All Blacks 2025
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From a Canes perspective I thought TT, Fakatava, Tele’a and JRK caused problems for us all night. Whether it was running over players or being able to scramble effectively I thought those four players were the best on the park for the Landers. Holland and Dunshea were also very good at killing our lineout which stopped a lot of our momentum. De Groot also deserves a mention, he probably had one of his better games for a while.
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Fakatava's passing wasn't great at times. When the Highlanders were going for a second quick try he threw out some shocking passes which really stopped any momentum, and eventually led to a breakdown penalty. The one to Tele'a is an example. Of course, Roigard misfired with a couple of wide passes too.
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@cgrant said in All Blacks 2025:
Tele'a was the most impressive Highlander on the paddock. He is so underrated. Based on this SR season, he is a better 13 than Ioane, IMO.
How does he rate against Proctor?
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@booboo
I don't know. They have so different qualities and styles of play that a comparison would be odd. In this peculiar game, I think Tele'a was the most influential. He is an attacking weapon that the Highlanders have sorely lacked in recent times. -
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
@frugby Fakatava probably just misses out. But the other three must be there.
Roigard hasn't been stand-out this year and has been a bit meh at times. Hopefully he'll click in before the Tests
Not too worried. We seem to have reasonable options at 9.
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Scooter should just hand over the captaincy to Ardie now.
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@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
@frugby Fakatava probably just misses out. But the other three must be there.
Roigard hasn't been stand-out this year and has been a bit meh at times. Hopefully he'll click in before the Tests
Not too worried. We seem to have reasonable options at 9.
He finally started running the ball last night. More of that please Cam.
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
Scooter should just hand over the captaincy to Ardie now.
He's a shit AB captain Too agreeable
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@Frank said in All Blacks 2025:
@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
Scooter should just hand over the captaincy to Ardie now.
He's a shit AB captain Too agreeable
I’d prefer him though because he plays 80 and doesn’t get carded every two seconds like big munter Barrett.
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@Frank said in All Blacks 2025:
Barret plays 80 and manages the ref better.
As the AB who holds the record for red cards, this comment is chef's kiss ferning.
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@Frank said in All Blacks 2025:
Barret plays 80 and manages the ref better.
Scott is a card magnet, everyone knows that. I haven’t seen any evidence that Barrett handles the refs better than Ardie when Barrett gets himself in the bin frequently.
Plus Ardie is the type of player everyone will lift for, not sure SBarrett has the same influence.
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Finlay Christie is surely an ex- All Black. There are at least five better other options at Half Backs
A few other All Blacks backs from The Blues are in terrible form: Caleb Clarke, Beauden Barrett, Reiko Ioane.
If they can't sure better form in the final week then they risk the BIG CHOP from the selectors.
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@sparky when was the last time an experienced All Black was actually given the Chop? Owen Franks in 2019? TJP by Foster maybe? the last half decade only fringe guys Sotutu, Narawa etc. have suffered such a fate. I guess we will see what unfolds. Razor be ruthless give Rieko for example a kick up the ass send him to the NZ Maori team if need be
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Roigard, Ratima, Hotham, Fakatava, Funaki and even Preston are better options than Christie.
Pledger won't be ready for a couple of years but he's the most promising young halfback coming through right now with Sinton.
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
@Frank said in All Blacks 2025:
Barret plays 80 and manages the ref better.
Scott is a card magnet, everyone knows that. I haven’t seen any evidence that Barrett handles the refs better than Ardie when Barrett gets himself in the bin frequently.
Plus Ardie is the type of player everyone will lift for, not sure SBarrett has the same influence.
He only had one YC last year, so is on the improve since becoming captain.
We need a group of strong leaders and that’s where I think we are lacking.
