All Blacks 2025
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@reprobate said in All Blacks v Argentina I:
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks v Argentina I:
@Nepia said in All Blacks v Argentina I:
TBF, no matches matter until the return of Atua Mo'unga in late 2026.
And TBF that's exactly how Mo'unga feels, and I'm not having a dig at him there as he's chasing the money like most people do in life. He doesn't value the AB tests between world cups so chooses to go and make as much money as he can in that time. Then in WC year he comes swooning back in to be eligible for that, and then leaves again straight after. It takes us down the path of anything outside of the WC is just a friendly if more and more players start doing the same thing.
And our idiot coach has just indulged this bullshit instead of trying to help protect NZ rugby from overseas clubs taking all of our talent from local competitions.
I agree with all of this, except for the 'not having a dig at him' bit, because I think you should. If everyone just goes 'oh good on him' when someone is a greedy fluffybunny, that's when greedy fluffybunny is okay and normal.
That is after all what Robertson has done - so I don't see how you can criticise him for indulging Mo'unga and at the same time say you think what Mo'unga is doing is fine?I guess, but there will always be players like Mo'unga that chase the money over the AB jersey, so yeah it's crap but not specific to Mo'unga. I can understand the lure overseas when they are offering life changing amounts of $ to play club footy, personally I'd find that pretty hard to turn down.
It's really up to those in charge to ensure this is kept under control, and that the integrity of the game is maintained in NZ. What Robertson is doing is trying to let players like Mo'unga have their cake and eat it, so yes most of my ire will be directed at him over this. Short sighted nonsense that may help Robertson's AB coaching record in the short term, but would go a long way towards killing the game here in the medium to long term.
And sorry mods feel free to move these posts to the ABs thread so it doesn't clog the game thread.
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks v Argentina I:
Short sighted nonsense that may help Robertson's AB coaching record in the short term, but would go a long way towards killing the game here in the medium to long term.
Well his stated goal is to win a RWC with two sides. Poor medium/long term thinking helps his goal
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@canefan said in All Blacks v Argentina I:
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks v Argentina I:
@Nepia said in All Blacks v Argentina I:
TBF, no matches matter until the return of Atua Mo'unga in late 2026.
And TBF that's exactly how Mo'unga feels, and I'm not having a dig at him there as he's chasing the money like most people do in life. He doesn't value the AB tests between world cups so chooses to go and make as much money as he can in that time. Then in WC year he comes swooning back in to be eligible for that, and then leaves again straight after. It takes us down the path of anything outside of the WC is just a friendly if more and more players start doing the same thing.
And our idiot coach has just indulged this bullshit instead of trying to help protect NZ rugby from overseas clubs taking all of our talent from local competitions.
Maybe this is the way of the future, players coming and going will then morph into open eligibility. I am dead against it and I hope not. But Razor clearly doesn't give a crap about the status quo as a way to protect the jersey, and for what? It's not like he's rolling over for Dan Carter
It'd be nice if New Zealand Rugby had noticed players don't come back from playing in Japan and perform all that well straight away but they seem to be taking their time working that out. If Mo'unga isn't up to standard upon return (and Savea after his sabbatical) I'd hope they'd shut this kind of thing down. By all means, take a year away after a World Cup, come back and play your way back into the team but players should have to prove their ability before being selected.
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2025:
@canefan said in All Blacks v Argentina I:
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks v Argentina I:
@Nepia said in All Blacks v Argentina I:
TBF, no matches matter until the return of Atua Mo'unga in late 2026.
And TBF that's exactly how Mo'unga feels, and I'm not having a dig at him there as he's chasing the money like most people do in life. He doesn't value the AB tests between world cups so chooses to go and make as much money as he can in that time. Then in WC year he comes swooning back in to be eligible for that, and then leaves again straight after. It takes us down the path of anything outside of the WC is just a friendly if more and more players start doing the same thing.
