The Silver Fern

Ohtani making his case for the best baseball player of all time

@SouthernMann said in SF: Otago v BoP:

Oli Haig has well and truly outplayed Ah Kuoi

If the ABXV was picked tomorrow those two might be swapped over.

@canefan said in All Blacks 2025:

@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2025:

no way in 2015 would you have looked at Read not being there, he was a huge point of difference in our pack.

carrying him to 2019 was the mistake.

Easy to say in hindsight. Hansen was never going to drop his captain and I'm not sure that a new coach in 2017 would have done so either

The signs were definitely there that he was cooked though. It's not like he suddenly just hit a wall at RWC 19

@frugby said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:

For whatever reason it didn't work in black, but to say he wasn't given a good chance isn't true, and to say it would have worked from 2024 onwards is purely hypothetical.

The point is it would have been nice to find out given we aren't exactly flush with options. The talent was certainly there and like Frizell there were times at test level where it shone - but they chase Frizell and not Akira. Meanwhile we have been left with neither for 2 years.

@Chris-B said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:

@KiwiMurph I'm not going to disagree with much of that.

Except, we have no real idea about the discussions Akira and Razor might have had.

Unless they tell us, it's all in the realm of fantasy.

My view is that given how much time Razor has had in the role, the noises he and Ryan have made about other players and that Akira didn't last long after Ryan took over says all you need to know about what the regime thinks of Akira.

@Chris-B said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:

@KiwiMurph But, doesn't all that pre-suppose that Akira was going to be a compelling selection?

A week or so before he announced he was off, the Blues went down to Christchurch and lost to the worst Crusaders in living memory. What if they'd shit the bed in the 2024 semi-final as per 2023?

I'm honestly not trying to troll you or anything.

I just don't see the logic.

And I suspect it's because you guys are looking at what his career could have been and I'm looking at what his career was.

How did Akira in particular go in that game? My memory was he had a strong game that day and that it was Choat who was playing for an unavailable Papalii who was the loose forward who got outplayed.

I guess my frustration is this:

Akira is clearly a huge talent which Razor has known about since he coached him in the NZ U20s

Razor didn't show a great deal of interest in Akira and working with him.

Vern Cotter in one season managed to get Akira firing on all cylinders including the final where Akira put in an incredible shift at 6 showing everything we are looking for at a 6 (go have a look at 2024 final to see how well Akira played).

There is a general lack of size and power in NZ loose forwards - mostly dominated by hybrid loosies who do a bit of everything.

Now we have a situation where Razor has come out and publicly stated that "test rugby is a game for big men" and we are crying out for more size and power in the forwards yet at the same time I don't believe Razor has truly turned over every stone and we are paying the price.

@Chris-B said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:

On Frizell - I know this is a bitter pill for you guys to swallow, but he was obviously higher up the pecking order when he left.

That is actually my whole point.

Just be honest about it.

Saying "well they didnt pick Akira because he signed overseas" is disingenuous as they've clearly shown

a) they have no problem going public about contracting frustrations

b) Akira signing overseas occurred after Ryan and Razor were aware of the Frizell contracting frustrations so had ample time to engage with Akira

c) they've also had no problem going public about enticing players who are overseas to come back.

Razor had an unprecedented lead in time to get things in order - announced in March 2023 as AB coach when he wouldnt coach an AB game until July 2024

That AB XV squad really does seem like a bit of a wasted opportunity not to look at another winger - they have a heap of fullback cover already - someone like Fehi Fineanganofo would be ideal

I wonder if perhaps they want to see Rona on the wing.

@Chris-B said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:

@KiwiMurph said in [All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025]

The notion that Razor simply didnt select Akira because he had signed overseas (with the insinuation being that he otherwise would have) and simply was not consulted prior to Akira going overseas is absolutely laughable.

I have no idea whether he would have been selected if he hadn't signed overseas, but I am certain he was virtually no chance once he had.

