024 have to do with anything.
Reihana delivered in the 2025 playoffs leading his team to the title outplaying Beauden and DMac along the way.
If fit, Reihana starts at 10 in 2026 for the Crusaders.
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Want to be careful not to break the paywall BUT:
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Pledger expected to be out as Joseph thinks he would benefit from full Super Rugby Pre-Season
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Tangitau, Taranaki playmaker Josh Jacomb, who will switch from the Chiefs to the Highlanders in 2027, Dalton Papali’i, McAlister, Darry, Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod and Fihaki are among those expected to be included in Joseph’s All Blacks XV squad.
@frugby said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
Want to be careful not to break the paywall BUT:
- Pledger expected to be out as Joseph thinks he would benefit from full Super Rugby Pre-Season
That's interesting, well social media engagement numbers will be out the gate tomorrow then
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@Grooter said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
Tough fall from grace for Dalton Papalii, I predicted him to be vice captain this cycle, how wrong was I!
Unfortunately for Papali'i I'm not expecting him to be named in the All Blacks XV either.
@brodean said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
Unfortunately for Papali'i I'm not expecting him to be named in the All Blacks XV either.
Did he get injured yesterday?
He seemed to be one of the few CM players that didn't come back on when other players were injured. Motuga made more impact anyway.
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@Victor-Meldrew I think the argument would be, the fringe 'bolters' e.g Tangitau, are better served PLAYING for the NZ XV than holding tackle bags for the ABs.
The only place you could argue there is possibly an opening is 10, and nobody has put anything up yet to suggest they could bolt in.
Better off having guys like Reece holding the tackle bags.
@frugby said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
I think the argument would be, the fringe 'bolters' e.g Tangitau, are better served PLAYING for the NZ XV than holding tackle bags for the ABs.
It is an argument, for sure. But I'd argue we shouldn't be picking ABs to hold tackle bags. Been far too much picking players and hardly playing them in the last few years
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@Chris-B said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
The very clear plan is Waiting on Rich-Mo. He was clearly our best 10 when he departed and that's surely been reinforced in his absence. ..
"Out of New Zealand’s three main fly-halves, Richie Mo’unga has the worst record against the top nations after All Blacks legend Jeff Wilson revealed a surprising statistic."
Wilson at about 17:20...
Here's a related statistic.
Richie has played Ireland seven times.
He's started twice and we've won both games (at World Cups).
Five times he's been on the bench behind Beaudy. We've lost four of those five games.
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I really hope the AB XV select some bolters and start getting some depth built especially at 10
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Papali'i & Darry should be there over Finau & Lord... but we don't pick Blues with this coaching setup.
Monstered the Chiefs in the 1/4s missing 2 abs and took Crusaders to 86 mins in the Semi.
Razor must think Cotter is a coaching demi-god considering their clinical performances in the playoffs 2024 & 2025 with barely any test quality players!
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@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
Midfield - more question marks even with the QT performance against the Aussies. There may be a temptation to rotate a bit. Jordie still our best midfielder but the way they are using him to drop back defensively was interesting to say the least.
Ireland and Scotland attack from the midfield quite differently to Aussie so it’s going to be interesting to see if they go with QT or Proctor.It's kind of a strange set of midfielders - even though it's not surprising.
On current rankings:
Second five: Jordie, Tupaea, ALB
Centre: Tupaea, Proctor, Ioane, ALB
I don't see Big Leicester starting there, unless maybe vs Wales - quite possible he plays wing or on the bench, though. I'd have grouped him with the wings.
If Jordie gets injured, I wonder whether they go Tupaea/Proctor or ALB/Tupaea?
@Chris-B said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
Midfield - more question marks even with the QT performance against the Aussies. There may be a temptation to rotate a bit. Jordie still our best midfielder but the way they are using him to drop back defensively was interesting to say the least.
Ireland and Scotland attack from the midfield quite differently to Aussie so it’s going to be interesting to see if they go with QT or Proctor.It's kind of a strange set of midfielders - even though it's not surprising.
