All Blacks 2025
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Dalton Papalii has been for me the Blues most consistent performer this season. I hope he makes the AB squad.
Reiko Ioane and Beauden Barrett have done enough to justify their retention. Patrick Tuipolutu will be there or there about. He's one of the best leaders we've got. AJ Lam must be close to getting selected, especially if there is another midfield injury.
Beyond that it's hard to see many Blues in the AB squad. Mark Telea, Harry Plummer and Ricky Riccitelli are going overseas so should only be picked in an emergency. Caleb Clarke's form is horrific. Stephen Perofeta has been anonymous this year. Finlay Christie's pass is too slow. I don't see his defence as better than Hotham's. Hoskins Sotutu doesn't make the right decisions at key moments. Ofa T is injured. So is Sam Darry. Angus Taavao is well past his best.
Josh Fusitua, Josh Beehre, Anton Segner and Zarn Sullivan are all young guys with lots of potential. But don't make the top 35 players in New Zealand IMHO.
So I think there'll only be 5 or 6 Blues players in the AB squad.
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@sparky I genuinely think the All Blacks would be just as well off without any Blues players in their side.
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@sparky I genuinely think the All Blacks would be just as well off without any Blues players in their side.
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@KiwiMurph There's lots of contenders for not many open places.
Given the amount of utility we have in the backs, I'd be very tempted to go for a 20 forwards/15 backs split.
Three halfbacks, three first fives (all covering fullback): BB, DMac, Love.
9 remaining spots of whom I think Jordie, Rieko, Proctor, Clarke, Reece and Jordan are near certainties (6 spots).
Three spots remain.
At least one more midfielder.
I think Quinn Tupaea is a good shot to replace ALB in the midfield - can play 12 and 13 and they'll likely want that on the bench.
Dave Havili will be looked at closely, but I don't think he's a certainty.
They need at least one more wing - Narawa and/or Lam? Or someone else?
I think AJ's utility value is pretty unique - he'll be very close if he doesn't make it. Covering wing and both midfield positions.
I reckon there will be a few extras called in for training, as well.
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
I think Quinn Tupaea is a good shot to replace ALB in the midfield - can play 12 and 13 and they'll likely want that on the bench.
Dave Havili will be looked at closely, but I don't think he's a certainty.
It all depends on how Robertson sees his squad in 2 years time. If he's conservative like last year then it'll be Havili, otherwise it has to be Tupaea
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@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
I think Quinn Tupaea is a good shot to replace ALB in the midfield - can play 12 and 13 and they'll likely want that on the bench.
Dave Havili will be looked at closely, but I don't think he's a certainty.
It all depends on how Robertson sees his squad in 2 years time. If he's conservative like last year then it'll be Havili, otherwise it has to be Tupaea
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
I think Quinn Tupaea is a good shot to replace ALB in the midfield - can play 12 and 13 and they'll likely want that on the bench.
Dave Havili will be looked at closely, but I don't think he's a certainty.
It all depends on how Robertson sees his squad in 2 years time. If he's conservative like last year then it'll be Havili, otherwise it has to be Tupaea
If he's conservative, we will see BB, EB and DH in the squad
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@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
I think Quinn Tupaea is a good shot to replace ALB in the midfield - can play 12 and 13 and they'll likely want that on the bench.
Dave Havili will be looked at closely, but I don't think he's a certainty.
It all depends on how Robertson sees his squad in 2 years time. If he's conservative like last year then it'll be Havili, otherwise it has to be Tupaea
If he's conservative, we will see BB, EB and DH in the squad
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
I think Quinn Tupaea is a good shot to replace ALB in the midfield - can play 12 and 13 and they'll likely want that on the bench.
Dave Havili will be looked at closely, but I don't think he's a certainty.
It all depends on how Robertson sees his squad in 2 years time. If he's conservative like last year then it'll be Havili, otherwise it has to be Tupaea
If he's conservative, we will see BB, EB and DH in the squad
What I'm expecting sadly. Just hope for some changes by Frog 3.