The ABs must have used close to 10 players in the 6 jersey under Razor, so I don't see why they would have especially precluded Akira. I mean, honestly, why on earth would you? You've only got five Super teams to choose from.

On the other hand, he's not Richie McCaw, so you could never have given him a cast iron guarantee.

In a nutshell, wouldn't you say, "Mate, if you play well you'll be in the frame".

And wouldn't you say that to about 90% of guys with test experience?

A couple of things

1. I'd be interested in Hoskins take on play well and you'll be in the frame.

2. How does that jive with their comments and treatment Shannon Frizell who has only played 10 or so tests more than Akira then?

Yet they have gone public with this notion of how much they rate Shannon Frizell and how much they want him to return - and had a crack at the contracting issue too. Shannon Frizell is not exactly Richie McCaw either.

Here is what Jase Ryan said in September 2023 about Shannon Frizell - bearing in mind this after Razor had been confirmed to get the job.

This reads a hell of a lot different to "play well and you'll be in the frame".

Just factor this in with Akira as a comparison

Then the forwards coach confirmed conversations were taking place with the big blindside about his intentions for next season and beyond.

“We’ve had some good convos,” he said. “I think that could have been done better, to be honest. Shannon didn't really want to go. So there's a few things going on behind the scenes and I think sometimes that contracting stuff can be done a little bit better.

“He was at a stage … that something was thrown in front of him, and he didn't probably have all the facts. I’m a big fan of Shannon. He's got a lot of good tests in front of him for the All Blacks.”

Again - I point out - if they really rated Akira they would have done more/said more.

@Chris-B said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:

@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:

@Chris-B said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:

@antipodean said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:

@Chris-B said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:

@Nepia Yeah - he preferred Frizell.

But, where was Shannon in 2024? He'd taken the yen and was unavailable for selection.

The blindside position was pretty open for someone to take and it still seems to be.

There's a raft of posts saying the coaches are actively discriminating against Blues players, so I'm perfectly accurate in labeling it a conspiracy theory.

Just to confirm who were the standout loose forwards in SR 2024 and their performances were instrumental in their team's success?

I've got no problem saying Akira had probably his best season in 2024.

But, once he signed in Japan it would've been moronic to pick him. Just about everyone drew a line through his name at that point.

Same reason they're not picking Mark Tele'a this year - even though he might be quite handy.

What you are missing is this

Razor knew he had the AB job before the end of the 2023 Super Rugby season

He had ample time to map out a path with Akira

That didnt happen and Akira left

By all accounts Razor didnt want Akira. Fine. But don't use the signing overseas as an excuse.

How many of these special paths was Razor supposed to map for players?

Can you provide a link to one credible account that says Razor didn't want Akira?

Maybe just something where Rieko or Akira says something along the lines that Razor or Ryan says they're probably looking elsewhere.

Razor and Ryan have had no problem being vocal about wanting the likes of Frizell and Leicester back in the fold.

Again - there's no issue if Razor didnt want Akira but Razor got announced coach on 21 March 2023 and officially took over on 1 November 2023.

Akira played 21 tests between 2020 and 2022 so it's not as if he wasnt on the radar as a key player. He also coached Akira for NZU20s so he knew who Akira was.

The notion that Razor simply didnt select Akira because he had signed overseas (with the insinuation being that he otherwise would have) and simply was not consulted prior to Akira going overseas is absolutely laughable.

@Chris-B said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:

@antipodean said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:

@Chris-B said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:

@Nepia Yeah - he preferred Frizell.

But, where was Shannon in 2024? He'd taken the yen and was unavailable for selection.

The blindside position was pretty open for someone to take and it still seems to be.

There's a raft of posts saying the coaches are actively discriminating against Blues players, so I'm perfectly accurate in labeling it a conspiracy theory.

Just to confirm who were the standout loose forwards in SR 2024 and their performances were instrumental in their team's success?

I've got no problem saying Akira had probably his best season in 2024.

But, once he signed in Japan it would've been moronic to pick him. Just about everyone drew a line through his name at that point.

