All Blacks 2025
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South Africas huge population and player pool is now often cited as one of their advantages over us.
Our pool is much smaller yes, but we dont help ourselves by deifying 30 lads and giving nobody else a chance.
@Jet said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
South Africas huge population and player pool is now often cited as one of their advantages over us.
Our pool is much smaller yes, but we dont help ourselves by deifying 30 lads and giving nobody else a chance.
Raises a good question though...
Despite having so much more fresh and upcoming talent to pick from, South Africa's TRC squad included 23 players who were 30 years of age or older.
New Zealand's included seven.
Why are South Africa currently getting so much more out of their older players?
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@Jet said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
South Africas huge population and player pool is now often cited as one of their advantages over us.
Our pool is much smaller yes, but we dont help ourselves by deifying 30 lads and giving nobody else a chance.
Raises a good question though...
Despite having so much more fresh and upcoming talent to pick from, South Africa's TRC squad included 23 players who were 30 years of age or older.
New Zealand's included seven.
Why are South Africa currently getting so much more out of their older players?
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
@Jet said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
South Africas huge population and player pool is now often cited as one of their advantages over us.
Our pool is much smaller yes, but we dont help ourselves by deifying 30 lads and giving nobody else a chance.
Raises a good question though...
Despite having so much more fresh and upcoming talent to pick from, South Africa's TRC squad included 23 players who were 30 years of age or older.
New Zealand's included seven.
Why are South Africa currently getting so much more out of their older players?
This might not answer your question specifically but I think it's because when Rassie selects a player he does so with intent. Intent to play them. Intent to play them in key moments in key situations, when the game is on the line. He doesn't waste selections on players who he wants to hold tackle bags.
In contrast Razor will select a player like Love with no intent to play him and do the same with an older player like Jacobson or ALB.
Rassie is also not afraid in the least to drop a player or rotate a player out of the team. There really are no incumbents in the team. The jersey is up for grabs at every game and I feel like he is able to get more out of his players because of that.
This might be an oversimplification of the situation (and it probably is) but I think that is the approximate reason why Rassie gets more from his players. Or if he doesn't then he shuffles that player to the bottom of the deck and gives someone else a crack.
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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 that simply highlights what so many have been saying for some time
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@Jet said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
How can you suffer a 43-10 record loss at home and think George Bell is the only change that needs to be made to the squad?
It's almost a tacit admission that coaching is the problem.....if you dont drop the players, you're de-facto blaming the tactics or training?
Or its just chalked off as a particularly bad day at the office?
@Jet said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
@Jet said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
How can you suffer a 43-10 record loss at home and think George Bell is the only change that needs to be made to the squad?
It's almost a tacit admission that coaching is the problem.....if you dont drop the players, you're de-facto blaming the tactics or training?
Or its just chalked off as a particularly bad day at the office?
It’s almost unbelievable they haven’t moved a couple of the coaching staff on after that performance. The defence has been awful all year. The backline’s been subpar. Robertson thinks he’s going to use his terrible motivation methodology - ‘walk together’ - to win a World Cup.
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@Jet said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
South Africas huge population and player pool is now often cited as one of their advantages over us.
Our pool is much smaller yes, but we dont help ourselves by deifying 30 lads and giving nobody else a chance.
Raises a good question though...
Despite having so much more fresh and upcoming talent to pick from, South Africa's TRC squad included 23 players who were 30 years of age or older.
New Zealand's included seven.
Why are South Africa currently getting so much more out of their older players?
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
@Jet said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
South Africas huge population and player pool is now often cited as one of their advantages over us.
Our pool is much smaller yes, but we dont help ourselves by deifying 30 lads and giving nobody else a chance.
Raises a good question though...
Despite having so much more fresh and upcoming talent to pick from, South Africa's TRC squad included 23 players who were 30 years of age or older.
New Zealand's included seven.
Why are South Africa currently getting so much more out of their older players?
They’re only selecting older players who are performing and get rid of them if they aren’t? Robertson is selecting older players because they played well almost a decade ago.
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@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
@Jet said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
South Africas huge population and player pool is now often cited as one of their advantages over us.
Our pool is much smaller yes, but we dont help ourselves by deifying 30 lads and giving nobody else a chance.
Raises a good question though...
Despite having so much more fresh and upcoming talent to pick from, South Africa's TRC squad included 23 players who were 30 years of age or older.
New Zealand's included seven.
Why are South Africa currently getting so much more out of their older players?
This might not answer your question specifically but I think it's because when Rassie selects a player he does so with intent. Intent to play them. Intent to play them in key moments in key situations, when the game is on the line. He doesn't waste selections on players who he wants to hold tackle bags.
In contrast Razor will select a player like Love with no intent to play him and do the same with an older player like Jacobson or ALB.
