All Blacks 2025
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@frugby said in All Blacks 2025:
Finau has dominated, but that is not a change at this level - nothing to suggest this is going to change at test level.
I agree with a lot of your post but I have noticed a difference in Finau this year that might suggest things might change for him at test level. He is appearing to me to be doing more of the dirty work. Last year I got the impression Finau was standing off, looking for the big hit.
Finau and Jordon are two players that in my mind have changed the way they are playing. A change brought on by the super coaches or the AB coaches? I don't know.
As for the rest, yes many are not playing the house down, but I am hoping that will change in the next few rounds. There is still a lot of the season to go.
@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2025:
@frugby said in All Blacks 2025:
Finau has dominated, but that is not a change at this level - nothing to suggest this is going to change at test level.
I agree with a lot of your post but I have noticed a difference in Finau this year that might suggest things might change for him at test level. He is appearing to me to be doing more of the dirty work. Last year I got the impression Finau was standing off, looking for the big hit.
Finau and Jordon are two players that in my mind have changed the way they are playing. A change brought on by the super coaches or the AB coaches? I don't know.
As for the rest, yes many are not playing the house down, but I am hoping that will change in the next few rounds. There is still a lot of the season to go.
Hope you’re right…
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@Jet said in All Blacks 2025:
Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens as a bolter?
I think he would be in the picture had he not been injured by that dog act from a grub at the end of last season.
ABs apprentice Chay Fihaki 290 carry metres in 8 games, JRK 242 in just 2 games. I know who I see as more of a threat
@Grooter said in All Blacks 2025:
@Jet said in All Blacks 2025:
Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens as a bolter?
I think he would be in the picture had he not been injured by that dog act from a grub at the end of last season.
ABs apprentice Chay Fihaki 290 carry metres in 8 games, JRK 242 in just 2 games. I know who I see as more of a threat
Don't necessarily disagree with your conclusion but fullbacks are generally always going to have considerably more carry metres than wings.
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Christ the Razor fluffers getting their excuses in early this year
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Christ the Razor fluffers getting their excuses in early this year
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Christ the Razor fluffers getting their excuses in early this year
If you are referring to JRK v Fihaki, I am no Fihaki AB fan by any stretch, but I would take him over JRK in the ABs at this stage.
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@Grooter said in All Blacks 2025:
@Jet said in All Blacks 2025:
Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens as a bolter?
I think he would be in the picture had he not been injured by that dog act from a grub at the end of last season.
ABs apprentice Chay Fihaki 290 carry metres in 8 games, JRK 242 in just 2 games. I know who I see as more of a threat
Don't necessarily disagree with your conclusion but fullbacks are generally always going to have considerably more carry metres than wings.
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:
@Grooter said in All Blacks 2025:
@Jet said in All Blacks 2025:
Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens as a bolter?
I think he would be in the picture had he not been injured by that dog act from a grub at the end of last season.
ABs apprentice Chay Fihaki 290 carry metres in 8 games, JRK 242 in just 2 games. I know who I see as more of a threat
Don't necessarily disagree with your conclusion but fullbacks are generally always going to have considerably more carry metres than wings.
That is true, but we are talking 6 more games than the other player here… on the end of a crusaders machine…laughable if Fihaki is chosen with all the far superior options out there
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@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:
@Grooter said in All Blacks 2025:
@Jet said in All Blacks 2025:
Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens as a bolter?
I think he would be in the picture had he not been injured by that dog act from a grub at the end of last season.
ABs apprentice Chay Fihaki 290 carry metres in 8 games, JRK 242 in just 2 games. I know who I see as more of a threat
Don't necessarily disagree with your conclusion but fullbacks are generally always going to have considerably more carry metres than wings.
That is true, but we are talking 6 more games than the other player here… on the end of a crusaders machine…laughable if Fihaki is chosen with all the far superior options out there
@Landers92 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:
@Grooter said in All Blacks 2025:
@Jet said in All Blacks 2025:
Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens as a bolter?
I think he would be in the picture had he not been injured by that dog act from a grub at the end of last season.
ABs apprentice Chay Fihaki 290 carry metres in 8 games, JRK 242 in just 2 games. I know who I see as more of a threat
Don't necessarily disagree with your conclusion but fullbacks are generally always going to have considerably more carry metres than wings.
