The Silver Fern

So not the worst U20 team of all time?

It is a bit desperate but that is where years of midget 10s with pop gun boots has taken us. I think the fact that Reihana is not completely dissimilar in appearance and physique to the 10 Goat is adding to the second coming of the messiah clamour..

@reprobate said in All Blacks 2025:

@antipodean said in All Blacks 2025:

The reason I like Reihana is he possesses a skillset that aligns well with Test rugby. Hopefully the coaches recognise this and bring him into the environment to accelerate his development.

He can't really pass fast or that accurately, and I haven't seen him create anything on attack. So you just mean he can kick?

So kind of like Beauden Barret then except at least his kicking goes further than the hooker can throw it.

Will Jordan was the difference. Should have been given man of the match. When he went off injured in the round robin match at that stadium a few weeks back the Crusaders went to pieces and dropped or lost every contestable kick, Mackenzie and Stevenson dominated with the boot and grew in confidence. In the final Jordan just took them both out of the game and his leadership seemed to rub off on Rivez Reihana as well.

I think he has really turned a corner in maturity and leadership this season and I am looking forward to that playing out for the All Blacks. Hopefully he can stay injury free and play the entire test season.

@brodean said in AB Blindside - past, present & future:

In terms of Parker I saw him as a potential AB last year however I do think that if Blackadder is fit he is likely to be in the squad as the starting 6 with Savea at 7 and Sititi at 8. Jason Ryan loves him some Blackadder and I can't see him looking past him. Personally I'd like to see someone like Parker in the squad over Blackadder but I'll be shocked if it happens.

Haig hasn't had a lot of game time this year. I do think there is a place for Finau and Parker in the squad.

I don't see Razor and co going for a tight 6 under their game plan. They picked Blackadder, Finau, and Sititi as starters last year. They're looking for mobile guys.

In terms of workrate Finau, Parker and Haig are very much alike compared to Blackadder. Finau is highly effective at attacking rucks and Parker in defensive rucks. With regards to Blackadder the coaches seem to be more interested in volume as opposed to actual impact. He's always been a high volume low impact guy.

Contact Involvements per 80 Minutes Loose Forwards ( Carries + Tackles + Rucks )
69.25 Ethan Blackadder
61.62 Corey Kellow
61.0 Tom Christie
58.87 Dalton Papali'i
58.51 Du'Plessis Kirifi
58.41 Sean Withy
56.02 Jahrome Brown
54.84 Peter Lakai
53.63 Ardie Savea
52.35 Vaiolini Ekuasi
52.17 Luke Jacobson
50.6 Cullen Grace
48.87 Christian Lio-Willie
48.33 Brayden Iose
47.89 Kaylum Boshier
47.36 Hugh Renton
45.14 Hoskins Sotutu
44.21 Simon Parker
42.27 Oliver Haig
39.32 Samipeni Finau

Top 20 Loose Forward Players by Rucks Per 80 minutes
35.24 Dalton Papali'i
35.19 Ethan Blackadder
33.57 Sean Withy
31.78 Corey Kellow
31.4 Du'Plessis Kirifi
29.68 Tom Christie
29.13 Jahrome Brown
27.87 Ardie Savea
26.91 Luke Jacobson
25.77 Peter Lakai
25.44 Kaylum Boshier
23.85 Cullen Grace
23.35 Simon Parker
22.39 Vaiolini Ekuasi
21.74 Oliver Haig
20.72 Christian Lio-Willie
20.28 Samipeni Finau
20.0 Brayden Iose
19.95 Hoskins Sotutu
16.75 Hugh Renton

