2025 All Blacks v France series
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@reprobate said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Bell and Fihaki shouldn't have been selected. The weird thing is that both Havili and Blackadder were quite a bit better this year than last at Super level.
I was a bit tongue in cheek.
Havili was excellent at 12 until he came up against the bigger teams. I don't think he's got enough to take up a squad slot.
Blackadder has strong work rate, but in my opinion not fast enough or big enough for the top level. Can see how he gets picked, and can see his value, but his ceiling is quite limited for Tests. Super does not actually transfer well to Test level.
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@nzzp said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@reprobate said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Bell and Fihaki shouldn't have been selected. The weird thing is that both Havili and Blackadder were quite a bit better this year than last at Super level.
I was a bit tongue in cheek.
Havili was excellent at 12 until he came up against the bigger teams. I don't think he's got enough to take up a squad slot.
Blackadder has strong work rate, but in my opinion not fast enough or big enough for the top level. Can see how he gets picked, and can see his value, but his ceiling is quite limited for Tests. Super does not actually transfer well to Test level.
His best AB performances were against the Boks. Got over the gain line consistently and set up tries.
I’m not surprised by his omission given QT is now fit and firing.
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How is Narawa injury cover for ALB? On what planet does that make any sense?
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@antipodean because they have TNT
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@antipodean said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
How is Narawa injury cover for ALB? On what planet does that make any sense?
Well he is a wing/centre, so really probably there to cover both.
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Re: Clarke, there's every chance I am not remembering this accurately and it's a bit difficult to confirm, but I thought he started SR strong, then was out injured for a few weeks, then didn't come back as strong after injury? So the claims of him being in "dreadful form" are a bit exaggerated. Or have I got that mixed up?
Regardless, he is the best winger in NZ by a country mile, leaving him out would have been insane, especially considering his form in black last year.
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@antipodean said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
How is Narawa injury cover for ALB? On what planet does that make any sense?
Narawa was exceptional for Bay Of Plenty last year at 13.
They could use more wing cover
There is plenty of 12 cover already in the squad.
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@Dan54 said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@antipodean said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
How is Narawa injury cover for ALB? On what planet does that make any sense?
Well he is a wing/centre, so really probably there to cover both.
Playing centre at NPC isn't a qualification on your CV to cover that position in Test rugby. I'd have a different opinion if he'd spent some time there during the SR season and acquitted himself well.
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@gt12 Norris played his way in with semi and final performance.
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Stoked EB, Havili, Fihaki and Bell make way. Lam can count himself very unlucky - I'd rather him than Timoci but congrats to TT on his rapid elevation. Holland, McAlister and Norris also showing form is rewarded thankfully.
Still mystified at the loose forwards/ locks. Hope Parker gets slotted in to the RC squad once fit.
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@KiwiMurph said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
There is plenty of 12 cover already in the squad.
Which begs the question; why select ALB?
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@ACT-Crusader said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@nzzp said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@reprobate said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Bell and Fihaki shouldn't have been selected. The weird thing is that both Havili and Blackadder were quite a bit better this year than last at Super level.
I was a bit tongue in cheek.
Havili was excellent at 12 until he came up against the bigger teams. I don't think he's got enough to take up a squad slot.
Blackadder has strong work rate, but in my opinion not fast enough or big enough for the top level. Can see how he gets picked, and can see his value, but his ceiling is quite limited for Tests. Super does not actually transfer well to Test level.
His best AB performances were against the Boks. Got over the gain line consistently and set up tries.
I’m not surprised by his omission given QT is now fit and firing.
Dave only played three games off the bench last year for the ABs - and would have played less if not for injuries. Clearly the fifth-ranked midfielder. His spot was always under threat - I thought he might get a reprieve with ALB being out - but, he's not - and they've also picked Jim. Long way back for Dave.
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@chchfanatic said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@gt12 Norris played his way in with semi and final performance.
That makes sense, that's the arena to show you can be separated, cheers for all the sauce btw!
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@Wurzel said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
No Bell, Blackadder, Havili and Fihaki. Razor-hater's gonna need new material.
Sotutu is old material!
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Anyone else have a sinking feeling in their gut that Razor will select a backrow that has Ardie and Du'Plessis on the field at the same time?
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@antipodean i wouldn't be surprised no
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I can see how they like Norris, he's a physical presence around the field. I hope they can help him refine his scrummaging.
Shame Ah Kuoi wasn't looked at as lock/6, small for a lock but quite athletic and hardworking methinks.
It's interesting the views on Blackadder in the final, he was a workhorse as always but didn't look that impactful or dominant or particularly speedy to my eye, but I wasn't looking particularly out for him.
If I had time I'd like to go back to see if the Chiefs when off the boil as LJ got hit/off the field, the loosies looked far more effective early on I thought. -
@nostrildamus said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
I can see how they like Norris, he's a physical presence around the field. I hope they can help him refine his scrummaging.
Shame Ah Kuoi wasn't looked at as lock/6, small for a lock but quite athletic and hardworking methinks.
It's interesting the views on Blackadder in the final, he was a workhorse as always but didn't look that impactful or dominant or particularly speedy to my eye, but I wasn't looking particularly out for him.
If I had time I'd like to go back to see if the Chiefs when off the boil as LJ got hit/off the field, the loosies looked far more effective early on I thought.I kept an eye on him, you are correct. and 30 carries for 0.8m is a disgrace
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@antipodean said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Anyone else have a sinking feeling in their gut that Razor will select a backrow that has Ardie and Du'Plessis on the field at the same time?
that's probably my preferred TBH, with the version of Finau that's in my head there as well.
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@sparky said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Delighted for all seven Hurricanes who were picked, especially Du 'Plessis Kirifi getting in the AB squad for the first time. All seven are there on merit.
Injury costs Peter Lakai and Ausafo Aumua their places which is a shame.
They'll both be back, especially Lakai. Injuries happen unfortunately. As a Canes fan I'm definitely not annoyed at who's been selected. Du Plessis deserves it the most after a very strong NPC and then Super campaign.
From a leadership point of view, I'd say he's one of the top leaders in the country in the way he talks to his team and then backs it up on the field. A massive shift to the niggly player he was a few years ago.