That is true, but we are talking 6 more games than the other player here… on the end of a crusaders machine…laughable if Fihaki is chosen with all the far superior options out there
It's happened before, it could happen again.
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@Landers92 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:
@Grooter said in All Blacks 2025:
@Jet said in All Blacks 2025:
Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens as a bolter?
I think he would be in the picture had he not been injured by that dog act from a grub at the end of last season.
ABs apprentice Chay Fihaki 290 carry metres in 8 games, JRK 242 in just 2 games. I know who I see as more of a threat
Don't necessarily disagree with your conclusion but fullbacks are generally always going to have considerably more carry metres than wings.
That is true, but we are talking 6 more games than the other player here… on the end of a crusaders machine…laughable if Fihaki is chosen with all the far superior options out there
It's happened before, it could happen again.
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Landers92 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:
@Grooter said in All Blacks 2025:
@Jet said in All Blacks 2025:
Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens as a bolter?
I think he would be in the picture had he not been injured by that dog act from a grub at the end of last season.
ABs apprentice Chay Fihaki 290 carry metres in 8 games, JRK 242 in just 2 games. I know who I see as more of a threat
Don't necessarily disagree with your conclusion but fullbacks are generally always going to have considerably more carry metres than wings.
That is true, but we are talking 6 more games than the other player here… on the end of a crusaders machine…laughable if Fihaki is chosen with all the far superior options out there
It's happened before, it could happen again.
I am guessing it probably will happen again, unless of course he stuffed up in camp last year. There is obviously something they see in him. So far this season he has been a bit better for the Saders, so that will play in his favour.
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@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Landers92 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:
@Grooter said in All Blacks 2025:
@Jet said in All Blacks 2025:
Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens as a bolter?
I think he would be in the picture had he not been injured by that dog act from a grub at the end of last season.
ABs apprentice Chay Fihaki 290 carry metres in 8 games, JRK 242 in just 2 games. I know who I see as more of a threat
Don't necessarily disagree with your conclusion but fullbacks are generally always going to have considerably more carry metres than wings.
That is true, but we are talking 6 more games than the other player here… on the end of a crusaders machine…laughable if Fihaki is chosen with all the far superior options out there
It's happened before, it could happen again.
I am guessing it probably will happen again, unless of course he stuffed up in camp last year. There is obviously something they see in him. So far this season he has been a bit better for the Saders, so that will play in his favour.
@Crazy-Horse he was better last year.
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@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:
@Grooter said in All Blacks 2025:
@Jet said in All Blacks 2025:
Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens as a bolter?
I think he would be in the picture had he not been injured by that dog act from a grub at the end of last season.
ABs apprentice Chay Fihaki 290 carry metres in 8 games, JRK 242 in just 2 games. I know who I see as more of a threat
Don't necessarily disagree with your conclusion but fullbacks are generally always going to have considerably more carry metres than wings.
That is true, but we are talking 6 more games than the other player here… on the end of a crusaders machine…laughable if Fihaki is chosen with all the far superior options out there
@Landers92 you'd hope with what Tangitau has shown, assuming he doesnt have a long term injury, he should leap a couple from last year.
Along with his power, he has that attribute you cannot coach; speed.
I can kinda see what they like about Fihaki, but gee, it is a pretty long shot hoping he is the rough diamond they see vs a lump of coal.
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Fihaki and Bell are shaping up as two of the most biased AB selections of all time. Neither with any runs on the board bar age grade stuff, and now both have 5 or 6 players easily ahead of them this year. Bell is not even the best hooker at the Crusaders and Fihaki has the worst stats of any NZ winger that is in the frame by some distance.
I'm expecting more of the same from Razor this year.
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Fihaki and Bell are shaping up as two of the most biased AB selections of all time. Neither with any runs on the board bar age grade stuff, and now both have 5 or 6 players easily ahead of them this year. Bell is not even the best hooker at the Crusaders and Fihaki has the worst stats of any NZ winger that is in the frame by some distance.
I'm expecting more of the same from Razor this year.
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Fihaki and Bell are shaping up as two of the most biased AB selections of all time. Neither with any runs on the board bar age grade stuff, and now both have 5 or 6 players easily ahead of them this year. Bell is not even the best hooker at the Crusaders and Fihaki has the worst stats of any NZ winger that is in the frame by some distance.