Same reason they're not picking Mark Tele'a this year - even though he might be quite handy.

What you are missing is this

Razor knew he had the AB job before the end of the 2023 Super Rugby season

He had ample time to map out a path with Akira

That didnt happen and Akira left

By all accounts Razor didnt want Akira. Fine. But don't use the signing overseas as an excuse.

I think with Akira there's a number of sections to his career

• breakout star in npc/super rugby
• was on fringe of ABs/publicly lambasted by Hansen. Around this time he was being played into the ground by Umaga
• Fozzie era ABs where Tom Conventry was Blues forwards coach where Akira cracked the ABs.
• Jase Ryan took over as forwards coach in ABs and Akira was fairly quickly discarded not to return
• Akira not picked under Razor/had already signalled his intent to sign overseas despite a standout campaign for the Blues under Vern Cotter and incredible shift at 6 in the Super Rugby Final.

Now with the last part of Akira's NZ career I would agree with what @nzzp said below, bearing in mind there had been a lot of talk on here for a long time that Razor didnt rate Akira combined with Jase Ryan fairly quickly getting rid of him once he came on as forwards coach in the Fozzie era

And for those who say he left early - go look at his leaving interview again. The body language screamed someone who was making a financial decision as the pathway in NZ had stopped. Akira looked like he didn't want to leave, but with no future who can blame him.

I'm sure David Havili was picked for his leadership after his stellar effort as co captain in the AUNZ team vs Lions where he was the worst player on the field (and that's saying something).

I like the decision regarding Pledger - sensible stuff.

When he plays test rugby Patrick Tuipulotu is very effective.

The problem is for a big man he is injury prone.

@frugby said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:

@KiwiMurph That him and Kemara never really crossed over. David Havili was even preferred ahead of him in 2024.

What does 2024 have to do with anything.

Reihana delivered in the 2025 playoffs leading his team to the title outplaying Beauden and DMac along the way.

If fit, Reihana starts at 10 in 2026 for the Crusaders.

@frugby said in All Blacks & All Blacks XV EOYT Squads 2025:

Then you go to a Reihana, who might not even by the Crusaders first choice 10?

Based on what exactly?

@mohikamo said in Aussie Pro Rugby:

@KiwiMurph

The national union hosting the RWC has to be really careful.

World Rugby is guaranteed to make a squillion.
Which is good.

But not the host union, the French rugby union lost a lot of money hosting in 2023.

Which is presumably why RA took a flat fee from World Rugby of $100m

@booboo said in Aussie Pro Rugby:

I didn't look at Gordon and think future superstar. Wonder why they think he's worth so much.

I think it's more of a case of look at the alternatives

JOC may not even make 2027

Quade and presumably Foley are done.

Lynagh has serious injury concerns

Lolesio had a very serious long term injury this year

They dont rate Donaldson/He has never knocked down the door

Edmed has shown very little.

In the other words the cupboard is bare - Carter Gordon was the best realistic option available to them.

@Kiwiwomble said in Aussie Pro Rugby:

@KiwiMurph said in Aussie Pro Rugby:

@Kiwiwomble said in Aussie Pro Rugby:

@mohikamo said in Aussie Pro Rugby:

No way i'd ever pay a transfer fee. But RA obviosly tryin to get the best possible squad together for 27.

im coming around to the idea the 2027 Rugby is no longer this awesome opportunity for Rugby in Aussie...but more they just want to save face...another poor showing at a home RWC could kill the game

They just delivered an outstanding Lions series.

Let's dial down the pessimism.

The real worry should be 2031 RWC in the USA

just calling it how i see it on the ground, when it was annouced there was the feeling we'd see a new boom in interest.....but now it feel like theyre still just trying to hold onto the their base

They are going to get $100m broadcasting fee from the RWC which will help enormously

They've just had 7 home tests averaging 53,308 per test

By all accounts the Bledisloe tv ratings were very strong.

Aus love a good home sporting festival - as the Lions showed.