All Blacks 2025
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Who on earth has thought that "Ardie is not All Black level" in the last nine years?
Plenty suggested he didn't play that well last year. And they were right.
@booboo said in Moana Pasifika v Blues:
Who on earth has thought that "Ardie is not All Black level" in the last nine years?
Plenty suggested he didn't play that well last year. And they were right.
Plot twist. At the end of the year, Ardie removes his mask and underneath he's....Laumape.
Haterz
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@booboo said in Moana Pasifika v Blues:
Who on earth has thought that "Ardie is not All Black level" in the last nine years?
Plenty suggested he didn't play that well last year. And they were right.
Plot twist. At the end of the year, Ardie removes his mask and underneath he's....Laumape.
Haterz
@Bones either that or he really is Superman
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@Canes4life said in Moana Pasifika v Blues:
Ardie is insane. Fuck you all that ever thought he wasn’t AB level. He’s on another planet.
Who thought anyone holds a grudge for nine years about an opinion about a player not being as good as another player in that moment nine years ago.
@booboo said in Moana Pasifika v Blues:
@Canes4life said in Moana Pasifika v Blues:
Ardie is insane. Fuck you all that ever thought he wasn’t AB level. He’s on another planet.
Who thought anyone holds a grudge for nine years about an opinion about a player not being as good as another player in that moment nine years ago.
The fern always remembers.
Ardie will pass 100 test caps this year. Richly deserved. Never seen a player quite like him. Very easily my favourite current All Black.
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Ah Kuoi has a good workrate and size for a 6.
This could be his best position at int. level.
is he quick enough?@Frank said in All Blacks 2025:
Ah Kuoi has a good workrate and size for a 6.
This could be his best position at int. level.
is he quick enough?Can't see him being any slower than Kaino, Grace, Blackadder, Finau, etc. Plus Vaai, Savea, Sititi are no slouches.
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@cgrant Still plenty of Super games for injuries to take a toll.
On Tight forwards:
I think they'd have been pretty comfortable with Wiliams, EDG and Ofa as their looseheads. Any news on when Ofa will be back? I guess with a neck injury they'll be a bit cautious. Bower and Numia were the NZ XV props last year. Some drums beating for Norris. Fusitua also worth a look I think. I'm inclined to think Norris might have jumped up a few rungs on the ladder and might get the nod, but still water to pass under the bridge.
Hooker - Taylor, Tukei'aho and Aumua clearly the first three in the pecking order - probably in that order. George Bell clearly in the frame if one of them gets injured and he can quickly find form. McAlister also worth a mention.
I can't see them switching from Lomax, Tosi and Newell unless there's an injury. NZ XV tightheads last year were Dyer, Ma'u and Renata and I think it would be one of those three would be promoted if there was an injury. Taávao been going well, but a blast from the past.
Locks - Barrett and Vaa'i are certainties and Scott will surely be captain unless he resigns. I think Patty T. and Darry had the inside running for the other two spots if they were both fit. With Darry out, I think Patty becomes a certainty and they will pick either Lord or Holland as the fourth lock. Lord feels a bit more like an incumbent, so I'd guess they'll go with him.
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
@cgrant Still plenty of Super games for injuries to take a toll.
On Tight forwards:
I think they'd have been pretty comfortable with Wiliams, EDG and Ofa as their looseheads. Any news on when Ofa will be back?
I read something on Twitter which suggested that may be that for Ofa pro-Rugby career.
Even if that's true, Williams and EDG are certainees with Bower, Norris and Numia as excellent backup. Of the three I'd give the nod to Bower based on form.
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In terms of Back Row selection, I've always thought (unless you're playing a test in shit playing conditions) it's too conservative to have one guy who is just there to be an extra tight forward.
What you want are three players whose bread and butter is the hard stuff in and around the breakdown, but if the situation and the game plan needs it can be devastating in the wide channels too.
The Kaino-McCaw-Read trio was like that.
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@Jet Terrible video.
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"Look here's some bad play by Anton Leinert-Brownwhen Reiko wasn't playing." That's not convincing.
