2025 All Blacks v France series
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Is France sending their speedster winger? Hope so. And that might be a factor in the AB winger decision.
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@nostrildamus said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Is France sending their speedster winger? Hope so. And that might be a factor in the AB winger decision.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey.
It all depends on how far Bordeaux go in the Top 14 playoffs.
So yeah, it's a bit complicated.
France are going to name a 28-man squad on Monday to play England next Saturday from teams not in the Top 14 playoffs. They will then add 14 more players from sides eliminated in the Top 14 playoffs to tour NZ, but it's unlikely that any players involved in the Top 14 final will be selected in the 42 man squad to tour NZ but they could come in if there are injuries after the First Test.
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@nostrildamus This is the Top 14 playoff bracket.
Semi Final qualifiers today. Semi Finals next week and the Final the week after so they are a week behind Super Rugby.
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@sparky said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
I think Leroy Carter is worth a shot on the Wing, but I've no idea if he's in the selectors thinking. He's raw but he's got potential.
Clarke's out of from.
Tangitau is injured.
Telea is going offshore.
Reece is in decline.
Jordan is a fullback these days.
Not sure JRK is Test quality.
Not sold on Fihaki.
Narawa's not really busy enough for me. But he might be worth another go.Thin pickings on the wing.
I'm not interested in a coaching group that worries about players going offshore or in decline from previous highs - this isn't the abridged Rugby Championship before a RWC - form should be rewarded.
Based on the form of the semi-finals Narawa should be a lock and Fihaki is staking a claim. If Reece, despite not being at his best, and Telea - despite going OS - are amongst the best wingers, they should be included.
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@sparky said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@nostrildamus said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Is France sending their speedster winger? Hope so. And that might be a factor in the AB winger decision.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey.
It all depends on how far Bordeaux go in the Top 14 playoffs.
So yeah, it's a bit complicated.
France are going to name a 28-man squad on Monday to play England next Saturday from teams not in the Top 14 playoffs. They will then add 14 more players from sides eliminated in the Top 14 playoffs to tour NZ, but it's unlikely that any players involved in the Top 14 final will be selected in the 42 man squad to tour NZ but they could come in if there are injuries after the First Test.
Don't think LBB will be touring regardless. He's already played well over 2000 minutes which is the threshold previously mentioned for touring players - but that might only apply to players who feature in the final, it's a bit unclear.
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@frugby said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Imagine it will be close to that.
Last outside back is one I am unsure on. Had heard JRK was in the frame, and noted he was playing for Taranaki, whilst the majority of the rest of the Highlanders are now on a break - wondered if the ABs coaches have asked him to keep himself fit. >
JRK will also be playing for the Barbarians against the Boks later this month. Jimi the Bruss too.
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@canefan said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
I'd be fascinated to see Leroy Carter in the squad. He has some X factor
You look at him and think he isnt fast and he isnt strong.
But he is both!
Has a bit of Cory Jane and Lukhanyo Am in him. Intangible.
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@Jet said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@canefan said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
I'd be fascinated to see Leroy Carter in the squad. He has some X factor
You look at him and think he isnt fast and he isnt strong.
But he is both!
Has a bit of Cory Jane and Lukhanyo Am in him. Intangible.
Cory Jane definitely springs to mind.
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@Bones said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@ACT-Crusader said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Jordan and Love pick themselves in my view and in spite of what @Bones posts about Jordan 😉
With the right guys on the field, hopefully Jordan's glaring deficiencies can be covered.
Reported the the authorities for misinformation and online abuse.
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@sparky said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Back three is an interesting one in terms of selection strategy.
Laurie Mains and Steve Hansen went with the guys in form.
John Mitchell liked raw pace.
John Hart went with what he thought were the natural players and believed he could gel them.
Graham Henry and Ian Foster were willingly to stick guys who didn't play Back Three in Super Rugby there and wanted them to be strong defensively.
Apart from Will Jordan, I don't see an obvious selection for the Back Three in Test 1. We are going to learn a lot about Scott Robertson by who he goes for.
Tangitau's injury has been so unfortunate.
Youd have to think a position was his.
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@Jet said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Lukhanyo Am
if stats I read are correct Carter is (slightly smaller) than either of them.
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@Jet said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@Bones said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@ACT-Crusader said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Jordan and Love pick themselves in my view and in spite of what @Bones posts about Jordan 😉
With the right guys on the field, hopefully Jordan's glaring deficiencies can be covered.
Reported the the authorities for misinformation and online abuse.
Yeah, probably asking a bit much of them.
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@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Turns out Fihaki has missed the most tackles this season of any back from the NZ teams squads who played in the semis
But but but I was told he has really good defense…
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@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Turns out Fihaki has missed the most tackles this season of any back from the NZ teams squads who played in the semis
Yeah he is a poor tackler. Not to say that he can't improve in that area, but it is a concern for him at the next level.
I did find it funny when someone suggested he'd be a good 13.
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@African-Monkey said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Turns out Fihaki has missed the most tackles this season of any back from the NZ teams squads who played in the semis
Yeah he is a poor tackler. Not to say that he can't improve in that area, but it is a concern for him at the next level.
I did find it funny when someone suggested he'd be a good 13.
I think his tackling is fine and quite strong if someone is running straight at him, but he struggles with his positioning to make the tackle. 12 might work, but not 13 and he gets caught out regularly on the wing. Has had quite a few nice touches this year, but again should be nowhere near the ABs despite Telea leaving, Clarke being average and Tangitau being injured.
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@reprobate said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@African-Monkey said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Turns out Fihaki has missed the most tackles this season of any back from the NZ teams squads who played in the semis
Yeah he is a poor tackler. Not to say that he can't improve in that area, but it is a concern for him at the next level.
I did find it funny when someone suggested he'd be a good 13.
I think his tackling is fine and quite strong if someone is running straight at him, but he struggles with his positioning to make the tackle. 12 might work, but not 13 and he gets caught out regularly on the wing. Has had quite a few nice touches this year, but again should be nowhere near the ABs despite Telea leaving, Clarke being average and Tangitau being injured.
That description doesn't sound like a guy who is AB material
