All Blacks 2025
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I might be the only person that wants them to send a sub par team so we can beat the hell out of them.
Last time they beat us by a point, if they send a full strength team, while it would be a great series, I'd be afraid of losing.@Darren said in All Blacks 2025:
I might be the only person that wants them to send a sub par team so we can beat the hell out of them.
Last time they beat us by a point, if they send a full strength team, while it would be a great series, I'd be afraid of losing.They have a lot of depth so I don't see there being any easy games. We basically had a first choice team against Italy at the end of last year and made a meal of it. I would say Frances second choice team would usually best Italy's first choice.
I don't see Razor and co underestimating them. It's unlikely that we will see any experimentation and we'll probably have experienced players turning out like they did against England.
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@Jet said in All Blacks 2025:
And Ta'avao and Porter in the Irish series etc etc.
far out. Soaking tackles that break cheekbones. Unbelieveable - I'm still dirty on that.
@nzzp said in All Blacks 2025:
@Jet said in All Blacks 2025:
And Ta'avao and Porter in the Irish series etc etc.
far out. Soaking tackles that break cheekbones. Unbelieveable - I'm still dirty on that.
“Absorbing”, what a load of garbage that was.
What is relevant in all this is that technique in the tackle has never been more important because of the ramifications of getting it wrong.
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@nzzp said in All Blacks 2025:
@Jet said in All Blacks 2025:
And Ta'avao and Porter in the Irish series etc etc.
far out. Soaking tackles that break cheekbones. Unbelieveable - I'm still dirty on that.
“Absorbing”, what a load of garbage that was.
What is relevant in all this is that technique in the tackle has never been more important because of the ramifications of getting it wrong.
@ACT-Crusader yep...
shit technique = Red Card
poor technique = Yellow Card
wrong place wrong time = Penalty
Mitigation = Lottery -
@nzzp said in All Blacks 2025:
@Jet said in All Blacks 2025:
And Ta'avao and Porter in the Irish series etc etc.
far out. Soaking tackles that break cheekbones. Unbelieveable - I'm still dirty on that.
“Absorbing”, what a load of garbage that was.
What is relevant in all this is that technique in the tackle has never been more important because of the ramifications of getting it wrong.
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2025:
@nzzp said in All Blacks 2025:
@Jet said in All Blacks 2025:
And Ta'avao and Porter in the Irish series etc etc.
far out. Soaking tackles that break cheekbones. Unbelieveable - I'm still dirty on that.
“Absorbing”, what a load of garbage that was.
What is relevant in all this is that technique in the tackle has never been more important because of the ramifications of getting it wrong.
the utter randomness of cards have helped me fall out of love with professional rugby. I just don't have the passion I used to for it. I still watch, but I used to be totally immersed - suspect if you track my posting rate on here you'll see I've almost gone Snowy/Jegga style.
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@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2025:
@nzzp said in All Blacks 2025:
@Jet said in All Blacks 2025:
And Ta'avao and Porter in the Irish series etc etc.
far out. Soaking tackles that break cheekbones. Unbelieveable - I'm still dirty on that.
“Absorbing”, what a load of garbage that was.
What is relevant in all this is that technique in the tackle has never been more important because of the ramifications of getting it wrong.
the utter randomness of cards have helped me fall out of love with professional rugby. I just don't have the passion I used to for it. I still watch, but I used to be totally immersed - suspect if you track my posting rate on here you'll see I've almost gone Snowy/Jegga style.
@nzzp said in All Blacks 2025:
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2025:
@nzzp said in All Blacks 2025:
@Jet said in All Blacks 2025:
And Ta'avao and Porter in the Irish series etc etc.
far out. Soaking tackles that break cheekbones. Unbelieveable - I'm still dirty on that.
“Absorbing”, what a load of garbage that was.
What is relevant in all this is that technique in the tackle has never been more important because of the ramifications of getting it wrong.
the utter randomness of cards have helped me fall out of love with professional rugby. I just don't have the passion I used to for it. I still watch, but I used to be totally immersed - suspect if you track my posting rate on here you'll see I've almost gone Snowy/Jegga style.
Yes I feel the same way. I hate the TMO generally. Just endlessly disruptive.