On current rankings:
Second five: Jordie, Tupaea, ALB
Centre: Tupaea, Proctor, Ioane, ALB
I don't see Big Leicester starting there, unless maybe vs Wales - quite possible he plays wing or on the bench, though. I'd have grouped him with the wings.
If Jordie gets injured, I wonder whether they go Tupaea/Proctor or ALB/Tupaea?
It would be QT12/ALB13.
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@Chris-B said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
Midfield - more question marks even with the QT performance against the Aussies. There may be a temptation to rotate a bit. Jordie still our best midfielder but the way they are using him to drop back defensively was interesting to say the least.
Ireland and Scotland attack from the midfield quite differently to Aussie so it’s going to be interesting to see if they go with QT or Proctor.It's kind of a strange set of midfielders - even though it's not surprising.
On current rankings:
Second five: Jordie, Tupaea, ALB
Centre: Tupaea, Proctor, Ioane, ALB
I don't see Big Leicester starting there, unless maybe vs Wales - quite possible he plays wing or on the bench, though. I'd have grouped him with the wings.
If Jordie gets injured, I wonder whether they go Tupaea/Proctor or ALB/Tupaea?
It would be QT12/ALB13.
@pakman said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
Midfield - more question marks even with the QT performance against the Aussies. There may be a temptation to rotate a bit. Jordie still our best midfielder but the way they are using him to drop back defensively was interesting to say the least.
Ireland and Scotland attack from the midfield quite differently to Aussie so it’s going to be interesting to see if they go with QT or Proctor.It's kind of a strange set of midfielders - even though it's not surprising.
On current rankings:
Second five: Jordie, Tupaea, ALB
Centre: Tupaea, Proctor, Ioane, ALB
I don't see Big Leicester starting there, unless maybe vs Wales - quite possible he plays wing or on the bench, though. I'd have grouped him with the wings.
If Jordie gets injured, I wonder whether they go Tupaea/Proctor or ALB/Tupaea?
It would be QT12/ALB13.
I'd much prefer QT12/Rieko12
Edit: QT12/Rieko13
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For the All Blacks XV, Shalfoon might be there and maybe Gardiner and Stodart in the loose forwards and Roberts in the midfield. Possible bolters : Sa and Vakasiuola because of their size. A shame Gallagher is leaving because he has been convincing as a blind side loose forward.
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Papali'i & Darry should be there over Finau & Lord... but we don't pick Blues with this coaching setup.
Monstered the Chiefs in the 1/4s missing 2 abs and took Crusaders to 86 mins in the Semi.
Razor must think Cotter is a coaching demi-god considering their clinical performances in the playoffs 2024 & 2025 with barely any test quality players!
@restofit said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
Papali'i & Darry should be there over Finau & Lord... but we don't pick Blues with this coaching setup.
Monstered the Chiefs in the 1/4s missing 2 abs and took Crusaders to 86 mins in the Semi.
Razor must think Cotter is a coaching demi-god considering their clinical performances in the playoffs 2024 & 2025 with barely any test quality players!
Well, if we picked those two guys, there would be 7 Blues in the squad and 8 Crusaders.
We won the competition and you guys lost nine games.
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@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
The Christie selection given Hotham is out is understandable. I don’t think they will want to invest in a newbie just yet given their focus is still developing Roigard and Ratima.
Christie answered the call in the RC and played his socks off. I get that, but there's an a opportunity to develop a 3rd halfback completely lost
I just don't get ALB either. He's been a good loyal servant but he looks completely over the hill these days.
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
The Christie selection given Hotham is out is understandable. I don’t think they will want to invest in a newbie just yet given their focus is still developing Roigard and Ratima.
Christie answered the call in the RC and played his socks off. I get that, but there's an a opportunity to develop a 3rd halfback completely lost
I just don't get ALB either. He's been a good loyal servant but he looks completely over the hill these days.
It seems Ray would rather an see the thrusters get game time for XV.
