All Blacks 2025
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@African-Monkey The Crusaders are second in the table. Scott Barrett is their work horse and playing a vital role for his team who are doing a lot better than last year. For ABs (with more quality around him) he doesn't need to hit every ruck so you see more aspects of his game.
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
@African-Monkey The Crusaders are second in the table. Scott Barrett is their work horse and playing a vital role for his team who are doing a lot better than last year. For ABs (with more quality around him) he doesn't need to hit every ruck so you see more aspects of his game.
No one seems to get through Rieko's channel defensively either but that seems to count for nothing (and yes, I realise his attack is stunted at centre).
Seems like certain players get preferential treatment over others on here.
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@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
@Duluth How many tries has Caleb Clarke scored in Super Rugby this season?
Apart from the fact that he's been injured, have you missed the memo about Super rugby form?
@gt12 It's was interesting hearing Grant Fox on the Good, the Bad and the Rugby this week (link below) talking about his time All Blacks selector working under Steve Hansen's leadership.
Every year they'd be an established All Black or two who would be playing below expectation in Super Rugby and Shag would use his network as a ex-cop to find out what was going on off the field around the player (there was always something).
Hansen would visit the player and ask "Is there something we (the All Blacks coaches) can help with?"
I suspect Reiko Ioane and Caleb Clarke have already had the "Is there something we can help with" conversation this year.
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Another name to throw into the mix, though I don't really see him getting selected this year, is Daniel Rona.
He's been excellent for the Chiefs for the past few years, covering centre and wing. Very reliable and occasionally does some flashy stuff. As I say, can't see him getting picked with Ioane, Lienert-Brown, Proctor and Ennor all capped All Black centres, and Barrett, Havili and Tupaea all capped options at 12, but I think he'd make a good fist of it if a bunch of injuries struck, like when ALB first received a call-up.
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Another name to throw into the mix, though I don't really see him getting selected this year, is Daniel Rona.
He's been excellent for the Chiefs for the past few years, covering centre and wing. Very reliable and occasionally does some flashy stuff. As I say, can't see him getting picked with Ioane, Lienert-Brown, Proctor and Ennor all capped All Black centres, and Barrett, Havili and Tupaea all capped options at 12, but I think he'd make a good fist of it if a bunch of injuries struck, like when ALB first received a call-up.
@Mr-Fish Rona? I dont think so not next year or the year after
Good player but for me does’nt say international 13 -
@Mr-Fish Rona? I dont think so not next year or the year after
Good player but for me does’nt say international 13@Steven-Harris Maybe not - it's always good having some longer-term MABs too because that side is looking weaker and weaker every year...
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Another name to throw into the mix, though I don't really see him getting selected this year, is Daniel Rona.
He's been excellent for the Chiefs for the past few years, covering centre and wing. Very reliable and occasionally does some flashy stuff. As I say, can't see him getting picked with Ioane, Lienert-Brown, Proctor and Ennor all capped All Black centres, and Barrett, Havili and Tupaea all capped options at 12, but I think he'd make a good fist of it if a bunch of injuries struck, like when ALB first received a call-up.
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@Chris said in All Blacks 2025:
@Landers92 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Chris said in All Blacks 2025:
All speculation its not what I hear, very destructive talk.
The Captain will be Scott Barrett 100%.It most probably will be because at the end of the day Razor gets to make the decision. Doesn’t mean the players don’t gravitate and look to someone else though… and that’s a fact. Nothing destructive at all.
The captain is also supported by the leadership group who endorse that selection and they have including Ardie so no issue.
You can defend your boys as much as you want mate and that’s totally fine. I’m just stating that it doesn’t mean the players don’t gravitate and look to someone else and that is a fact. Nothing else to be said.
We all know who Razor is picking mate. It is what it is. Just hope Barrett can pick his game up because as of right now based off form there’s an argument he shouldn’t even be in the starting XV.