Top 20 Loose Forward Players by Attacking Ruck Effectiveness
91.8% Samipeni Finau
91.3% Tom Christie
90.2% Dalton Papali'i
90.2% Vaiolini Ekuasi
88.1% Ardie Savea
87.8% Peter Lakai
87.6% Jahrome Brown
86.9% Christian Lio-Willie
85.9% Hoskins Sotutu
85.9% Du'Plessis Kirifi
85.2% Brayden Iose
85.1% Luke Jacobson
85.0% Sean Withy
84.5% Corey Kellow
84.5% Oliver Haig
83.1% Simon Parker
82.6% Hugh Renton
81.9% Cullen Grace
81.5% Ethan Blackadder
77.3% Kaylum Boshier

Top 20 Loose Forward Players by Defensive Ruck Effectiveness
29.6% Simon Parker
23.9% Luke Jacobson
23.1% Kaylum Boshier
22.4% Du'Plessis Kirifi
21.9% Samipeni Finau
20.1% Ardie Savea
17.6% Cullen Grace
17.3% Dalton Papali'i
16.1% Tom Christie
15.2% Jahrome Brown
14.8% Christian Lio-Willie
14.7% Sean Withy
13.1% Peter Lakai
12.1% Hoskins Sotutu
12.0% Corey Kellow
11.8% Vaiolini Ekuasi
9.1% Brayden Iose
8.3% Hugh Renton
7.4% Ethan Blackadder
0.0% Oliver Haig

Top 20 Loose Forward Players by Dominant Tackle %
16.5% Simon Parker
11.5% Samipeni Finau
8.0% Hugh Renton
7.9% Ardie Savea
7.1% Brayden Iose
6.2% Christian Lio-Willie
6.0% Ethan Blackadder
5.8% Hoskins Sotutu
5.5% Peter Lakai
5.3% Sean Withy
4.4% Kaylum Boshier
4.4% Corey Kellow
4.3% Du'Plessis Kirifi
4.2% Luke Jacobson
3.5% Jahrome Brown
3.4% Cullen Grace
3.3% Tom Christie
3.3% Dalton Papali'i
2.0% Oliver Haig
0.0% Vaiolini Ekuasi

Stats from Opta theanalyst.

I agree no way are they not picking Ethan Blackadder as their starting 6 right through to the 2027 RWC in combo with 8. Sititi and 7, Savea. For this reason I would like to see Naitoa Ah Kuoi selected in the squad to be developed as the bench blindsie/lock cover.

I like his combination with Tupou Vaai who is now one of the first names on the sheet. Developing him as a bench option will put him him prime position to be a straight swap for Blackadder at 6 when Ethan is on one of his inevitably injury breaks without bringing in someone cold who will be cast aside as soon as Blackadder makes a recovery.

For me Fabian Holland is being over hyped. If he is such a good tight forward why are the Highlanders always getting spanked in this area game after game. i would rank a uninjured Sam Darry ahead of him. IMO Ah Kuoi should be selected as the 4th lock to be developed as the bench lock/blindside cover. If Holland is selected it should be at the expense of Patrick Tuipulotu

Locks: S Barret, T Vaai, P Tuipulotu, N Ah Kuoi
Loosies A Savea, K Du Plessis, E Blackadder, S Parker, W Sititi, H Sotutu

After the Aussie cheater denied him that try Sotutu stood off to the side and gave him the death stare. Made sure the little cheater behaved himself after that.

Wait the Aussie fluffybunny will try to deny it

Australian ref a shocker was not held in the tackle complete bullshit call

@BerniesCorner said in All Blacks 2025:

@Victor-Meldrew
The biggest mistake by far over the last 5 years has been the ridiculous conservatism of the AB coaches. They ignored form and favoured the incumbents

I think this has to do with contracts and NZR finances and budget. If you have signed a player on a lucrative deal the reality is you have to still pay him if the coach does not select him and then find new money to pay the new player. When NZR is making losses a coach who did this to often would not be endearing himself.

@pakman said in All Blacks 2025:

@cgrant said in All Blacks 2025:

Summary for the future squad :

Hookers :
Codie Taylor is a certainty;
Taukei'aho as well;
Aumua : has not fully recovered from a nasty injury. LO throwing still a work on.
Moananu : he could be a bolter as he is the best LO thrower in the country and has a very good workmate. Small but strong.

