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.
-
@Jet Terrible video.
-
"Look here's some bad play by Anton Leinert-Brownwhen Reiko wasn't playing." That's not convincing.
-
"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.
-
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.
-
"Look here's some bad play by Anton Leinert-Brownwhen Reiko wasn't playing." That's not convincing.
-
"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.
-
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.
-
-
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.
-
@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.
-
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.
-
@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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
@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.
-
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.
-
Think the loose forwards will likely be:
Samipeni Finau (6)
Luke Jacobson (6/8)
Peter Lakai (7/8)
Ardie Savea (7/8)
Wallace Sititi (6/8)
Ethan Blackadder or Dalton Papali'i (7)@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:
Think the loose forwards will likely be:
Samipeni Finau (6)
Luke Jacobson (6/8)
Peter Lakai (7/8)
Ardie Savea (7/8)
Wallace Sititi (6/8)
Ethan Blackadder or Dalton Papali'i (7)Drop Finau to include the last two,, add a 7 to Sititi and Jacobson. More cowbell.
-
Cullen Grace gets brought up a lot for a guy that has played a single test from the bench 5 years ago
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
Cullen Grace gets brought up a lot for a guy that has played a single test from the bench 5 years ago
He makes Thorne look dynamic.
-
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:
Think the loose forwards will likely be:
Samipeni Finau (6)
Luke Jacobson (6/8)
Peter Lakai (7/8)
Ardie Savea (7/8)
Wallace Sititi (6/8)
Ethan Blackadder or Dalton Papali'i (7)Drop Finau to include the last two,, add a 7 to Sititi and Jacobson. More cowbell.
@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:
Think the loose forwards will likely be:
Samipeni Finau (6)
Luke Jacobson (6/8)
Peter Lakai (7/8)
Ardie Savea (7/8)
Wallace Sititi (6/8)
Ethan Blackadder or Dalton Papali'i (7)Drop Finau to include the last two,, add a 7 to Sititi and Jacobson. More cowbell.
Was less about which positions they can cover and more about which positions I can see them starting in for the All Blacks this year.
-
@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 said in Moana Pasifika v Blues:
@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
dusruspekt