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@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
I think Quinn Tupaea is a good shot to replace ALB in the midfield - can play 12 and 13 and they'll likely want that on the bench.
Dave Havili will be looked at closely, but I don't think he's a certainty.
It all depends on how Robertson sees his squad in 2 years time. If he's conservative like last year then it'll be Havili, otherwise it has to be Tupaea
If he's conservative, we will see BB, EB and DH in the squad
What I'm expecting sadly. Just hope for some changes by Frog 3.
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
I think Quinn Tupaea is a good shot to replace ALB in the midfield - can play 12 and 13 and they'll likely want that on the bench.
Dave Havili will be looked at closely, but I don't think he's a certainty.
It all depends on how Robertson sees his squad in 2 years time. If he's conservative like last year then it'll be Havili, otherwise it has to be Tupaea
If he's conservative, we will see BB, EB and DH in the squad
What I'm expecting sadly. Just hope for some changes by Frog 3.
By season's end I hope we don't have to open a thread about what coach we want to take us to RWC31
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@Trig said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky I genuinely think the All Blacks would be just as well off without any Blues players in their side.
May as well dump all the Canes and Highlanders too.
Razors 2025 Cheifsaders will have a huge year
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Trig said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky I genuinely think the All Blacks would be just as well off without any Blues players in their side.
May as well dump all the Canes and Highlanders too.
Razors 2025 Cheifsaders will have a huge year
Razor's record with the crusaders speaks for itself. Don't know why he'd bother with other players.
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@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Trig said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky I genuinely think the All Blacks would be just as well off without any Blues players in their side.
May as well dump all the Canes and Highlanders too.
Razors 2025 Cheifsaders will have a huge year
Razor's record with the crusaders speaks for itself. Don't know why he'd bother with other players.
@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Trig said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky I genuinely think the All Blacks would be just as well off without any Blues players in their side.
May as well dump all the Canes and Highlanders too.
Razors 2025 Cheifsaders will have a huge year
Razor's record with the crusaders speaks for itself. Don't know why he'd bother with other players.
Ok, as long as he picks Ardie and 14 Crusaders I'll be happy
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@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Trig said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky I genuinely think the All Blacks would be just as well off without any Blues players in their side.
May as well dump all the Canes and Highlanders too.
Razors 2025 Cheifsaders will have a huge year
Razor's record with the crusaders speaks for itself. Don't know why he'd bother with other players.
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@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
I think Quinn Tupaea is a good shot to replace ALB in the midfield - can play 12 and 13 and they'll likely want that on the bench.
Dave Havili will be looked at closely, but I don't think he's a certainty.
It all depends on how Robertson sees his squad in 2 years time. If he's conservative like last year then it'll be Havili, otherwise it has to be Tupaea
If he's conservative, we will see BB, EB and DH in the squad
What I'm expecting sadly. Just hope for some changes by Frog 3.
By season's end I hope we don't have to open a thread about what coach we want to take us to RWC31
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
I think Quinn Tupaea is a good shot to replace ALB in the midfield - can play 12 and 13 and they'll likely want that on the bench.
Dave Havili will be looked at closely, but I don't think he's a certainty.
It all depends on how Robertson sees his squad in 2 years time. If he's conservative like last year then it'll be Havili, otherwise it has to be Tupaea
If he's conservative, we will see BB, EB and DH in the squad
What I'm expecting sadly. Just hope for some changes by Frog 3.
By season's end I hope we don't have to open a thread about what coach we want to take us to RWC31
It's make-or-break his year. Has his feet under he table now so we can see what he can do. Not winning the TRC 2 years in a row would be a worry if he carries on with his conservative approach.
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@sparky I genuinely think the All Blacks would be just as well off without any Blues players in their side.
@Trig said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky I genuinely think the All Blacks would be just as well off without any Blues players in their side.