Loosehead props :
Tamaiti Williams : probably the best of the bunch. Strong scrummager, powerful in the loose, good hands. Defence not his strength.
Ethan de Groot : despite a poor SR rugby campaign (with the notable exception of the game against the Hurricanes), he should be in. Good scrummager but does not bring very much in the loose. Not many meters gained in regard to his impressive physique.
Olli Norris : he could be a bolter as his scrummaging is far better this year and he is the best ball carrier of them all. Good at shifting bodies in the rucks too.
George Bower : Solid servant with no weaknesses but without notable strength. He is a Crusader but his age could count against him.
Xavier Numia : he has not recovered from his long injury. Actually, he is a shadow of his former self. Not as dynamic as he used to be but scrums adequately. I don't see him join the squad.

Tight head props :
Lomax : best THP in the country. He is a certainty.
Tosi : not his best season that's for sure but he is beginning to regain some form. Won a penalty but conceded one against EdG on Friday. Powerful in the loose. He should be Lomax's understudy.
Fletcher Newell : seems to carry more effectively this year. Still a strong scrummager. He should be the third THP within the squad;
George Dyer : very good workrate and good if not dominant scrummager. He could be a bolter but this would be a big surprise as far as I am concerned.

Locks :
Scott Barrett : he is a certainty despite being rather anonymous this season. Will he retain his captaincy ?
Tupou Vai'i : best lock in the country ... by a country mile. Another certainty for the squad;
Patrick Tuipolutu : not a great SR season for him, hampered by a few niggles. His experience should prevail for a place in the squad.
Holland : he has not progressed as quickly as I expected but maybe it is because he is playing in a very collectively weak team. Very effective in disrupting opposition's throws at the LO, solid work in the rucks and mauls. His weakness is his lack of power in his ball carrying IMO; I think he will be selected thanks to Darry's injury.
Josh Lord : he is made of glass, despite having added a few Kgs to his frame. He is a contender but I don't see him get the nod.
Ah Kuoi : he is having a great SR season. Excellent workrate, uncompromising attitude. He may be a bit too light for an international lock.
Sam Darry : he could have been the squad's fourth lock but his injury will probably keep him out. He has all the qualities to become a world class lock IMO.
Walker-Leawere : his indiscipline should keep him out of contention. It's a shame because his power could be useful against the SA or French packs.
Antonio Shalfoon : he is the Crusaders best lock this year. I thought he was a journeyman but he did far better than I expected. He is a Crusader so he is a possibility for the squad.

Loose forwards :
Ardie Savea : a certainty. Will he become the team's captain ? He probably deserves it.
Wallace Sititi : another certainty despite his recent recovery from injury. He and Savea are both outstanding ball carriers.
Hoskins Sotutu : in terms of technique, he is probably the best Nr.8 in NZ. His lack of versatility might count against him.
Peter Lakai : he was outstanding against France last year and has played better and better after a slow start in the SR. A good player to have on the bench. He should be in.
Dalton Papali'i : very sound player who lacks the X-factor one could expect from such a gifted man. He could be in but he could also but out of the squad. Who knows ?
Jacobson : solid but not brillant. Anonymous in his outings with the ABs but very good with the Chiefs. He and Papali'i are the same type of players.
Finau : the big mystery. Physically imposing but does not impose himself at the upper level. If he plays to his potential, he could be a world beater. I think he will be in because of the lack of other valuable options.
Cullen Grace : solid, excellent at the lineout but physically a bit light for an international blindside flanker.
Ethan Blackadder : great workrate but does not have the expected impact, maybe because of his automatic injuries. One of Robertson's favorites so he might be in.
Du Plessis Kirifi : excellent at the breakdown but his lack of versatility might count against him. If Tavatavanawai is selected, then Kirifi could not be needed as they both play the same "jackaling" role.
Christian Lio-Willie : strong ball carrier but physically too limited for an international Nr.8 IMO. Plays for the Crusaders, though.