I'm expecting more of the same from Razor this year.
Havilli and Blackadder want you to hold their beers
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Fihaki and Bell are shaping up as two of the most biased AB selections of all time. Neither with any runs on the board bar age grade stuff, and now both have 5 or 6 players easily ahead of them this year. Bell is not even the best hooker at the Crusaders and Fihaki has the worst stats of any NZ winger that is in the frame by some distance.
I'm expecting more of the same from Razor this year.
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Bell is not even the best hooker at the Crusaders and Fihaki has the worst stats of any NZ winger that is in the frame by some distance.
It’s debatable whether he’s even the second best at the moment with the way Moananu is playing. They have 2 of the 3 NZ20s hookers coming through as well which goes back to my point last week, I’d expect to see some movement from 1 or 2 of these guys over the next year or 2.
Unfortunately, for as long as guys are selected for the ABs after coming off the bench all season, we will never see those players hit their full potential. Also, if they get selected for the ABs after being on the bench for the majority of the season, why leave that franchise.
McCalister has seen the light and I’m sure he feels it’s paying off for him up in Hamilton, he’s no longer 3rd string. Would you not rather guys like Bell getting regular minutes elsewhere and fulfilling his potential? It’s a bit of a rabbit hole and probably a topic for another day but it makes sense imo. Will only strengthen other position specific needy franchises in the process and make sides stronger across the board, NZR should see that.
Sorry for the rant, just something I’ve been thinking about the last few days.
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@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Bell is not even the best hooker at the Crusaders and Fihaki has the worst stats of any NZ winger that is in the frame by some distance.
It’s debatable whether he’s even the second best at the moment with the way Moananu is playing. They have 2 of the 3 NZ20s hookers coming through as well which goes back to my point last week, I’d expect to see some movement from 1 or 2 of these guys over the next year or 2.
Unfortunately, for as long as guys are selected for the ABs after coming off the bench all season, we will never see those players hit their full potential. Also, if they get selected for the ABs after being on the bench for the majority of the season, why leave that franchise.
McCalister has seen the light and I’m sure he feels it’s paying off for him up in Hamilton, he’s no longer 3rd string. Would you not rather guys like Bell getting regular minutes elsewhere and fulfilling his potential? It’s a bit of a rabbit hole and probably a topic for another day but it makes sense imo. Will only strengthen other position specific needy franchises in the process and make sides stronger across the board, NZR should see that.
Sorry for the rant, just something I’ve been thinking about the last few days.
@Landers92 said in All Blacks 2025:
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Bell is not even the best hooker at the Crusaders and Fihaki has the worst stats of any NZ winger that is in the frame by some distance.
It’s debatable whether he’s even the second best at the moment with the way Moananu is playing. They have 2 of the 3 NZ20s hookers coming through as well which goes back to my point last week, I’d expect to see some movement from 1 or 2 of these guys over the next year or 2.
Unfortunately, for as long as guys are selected for the ABs after coming off the bench all season, we will never see those players hit their full potential. Also, if they get selected for the ABs after being on the bench for the majority of the season, why leave that franchise.
McCalister has seen the light and I’m sure he feels it’s paying off for him up in Hamilton, he’s no longer 3rd string. Would you not rather guys like Bell getting regular minutes elsewhere and fulfilling his potential? It’s a bit of a rabbit hole and probably a topic for another day but it makes sense imo. Will only strengthen other position specific needy franchises in the process and make sides stronger across the board, NZR should see that.
Sorry for the rant, just something I’ve been thinking about the last few days.
Perceptions of free market, franchise led when in reality NZ R is pumping the contracts of some franchises far more than others. Which is both good management by the franchises and them being able to get away with it.
Where would be plenty of benefits to the All Blacks should the majority of the ABs and AB XV be starting week in and out.
A salary cap probably wouldn't work. But a player points system for franchises would.
Anyway. There is a slight additional rant which is somewhat off topic.
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@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Fihaki and Bell are shaping up as two of the most biased AB selections of all time. Neither with any runs on the board bar age grade stuff, and now both have 5 or 6 players easily ahead of them this year. Bell is not even the best hooker at the Crusaders and Fihaki has the worst stats of any NZ winger that is in the frame by some distance.
