2025 All Blacks v France series
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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.
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@mariner4life said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@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.
I'd prefer either of them at 7. A fit Sititi at 8 and Finau on the blind.
edit - all of them playing as well as I imagine they're capable of being.
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@antipodean said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@mariner4life said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@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.
I'd prefer either of them at 7. A fit Sititi at 8 and Finau on the blind.
edit - all of them playing as well as I imagine they're capable of being.
Well thats just it now isn't it? Time to see Razor coach the crap out of these guys, get them playing a slightly tighter style
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i havent watched a lot of MP this season, was Savea playing 7 predominately?
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@Chris-B he’s a different sort of player than ALB, so not a like for like (if they were going for that), whereas if sat Jordie was unavailable they may have considered, but I think they are looking to the future for our midfield whilst balancing the need to have a couple of key experienced guys.
On TNT, could he be a Sam Tuitupo type? Not sure if he has the passing game of Sammy but playing a flat backline TNT could be really troubling. TNT won’t need to try and be everywhere which seemed the case at the Landers.
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@canefan said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@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
Not sure where you are getting those stats from, but was it you who watched him closely in the semi and managed to miss the game high 30 odd tackles?
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@Kiwiwomble said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
i havent watched a lot of MP this season, was Savea playing 7 predominately?
Yes
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@reprobate said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@canefan said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@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
Not sure where you are getting those stats from, but was it you who watched him closely in the semi and managed to miss the game high 30 odd tackles?
Someone posted that during the game. As for the tackle count, he may have got 30 odd, but I didn't notice them as they lacked dominance
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@KiwiMurph said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@Kiwiwomble said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
i havent watched a lot of MP this season, was Savea playing 7 predominately?
Yes
thats what i thought, im kind of hoping thats where they see him primarily (i know they more than likely dont), when he was playing 8 and we were struggling for a 7 when it was suggested he play 7 for the AB's it was quickly shot down "hasen't played first class rugby at 7 for years, hes an 8 now"...would think its works both ways
