The Silver Fern

Apparently a shoulder injury. Might be talking rubbish.

Stuff article posted this morning suggests Scott Barrett is likely to miss the 2026 SR season with his sabbatical. Apparently it’s not a sabbatical where he can play for an overseas club.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360772965/why-all-blacks-captain-scott-barrett-will-likely-have-sabbatical-2026

Leicester didn't play the Lions

He played the Boks outside PUJ for the Barbarians

It was Laumape who played 13 outside Havili vs Lions

That's true. There wasn't anything compelling in his play against the Boks at 13.

You’re right. He was average. Though I don’t think a one-off game with a make-shift side put together on a weeks notice against the World Champs undoes all he did at Toulon.

Caleb Clarke just put together a whole season of turgid rugby yet people want him to start. Leicester was better than Clarke when he left.

Is it safe to assume those that were named as “Unavailable due to injury” vs France will be straight back in the squad once healthy?

Which was Aumua, Tu’ungafasi, Darry, Lakai & Perofeta.

Does anyone know if Tangitau is back training with Auckland? Or still on the sidelines?

@taniwharugby which one has gone well? I haven’t been following pre-season. I saw we got pantsed by Auckland.

I’m not very optimistic about our shield chances. Taranaki have had better prep than any team coming into this season. I think the Naki have played 3/4 preseason games compared to everyone else’s 1 or 2.

@KiwiMurph correct. My mistake. Getting confused with the Barbarians seeing as they’re both shit invitational sides.

@pakman said in All Blacks 2025:

@hikastags said in All Blacks 2025:

Leicester should be straight back in the squad. He killed it in France at centre and is better than all of our current wings.

He was pants against Lions.

I'm not going to base him much off a shit invitational side who got on the piss 2/3 times during the week of.

Plus he had the unfortunate task of playing outside David Havili that day.

Our squad is pretty good if they stay healthy. With Nock & Reihana we probably have one of the more experienced halves combos in the comp.

Excited to see how the two Aussies Hooper & Pasitoa go.

Hard to establish a good culture when you have a revolving door at coach unfortunately.

@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2025:

I am happy the big fella is back. God knows we need some troops with big bodies. I haven't watched LF play since he left, but I hope he has learnt to pass. Before he left he made Rieko look like a passing genius.

Passing could improve more. Hopefully spending the last few months alongside Nonu has helped him. But his ball-carrying and breakdown work is very good. Kicking looks to have improved.

He's been spending the back quarter of some games at flanker/8 and done well.

@sparky Of course. Who said it wasn't.

@sparky Great rebuttal. You clearly didn't watch.

@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:

@hikastags said in All Blacks 2025:

How does that affect my point?

He's been incredible at Toulon.

Incredible is stretching it a bit. Done okay is closing to the mark IMHO.

I disagree. He was nominated for Midfielder of the year and probably would have won if Sireli Maqala didn't carry Bayonne to the semi-finals.

He will have huge offers to return to France post-2027.

How does that affect my point?

Because he's obviously improved and continuing to improve... He's been incredible at Toulon. Still only 25 y/o and was ahead of our current crop of wings when he left.

I just think he should be there as soon as he's able. Unless he stinks up the joint for Ta$man, which I highly doubt.

The coaching in France must be amazing for him to have improved that much.

If you didn't watch any of his 40+ games for Toulon then just say so.

Leicester should be straight back in the squad. He killed it in France at centre and is better than all of our current wings.

Finlay Christie rumoured to Newcastle Falcons in one of the latest RugbyPass articles

@JK said in All Blacks v France III:

Hah and then in another post askes for "apologies from those who doubted his leaked time".

What a porkchop

Haha yeah, that's the comment I saw and was referring to.

The Myth of Damian Mckenzie facebook page sure likes to be taking credit for the "leaked" backline.

England 50+