All Blacks 2025
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Lakai did alright. He got ragdolled like he was nothing a few times at the breakdown before Skelton went off but that would have happened to any of our other small 8 options in the squad.
I thought he was ok but overall I think his upside is overly optimistic by some. Couldn't honestly say he was better than Lio Willie earlier in the year.
Im unconvinced that any of the 8 options used this year have a higher upside than Sotutu.
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@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky usually finals weekend for NPC, which is 3 weeks?
The ABs XV is scheduled to be named on 14 October. Normally the ABs are named a day or two prior? Next Sunday or Monday?
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@SouthernMann you are more likely correct...I was guessing.
Wonder how many ABs will be released to disrupt the quarters next week?
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@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2025:
@SouthernMann you are more likely correct...I was guessing.
Wonder how many ABs will be released to disrupt the quarters next week?
Just a rough guess from my part based on timelines of what has been announced.
What the announcement timing says is there is no interest in knock out provincial footy. Can't influence any decisions.
With players being released. There will be some bullshit about giving guys a break and there will be stuff all.pulling on provincial kit.
As long as there are none for the team scheduled to play my guys I'm happy.
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@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:
Lakai did alright. He got ragdolled like he was nothing a few times at the breakdown before Skelton went off but that would have happened to any of our other small 8 options in the squad.
I thought he was ok but overall I think his upside is overly optimistic by some. Couldn't honestly say he was better than Lio Willie earlier in the year.
Im unconvinced that any of the 8 options used this year have a higher upside than Sotutu.
Yeah, that's fair.
I would say this season thst after every match the performance of the loosies is just underwhelming. It feels like a procession of 6/10 performances.
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@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:
Lakai did alright. He got ragdolled like he was nothing a few times at the breakdown before Skelton went off but that would have happened to any of our other small 8 options in the squad.
I thought he was ok but overall I think his upside is overly optimistic by some. Couldn't honestly say he was better than Lio Willie earlier in the year.
Im unconvinced that any of the 8 options used this year have a higher upside than Sotutu.
The legend of Sotutu grows with every passing week. You’d think he was the next coming of Buck or Zinzan! He’s a good player, but I’m not convinced he’s the answer.
Ardie Savea on the bench as last 30 min super sub. He can cover 6, 7 and 8 (and 12
). Parker at 6. Lakai at 7. Who is the best option to play 8 to complement those 2? Sititi? Who is waiting in the wings or tearing up the NPC at 8? -
Love to see Lucas Casey get a shot ,I know it’s early days but he seems the best bet at 7 for all blacks
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@stodders said in All Blacks 2025:
@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:
Lakai did alright. He got ragdolled like he was nothing a few times at the breakdown before Skelton went off but that would have happened to any of our other small 8 options in the squad.
I thought he was ok but overall I think his upside is overly optimistic by some. Couldn't honestly say he was better than Lio Willie earlier in the year.
Im unconvinced that any of the 8 options used this year have a higher upside than Sotutu.
The legend of Sotutu grows with every passing week. You’d think he was the next coming of Buck or Zinzan! He’s a good player, but I’m not convinced he’s the answer.
Ardie Savea on the bench as last 30 min super sub. He can cover 6, 7 and 8 (and 12
). Parker at 6. Lakai at 7. Who is the best option to play 8 to complement those 2? Sititi? Who is waiting in the wings or tearing up the NPC at 8?As the memory of Charlie Ngatai fades with each passing generation......a new hero is needed to continue the legacy.
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For a head coach who is a former loose forward, and a forward coach who appears to highly rated...
How can they not be concerned by the way our loose forwards got absolutely bitched last night? And thats with the best Wallaby loosie half fit coming off the bench?
Wilson made yards at will, and had starch on D. Mcreight was a menace at the breakdown. They were highly visible and highly effective.And this is a theme over a period of time. Remember what the effectively reserve French #8 did to us?
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@Frank Love just doesn’t do it for me tbh. Barely a standout in the NPC games he’s played this year. I don’t think he’s ever been the Hurricanes no1 option at 10, would rather see Josh Jacomb or Rivez Reihana get a shot personally.
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@upthelanders said in All Blacks 2025:
@Frank Love just doesn’t do it for me tbh. Barely a standout in the NPC games he’s played this year. I don’t think he’s ever been the Hurricanes no1 option at 10, would rather see Josh Jacomb or Rivez Reihana get a shot personally.
I find it hard to make a judgement on the guy when he spends most of the ABs seasons holding tackle bags around the world.
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@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
He was at 10 during the Canes best period during this Super season just gone. Then Laidlaw reinstated Cameron for the playoffs and we went to poo
Yeah, I don't know how that's Love's fault.
1 thing I do know as a fan of an opposition side is that when I see someone like Brett Cameron starting, I see it as a relief, as opposed to Love.
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@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:
Something along the lines of:
Jordan, Carter, Tupaea, Barrett, Clarke, Barrett, Roigard, Parker, Savea, Vaa'i, Holland, Barrett, Newell, Taylor, De Groot. Reserves: Taukei'aho, Williams, Tosi, Tuipulotu, Sititi, Ratima, Ioane/Fainga'anuku, McKenzie.
I think Parker at 6 rather than 8 and probably Vaa'i at lock instead of Holland - for now anyway. Probably Sititi at 8, but not on form right now - thought Lakai looked decent last night.
Lomax probably still one of the tightheads.
Not sure Leicester is really ready to cover the midfield, so probably Rieko - but, if you're picking purely an impact bench then Leicester can certainly provide it.
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@stodders said in All Blacks 2025:
@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:
Lakai did alright. He got ragdolled like he was nothing a few times at the breakdown before Skelton went off but that would have happened to any of our other small 8 options in the squad.
I thought he was ok but overall I think his upside is overly optimistic by some. Couldn't honestly say he was better than Lio Willie earlier in the year.
Im unconvinced that any of the 8 options used this year have a higher upside than Sotutu.
The legend of Sotutu grows with every passing week. You’d think he was the next coming of Buck or Zinzan! He’s a good player, but I’m not convinced he’s the answer.
Ardie Savea on the bench as last 30 min super sub. He can cover 6, 7 and 8 (and 12
). Parker at 6. Lakai at 7. Who is the best option to play 8 to complement those 2? Sititi? Who is waiting in the wings or tearing up the NPC at 8?2 years ago I had extremely high hopes for Parker and thought he would become an All Black 2 years ago but so far he's another player who has underwhelmed.
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@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:
Something along the lines of:
Jordan, Carter, Tupaea, Barrett, Clarke, Barrett, Roigard, Parker, Savea, Vaa'i, Holland, Barrett, Newell, Taylor, De Groot. Reserves: Taukei'aho, Williams, Tosi, Tuipulotu, Sititi, Ratima, Ioane/Fainga'anuku, McKenzie.
I think Parker at 6 rather than 8 and probably Vaa'i at lock instead of Holland - for now anyway. Probably Sititi at 8, but not on form right now - thought Lakai looked decent last night.
Lomax probably still one of the tightheads.
Not sure Leicester is really ready to cover the midfield, so probably Rieko - but, if you're picking purely an impact bench then Leicester can certainly provide it.
For me the first two names in the starting forwards should be Taylor, and Holland. Our lineout is money with those two. Holland should play for 80 minutes. He is the only real 80 minute option for the locks.
Third forward named should be Newell at the moment.
First three on the bench Tuipulotu, Taukei'aho, and Tosi.