And our idiot coach has just indulged this bullshit instead of trying to help protect NZ rugby from overseas clubs taking all of our talent from local competitions.
Maybe this is the way of the future, players coming and going will then morph into open eligibility. I am dead against it and I hope not. But Razor clearly doesn't give a crap about the status quo as a way to protect the jersey, and for what? It's not like he's rolling over for Dan Carter
It'd be nice if New Zealand Rugby had noticed players don't come back from playing in Japan and perform all that well straight away but they seem to be taking their time working that out. If Mo'unga isn't up to standard upon return (and Savea after his sabbatical) I'd hope they'd shut this kind of thing down. By all means, take a year away after a World Cup, come back and play your way back into the team but players should have to prove their ability before being selected.
And these guys shouldn't come home on top dollar contracts either, perhaps performance based ones so they earn the bucks when they prove they are still proper
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@No-Quarter said in All Blacks v Argentina I:
@Nepia said in All Blacks v Argentina I:
TBF, no matches matter until the return of Atua Mo'unga in late 2026.
And TBF that's exactly how Mo'unga feels, and I'm not having a dig at him there as he's chasing the money like most people do in life. He doesn't value the AB tests between world cups so chooses to go and make as much money as he can in that time. Then in WC year he comes swooning back in to be eligible for that, and then leaves again straight after. It takes us down the path of anything outside of the WC is just a friendly if more and more players start doing the same thing.
And our idiot coach has just indulged this bullshit instead of trying to help protect NZ rugby from overseas clubs taking all of our talent from local competitions.
I'm having a dig at him. He wants to have his cake and eat it too ... and it's working out for him because he's had the backing of his bestie coach the entire time.
Despite my hatred of the Village of the Damned I was always in favour of Razor coming in, however, his infatuation with and allowances for the little overhyped 10 have me questioning if he's the right man for the job.
@Nepia said in All Blacks 2025:
He wants to have his cake and eat it too
#stupidsaying
Whats the point of having cake if you aint gonna eat it?
Anywhoo....All you need is Love
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@No-Quarter said in All Blacks v Argentina I:
Short sighted nonsense that may help Robertson's AB coaching record in the short term, but would go a long way towards killing the game here in the medium to long term.
Well his stated goal is to win a RWC with two sides. Poor medium/long term thinking helps his goal
@Duluth said in All Blacks 2025:
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks v Argentina I:
Short sighted nonsense that may help Robertson's AB coaching record in the short term, but would go a long way towards killing the game here in the medium to long term.
Well his stated goal is to win a RWC with two sides. Poor medium/long term thinking helps his goal
It seems he's mistakenly extrapolated his experience in Super Rugby to Test rugby.
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Razor has his Quarterback. All is well in the All Blacks for the next World Cup.
I’ve been away for awhile. I missed who won the super rugby title. -
In all seriousness, it’s what razor has wanted. To get his main man back. You live and die by the sword I guess. Could be the biggest mistake of his career.
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I think the ABs desperately need to get an AFL aerial coach into the mix, even if part time.
Most glaring weakness.
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I think the ABs desperately need to get an AFL aerial coach into the mix, even if part time.
Most glaring weakness.
@pakman remember the original 'bomb squad'
Didnt Byrne also work on our kicking technique/style too?
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A refreshingly honest and clear. interview from the always impressive Dalton Papalii.
Disappointing not to see him in the RC squad as I think he has a hell of a lot to offer the All Blacks. Hopefully, he'll be back for the EOYT and as the World Cup approaches.
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A refreshingly honest and clear. interview from the always impressive Dalton Papalii.
Disappointing not to see him in the RC squad as I think he has a hell of a lot to offer the All Blacks. Hopefully, he'll be back for the EOYT and as the World Cup approaches.
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
A refreshingly honest and clear. interview from the always impressive Dalton Papalii.