Halfbacks :
Cam Roigard : not his best season so far. Good passing, good kicking, but many unusual mistakes in this SR season. However, he is a certainty for the squad.
Cortez Ratima : not his best season as he has been seriously challenged by Roe. He should be in the squad though. I'd like the idea of having two distinct combos : Roigard/Love and Ratima/DMac in the 23.
Finlay Christie : I don't think he will make the squad because he has been rather meh so far.
Noah Hotham : he could be in though he is not the finished article yet. Snipes well but his passing is too slow.
Fakatava : snipes well too but his passing lets him down at times. Tends to make silly errors but he can be brillant.
Funaki : solid but does not play for the good team and is not yet the finished article.
Preston : plays for the Saders. Sharp pass but weak in defence. I don't think he will make it.

1st Five :
DMac : probably the best in the country. The Chiefs are a different team when he is not their playmaker.
Beauden Barrett : I guess he will be selected but more on his reputation than on his recent performances. Questionable goal and tactical kicking. However, he is still capable of showing glimpses of his former brillance.
Ruben Love : like the two above, he can play fullback and 1st Five. Brillant player with a thousand qualities. Questions about his game management as a 1st Five.

2nd Five :
Jordie Barrett : he is a certainty. 2nd Five is probably his best position.
David Havili : one of Robertson's favorites but has not done a lot at the upper level. Will he get selected while there are other younger options ?
Quinn Tupaea : solid and uncompromising but still has to prove his worth on the international scene. If Havili is in, then he would be out of the squad.
Riley Higgins : good passer and offloader but his defence is still a work on. I have doubts about his chances to get picked.
Tavatavanawai : he is a type of player the ABs never had in their ranks. He could bring something different. He is a constant menace at the breakdown and could be useful in a tight game where the ABs have to defend their line. He could be a bolter for the selection.

Centres :
Rieko Ioane : not a good year for him so far. He should be in, though, thanks to his anteriority and lack of experienced alternatives.
Billy Proctor : the best passing centre in NZ. He knows how to put a player into space. Good in defence, too. It would be a very bad surprise if he is not selected.
Tanielu Tele'a : strongest ball carrying centre in NZ. I don't know much about his defensive qualities. His versatility could make him a bolter for the squad.

Back three :
Will Jordan : he is a certainty, probably as a fullback but with three potential fullbacks (DMac, BB and Love), he could be pushed to the right wing.
Caleb Clarke : Not a good season for him but he has plenty of qualities (speed, strength and safety under the high balls) which will probably take him into the squad.
Sevu Reece : great workrate but his lack of speed against the likes of Bielle Biarrey and Kolbe could be a major deficiency. I really don't know whether he will be selected or not.
Mark Tele'a : he certainly knows how the slip through tackles but his lack of speed and the fact that he is heading overseas might count against him.
Emoni Narawa : no known weaknesses. Has been very good so far for the Chiefs.
AJ Lam : can play wing, 2nd Five and centre. Quick and powerful, he has already been in the AB squad and could well retain his place.
Leroy Carter : has entered the conversation lately. His defensive frailties and inexperience at the highest level could count against him.
Caleb Tangitau : a shame that he has been injured as he was the form winger before. His sheer speed is something the ABs did not have in their squad last year. He is not yet the finished article but I'd like to see him taken at least as an apprentice.
Shaun Stevenson : he has been very good for the Chiefs this year. Brillant in attack and big boot. Has not shown the defensive lapses he used to show the years before. Unfortunately he is leaving so he won't get picked.
Bailyn Sullivan : he has been great for the Hurricanes. Excellent tackler and opportunist try scorer. Despite these positive accomplishments, it would be a big surprise to see him getting selected.