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"Pundits and ex-players like him." Everyone knows the NZ rugby establishment stick together. That's one reason why we haven't won won a World Cup for 10 years and we're only third in the world.
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Then at 1:41 we got the "both sides of the ball" cliche.
I gave up after that.
The Blues have stopped scoring backline tries. They have totally dried up. Drier than the Sahara Desert. You can't pick the Blues Centre for the All Blacks when that happens.
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
@Jet Terrible video.
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"Look here's some bad play by Anton Leinert-Brownwhen Reiko wasn't playing." That's not convincing.
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"Pundits and ex-players like him." Everyone knows the NZ rugby establishment stick together. That's one reason why we haven't won won a World Cup for 10 years and we're only third in the world.
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Then at 1:41 we got the "both sides of the ball" cliche.
I gave up after that.
The Blues have stopped scoring backline tries. They have totally dried up. Drier than the Sahara Desert. You can't pick the Blues Centre for the All Blacks when that happens.
Agreed.
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In terms of Back Row selection, I've always thought (unless you're playing a test in shit playing conditions) it's too conservative to have one guy who is just there to be an extra tight forward.
What you want are three players whose bread and butter is the hard stuff in and around the breakdown, but if the situation and the game plan needs it can be devastating in the wide channels too.
The Kaino-McCaw-Read trio was like that.
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
In terms of Back Row selection, I've always thought (unless you're playing a test in shit playing conditions) it's too conservative to have one guy who is just there to be an extra tight forward.
What you want are three players whose bread and butter is the hard stuff in and around the breakdown, but if the situation and the game plan needs it can be devastating in the wide channels too.
The Kaino-McCaw-Read trio was like that.
Razor did play a lot of Rugby with Ruben Thorne.
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@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
In terms of Back Row selection, I've always thought (unless you're playing a test in shit playing conditions) it's too conservative to have one guy who is just there to be an extra tight forward.
What you want are three players whose bread and butter is the hard stuff in and around the breakdown, but if the situation and the game plan needs it can be devastating in the wide channels too.
The Kaino-McCaw-Read trio was like that.
Razor did play a lot of Rugby with Ruben Thorne.
@MN5 I'll resist the easy bait as I've already provoked a red and black swarm this weekend.
But I'll say this, by far the best Test performance I saw from Reuben Thorne was in the 2003 Bledisloe decider in the wet in Auckland. And the Aussies haven't touched the trophy since.
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In my summary, I forgot Simon Parker. He is big and strong, and carries well. But I find him slow for an international loose forward and I don't think he could be a useful complement to Sititi and Savea (two smallish forwards) as he is not a reliable lineout target.
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@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
I like Howden at 6, seems the perfect type of player to complement Savea and Sititi.
I like his athleticism but has he done enough this year to warrant a selection ? I don't think so.
@cgrant said in All Blacks 2025:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
I like Howden at 6, seems the perfect type of player to complement Savea and Sititi.
I like his athleticism but has he done enough this year to warrant a selection ? I don't think so.
He'd definitely be a punt, but he's playing all the right songs for me and gets himself involved. Worthwhile alternative to Finau.
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I hope you put that bet on we talked about @gt12
Savea walks in the player of the year
@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2025:
I hope you put that bet on we talked about @gt12
Savea walks in the player of the year
I think I did. Better check the tea and breadshop account.
TBH, he's been very fucking good so it can't really be argued, and It has been pleasing to see some absolute quality from other MP players. I'd select Failagi in my AB squad, for starters.
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In my summary, I forgot Simon Parker. He is big and strong, and carries well. But I find him slow for an international loose forward and I don't think he could be a useful complement to Sititi and Savea (two smallish forwards) as he is not a reliable lineout target.
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@cgrant I think Simon Parker's All Blacks XV standard rather than a realistic candidate for the full national squad. He's a solid all round loose forward at Super Level, but I'm not sure he'll cope with the physicality of Test Rugby.
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I asked Chat GTP who played 6 for the All Blacks, apart from Wallace Sititi, in 2024. I would thought the same individuals and Cullen Grace are the likely suspect this year. Peter Lakai will cover 7 and 8 behind Ardie Savea and Walllace Sititi.