I'm a Blues supporter but if you mean there is no current Blues player who is comfortably far ahead of their nearest rival and worthy of #1 AB pick in their position I (sadly) don't think that is an outlandish claim.
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@Trig said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky I genuinely think the All Blacks would be just as well off without any Blues players in their side.
I'm a Blues supporter but if you mean there is no current Blues player who is comfortably far ahead of their nearest rival and worthy of #1 AB pick in their position I (sadly) don't think that is an outlandish claim.
@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2025:
@Trig said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky I genuinely think the All Blacks would be just as well off without any Blues players in their side.
I'm a Blues supporter but if you mean there is no current Blues player who is comfortably far ahead of their nearest rival and worthy of #1 AB pick in their position I (sadly) don't think that is an outlandish claim.
There'd be only be a few players in NZ that would be. Most spots are debatable.
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@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
I think Quinn Tupaea is a good shot to replace ALB in the midfield - can play 12 and 13 and they'll likely want that on the bench.
Dave Havili will be looked at closely, but I don't think he's a certainty.
It all depends on how Robertson sees his squad in 2 years time. If he's conservative like last year then it'll be Havili, otherwise it has to be Tupaea
If he's conservative, we will see BB, EB and DH in the squad
What I'm expecting sadly. Just hope for some changes by Frog 3.
By season's end I hope we don't have to open a thread about what coach we want to take us to RWC31
It's make-or-break his year. Has his feet under he table now so we can see what he can do. Not winning the TRC 2 years in a row would be a worry if he carries on with his conservative approach.
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
I think Quinn Tupaea is a good shot to replace ALB in the midfield - can play 12 and 13 and they'll likely want that on the bench.
Dave Havili will be looked at closely, but I don't think he's a certainty.
It all depends on how Robertson sees his squad in 2 years time. If he's conservative like last year then it'll be Havili, otherwise it has to be Tupaea
If he's conservative, we will see BB, EB and DH in the squad
What I'm expecting sadly. Just hope for some changes by Frog 3.
By season's end I hope we don't have to open a thread about what coach we want to take us to RWC31
It's make-or-break his year. Has his feet under he table now so we can see what he can do. Not winning the TRC 2 years in a row would be a worry if he carries on with his conservative approach.
Revisionist history will also dictate whether he is in fact a rugby guru or rode the coat tails of Mo'unga, Whitelock et al for all those Super Rugby titles.
I want to see some innovation.
Last year was the same as what went before but with a bit more surfing chat in press conferences.
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Robertson admits to some of his faults from year 1, including being too conservative with selection. Let's see how that translates to his first squad of the year.
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@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
I think Quinn Tupaea is a good shot to replace ALB in the midfield - can play 12 and 13 and they'll likely want that on the bench.
Dave Havili will be looked at closely, but I don't think he's a certainty.
It all depends on how Robertson sees his squad in 2 years time. If he's conservative like last year then it'll be Havili, otherwise it has to be Tupaea
If he's conservative, we will see BB, EB and DH in the squad
What I'm expecting sadly. Just hope for some changes by Frog 3.
By season's end I hope we don't have to open a thread about what coach we want to take us to RWC31
It's make-or-break his year. Has his feet under he table now so we can see what he can do. Not winning the TRC 2 years in a row would be a worry if he carries on with his conservative approach.
Revisionist history will also dictate whether he is in fact a rugby guru or rode the coat tails of Mo'unga, Whitelock et al for all those Super Rugby titles.
I want to see some innovation.
Last year was the same as what went before but with a bit more surfing chat in press conferences.
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Robertson admits to some of his faults from year 1, including being too conservative with selection. Let's see how that translates to his first squad of the year.
@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2025:
Robertson admits to some of his faults from year 1, including being too conservative with selection. Let's see how that translates to his first squad of the year.
As long as that doesn't mean he didn't pick enough Saders.....