@Landers92 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Chris said in All Blacks 2025:
@Landers92 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Chris said in All Blacks 2025:
All speculation its not what I hear, very destructive talk.
The Captain will be Scott Barrett 100%.It most probably will be because at the end of the day Razor gets to make the decision. Doesn’t mean the players don’t gravitate and look to someone else though… and that’s a fact. Nothing destructive at all.
The captain is also supported by the leadership group who endorse that selection and they have including Ardie so no issue.
You can defend your boys as much as you want mate and that’s totally fine. I’m just stating that it doesn’t mean the players don’t gravitate and look to someone else and that is a fact. Nothing else to be said.
We all know who Razor is picking mate. It is what it is. Just hope Barrett can pick his game up because as of right now based off form there’s an argument he shouldn’t even be in the starting XV.
Sure you are entitled to your opinion as I am.
Yeah it’s done deal Scooter will be Captain.
A couple of current ABs are on thin ice and maybe dropped. -
@Mr-Fish I'd have thought the All Blacks XV is more likely for Daniel Rona, but he's playing that's for sure.
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
@Mr-Fish I'd have thought the All Blacks XV is more likely for Daniel Rona, but he's playing that's for sure.
Probably the best performing No 13 in Super Rugby this year - although it's not been a standout season for outside centres.
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@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
@Mr-Fish I'd have thought the All Blacks XV is more likely for Daniel Rona, but he's playing that's for sure.
Probably the best performing No 13 in Super Rugby this year - although it's not been a standout season for outside centres.
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@Frank said in All Blacks 2025:
Narawa over Reece.
Based on what? I hate picking players from the Crusaders as much as anyone but Reece is the better player at the minute.
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
@Frank said in All Blacks 2025:
Narawa over Reece.
Based on what? I hate picking players from the Crusaders as much as anyone but Reece is the better player at the minute.
Nothing more than the whim of the moment.
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@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
@Duluth How many tries has Caleb Clarke scored in Super Rugby this season?
Apart from the fact that he's been injured, have you missed the memo about Super rugby form?
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@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
@Mr-Fish I'd have thought the All Blacks XV is more likely for Daniel Rona, but he's playing that's for sure.
Probably the best performing No 13 in Super Rugby this year - although it's not been a standout season for outside centres.
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
@Mr-Fish I'd have thought the All Blacks XV is more likely for Daniel Rona, but he's playing that's for sure.
Probably the best performing No 13 in Super Rugby this year - although it's not been a standout season for outside centres.
He does a lot right eh, reads the game brilliantly.
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He is for sure the form 13, but I do see him drop off a couple tackles a game.
Way better than Reiko on attack, but a little behind defensively. I'm sure he can work on it.
And I wouldn't consider Love as a winger, he really lacks enough pace to play there, from what I have seen. -
He is for sure the form 13, but I do see him drop off a couple tackles a game.
Way better than Reiko on attack, but a little behind defensively. I'm sure he can work on it.
And I wouldn't consider Love as a winger, he really lacks enough pace to play there, from what I have seen. -
He is for sure the form 13, but I do see him drop off a couple tackles a game.
Way better than Reiko on attack, but a little behind defensively. I'm sure he can work on it.
And I wouldn't consider Love as a winger, he really lacks enough pace to play there, from what I have seen.@Darren said in All Blacks 2025:
He is for sure the form 13, but I do see him drop off a couple tackles a game.
Way better than Reiko on attack, but a little behind defensively. I'm sure he can work on it.
And I wouldn't consider Love as a winger, he really lacks enough pace to play there, from what I have seen.Tackling at a little under 80% for the season - which is not fantastic, you'd really want to be closer to 85% as an outside centre.
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@gt12 It's was interesting hearing Grant Fox on the Good, the Bad and the Rugby this week (link below) talking about his time All Blacks selector working under Steve Hansen's leadership.
Every year they'd be an established All Black or two who would be playing below expectation in Super Rugby and Shag would use his network as a ex-cop to find out what was going on off the field around the player (there was always something).
