2025 All Blacks v France series
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Been travelling, so only just looked at the squad.
It's radically conservative if that makes sense. Hasn't made any off-the-wall selections but has clearly moved on from last year, dropped some players, made some changes based on form and picked players who'll fit his game plan.
So pretty pleased with the selection - solid mix of proven and new. Just hope he gives the new guys plenty of game time.
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@Canes4life said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Havili, however seemed a little downcast at not making it.
I'm actually surprised that he isn't in the squad. He's been outstanding in SR, particularly in the latter stages. For me it's a good sign Robertson want's to kick on.
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@kiwiinmelb said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
No Blackadder and havilli is still a shock to me even if it was tipped .
Maybe it’s time for us to let the theory of the razor crusader bias go
Never believed that. Natural he went for current AB's he knew well in his first year.
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@Victor-Meldrew said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@Canes4life said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Havili, however seemed a little downcast at not making it.
I'm actually surprised that he isn't in the squad. He's been outstanding in SR, particularly in the latter stages. For me it's a good sign Robertson want's to kick on.
Yup. He was a lynchpin for the Crusaders, providing quiet leadership, solid D, big boot. He was a great source of assurance for the young 10s playing inside him and stepping in to first receiver as and when needed.
I think he was voted the Crusader man of the year by the club.
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@sparky said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@Jet I strongly agree. Okay, who? And who who's fit and strong enough defensively and under the high ball?
Probably only Rieko (maybe), and then Tangitau when fit and young Kyren Taumoefolau from Moana.
We need to unearth a few more.
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@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@Landers92 said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Can’t remember who it was that said it, but just a friendly reminder to the guy who said Tavatavanawai has a pot belly. He is now an All Black with a supposed pot belly. There’s still hope for us all
That was me. I wasn't against his selection btw. Just thought he might have a gut and the coaches might not like it.
Didn't realise it would be such a sensitive topic for forum members so my apologies.
He’s been selected as a homage to Hansen and Foster
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@Bones said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@sparky said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Leroy Carter
I don't think he's exactly express pace. I'd be mildly surprised if he's faster than Clarke or Love.
Yeah I think his strength is his reading of the play and bobbing up in the right place at the right time rather than outright pace ,
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@Mr-Fish said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Have also seen a few rumours floating around that Blackadder is heading overseas so that could be a factor if it's true.
Honestly, if someone is in dire need of a japanese contract its Blackadder.
Cash in while he still can in a league that is less demanding
Its a shame that he has been so injury prone as he must be a cosches dream to have in a team.
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@sparky said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@Darren I see 14 as Will Jordan's natural position at test level, but he played bloody well for the Crusaders at fullback this year and I suspect Robertson will play him there.
Agree. Boks and the French with their kicking games have made Jordan look silly when he's played at fb.
If you built a fullback in a lab - Jordie would be it. Tall, quick, high IQ, great under high ball, can pass and playmake, kicks long and has great exits. I think he should be our fullback come 2027. Also allows you to play a crash-ball type at 12 like Tavatavanawai, Tupaea or Fainga'anuku which I think is best if you have DMac at 10. The crash-ball 12 would take a ton of pressure off DMac and holds off the blitz-D systems that everyone seems to be using these days.
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@hikastags said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@sparky said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@Darren I see 14 as Will Jordan's natural position at test level, but he played bloody well for the Crusaders at fullback this year and I suspect Robertson will play him there.
Agree. Boks and the French with their kicking games have made Jordan look silly when he's played at fb.
If you built a fullback in a lab - Jordie would be it. Tall, quick, high IQ, great under high ball, can pass and playmake, kicks long and has great exits. I think he should be our fullback come 2027. Also allows you to play a crash-ball type at 12 like Tavatavanawai, Tupaea or Fainga'anuku which I think is best if you have DMac at 10. The crash-ball 12 would take a ton of pressure off DMac and holds off the blitz-D systems that everyone seems to be using these days.
Jordie's not quick, and he's not elusive. If most people could build a fullback in a lab, I reckon they'd build Christian Cullen - and Jordie most certainly isn't that.