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@Tim said in All Blacks 2025:
https://twitter.com/MPsportsdragon/status/1929801407663608012
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France_national_rugby_union_team
Looking at the current French squad listed in Wiki - 22 of the 45 come from either Toulouse or Bordeaux - which are of course the top two teams. 14 from Toulouse, so let's hope they get beaten in their semifinal....
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Last year for the 36 man eoyt squad they named 5 midfield backs. Rieko, JB, Havili, Proctor and ALB. ALB has a broken collar bone. So if we assume that Rieko, JB, Havili, and Proctor are certainties then that leaves 1 spot for one of Lam, Tupaea, Rona, Higgins, Ennor and Tavatavanawai.
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Last year for the 36 man eoyt squad they named 5 midfield backs. Rieko, JB, Havili, Proctor and ALB. ALB has a broken collar bone. So if we assume that Rieko, JB, Havili, and Proctor are certainties then that leaves 1 spot for one of Lam, Tupaea, Rona, Higgins, Ennor and Tavatavanawai.
@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:
Last year for the 36 man eoyt squad they named 5 midfield backs. Rieko, JB, Havili, Proctor and ALB. ALB has a broken collar bone. So if we assume that Rieko, JB, Havili, and Proctor are certainties then that leaves 1 spot for one of Lam, Tupaea, Rona, Higgins, Ennor and Tavatavanawai.
I’d be surprised if they have such a big squad for a home series.
34 I reckon and therefore 5 mid-fielders would go back to 4.
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@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:
Last year for the 36 man eoyt squad they named 5 midfield backs. Rieko, JB, Havili, Proctor and ALB. ALB has a broken collar bone. So if we assume that Rieko, JB, Havili, and Proctor are certainties then that leaves 1 spot for one of Lam, Tupaea, Rona, Higgins, Ennor and Tavatavanawai.
I’d be surprised if they have such a big squad for a home series.
34 I reckon and therefore 5 mid-fielders would go back to 4.
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2025:
@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:
Last year for the 36 man eoyt squad they named 5 midfield backs. Rieko, JB, Havili, Proctor and ALB. ALB has a broken collar bone. So if we assume that Rieko, JB, Havili, and Proctor are certainties then that leaves 1 spot for one of Lam, Tupaea, Rona, Higgins, Ennor and Tavatavanawai.
I’d be surprised if they have such a big squad for a home series.
34 I reckon and therefore 5 mid-fielders would go back to 4.
There was a news release saying 35 to be announced 23rd June.
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@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@booboo said in All Blacks 2025:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:
Tavatavanawai kind of looks like he has a pot belly. If that's the case I think the current selectors frown on that sort of thing.
I reckon work rate and involvement probably trumps whether some rando on the internet thinks a player has a Potbelly.
And actual fitness test results.
Yeah I could understand pointing it out if the player actually had a pot belly, especially if they were playing fuck all minutes and/or not doing much apart from one or two decent carries.... but this is out there eh.
Saying body language is important is out there but that's what they said.
Prpfessional coaches judging players by the appearance of their conditioning is not out there. It's relatively common. They don't like it when players look too pudgy. That's why they have nutritionists in their teams.
@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:
Prpfessional coaches judging players by the appearance of their conditioning is not out there. It's relatively common. They don't like it when players look too pudgy. That's why they have nutritionists in their teams.
The more you ignore players with the same build being selected and that the pot belly is in your imagination, the more unhinged you look.
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The media release said a 35-man squad. They often cheat and add extra players under the guise of injuries to other players.
@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2025:
The media release said a 35-man squad. They often cheat and add extra players under the guise of injuries to other players.
So a 19/16 split?
Prop x 5
Hooker x 3
Lock x 4
Loosies x 7Halfback x 3.
1st 5s x 3
Midfield x 4
Wing x 4
Full back x 2 -
@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:
Prpfessional coaches judging players by the appearance of their conditioning is not out there. It's relatively common. They don't like it when players look too pudgy. That's why they have nutritionists in their teams.
The more you ignore players with the same build being selected and that the pot belly is in your imagination, the more unhinged you look.
@Bones said in All Blacks 2025:
@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:
Prpfessional coaches judging players by the appearance of their conditioning is not out there. It's relatively common. They don't like it when players look too pudgy. That's why they have nutritionists in their teams.
