The Silver Fern

@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:

What I struggle with, is a couple of years ago we had a loose trio that spent an entire season bitch slapping every other trio around in Super Rugby, in a style akin to test footy. They also did exactly that in the finals, the matches that are most akin to test footy at that level.

Since then, our biggest problem with the ABs has been our loosies, and these guys have been barely sighted. Akira gave up and went to Japan. Hoskins to his credit has stuck around but has been forced to watch players like Lio-Willie be brought in ahead of him, and Dalton has been kept at arms length and now dropped despite his strong form in SR and recently against France.

My point here isn't that we need to draft Akira, Dalton and Hoskins into the starting side right now (though that wouldn't hurt). My point is that the loose forward selections and tactics from these coaches have been an absolute mess from the get-go. Ignoring form, selecting undersized trios, favouring ineffective workhorses over players that can have an impact, none of it makes any sense and I think it's going to be the undoing of this AB side.

@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:

What I struggle with, is a couple of years ago we had a loose trio that spent an entire season bitch slapping every other trio around in Super Rugby, in a style akin to test footy. They also did exactly that in the finals, the matches that are most akin to test footy at that level.

Since then, our biggest problem with the ABs has been our loosies, and these guys have been barely sighted. Akira gave up and went to Japan. Hoskins to his credit has stuck around but has been forced to watch players like Lio-Willie be brought in ahead of him, and Dalton has been kept at arms length and now dropped despite his strong form in SR and recently against France.

My point here isn't that we need to draft Akira, Dalton and Hoskins into the starting side right now (though that wouldn't hurt). My point is that the loose forward selections and tactics from these coaches have been an absolute mess from the get-go. Ignoring form, selecting undersized trios, favouring ineffective workhorses over players that can have an impact, none of it makes any sense and I think it's going to be the undoing of this AB side.

Which loose forward trio are you referring to?

Has anyone had any word on who the potential captain for the season will be?

@ShaquilleOatmeal said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@jimmyb said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

@canefan said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

I thought DMac played a solid game on the weekend. His kicking game was much stronger than BBs, he just didn't have much x factor. I don't mind that, and I'd like to see him get a run with Roigard and the top team

But we’re stuck between rock and a hard place with Barrett and McKenzie. Either Love or someone else has to step up

I’d like to see them give Love (given he’s the options they have in squad right now) significant game time throughout the Rugby Championship, introducing him from the bench with more and more minutes each game as the tournament goes on and eventually starting, until it’s clear whether or not he’s the best option going forward. No point in mucking around with Barrett for another two years.

Agreed. Neither Barrett nor McKenzie are capable of winning a team a World Cup

@canefan said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:

I thought DMac played a solid game on the weekend. His kicking game was much stronger than BBs, he just didn't have much x factor. I don't mind that, and I'd like to see him get a run with Roigard and the top team

The backline didn’t look as smooth with DMac at 10, particularly the out the back plays close to the line that opened up the French defence so well, looked noticeably disjointed in this test.

The tries scored were not nearly as well constructed as in the previous tests. The grubber that resulted in Kirifis try was a dirt poor option that was made to look good by the French 15 fumbling it and Reece stripping it. The ALB try didn’t scream the smooth and well constructed out the back plays we saw in the previous two tests either. No real excuses for Dmac with a 9,11,13 combo he was very familiar with.

Dmac has also been targeted under the high ball and it’s a clear vulnerability in the ABs backfield. The Crusaders did it in the final and the international teams will target him.

But we’re stuck between rock and a hard place with Barrett and McKenzie. Either Love or someone else has to step up

@frugby said in Otago 2025:

@jimmyb said in Otago 2025:

@frugby said in Otago 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Otago 2025:

@Kiwiwomble said in Otago 2025:

@frugby in fairness...he said no BACK UP 10...

Cheers for that. If he read the post properly it would have blunted his swipe a bit.

I stand by what I wrote yesterday. The fact the team listed above has question marks instead of options is reflective of the issues with the squad that was named yesterday.

I'd change that pack around a bit. I do not want to see Coltman there unless we have to. So same front row. Then

Stodart and Tucker at lock. With Casey, Taylor and Toleafoa in the loose.

There’s two posts mate. Was referring to the other one which said 10 is an issue

I meant 10 is an issue if Millar goes down injured. The same way lock “isn’t an issue” Holland can play and there aren’t any injuries. The lack of cover is an issue, particularly if Hurley is out. Gilbert shifts to 10 then who plays fullback? That’s definitely an issue wouldn’t you say?

@jimmyb said in Otago 2025:

@frugby said in Otago 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Otago 2025:

@Kiwiwomble said in Otago 2025:

@frugby in fairness...he said no BACK UP 10...

Cheers for that. If he read the post properly it would have blunted his swipe a bit.

I stand by what I wrote yesterday. The fact the team listed above has question marks instead of options is reflective of the issues with the squad that was named yesterday.

I'd change that pack around a bit. I do not want to see Coltman there unless we have to. So same front row. Then

Stodart and Tucker at lock. With Casey, Taylor and Toleafoa in the loose.

There’s two posts mate. Was referring to the other one which said 10 is an issue

I meant 10 is an issue if Millar goes down injured. The same way lock “isn’t an issue” Holland can play and there aren’t any injuries. The lack of cover is an issue, particularly if Hurley is out. Gilbert shifts to 10 then who plays fullback? That’s definitely an issue wouldn’t you say?

I actually think loose forward shapes as a bigger problem straight off the bat with Haig out. Unless someone really steps up, I think we screwed there… I’m not so concerned about the lack of a backup for Millar, because there will be someone (probably Miln), even if not on a full contract. Likewise at lock, I still fully expect to see heaps of Tengblad.

Wasn’t aware that the development players could just come straight in. Seems incredibly stupid not to just to have them as full contracted players from the start. Agreed with the loose forwards. Without Haig (and likely Holland and CLW), the set piece and ruck is going to be a massive issue.

@frugby said in Otago 2025:

@SouthernMann said in Otago 2025:

@Kiwiwomble said in Otago 2025:

@frugby in fairness...he said no BACK UP 10...

Cheers for that. If he read the post properly it would have blunted his swipe a bit.

I stand by what I wrote yesterday. The fact the team listed above has question marks instead of options is reflective of the issues with the squad that was named yesterday.

I'd change that pack around a bit. I do not want to see Coltman there unless we have to. So same front row. Then

Stodart and Tucker at lock. With Casey, Taylor and Toleafoa in the loose.

There’s two posts mate. Was referring to the other one which said 10 is an issue

I meant 10 is an issue if Millar goes down injured. The same way lock “isn’t an issue” Holland can play and there aren’t any injuries. The lack of cover is an issue, particularly if Hurley is out. Gilbert shifts to 10 then who plays fullback? That’s definitely an issue wouldn’t you say?

Hi everyone, just got put onto this forum by a work colleague here in Dunedin. Great to see people actually talk about this stuff, been a long time sufferer relying on the Roar for rugby chat.

Seems like it might be another season of hurt unless everyone can stay 100% fit. 10 and lock remain massive issues, particularly if Holland is out on All Black duty. Shoe horning Haig in seems like a waste. Will be interesting to see who the captain is

Having just watched the highlights so far, how confident should we be against the Bok in the final?

This AUSNZXV centre pairing has got to go down as one of the worst defensive centre combos ever