2025 All Blacks v France series
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@Nepia said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Not a bad squad.
The only guy I'm genuinely annoyed about in this squad is Reece.
Lio-Willie's inclusion as cover means form counts this year in a way it didn't last year. I think Sotutu offers more but are we resigned to seeing him turn out for England or Fiji. Don't mind Kirifi's selection after years of toiling away.
Scooter better fucking not be covering 6, it took him most of the season to get into form at his usual spot without him being shifted. And then if we move Vaa'i then were moving our best performing lock of the last two years.
I wonder if Tupaea will get a decent shot this year? Hard to overcome the last name Barrett in NZ rugby.
The finals don't appear to have had an impact on the selections.
Pleased to see McAlister there, Bell hasn't looked up to the task and isn't even the next best hooker in his franchise.
Gutted to not have Tangitau fit.
Big Jim adds some oomph, but Tangitau would have been icing on the cake.
Imagine:
- Rieko 14. Tangitau 15. Jordan
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@reprobate said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@Jet the trouble with that is that the Rieko you are imagining is from quite a few years ago now.
Deep down, I know you are right.
On the breakdown they were talking about Rieko to the wing and showed some highlights.
His try against France, His try against Wales (one of my all-time favourites) .
They were from 2018 and 2017 respectively.
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Oh yes. McAlister and Norris proven test form has secured them their spots.
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@Kirwan said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Only one specialist 8, two specialist wingers. Not a fan of utility players all over the place.
Same as 10s playing 15, they fixed fullback now that maliase is spreading around the team. Locks that aren't that great at 6 covering six.
A giant cup of meh.
No Papalii, Sotutu or Fusitua.
Blues not doing well. -
@Kirwan said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Only one specialist 8, two specialist wingers. Not a fan of utility players all over the place.
Same as 10s playing 15, they fixed fullback now that maliase is spreading around the team. Locks that aren't that great at 6 covering six.
A giant cup of meh.
Razor still talking about Beauden as a fullback.
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@Frank said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@Kirwan said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Only one specialist 8, two specialist wingers. Not a fan of utility players all over the place.
Same as 10s playing 15, they fixed fullback now that maliase is spreading around the team. Locks that aren't that great at 6 covering six.
A giant cup of meh.
No Papalii, Sotutu or Fusitua.
Blues not doing well.Apparently the Blues have the worst forwards in the country because they got the least amount of forwards selected.
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@Nepia said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Not a bad squad.
The only guy I'm genuinely annoyed about in this squad is Reece.
Lio-Willie's inclusion as cover means form counts this year in a way it didn't last year. I think Sotutu offers more but are we resigned to seeing him turn out for England or Fiji. Don't mind Kirifi's selection after years of toiling away.
Scooter better fucking not be covering 6, it took him most of the season to get into form at his usual spot without him being shifted. And then if we move Vaa'i then were moving our best performing lock of the last two years.
I wonder if Tupaea will get a decent shot this year? Hard to overcome the last name Barrett in NZ rugby.
The finals don't appear to have had an impact on the selections.
Pleased to see McAlister there, Bell hasn't looked up to the task and isn't even the next best hooker in his franchise.
Reece has no pace and shelled a couple of high profile high balls last year.
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@Jet said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@Nepia said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Not a bad squad.
The only guy I'm genuinely annoyed about in this squad is Reece.
Lio-Willie's inclusion as cover means form counts this year in a way it didn't last year. I think Sotutu offers more but are we resigned to seeing him turn out for England or Fiji. Don't mind Kirifi's selection after years of toiling away.
Scooter better fucking not be covering 6, it took him most of the season to get into form at his usual spot without him being shifted. And then if we move Vaa'i then were moving our best performing lock of the last two years.
I wonder if Tupaea will get a decent shot this year? Hard to overcome the last name Barrett in NZ rugby.
The finals don't appear to have had an impact on the selections.
Pleased to see McAlister there, Bell hasn't looked up to the task and isn't even the next best hooker in his franchise.
Reece has no pace and fudged a couple of high profile high balls last year.
He lost us the Argentina game.
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George Bell. Canterbury's third string hooker. Boys needs to go aomewhere that he won't be stuck on the bench.
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@1kiwi said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Brodie McAlister you would have to say his decision to move north to the Chiefs has paid dividends.
Especially on the Fern.
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@SouthernMann said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
George Bell. Canterbury's third string hooker. Boys needs to go aomewhere that he won't be stuck on the bench.
Just signed a new 3 year deal with the Crusaders,
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@reprobate said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@Chris-B is that right? Parker and Tangitau?
I think the foreshadowing is just wrong.
I think (it's Razor) Razor just said they'll be adding three players for the Rugby Championship.
In any case, they've got CLW and EN as injury cover - and he said they're available for selection - so, effectively they're just one midfielder more than most here were picking and one loose forward less.
