All Blacks 2025
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Well yeah Williams is literally a big gun.
There is a lot of hype around Sititi but having won zero tests against SA or France or Argentina he doesn't qualify as a big gun yet. He's still finding his feet at this level really.
He looked very tentative this year for the Chiefs. Not sure how much of his games he was playing through injuries but young players with a handful of caps can't be expected to rock back up into test rugby with zero game time and perform like a legendary test veteran.
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@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2025:
Joey Manu and Kalyn Ponga
Leave that content for @SBW1 please and thank you.
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2025:
@pakman said in All Blacks 2025:
When is the squad named?
August 4, after the first round of the NPC.
Is that strategic timing to get Lester back in the squad?
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On the plus side it will get some of the big names playing a round of NPC.
And it might help a little with a couple of the tight selections, although I expect Robertson and co. will know their squad already.
But it does worry me that our squad will have less preparation time together than South Africa.
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
Is that strategic timing to get Lester back in the squad?
No. LF isn't available for selection until the EOYT.
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@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:
He doesn't have to play any games. If Robertson wants Leicester in the squad, NZR will let Robertson select him.
NZR might publicly say that the requirement is to play NPC but they've ignored that rule in recent years when convenient.
I can't think of any, who did they do that with?
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
Is that strategic timing to get Lester back in the squad?
No. LF isn't available for selection until the EOYT.
He’s available for the Rugby Championship mate, it’s been mentioned a number of times recently.
He might not be selected for the RC but I wouldn’t be surprised if the AB coaches bring him in if injuries strike.
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
Is that strategic timing to get Lester back in the squad?
No. LF isn't available for selection until the EOYT.
He’s available for the Rugby Championship mate, it’s been mentioned a number of times recently.
That wasn't what Paul Cully said in a recent article as the circumstances around his departure (age, etc) were different. We'll see if that is correct.
I've found a link to the article:
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@African-Monkey You can virtually scratch Kalyn if he goes to Rugby he is sounding more likely to be a Rugby mercenary. Joey Manu is a different story, still a work in progress.
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@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:
He doesn't have to play any games. If Robertson wants Leicester in the squad, NZR will let Robertson select him.
NZR might publicly say that the requirement is to play NPC but they've ignored that rule in recent years when convenient.
I can't think of any, who did they do that with?
The only one I can think is Luke McAlister was parachuted back in and given an exemption
I think that was 08/09 so over 15 years ago and 4 AB coaches ago.
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@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:
He doesn't have to play any games. If Robertson wants Leicester in the squad, NZR will let Robertson select him.
NZR might publicly say that the requirement is to play NPC but they've ignored that rule in recent years when convenient.
I can't think of any, who did they do that with?
The only one I can think is Luke McAlister was parachuted back in and given an exemption
I think that was 08/09 so over 15 years ago and 4 AB coaches ago.
And he was pants wasn't he?
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@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:
He doesn't have to play any games. If Robertson wants Leicester in the squad, NZR will let Robertson select him.
NZR might publicly say that the requirement is to play NPC but they've ignored that rule in recent years when convenient.
I can't think of any, who did they do that with?
TJ Perenara when he returned from Japan a couple of years back.
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
Is that strategic timing to get Lester back in the squad?
No. LF isn't available for selection until the EOYT.
He’s available for the Rugby Championship mate, it’s been mentioned a number of times recently.
That wasn't what Paul Cully said in a recent article as the circumstances around his departure (age, etc) were different. We'll see if that is correct.
I've found a link to the article:
LF has been mentioned a few times on a couple of podcasts recently and maybe also the most recent Breakdown episode that all he has to do is play one NPC game and he can play for the ABs (if selected). I’m sure he wouldn’t say no if after the first week of NPC, Razor picks him for the RC.
Will Razor do that though? I’m not sure.
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This is the (most recent) official requirement but, again, the NZR will make exemptions if need be.
But given Ta$man play before the Rugby Championship kicks off, they probably won't have to.
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