Disappointing not to see him in the RC squad as I think he has a hell of a lot to offer the All Blacks. Hopefully, he'll be back for the EOYT and as the World Cup approaches.
Your assessment of Kirifi’s performance in Hamilton now makes so much more sense.
Not sure what’s so disappointing, Dalton has had plenty of opportunities and never nailed down a position in the ABs. The players in the ABs atm deserve to be there and have forced him out because they’ve simply played better than him this year.
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@Canes4life that's not really true, Dalton sat behind McCaw and Cane, the AB captains, and post Cane's retirement he's had scant little chances. He was strong for the Blues this year and is well suited to test footy, it beggars belief he wouldn't even be in the squad.
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@Canes4life that's not really true, Dalton sat behind McCaw and Cane, the AB captains, and post Cane's retirement he's had scant little chances. He was strong for the Blues this year and is well suited to test footy, it beggars belief he wouldn't even be in the squad.
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life that's not really true, Dalton sat behind McCaw and Cane, the AB captains, and post Cane's retirement he's had scant little chances. He was strong for the Blues this year and is well suited to test footy, it beggars belief he wouldn't even be in the squad.
Lol he never sat behind McCaw and he’s had 36 appearances for the ABs, plenty of time to push for a starting jersey. If he was so suited to test rugby he would still be in the squad, obviously lacks a few ingredients in his game that the coaches are after. For me he never really dominated at test level, a bit like Blackadder. No point selecting the same blokes and expecting different results.
There are a lot of Dalton fans on this Fern which is fine because on form he’s good but you can’t argue against the other guys who have been selected, they’ve played better this year.
Maybe the best thing for him is to fight his way back into the ABs and earn that jersey again. Kudos to him if he does.
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@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
A refreshingly honest and clear. interview from the always impressive Dalton Papalii.
Disappointing not to see him in the RC squad as I think he has a hell of a lot to offer the All Blacks. Hopefully, he'll be back for the EOYT and as the World Cup approaches.
Your assessment of Kirifi’s performance in Hamilton now makes so much more sense.
Not sure what’s so disappointing, Dalton has had plenty of opportunities and never nailed down a position in the ABs. The players in the ABs atm deserve to be there and have forced him out because they’ve simply played better than him this year.
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
A refreshingly honest and clear. interview from the always impressive Dalton Papalii.
Disappointing not to see him in the RC squad as I think he has a hell of a lot to offer the All Blacks. Hopefully, he'll be back for the EOYT and as the World Cup approaches.
Your assessment of Kirifi’s performance in Hamilton now makes so much more sense.
Not sure what’s so disappointing, Dalton has had plenty of opportunities and never nailed down a position in the ABs. The players in the ABs atm deserve to be there and have forced him out because they’ve simply played better than him this year.
Utter BS.
He's been over very good to excellent for th ABs. The problem was the overall fetish of Sam Cane who led us through the worst period of All Black results in the professional era. Cane got given some pity reprieve last year and the result is overall average results for the ABs.
Ryan and Robertson obviously have some issues with Blues players. There are far more Canes and Chiefs players than Blues players despite both teams failing to deliver during the business end of the tournament.
The Canes and Chiefs look good during the regular the season but when the going gets tough they are chokers. The amount of Chiefs loose forwards in the ABs squad is ridiculous.
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
A refreshingly honest and clear. interview from the always impressive Dalton Papalii.
Disappointing not to see him in the RC squad as I think he has a hell of a lot to offer the All Blacks. Hopefully, he'll be back for the EOYT and as the World Cup approaches.
Your assessment of Kirifi’s performance in Hamilton now makes so much more sense.
Not sure what’s so disappointing, Dalton has had plenty of opportunities and never nailed down a position in the ABs. The players in the ABs atm deserve to be there and have forced him out because they’ve simply played better than him this year.
Utter BS.
He's been over very good to excellent for th ABs. The problem was the overall fetish of Sam Cane who led us through the worst period of All Black results in the professional era. Cane got given some pity reprieve last year and the result is overall average results for the ABs.