The more you ignore players with the same build being selected and that the pot belly is in your imagination, the more unhinged you look.
What are you talking about dude?
Which back in the All Blacks is built like Tavatavanawai?
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I might be the only person that wants them to send a sub par team so we can beat the hell out of them.
Last time they beat us by a point, if they send a full strength team, while it would be a great series, I'd be afraid of losing.@Darren said in All Blacks 2025:
I might be the only person that wants them to send a sub par team so we can beat the hell out of them.
Last time they beat us by a point, if they send a full strength team, while it would be a great series, I'd be afraid of losing.TBH I'm more concerned about a "weakened team". Particularly if we drop a test and squeak home in the series. Not a good sign...
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2025:
The media release said a 35-man squad. They often cheat and add extra players under the guise of injuries to other players.
So a 19/16 split?
Prop x 5
Hooker x 3
Lock x 4
Loosies x 7Halfback x 3.
1st 5s x 3
Midfield x 4
Wing x 4
Full back x 2@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2025:
Midfield x 4
Wing x 4
Full back x 2Maybe one less outside back and an extra midfielder?
You have 10s that can play fullback and Jordan that can play fullback or wing
The extra midfielder could be someone who covers wing too - Lam/Ennor
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FFS, if the AB coach is overlooking a player solely because of their appearance then they're not fit to be AB coach.
@Nepia said in All Blacks 2025:
FFS, if the AB coach is overlooking a player solely because of their appearance then they're not fit to be AB coach.
Clears throat
@antipodean said in All Blacks v Tonga:
@voodoo said in All Blacks v Tonga:
@yeetyaah said in All Blacks v Tonga:
@voodoo said in All Blacks v Tonga:
@crazy-horse said in All Blacks 2021:
Hopefully mullets are out numbering moustaches.
And pink boots
Keith Quinn has joined the chat
Boots should be black. I can tolerate a small white logo of sorts. Nothing more.
Short back and sides. Leadership group may grow acceptable moustaches.
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@Darren said in All Blacks 2025:
I might be the only person that wants them to send a sub par team so we can beat the hell out of them.
Last time they beat us by a point, if they send a full strength team, while it would be a great series, I'd be afraid of losing.TBH I'm more concerned about a "weakened team". Particularly if we drop a test and squeak home in the series. Not a good sign...
@antipodean said in All Blacks 2025:
@Darren said in All Blacks 2025:
I might be the only person that wants them to send a sub par team so we can beat the hell out of them.
Last time they beat us by a point, if they send a full strength team, while it would be a great series, I'd be afraid of losing.TBH I'm more concerned about a "weakened team". Particularly if we drop a test and squeak home in the series. Not a good sign...
I'm just as worried about Razor stuffing the team full of his pets, them we either lose which will be disastrous, or we win and he thinks that his Cantablacks will be different from the last iteration, and then we get smashed by the saffas in the RC fielding a side totally lacking impact
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@antipodean said in All Blacks 2025:
@Darren said in All Blacks 2025:
I might be the only person that wants them to send a sub par team so we can beat the hell out of them.
Last time they beat us by a point, if they send a full strength team, while it would be a great series, I'd be afraid of losing.TBH I'm more concerned about a "weakened team". Particularly if we drop a test and squeak home in the series. Not a good sign...
I'm just as worried about Razor stuffing the team full of his pets, them we either lose which will be disastrous, or we win and he thinks that his Cantablacks will be different from the last iteration, and then we get smashed by the saffas in the RC fielding a side totally lacking impact
@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:
@antipodean said in All Blacks 2025:
@Darren said in All Blacks 2025:
I might be the only person that wants them to send a sub par team so we can beat the hell out of them.
Last time they beat us by a point, if they send a full strength team, while it would be a great series, I'd be afraid of losing.TBH I'm more concerned about a "weakened team". Particularly if we drop a test and squeak home in the series. Not a good sign...
I'm just as worried about Razor stuffing the team full of his pets, them we either lose which will be disastrous, or we win and he thinks that his Cantablacks will be different from the last iteration, and then we get smashed by the saffas in the RC fielding a side totally lacking impact
It’s just a big ploy to keep all the Crusaders in NZ so the other franchises lose all their talent overseas, a result of being shafted by a coaching group that favours their own over those that are clearly better.
