All Blacks 2025
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@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2025:
So, Tangitau is still out for the Highlanders. What ever his injury is it seems to be taking a while to heal. If he stays out for the rest of the Super season does he deserve selection based on his early form? History tells us some players can look a million dollars early in the season and not so good later on.
Tangitau will have to convince Razor to drop his boy Fihaki. Not sure that's gonna happen
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@pakman said in All Blacks 2025:
@reprobate said in All Blacks 2025:
Thanks to Mauss for the Opta stats link. I couldn't be fucked working much this morning so had a bit of a play. Interesting numbers. I had a look at the AB loosie candidates plus a couple and some Aussies. From most to least:
Attacking rucks/minute: EB, DP, Withy, LJ, Kirifi, Parker, Grace, Segner, Tizzano, Lakai, McReight, Lio-Willie, Valetini, Finau, Savea, Sotutu, Wilson.
Carries/min: Valetini, Wilson, Savea, Sotutu, Lio-Willie, LJ, Tizzano, EB, Kirifi, Grace, Parker, Withy, Finau, McReight, Segner, DP.
Tackles/min: EB, Wilson, McReight, DP, Grace, Tizzano, Kirifi, Withy, Lakai, LJ, Lio-Willie, Segner, Parker, Savea, Sotutu, Finau, Valetini.
Defensive rucks/minute: Savea, Kirifi, Withy, DP, McReight, Tizzano, EB, Lakai, Segner, Sotutu, Valetini, Grace, LJ, Lio-Willie, Finau, Parker, Wilson.
Adding them all up, for a loose 'ínvolvements/min': EB (and it's not close), DP, Kirifi, Withy, Tizzano, Lakai, McReight, Savea, LJ, Grace, Lio-willie, Wilson, Segner, Valetini, Parker, Sotutu, Finau.Stats never tell the whole story, but interesting nonetheless.
One clear variable is actual position. The No. 8s are at end of list and open side flanks at beginning.
Withy's position is interesting: doesn't he play blind side?
Yup, lots of different ways to cut it.
If you look at the % gainline for carries, then it's Finau, Segner, Sotutu, Valetini, Lio-Willie, Lakai...
Dominant tackles/min: Parker, EB, Mcreight, Finau, AS, Withy, Lakai...
Steals/min: Kirifi, Savea, McReight, LJ, DP, Lio-Willie.The thing really is about balance in the back row and the whole forward pack. As soon as you decide to pick Savea who does not hit many attacking rucks, you need to balance that by picking other players who do clean. DP hardly carries the ball for the Blues - does/can he change his role for the ABs - or do you need to pick a couple of high carry guys if you want his exceptional attacking ruck and tackling work?
I have been impressed with Withy this year, but was still surprised to see how good his stats were.
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@Crazy-Horse said in Crusaders 2025:
Hopefully Will does come back ok, otherwise I fear we will be seeing the DMac/BB combination again for the ABs.
And otherwise you 15 would be?
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@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
Catching up with The Breakdown, Justin Marshall (Razor's mate) talking up Kyle Preston as an AB possibility. Not sure I see it.
Of course he is.
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@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
Catching up with The Breakdown, Justin Marshall (Razor's mate) talking up Kyle Preston as an AB possibility. Not sure I see it.
Pretty similar impact to Fakatava when he first burst on the scene. Plays for the right team. Sold.
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@booboo said in Crusaders 2025:
@Crazy-Horse said in Crusaders 2025:
Hopefully Will does come back ok, otherwise I fear we will be seeing the DMac/BB combination again for the ABs.
And otherwise you 15 would be?
That's the problem isn't it? There aren't too many options at this stage when it comes to up and comers.
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@Crazy-Horse said in Crusaders 2025:
@booboo said in Crusaders 2025:
@Crazy-Horse said in Crusaders 2025:
Hopefully Will does come back ok, otherwise I fear we will be seeing the DMac/BB combination again for the ABs.
And otherwise you 15 would be?
That's the problem isn't it? There aren't too many options at this stage when it comes to up and comers.
Love maybe?
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@Mr-Fish said in Crusaders 2025:
Think Ruben Love would be a better shout at fullback to be honest.
I think the ABs would go Barrett and DMac to start with Love covering 15 from the bench.
Not going to be an issue though as Jordan will be back before the end of the playoffs.
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@akan004 said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
Catching up with The Breakdown, Justin Marshall (Razor's mate) talking up Kyle Preston as an AB possibility. Not sure I see it.
Those clowns were still mentioning Finlay as a possible inclusion in the squad.
I watched that segment, funny that they hardly mentioned Roigard who you'd think is our number 1 going into the French tests, despite him not quite being at his best (yet).
Roigard and Ratima are locked in for me. I'm still not sold on Hotham.
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I'm not sold on any of them right now. Maybe I've just been spoiled by having Smith for so long, but the speed and accuracy of delivery from all candidates leaves a bit to be desired.
Roigard's running has been worse, so he comes back to the pack a lot, because his passing accuracy isn't that consistent. Fakatava is the best running halfback in the country so far this season to my eyes - he is picking his moments better and making more ground. Hotham probably the most active defender. Ratima the cleanest delivery but he's not a runner and is a less powerful defender. -
@Canes4life the issue that is there when DMac and BB are on the field together, (10/15 respectively) it seems things get muddled in terms of who is running the show.
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Stevenson is the next best fullback in the country, and has a good combo with McKenzie but they won't pick him.
I think Love should stick to 10, and I don't think he's ready there.
Kneepkens too soon.
Perofeta has hardly played.
So, Barrett by default - the only question is which one? -
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@akan004 said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
Catching up with The Breakdown, Justin Marshall (Razor's mate) talking up Kyle Preston as an AB possibility. Not sure I see it.
Those clowns were still mentioning Finlay as a possible inclusion in the squad.
I watched that segment, funny that they hardly mentioned Roigard who you'd think is our number 1 going into the French tests, despite him not quite being at his best (yet).
Roigard and Ratima are locked in for me. I'm still not sold on Hotham.
Roigard and Ratima are very similar players, style wise, to me. Is that what the ABs will want on the bench? I am not sure.
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@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@akan004 said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
Catching up with The Breakdown, Justin Marshall (Razor's mate) talking up Kyle Preston as an AB possibility. Not sure I see it.
Those clowns were still mentioning Finlay as a possible inclusion in the squad.
I watched that segment, funny that they hardly mentioned Roigard who you'd think is our number 1 going into the French tests, despite him not quite being at his best (yet).
Roigard and Ratima are locked in for me. I'm still not sold on Hotham.
Roigard and Ratima are very similar players, style wise, to me. Is that what the ABs will want on the bench? I am not sure.
I'm not sure the selectors will be specifically taking into consideration your style of play, to be honest?
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@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:
@Crazy-Horse said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@akan004 said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
Catching up with The Breakdown, Justin Marshall (Razor's mate) talking up Kyle Preston as an AB possibility. Not sure I see it.
Those clowns were still mentioning Finlay as a possible inclusion in the squad.
I watched that segment, funny that they hardly mentioned Roigard who you'd think is our number 1 going into the French tests, despite him not quite being at his best (yet).
Roigard and Ratima are locked in for me. I'm still not sold on Hotham.
Roigard and Ratima are very similar players, style wise, to me. Is that what the ABs will want on the bench? I am not sure.
I'm not sure the selectors will be specifically taking into consideration your style of play, to be honest?
It can be a consideration. It has been at half back in the past.
