All Blacks 2025
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@reprobate said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
All five of these look IMHO a better bet in 2025 for the All Blacks XV squad rather than the full ABs squad.
I'd argue Kirifi is probably the one that has done his time in the AB XV and is ready to step up. To me he's the best 7 in the country atm, he's matured so much in the last couple of years and the leadership skills he would bring to the ABs would be invaluable.
All this bullshit that he's too small is nonsense to me, just look at someone like Tizzano who's able to be impactful at test level and he's even smaller than Kirifi.
I certainly agree that he has improved hugely, and may well be the best 7 in the country. He could work well in a loose trio where you have bulk at 6 and 8, but that seems to be a major weakness in NZ depth right now - we spent last year getting beaten up in the loose most times we played, and I can't see a smaller 7 being a good option when our 6 and 8 are undersized too.
Totally sucks for Kirifi, in that effectively he is doing his job really well can't get a promotion because of the weaknesses of others, but that's the way I see it.Yeah that loose forward balance would definitely dictate selection but as Parson's said on the Aotearoa Rugby pod, Kirifi could be the perfect guy to bring on in the last 20-30 mins of a test.
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Tangitau I can see sneaking in and Kirifi is an option, but Robertson clearly likes bigger 7s (and if NZ are selecting a smaller 7, they might as well just shift Savea there and use a bigger 6 and 8).
TT will make the ABs XV for sure but don't think he's the 12 that NZ needs.
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Kirifi and Tangitau are two that deserve to get themselves in there.
The conversation around incumbents v uncapped is that the uncapped player has to be clearly better. If they are as good, then the incumbent stays.
As much as I really like Jim Tavatavanawai. I can't see him ever being an All Black. He is the perfect super rugby player. Just probably isn't an international quality 12 or winger. While his fetching may not be required if there are other players that bring the skillset in the team.
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Tangitau I think will be the one from that list that makes the All Blacks this year.
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@SouthernMann said in All Blacks 2025:
Kirifi and Tangitau are two that deserve to get themselves in there.
The conversation around incumbents v uncapped is that the uncapped player has to be clearly better. If they are as good, then the incumbent stays.
As much as I really like Jim Tavatavanawai. I can't see him ever being an All Black. He is the perfect super rugby player. Just probably isn't an international quality 12 or winger. While his fetching may not be required if there are other players that bring the skillset in the team.
But he's Ma'a Nonu on steroids ?!?!?!
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@SouthernMann To me he looks like a really enticing guy to have in 23 to chuck on for the final 15 minutes of games. If we want impact off the bench, he could be the best man in the country to provide it.
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@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:
@SouthernMann said in All Blacks 2025:
Kirifi and Tangitau are two that deserve to get themselves in there.
The conversation around incumbents v uncapped is that the uncapped player has to be clearly better. If they are as good, then the incumbent stays.
As much as I really like Jim Tavatavanawai. I can't see him ever being an All Black. He is the perfect super rugby player. Just probably isn't an international quality 12 or winger. While his fetching may not be required if there are other players that bring the skillset in the team.
But he's Ma'a Nonu on steroids ?!?!?!
those would have to be steroids as a teenager I'd reckon.
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@SouthernMann said in All Blacks 2025:
Kirifi and Tangitau are two that deserve to get themselves in there.
The conversation around incumbents v uncapped is that the uncapped player has to be clearly better. If they are as good, then the incumbent stays.
The incumbent wingers • Reece always turns up for the Crusaders however the Test where the young French winger Bielle-biarrey upstaged him should live fresh in the mind... • the other Caleb while quiet for the blues so far, showed plenty of endeavour in Black last yr • Telea is called a tugboat by some but on his day he's an exceptional finisher as seen in the test at Twickenham.
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I'm no fan of Kirifi, but I don't recall his size being an issue in terms of him being manhandled or outmuscled by his bigger opponents all the time.
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@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2025:
I'm no fan of Kirifi, but I don't recall his size being an issue in terms of him being manhandled or outmuscled by his bigger opponents all the time.
He's a 103kg accoring to the interweb.
low centre of gravity and no stranger to the gym by the looks of him which would help immensely.
They can't all be as tall as Ardie.......
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@frugby said in All Blacks 2025:
@SouthernMann To me he looks like a really enticing guy to have in 23 to chuck on for the final 15 minutes of games. If we want impact off the bench, he could be the best man in the country to provide it.
I kind of want to see something different, rather than assuming we need some impact off the bench, lets shock and awe this thing, tire the defence having big Jim run at the straight from kick off
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@Kiwiwomble He won't be in the ABs, enough said.
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@george33 said in All Blacks 2025:
@Kiwiwomble He won't be in the ABs, enough said.
...that just makes me want to "say" more
seriously, your word isn;t law, maybe give us youre actual thoughts for once
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@george33 said in All Blacks 2025:
Say more then., my word is definitely not law as you put it., but he won't be an AB .
We all thought Fihaki wouldn’t be called in to be a squad member/injury cover but yet here we are. I know who I’m choosing.
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@george33 said in All Blacks 2025:
Say more then., my word is definitely not law as you put it., but he won't be an AB .
can you maybe elaborate on WHY you are so certain as to say other dont need to even talk about it?
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you overly excitable highlanders blokes need to pump the brakes a little bit. jagging a couple of wins in cricket season against the dumbest Blues performance this decade, and scraping home over MP does not suddenly elevate your players to higher honours.
When the Chiefs sucked did you see our fans trying to make calls for Callum Bruce and Loki Crichton to make the ABs? No, you did not.
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@mariner4life no ones saying every Highlander should be an all black, far from it, but i dont think its out of line to mention a couple of obvious standout as options to show what they can do at a higher level. I always think a small consideration is its easy to look good playing for a winning team....coughgeorgebridgecough....standing out when you have journeymen throwing passes at your shoulder or feet and on the back foot is a bit harder
Big Jim was also a stand out last year on the wing so not just a stint of good form
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@mariner4life Tavatavanawai has consistency over a long period of time wherever he goes, was Moana and the Mako$ best player, has been the landers mvp the past 18months. If Robertson prefers to keep Havili over him so be it. I'm sure Mick Byrne's ears will perk up
