All Blacks 2025
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@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
Squad of 36
Hookers - 3
Props - 7
Locks - 4
Loose forwards - 6Halfbacks - 3
1st 5s - 2
Midfield - 4
Wing - 4
Fullbacks - 2
Utility - 1For the ABs presumably?
They don't usually take seven props and with Lomax - and presumably Ofa still unavailable - I'd think six props and an extra loosie.
Compared to their initial TRC squad...
Hookers:
Codie Taylor (34, Crusaders / Canterbury, 98)
Samisoni Taukei’aho (27, Chiefs / Waikato, 33)
Brodie McAlister (28, Chiefs / Canterbury, 1)Props:
Ethan de Groot (27, Highlanders / Southland, 32)
Tamaiti Williams (24, Crusaders / Canterbury, 18)
Ollie Norris (25, Chiefs / Waikato, 2)
Tyrel Lomax (29, Hurricanes / Ta$man, 45)
Fletcher Newell (25, Crusaders / Canterbury, 25)
Pasilio Tosi (27, Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty, 9)Locks:
Scott Barrett (31, Crusaders / Taranaki, 81) (Captain)
Patrick Tuipulotu (32, Blues / Auckland, 55)
Tupou Vaa’i (25, Chiefs / Taranaki, 40)
Fabian Holland (22, Highlanders / Otago, 3)Loose forwards:
Samipeni Finau (26, Chiefs / Waikato, 11)
Simon Parker (25, Chiefs / Northland,)
Ardie Savea (31, Moana Pasifika / Wellington, 97) (Vice-Captain)
Du’Plessis Kirifi (28, Hurricanes / Wellington, 3)
Wallace Sititi (22, Chiefs / North Harbour, 10)
Peter Lakai (22, Hurricanes / Wellington, 3)
Luke Jacobson (28, Chiefs / Waikato, 24)Halfbacks:
Cortez Ratima (24, Chiefs / Waikato, 14)
Cameron Roigard (24, Hurricanes / Counties Manukau, 12)
Noah Hotham (22, Crusaders / Ta$man, 2)First-five eighths:
Beauden Barrett (34, Blues / Taranaki, 136)
Damian McKenzie (30, Chiefs / Waikato, 64)Midfielders:
Anton Lienert-Brown (30, Chiefs / Waikato, 85)
Jordie Barrett (28, Hurricanes / Taranaki, 71) (Vice-Captain)
Quinn Tupaea (26, Chiefs / Waikato, 16)
Billy Proctor (26, Hurricanes / Wellington, 4)
Timoci Tavatavanawai (27, Highlanders / Ta$man, 2)Outside backs:
Rieko Ioane (28, Blues / Auckland, 83)
Caleb Clarke (26, Blues / Auckland, 29)
Sevu Reece (28, Crusaders / Southland, 34)
Emoni Narawa (26, Chiefs / Bay of Plenty, 3)
Will Jordan (27, Crusaders / Ta$man, 44)
Ruben Love (24, Hurricanes / Wellington, 2)I think there's only four confirmed as unavailable and I'd guess Mafileo, Lord (or Darry?), Christie and Carter will take those spots.
I think they'll find a spot for Big Leicester - which will likely be Sevu's, but could be for ALB. Not sure whether Timoci is fit?
Finau and Kirifi might be under some pressure. If there's a big bolter it would likely be in the loosies, I think.
McAlister might lose his spot to Bell - that one would not surprise me!
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@Chris-B Yeah, McAlister's lineout throwing is a liability.
After his showing in Wellington it would only be fair to give someone else a shot on the EOYT. -
In the absence of Aumua, I was thinking they'd pick Bell at the start of the AB season.
But, he'd hardly played any Super - so on reflection it was smart to give McAlister a shot.
Brodie didn't grab his chances with both hands and Bell has been good at NPC from what I've seen, so a change wouldn't surprise.
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@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
It would be good for ABs if Bell could get more minutes for Crusaders whilst also easing the Super minutes on Codie Taylor. Could be win win.
Could not agree more. Codie Taylor has to be managed very carefully in order to make it through to 2027. He's such a valuable part of the All Black set up but he's now a centurion and he's not getting any younger.
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Would be surprised if McAlister dropped out for Bell.
Despite comments from some posters, McAlister had an excellent Super season - was clearly the third best hooker in the country. One game aside, he's normally very safe at lineouts and I'm sure the coaches will be comfortable with where he's at.
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@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
Would be surprised if McAlister dropped out for Bell.
Despite comments from some posters, McAlister had an excellent Super season - was clearly the third best hooker in the country. One game aside, he's normally very safe at lineouts and I'm sure the coaches will be comfortable with where he's at.
He's had two - both - games for the ABs when his throwing went to shit. Good player, good super season, but that part is essential.
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@reprobate Almost like test rugby is a substantially higher level game than Super Rugby ...
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@Chris-B said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
@mariner4life Practice your leg spin!
She’s a sucker for a good googly!
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@John said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
What’s your guys predictions for the abs xv tour team ?!
Fresh faces for the XV I would be happy too see Josh Bartlett, Fiti Sa, Lucas Casey, Fehi Fineanganofo, Daniel Rona & of course Dylan Pledger
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The biggest challenge I see selection wise for the ABs is who they play at 12 if Jordie doesn't start all four tests.
He started 8 of 9 and the one he didn't he came off the bench to put in a match winning/saving effort..
What he is doing right now on attack and in defence is close to irreplacable, Id say he is averaging a try saver and a try assist every game as well as tons of carries and at least 1-2 contestable catches. He covers so much ground and is like a last line of defence. Him not playing is gonna leave a pretty big void so they will have to tactically plan around it.
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QT/Leicester? Bash brothers in midfield? Unlikely I know…
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@zedsdeadbaby said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:
QT/Leicester? Bash brothers in midfield? Unlikely I know…
The Hungus and Mungus brothers.
Not likely to be high on distribution but could be quite impactful.