Well thought through and comprehensive summary.
I think Tosi is in the equation at TH.
Is the comment about Numia’s calf injury an observation or based on some published info?

Numia has been very good for the Hurricanes in the last 2 weeks. Was the main source of momentum and go forward.

Great result for Moana Pacifica but Gardner is a ref who favours the underdog. Case in point is him penalising the Blues for sealing off when they were hot on attack looking to go back in front. He then proceeded to watch MP do pretty much the same thing going off their feet and sealing off at every second ruck on the way to putting the game virtually beyond the Blues by getting two scores ahead.

@Dan54 said in Hurricanes vs Chiefs:

@Canes4life said in Hurricanes vs Chiefs:

@Bones said in Hurricanes vs Chiefs:

@Canes4life Roigard's option taking/timing is off. He's just not seeing the game like he used to (or not as agile to take advantage of it).

It might just be a case of teams putting numbers on him so not as much space as last year but he does look a little off and not as confident.

Larkham said the Brumbies centred their game last week around shutting Roigard down which I guess created space out wide as a result.

Geez, I reckon Roigard is best 9 in the comp. He would be my pick in any of the teams.

Agree he just ties opposition defenders around the ruck in such doubt and leaves defenses static and stretched out wide.

I really hate posters who make a big deal about grammar.. Same level as people who think their farts don't stink.

@Bones said in Highlanders v Blues:

@Dan54 for once I tried reading, but gave up towards the end. Words mean things. As does grammar.

But I sure as shit hope you weren't targeting one player for his leadership when there were several leaders on the field....

@Bones said in Highlanders v Blues:

@Dan54 said in Highlanders v Blues:

@Bones said in Highlanders v Blues:

@Dan54 for once I tried reading, but gave up towards the end. Words mean things. As does grammar.

But I sure as shit hope you weren't targeting one player for his leadership when there were several leaders on the field....

F*** grammar, I just hit keys (I used to worry about it as daughter is a grammar nazi, but f*** it)!! No was not targeting one player for anything, my whole point was it was a complete team failure, and yes I do agree whole leadership group let the team down. I mentioned Pat T carrying, because that is(or was) one of Blues strengths I think. They were I think let down by Paps, Ioane, BB etc as part of leadership group .

Sure ok.

Redundancy - Repetition of linguistic information inherent in the structure of a language, as singularity in the sentence It works

New rules have sped game up and had a very positive effect on the first couple of rounds of Super Rugby. More ball in play players getting very tired and defense ragged in the last 20 minutes.

I thought JK was decent. Shame if they replace him with another vanilla fanboy.

I think alot of the problems the All Black selectors are facing has to do with the NZR contracting system and lack of money.

I bet player agents are not satisfied with a baseline salary below what the overseas clubs are offering then match fees topping it up. In order to sign the likes of Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett, Sam Cane, Reiko Ioane etc they would have had to guarantee them a baseline salary the equivalent of the market rate whether they are selected to play or not.

With NZR short of money this would mean the selectors would have limited scope to pick anyone outside of the contracted All Blacks because the money has already been spent and new players just up the cost which NZR can not afford. There is probably a limited allowance for a few form players each season but there will be a budgeted cost which the selectors can not exceed.

I think as fans we are going to have to get used to the All Blacks being more like a Super rugby/NZ cricket side ie that once a player has a contract they will be involved in the All Blacks until that contract expires regardless of form.

Well despite Justin Marshall trying to talk up their chances little hope of the Crusaders winning the title with a captain whose form last season was not good enough to make the matchday starting lineup. Rob Penney is another Blackadder level disaster as coach but with a poorer winning record.

Yes it

ffs the only time England looked comfortable was when Southee was bowling. He also undermined the spells of Henry and ORourke when bowling in tandem with them. He really was a shocking selection when you see Santner come in and make England look all at sea. Geoff Boycott was right NZ should have picked Henry, O'Rourke, Santner, Patel and Phillips and prepared turning wickets and we might have won this series.