All Blacks 2025

MN5

@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:

@MN5 said in All Blacks 2025:

@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:

@BerniesCorner said in All Blacks 2025:

Regardless of anything this year with guys like Williams Taylor Lomax Barrett Vaai Savea Sititi Roigard DMac in the frontend we are going to be there, or there abouts.
Last year didn't quite live up to my expectations. Here's hoping 2025 will.
Biggest mistake in 2024 not starting DMac in Paris
Splashed the cash on Scotland v ABs tickets. Chicago is a bit far for the weekend from London.

The pressure valve will go right up on Robertson this year IMO. I think much of the public gave him a fair bit of leeway last year, but the expectation will be a lot higher this year for the ABs to win the majority of tests they play.

They did exactly that last year with 10 out of 14 games won though.

Losing 4 tests in a year is an average year for the ABs.

The losses weren’t scrutinised as much as they will be this year. The expectation (like it used to be) will be to win every game we play this year and when we lose, the blow torch will be turned up a little more by both the fans and media. This is a good thing IMO because we want to get back to being the best again.

Losing to Argentina for example won’t be tolerated again.

You reckon ?

I remember the media jizz fest before Razor even started, lauding him as a messiah after the ‘horrible’ years of Ian Foster ( who had just guided the ABs to a WC final it needs to be said )

Number 10

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voodoo

You're saying we have endure another fucking month of speculation and argument before we get the team??? Not sure I can take it

Steven Harris

@sparky hearing from a credible source that Simon Parker is right in the mix , they like the fact that he is a very big and tall back row forward who carries extremely well and is a line out option that can moved around the lineout set up ,more importantly would add a strong balance to a shorter back row even he’s rolled out for the first 60 minutes
You don’t realise how big the guy is until your standing beside him ,6’4 and 117 kgs

From personal point of view it would compliment a coupe of dynamic loose forwards say Ardie at 7 and Wallace at 8 with an out and out 6 just doing the grind.
Can see a DPK coming off the bench for the last 20

KiwiMurph

@Steven-Harris that's pleasing to hear. Much rather have Parker in the squad than another 6.5 type

Steven Harris

@KiwiMurph may not be as dynamic as some but I can also remember Alan Whetton who wasn’t flashy but complimented a very dynamic 7 and 8 ..Jones and Brooke names ring a bell

reprobate

@Steven-Harris Interesting. I reckon he carries okay, but would rate Finau, Hoskins, Lakai ahead in that department (and Savea and Sititi, though they are better wider out). Does tackle pretty hard which is nice, though he doesn't make heaps.
At least he is a different style of player and a decent lump, which hopefully indicates a realisation that the balance had been wrong last year.

Steven Harris

@reprobate definitely that balance piece like you say may not be as dynamic as players you mentioned but has the right physique to play international rugby
Interesting that the Chiefs have been rotating Parker and Finau during the season
Coaches choice or a message from another table ?

Bones

He's currently playing like the player Grace was supposed to be.

Crazy Horse

I wonder if that means no Hoskins

Chris B.

@Steven-Harris Wouldn't be at all surprised. Assuming his internet dimensions are close to correct (and they look to be) he's the same sort of dimensions as Kaino - and these guys don't grow on trees.

AB XV last year, so definitely in the frame.

DaGrubster

@BerniesCorner said in All Blacks 2025:

Regardless of anything this year with guys like Williams Taylor Lomax Barrett Vaai Savea Sititi Roigard DMac in the frontend we are going to be there, or there abouts.
Last year didn't quite live up to my expectations. Here's hoping 2025 will.
Biggest mistake in 2024 not starting DMac in Paris
Splashed the cash on Scotland v ABs tickets. Chicago is a bit far for the weekend from London.

7 hours on a plane isnt bro!?

Great city for a long weekend!!

Mr Fish

@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2025:

@Steven-Harris Wouldn't be at all surprised. Assuming his internet dimensions are close to correct (and they look to be) he's the same sort of dimensions as Kaino - and these guys don't grow on trees.

AB XV last year, so definitely in the frame.

Selected behind Oli Haig, Christian Lio-Willie, Hoskins Sotutu, Caleb Delany and Devan Flanders mind you, so he would have made some big strides this year (in part thanks to injuries to others).

I'm still not entirely sold on Parker. A great physical specimen but lacks aggression at times. Would love to see him put in the odd run like an Ollie Norris or Samipeni Finau but I guess you can't have it all.

Bovidae

@Steven-Harris Parker is listed at 1.97 m, which is the same height as Scott Barrett. That's about 6'5" in old money.

Bovidae

@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2025:

I'm still not entirely sold on Parker. A great physical specimen but lacks aggression at times. Would love to see him put in the odd run like an Ollie Norris or Samipeni Finau but I guess you can't have it all.

Parker has been more aggressive and physical this year but I'd like to see him be more active. Injuries have been a problem until the last few years.