Māori All Blacks 2025
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@Fredsaua12 said in Māori All Blacks 2025:
Should see Zach Gallagher also feature for the NZ Māori
That would surprise me given he's heading overseas and lock is one of the few positions that MABs have plenty of options. Is Gallagher definitely eligible?
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If, as has been noted in a few places, Laghlan McWhannell is playing for the Barbarians next weekend then he presumably won't be playing in either match for the Maori, which is a shame. But a game against South Africa is arguably more valuable than one against each of Scotland and Japan.
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@Bovidae said in Māori All Blacks 2025:
With Norris in the AB squad, Mason Tupaea will have to be one of the props now. He was an injury replacement in Japan last year.
Can’t think of too many other options at loosehead. Possibly Josh Bartlett?
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There could be surprises as you never know who qualifies. Maybe Proffit?
Based on last year, you would expect Rakete-Stones and Renata will start with Tupaea and Kumeroa as subs. Obviously the reserves are considerably weaker/less experienced at SR level. They will need a fifth prop and the backup hooker to Eklund is an unknown.
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@Landers92 said in Māori All Blacks 2025:
@Bovidae said in Māori All Blacks 2025:
With Norris in the AB squad, Mason Tupaea will have to be one of the props now. He was an injury replacement in Japan last year.
Can’t think of too many other options at loosehead. Possibly Josh Bartlett?
Bartlett isn't eligible. No idea about Jared Proffit but presume he doesn't qualify otherwise he would've been there last year, you would think.
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@Mauss said in Māori All Blacks 2025:
@Bovidae said in Māori All Blacks 2025:
and the backup hooker to Eklund is an unknown.
Maybe they'll go for Taine Kolose? Would be an interesting option.
I had thought about Kolose, but I'm not sure if he is eligible. Last year Filipo selected Thompson who was leaving for RL. It might end up being an NPC player.
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@Mauss said in Māori All Blacks 2025:
@Bovidae said in Māori All Blacks 2025:
I had thought about Kolose, but I'm not sure if he is eligible.
A quick Google search showed that Kolose played for a Māori 17s rep team in league, around 2020. So I figured he'd be eligible.
Hopefully he gets the nod ahead of Apisai then.