Also it was the Chiefs back 3 who looked silly in what was largely a kicking battle on the weekend, not Will Jordan - he was dominant. -
Jordie's not quick, and he's not elusive. If most people could build a fullback in a lab, I reckon they'd build Christian Cullen - and Jordie most certainly isn't that.
Also it was the Chiefs back 3 who looked silly in what was largely a kicking battle on the weekend, not Will Jordan - he was dominant.Quick enough. Do you enjoy watching a 6ft 5 Jordie cart it up as a crash-ball 12 where the South Africans chew him up like nothing?
And no, it would be Jordie considering the kicking game in today's game.
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@reprobate said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Also it was the Chiefs back 3 who looked silly in what was largely a kicking battle on the weekend, not Will Jordan - he was dominant.
And? Outside Stevenson, who was a complete no-show in the final, none of the Chiefs back three are good kickers.
Tell me what he does under the high ball when he's in a 10x bigger game vs much better kickers.
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@hikastags said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
Jordie's not quick, and he's not elusive. If most people could build a fullback in a lab, I reckon they'd build Christian Cullen - and Jordie most certainly isn't that.
Also it was the Chiefs back 3 who looked silly in what was largely a kicking battle on the weekend, not Will Jordan - he was dominant.Quick enough. Do you enjoy watching a 6ft 5 Jordie cart it up as a crash-ball 12 where the South Africans chew him up like nothing?
And no, it would be Jordie considering the kicking game in today's game.
I never said Jordie should be our 12.
If you run like Christian Cullen, okay kicking is sufficient. His cover defence would be a lot better than Jordie's too. -
@hikastags said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
If you built a fullback in a lab - Jordie would be it. Tall, quick, high IQ, great under high ball, can pass and playmake, kicks long and has great exits. I think he should be our fullback come 2027.
When he played fullback a few years ago he didn't really pass or playmake, he wasn't really used on exits and whilst he has a long punt from fullback it wasn't one that he utilised to great effect from 15. Whilst he is quick enough he didn't offer the strike ability that Jordan possesses either.
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When he played fullback a few years ago he didn't really pass or playmake, he wasn't really used on exits and whilst he has a long punt from fullback it wasn't one that he utilised to great effect from 15. Whilst he is quick enough he didn't offer the strike ability that Jordan possesses either.
And when Jordan plays fullback against a team with a quality kicking game he's unfortunately looked mediocre.
The strike ability is useless when the opposition plays through the air, spams high balls and kicks into the corner all game.
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@reprobate said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@hikastags said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@sparky said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@Darren I see 14 as Will Jordan's natural position at test level, but he played bloody well for the Crusaders at fullback this year and I suspect Robertson will play him there.
Agree. Boks and the French with their kicking games have made Jordan look silly when he's played at fb.
If you built a fullback in a lab - Jordie would be it. Tall, quick, high IQ, great under high ball, can pass and playmake, kicks long and has great exits. I think he should be our fullback come 2027. Also allows you to play a crash-ball type at 12 like Tavatavanawai, Tupaea or Fainga'anuku which I think is best if you have DMac at 10. The crash-ball 12 would take a ton of pressure off DMac and holds off the blitz-D systems that everyone seems to be using these days.
Jordie's not quick, and he's not elusive. If most people could build a fullback in a lab, I reckon they'd build Christian Cullen - and Jordie most certainly isn't that.
Also it was the Chiefs back 3 who looked silly in what was largely a kicking battle on the weekend, not Will Jordan - he was dominant.I’ve seen very little of Jordies ‘high IQ’ either
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@hikastags said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
I’ve seen very little of Jordies ‘high IQ’ either
Way to tell everyone you haven't watched a second of Jordie this year.
Playing 12.....
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@KiwiMurph said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
@hikastags said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:
I’ve seen very little of Jordies ‘high IQ’ either
Way to tell everyone you haven't watched a second of Jordie this year.
Playing 12.....
Yes, his jersey number is 12.
Have you watched Leinster play? Defensively he's at fullback. As his kicking game and counter-attacks are far better than Hugo Keenan's.