I'm expecting more of the same from Razor this year.
Havilli and Blackadder want you to hold their beers
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Fihaki and Bell are shaping up as two of the most biased AB selections of all time. Neither with any runs on the board bar age grade stuff, and now both have 5 or 6 players easily ahead of them this year. Bell is not even the best hooker at the Crusaders and Fihaki has the worst stats of any NZ winger that is in the frame by some distance.
I'm expecting more of the same from Razor this year.
Havilli and Blackadder want you to hold their beers
Shane Philpott too (RIP), Ben Blair, George Bridge. Many more, enough to fill the whole bar
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@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Fihaki and Bell are shaping up as two of the most biased AB selections of all time. Neither with any runs on the board bar age grade stuff, and now both have 5 or 6 players easily ahead of them this year. Bell is not even the best hooker at the Crusaders and Fihaki has the worst stats of any NZ winger that is in the frame by some distance.
I'm expecting more of the same from Razor this year.
Havilli and Blackadder want you to hold their beers
Shane Philpott too (RIP), Ben Blair, George Bridge. Many more, enough to fill the whole bar
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Fihaki and Bell are shaping up as two of the most biased AB selections of all time. Neither with any runs on the board bar age grade stuff, and now both have 5 or 6 players easily ahead of them this year. Bell is not even the best hooker at the Crusaders and Fihaki has the worst stats of any NZ winger that is in the frame by some distance.
I'm expecting more of the same from Razor this year.
Havilli and Blackadder want you to hold their beers
Shane Philpott too (RIP), Ben Blair, George Bridge. Many more, enough to fill the whole bar
Bernie McCahill, Mike Clamp, Marty Berry....
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@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Fihaki and Bell are shaping up as two of the most biased AB selections of all time. Neither with any runs on the board bar age grade stuff, and now both have 5 or 6 players easily ahead of them this year. Bell is not even the best hooker at the Crusaders and Fihaki has the worst stats of any NZ winger that is in the frame by some distance.
I'm expecting more of the same from Razor this year.
Havilli and Blackadder want you to hold their beers
Shane Philpott too (RIP), Ben Blair, George Bridge. Many more, enough to fill the whole bar
Bernie McCahill, Mike Clamp, Marty Berry....
@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2025:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Fihaki and Bell are shaping up as two of the most biased AB selections of all time. Neither with any runs on the board bar age grade stuff, and now both have 5 or 6 players easily ahead of them this year. Bell is not even the best hooker at the Crusaders and Fihaki has the worst stats of any NZ winger that is in the frame by some distance.
I'm expecting more of the same from Razor this year.
Havilli and Blackadder want you to hold their beers
Shane Philpott too (RIP), Ben Blair, George Bridge. Many more, enough to fill the whole bar
Bernie McCahill, Mike Clamp, Marty Berry....
You can absolutely get fucked for this comment. "Chuck" was excellent.
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@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Fihaki and Bell are shaping up as two of the most biased AB selections of all time. Neither with any runs on the board bar age grade stuff, and now both have 5 or 6 players easily ahead of them this year. Bell is not even the best hooker at the Crusaders and Fihaki has the worst stats of any NZ winger that is in the frame by some distance.
I'm expecting more of the same from Razor this year.
Havilli and Blackadder want you to hold their beers
Shane Philpott too (RIP), Ben Blair, George Bridge. Many more, enough to fill the whole bar
Bernie McCahill, Mike Clamp, Marty Berry....
@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2025:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Fihaki and Bell are shaping up as two of the most biased AB selections of all time. Neither with any runs on the board bar age grade stuff, and now both have 5 or 6 players easily ahead of them this year. Bell is not even the best hooker at the Crusaders and Fihaki has the worst stats of any NZ winger that is in the frame by some distance.
I'm expecting more of the same from Razor this year.
Havilli and Blackadder want you to hold their beers
Shane Philpott too (RIP), Ben Blair, George Bridge. Many more, enough to fill the whole bar
Bernie McCahill, Mike Clamp, Marty Berry....
I thought we were talking about Cantablacks. Lots of other guys who were less deserving of the jersey than others. Mark Carter was another
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@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2025:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Fihaki and Bell are shaping up as two of the most biased AB selections of all time. Neither with any runs on the board bar age grade stuff, and now both have 5 or 6 players easily ahead of them this year. Bell is not even the best hooker at the Crusaders and Fihaki has the worst stats of any NZ winger that is in the frame by some distance.