Rassie is also not afraid in the least to drop a player or rotate a player out of the team. There really are no incumbents in the team. The jersey is up for grabs at every game and I feel like he is able to get more out of his players because of that.
This might be an oversimplification of the situation (and it probably is) but I think that is the approximate reason why Rassie gets more from his players. Or if he doesn't then he shuffles that player to the bottom of the deck and gives someone else a crack.
@nonpartizan said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
In contrast Razor will select a player like Love with no intent to play him and do the same with an older player like Jacobson or ALB.
Then brings up how many players have debuted while he’s been coach in the press conference and tries to claim two minutes off the bench playing out of position when the player is only there because the players he wanted to pick are injured means he’s not being conservative with his selections.
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@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.
@Chris-B said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
@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.
Its not about Blues vs Crusaders. There should be more of both. There's too many Chiefs and Canes.
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The referees for the tour games:
Ireland v New Zealand - Pierre Brousset (FFR)
Scotland v New Zealand - Nic Berry (RA)
England v New Zealand - Andrea Piardi (FIR)
Wales v New Zealand - Hollie Davidson (SRU)Barbarians v All Blacks XV - Nic Berry (RA)
England A v All Blacks XV - TBA (RFU appointment)
Uruguay v All Blacks XV - TBA (FFR appointment) -
@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
Whilst I love the idea of two second fives gang tackling anyone who runs down the 12 channel that really leaves a gaping hole at 13.
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The referees for the tour games:
Ireland v New Zealand - Pierre Brousset (FFR)
Scotland v New Zealand - Nic Berry (RA)
England v New Zealand - Andrea Piardi (FIR)
Wales v New Zealand - Hollie Davidson (SRU)Barbarians v All Blacks XV - Nic Berry (RA)
England A v All Blacks XV - TBA (RFU appointment)
Uruguay v All Blacks XV - TBA (FFR appointment)@Bovidae said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
The referees for the tour games:
Wales v New Zealand - Hollie Davidson (SRU)
I hope the Welsh don't try any funny business again if the Scottish referee can't keep up with play after a fast breakaway...
They have form. Bob Deans scored.
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
The referees for the tour games:
Wales v New Zealand - Hollie Davidson (SRU)
I hope the Welsh don't try any funny business again if the Scottish referee can't keep up with play after a fast breakaway...
They have form. Bob Deans scored.
@sparky said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
@Bovidae said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
The referees for the tour games:
Wales v New Zealand - Hollie Davidson (SRU)
I hope the Welsh don't try any funny business again if the Scottish referee can't keep up with play after a fast breakaway...
They have form. Bob Deans scored.
Haha!
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@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?
@Chris-B said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
@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?
By moving to Christchurch?
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@Chris-B said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
@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.
Its not about Blues vs Crusaders. There should be more of both. There's too many Chiefs and Canes.
@brodean said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
@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.
Its not about Blues vs Crusaders. There should be more of both. There's too many Chiefs and Canes.
There's always too many Canes and Chiefs.
But, if the Fern majority got their way, who gets dropped?
Beauden, Christie, ALB, Sevu, Kirifi and Finau.
For something like: Jacombe, Pledger, Ennor, Tangitau, Papali'i, Flanders
There's less Blues and the same number of Crusaders.
I'd prefer the frst group of players - mainly because Beaudy is a significantly better option than Jacombe at present. Pledger looks like he'll be a much better player than Christie in due course, but he's really just broken out in NPC. Ennor, meh. Tangitau, apparently not. Paps - yes for me, but Ardie will start. Flanders - haven't watched him to see if he can sit convincingly in the stand with Luke Jacobson.
My real point is - many of you Blues guys seem to see a massive conspiracy, where there's really just a few line calls gone against you.
Actually, Lord vs Darry could be added to the above set to bring you to parity, but for me that one is a coin toss, where they can't pick both - and if Vaa'i were fit they'd pick neither.
Edit: And a minute later they're both in - but, I'd rather have Patrick.
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@Chris said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
Sam Darry in to AB squad, Patrick Tuipulotu out with shoulder injury needing surgery.
Big loss that. His impact as the bench lock is hard to replace.
Obviously not gonna happen, but would SB go well in that role?
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@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?
@Chris-B said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
@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?
The last "man possessed" got dropped mate!
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@Chris said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
Sam Darry in to AB squad, Patrick Tuipulotu out with shoulder injury needing surgery.
Big loss that. His impact as the bench lock is hard to replace.
Obviously not gonna happen, but would SB go well in that role?
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
@Chris said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
Sam Darry in to AB squad, Patrick Tuipulotu out with shoulder injury needing surgery.
Big loss that. His impact as the bench lock is hard to replace.
Obviously not gonna happen, but would SB go well in that role?
He will be missed no real lock in that squad that can impact as well off the bench.SB is the sort of player who could come off the bench but you are right it is not going to happen.
Patricks injury will keep him out for a while he may miss the start of SR.