Ryan and Robertson obviously have some issues with Blues players. There are far more Canes and Chiefs players than Blues players despite both teams failing to deliver during the business end of the tournament.
The Canes and Chiefs look good during the regular the season but when the going gets tough they are chokers. The amount of Chiefs loose forwards in the ABs squad is ridiculous.
@brodean said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
A refreshingly honest and clear. interview from the always impressive Dalton Papalii.
Disappointing not to see him in the RC squad as I think he has a hell of a lot to offer the All Blacks. Hopefully, he'll be back for the EOYT and as the World Cup approaches.
Your assessment of Kirifi’s performance in Hamilton now makes so much more sense.
Not sure what’s so disappointing, Dalton has had plenty of opportunities and never nailed down a position in the ABs. The players in the ABs atm deserve to be there and have forced him out because they’ve simply played better than him this year.
Utter BS.
He's been over very good to excellent for th ABs. The problem was the overall fetish of Sam Cane who led us through the worst period of All Black results in the professional era. Cane got given some pity reprieve last year and the result is overall average results for the ABs.
Ryan and Robertson obviously have some issues with Blues players. There are far more Canes and Chiefs players than Blues players despite both teams failing to deliver during the business end of the tournament.
If he was so excellent he would still be in the squad. Something isn’t stacking up.
My point anyway is there have been better players than him this year that are more deserving, especially at 7 so rightfully or wrongfully in the eyes of Dalton supporters, the coaches have gone down a different path.
By the way I don’t dislike Dalton and I hope he hits the heights that many think he can on here, but maybe his 6.5 style of play isn’t what the AB coaches are looking for.
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
A refreshingly honest and clear. interview from the always impressive Dalton Papalii.
Disappointing not to see him in the RC squad as I think he has a hell of a lot to offer the All Blacks. Hopefully, he'll be back for the EOYT and as the World Cup approaches.
Your assessment of Kirifi’s performance in Hamilton now makes so much more sense.
Not sure what’s so disappointing, Dalton has had plenty of opportunities and never nailed down a position in the ABs. The players in the ABs atm deserve to be there and have forced him out because they’ve simply played better than him this year.
Utter BS.
He's been over very good to excellent for th ABs. The problem was the overall fetish of Sam Cane who led us through the worst period of All Black results in the professional era. Cane got given some pity reprieve last year and the result is overall average results for the ABs.
Ryan and Robertson obviously have some issues with Blues players. There are far more Canes and Chiefs players than Blues players despite both teams failing to deliver during the business end of the tournament.
The Canes and Chiefs look good during the regular the season but when the going gets tough they are chokers. The amount of Chiefs loose forwards in the ABs squad is ridiculous.
I never rated cane
Very surprised they persisted with him as much as they did, thought that NZ must have better prospects at 7
When you spend so much time in an environment of excellence (the AB setup); you'd have to be a complete plonker not to improve your game out of sight
Which is what Cane did; he has to have maxed out his potential
But still, hard to believe such a limited player initially, played over 100 times for NZ
Mils muliaina was also a bit like that, but his starting point was a bit higher than Cane'sBut some guys are glue guys; you always need them
it's very hard to tell who they are, unless you are actually in the squadAssuming no one on this site has been in an AB squad; we'd all have been way better players if we had
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I don't think the ABs are too far off being a pretty decent team. We are missing a few pieces to make us that decent team, and those pieces seem a fair way off unfortunately.
The major problem areas for me are 10 and 13. At 13, we really need Proctor to step up, because apart from going back to RI, there are bugger all options.
Stating the obvious here, but 10 is even worse, and the options behind those we have in the squad now are not ready. I have my doubts if they will ever be ready, and it may well be a case of treading water and hoping someone from the next generation steps up.
To a lesser degree I think the loosies are still a problem, but I don't think they are what is holding us back. Same goes with the wings.