I'm expecting more of the same from Razor this year.
Havilli and Blackadder want you to hold their beers
Shane Philpott too (RIP), Ben Blair, George Bridge. Many more, enough to fill the whole bar
Bernie McCahill, Mike Clamp, Marty Berry....
I thought we were talking about Cantablacks. Lots of other guys who were less deserving of the jersey than others. Mark Carter was another
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2025:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Fihaki and Bell are shaping up as two of the most biased AB selections of all time. Neither with any runs on the board bar age grade stuff, and now both have 5 or 6 players easily ahead of them this year. Bell is not even the best hooker at the Crusaders and Fihaki has the worst stats of any NZ winger that is in the frame by some distance.
I'm expecting more of the same from Razor this year.
Havilli and Blackadder want you to hold their beers
Shane Philpott too (RIP), Ben Blair, George Bridge. Many more, enough to fill the whole bar
Bernie McCahill, Mike Clamp, Marty Berry....
I thought we were talking about Cantablacks. Lots of other guys who were less deserving of the jersey than others. Mark Carter was another
Christ here we go.
Carter had one Bledisloe Cup game where he was immense. There’s been far less deserving ABs than him.
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@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2025:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Fihaki and Bell are shaping up as two of the most biased AB selections of all time. Neither with any runs on the board bar age grade stuff, and now both have 5 or 6 players easily ahead of them this year. Bell is not even the best hooker at the Crusaders and Fihaki has the worst stats of any NZ winger that is in the frame by some distance.
I'm expecting more of the same from Razor this year.
Havilli and Blackadder want you to hold their beers
Shane Philpott too (RIP), Ben Blair, George Bridge. Many more, enough to fill the whole bar
Bernie McCahill, Mike Clamp, Marty Berry....
I thought we were talking about Cantablacks. Lots of other guys who were less deserving of the jersey than others. Mark Carter was another
Christ here we go.
Carter had one Bledisloe Cup game where he was immense. There’s been far less deserving ABs than him.
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2025:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Fihaki and Bell are shaping up as two of the most biased AB selections of all time. Neither with any runs on the board bar age grade stuff, and now both have 5 or 6 players easily ahead of them this year. Bell is not even the best hooker at the Crusaders and Fihaki has the worst stats of any NZ winger that is in the frame by some distance.
I'm expecting more of the same from Razor this year.
Havilli and Blackadder want you to hold their beers
Shane Philpott too (RIP), Ben Blair, George Bridge. Many more, enough to fill the whole bar
Bernie McCahill, Mike Clamp, Marty Berry....
I thought we were talking about Cantablacks. Lots of other guys who were less deserving of the jersey than others. Mark Carter was another
Christ here we go.
Carter had one Bledisloe Cup game where he was immense. There’s been far less deserving ABs than him.
Totally fair. But I didn't think we were ranking them, just mentioning to them, and one swallow does not make a Summer either
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@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2025:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
Fihaki and Bell are shaping up as two of the most biased AB selections of all time. Neither with any runs on the board bar age grade stuff, and now both have 5 or 6 players easily ahead of them this year. Bell is not even the best hooker at the Crusaders and Fihaki has the worst stats of any NZ winger that is in the frame by some distance.
I'm expecting more of the same from Razor this year.
Havilli and Blackadder want you to hold their beers
Shane Philpott too (RIP), Ben Blair, George Bridge. Many more, enough to fill the whole bar
Bernie McCahill, Mike Clamp, Marty Berry....
I thought we were talking about Cantablacks. Lots of other guys who were less deserving of the jersey than others. Mark Carter was another
Christ here we go.
Carter had one Bledisloe Cup game where he was immense. There’s been far less deserving ABs than him.
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
There’s been far less deserving ABs than him.
Especially in the last few years. Project players, one test wonders, etc.
Not players whose form demanded squad selection and fitness or competition within the squad denied them additional caps and they took what looked like a better option in a short career.
Busted league converts. Players quantitatively worse than others in our highest competition. And I don't accept the argument some make that coaches are taking a punt on a "Richie McCaw" as none of them seemed to be standouts amongst age group or put in PotM performances on debut etc.