Hansen would visit the player and ask "Is there something we (the All Blacks coaches) can help with?"
I suspect Reiko Ioane and Caleb Clarke have already had the "Is there something we can help with" conversation this year.
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
@gt12 It's was interesting hearing Grant Fox on the Good, the Bad and the Rugby this week (link below) talking about his time All Blacks selector working under Steve Hansen's leadership.
Every year they'd be an established All Black or two who would be playing below expectation in Super Rugby and Shag would use his network as a ex-cop to find out what was going on off the field around the player (there was always something).
Hansen would visit the player and ask "Is there something we (the All Blacks coaches) can help with?"
> I suspect Reiko Ioane and Caleb Clarke have already had the "Is there something we can help with" conversation this year.
Yep. The solutions are ‘switch back to the wing’ and ‘don’t have high speed chases with police in your spare time’ respectively.
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@Landers92 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Chris said in All Blacks 2025:
@Landers92 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Chris said in All Blacks 2025:
All speculation its not what I hear, very destructive talk.
The Captain will be Scott Barrett 100%.It most probably will be because at the end of the day Razor gets to make the decision. Doesn’t mean the players don’t gravitate and look to someone else though… and that’s a fact. Nothing destructive at all.
The captain is also supported by the leadership group who endorse that selection and they have including Ardie so no issue.
You can defend your boys as much as you want mate and that’s totally fine. I’m just stating that it doesn’t mean the players don’t gravitate and look to someone else and that is a fact. Nothing else to be said.
We all know who Razor is picking mate. It is what it is. Just hope Barrett can pick his game up because as of right now based off form there’s an argument he shouldn’t even be in the starting XV.
Sure you are entitled to your opinion as I am.
Yeah it’s done deal Scooter will be Captain.
A couple of current ABs are on thin ice and maybe dropped.@Chris said in All Blacks 2025:
@Landers92 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Chris said in All Blacks 2025:
@Landers92 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Chris said in All Blacks 2025:
All speculation its not what I hear, very destructive talk.
The Captain will be Scott Barrett 100%.It most probably will be because at the end of the day Razor gets to make the decision. Doesn’t mean the players don’t gravitate and look to someone else though… and that’s a fact. Nothing destructive at all.
The captain is also supported by the leadership group who endorse that selection and they have including Ardie so no issue.
You can defend your boys as much as you want mate and that’s totally fine. I’m just stating that it doesn’t mean the players don’t gravitate and look to someone else and that is a fact. Nothing else to be said.
We all know who Razor is picking mate. It is what it is. Just hope Barrett can pick his game up because as of right now based off form there’s an argument he shouldn’t even be in the starting XV.
Sure you are entitled to your opinion as I am.
Yeah it’s done deal Scooter will be Captain.
A couple of current ABs are on thin ice and maybe dropped.Facts are opinions now? Yes I along with the rest of the country outside of Canterbury have no doubt he’s still the captain. I’m not going to be a broken record just so you can get my point though.
Be interesting to know who are on thin ice. You have any names?
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@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@Darren I would wager he's quicker than Telea and Reece, at the very least.
You may be right, but I have been a little disappointed with Love's pace this year (and towards the end of last year I think). For some reason I thought he was faster.
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Would have thought a lot of scrutiny around the form and consistency of Rieko, Clarke, Blackadder, Ofa, Christie and Aumua. So I would be hoping there would be conversations around how well each can perform for All Blacks v France. So the playoffs will be critical for these guys in my view and for the contenders for their spots.
I can see spots for a new prop, lock, loosie and wing at least. So 4 to 6 newbies in the squad of 35.
I hope the various posts about who is in and out are truly just speculation at the moment. It is the next 3 or 4 weeks that count for the most. Any of the 6 I named can secure a spot with playoffs form. Just Holland Big Jim Ardie and De Groot unlikely not to have chance.