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@pakman said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
Midfield - more question marks even with the QT performance against the Aussies. There may be a temptation to rotate a bit. Jordie still our best midfielder but the way they are using him to drop back defensively was interesting to say the least.
Ireland and Scotland attack from the midfield quite differently to Aussie so it’s going to be interesting to see if they go with QT or Proctor.It's kind of a strange set of midfielders - even though it's not surprising.
On current rankings:
Second five: Jordie, Tupaea, ALB
Centre: Tupaea, Proctor, Ioane, ALB
I don't see Big Leicester starting there, unless maybe vs Wales - quite possible he plays wing or on the bench, though. I'd have grouped him with the wings.
If Jordie gets injured, I wonder whether they go Tupaea/Proctor or ALB/Tupaea?
It would be QT12/ALB13.
I'd much prefer QT12/Rieko12
Edit: QT12/Rieko13
@voodoo said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
@pakman said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
Midfield - more question marks even with the QT performance against the Aussies. There may be a temptation to rotate a bit. Jordie still our best midfielder but the way they are using him to drop back defensively was interesting to say the least.
Ireland and Scotland attack from the midfield quite differently to Aussie so it’s going to be interesting to see if they go with QT or Proctor.It's kind of a strange set of midfielders - even though it's not surprising.
On current rankings:
Second five: Jordie, Tupaea, ALB
Centre: Tupaea, Proctor, Ioane, ALB
I don't see Big Leicester starting there, unless maybe vs Wales - quite possible he plays wing or on the bench, though. I'd have grouped him with the wings.
If Jordie gets injured, I wonder whether they go Tupaea/Proctor or ALB/Tupaea?
It would be QT12/ALB13.
I'd much prefer QT12/Rieko12
Iwas assuming that for the point of discussion we were limiting choice to the two Chiefs.
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For the All Blacks XV, Shalfoon might be there and maybe Gardiner and Stodart in the loose forwards and Roberts in the midfield. Possible bolters : Sa and Vakasiuola because of their size. A shame Gallagher is leaving because he has been convincing as a blind side loose forward.
@cgrant said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
For the All Blacks XV, Shalfoon might be there and maybe Gardiner and Stodart in the loose forwards and Roberts in the midfield. Possible bolters : Sa and Vakasiuola because of their size. A shame Gallagher is leaving because he has been convincing as a blind side loose forward.
It would be great to see a couple of young 6’ 6” 120kg locks get run in XV.
Are there any others hiding somewhere?
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Here's a related statistic.
Richie has played Ireland seven times.
He's started twice and we've won both games (at World Cups).
Five times he's been on the bench behind Beaudy. We've lost four of those five games.
@Chris-B said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
Here's a related statistic.
Richie has played Ireland seven times.
He's started twice and we've won both games (at World Cups).
Five times he's been on the bench behind Beaudy. We've lost four of those five games.
Yeah I prefer him over Beaudy. But Japan isn't a great preparation and he is getting on as well.
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I think the selection is perfectly reasonable. The UK teams will take no prisoners. Pledger Casey and Mathis could all do with a season of initiation to super rugby. And not sure Tangitau is accurate enough for next level yet.
Maybe would have Darry over Lord. And surprised Mafileo chosen over Dyer, but that was flagged anyway.
Papalii would be a good captain for AB XV if available. Look forward to seeing Jacomb and Reihana there too.
Bolters? Bartlett, Beehre, V,Lasaga and Fineangano would all please me. -
Here's a related statistic.
Richie has played Ireland seven times.
He's started twice and we've won both games (at World Cups).
Five times he's been on the bench behind Beaudy. We've lost four of those five games.
@Chris-B said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
Here's a related statistic.
Richie has played Ireland seven times.
He's started twice and we've won both games (at World Cups).
Five times he's been on the bench behind Beaudy. We've lost four of those five games.
Another related statistic, Mo'unga has played 0 games for the ABs since 2023 because he chose money and easy rugby over country.
