2025 All Blacks v France series
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@Bones said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
Pretty astounded Higgins wasn't named captain tho
Razor is keeping his powder dry.
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@Bones said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
Pretty astounded Higgins wasn't named captain tho
All in good time.
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You Cantabs are great with AI…..
It’s hard to ignore a guy who bleeds for every carry, smashes every ruck like it owes him money, and covers every inch of the field like it’s personal. But somehow, Ethan Blackadder still didn’t make the cut. And when Scott Robertson tried to explain that away with the word “versatility,” it felt less like a coaching philosophy and more like a convenient smokescreen.
This is the same Blackadder who was a wrecking ball in the Super Rugby Pacific final—starting at 6, finishing at 7, and dominating both roles like he owned the jersey. His absence isn’t just surprising—it’s baffling. Meanwhile, Du’Plessis Kirifi, who’s been on and off the All Blacks radar and is built strictly for openside, gets the nod again. A new cap? Technically, yes. But to hear some folks call him the best 7 in the comp this year—while Ardie Savea literally took home Player of the Year—makes you wonder what tape they’re watching.
You can respect Kirifi’s hustle, his flair for being noticed, maybe even his off-ball charisma. But in a squad being sold on “versatility,” this is where it gets shaky. Because if versatility’s the ticket, Blackadder’s resume should’ve been laminated.
Throw in Tom Christie, another machine who’s somehow invisible to national selectors, and it starts to feel like those with flash outshine those with fire. And that's a dangerous message to send in a World Cup cycle.
Sure, Savea at 7 with Sititi at 8 and Finau at 6 is a trio you can back. But what happens if Savea limps off in the 62nd minute against France? Do you plug in Kirifi, who plays one position, or do you wish you had someone who could flex like Blackadder?
Maybe this is all part of Razor’s master plan. Maybe there’s a bigger vision we haven’t seen yet. But when a player performs like a man possessed in the biggest game of the year and still gets left behind, it’s fair to question the map—especially if the compass points to “versatility” but the selections don’t.
For now, congratulations to the 35 who made it. No one gets there by accident. But some names missing from that list deserve more than just a shrug and a buzzword. They deserve answers.
#AllBlacks #EthanBlackadder #ScottRobertson #RugbySelectionDrama #SuperRugby #DuPlessisKirifi #RugbyUnion #ArdieSavea #AllBlackSquad2025
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@MN5 said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
You Cantabs are great with AI…..
It’s hard to ignore a guy who bleeds for every carry, smashes every ruck like it owes him money, and covers every inch of the field like it’s personal. But somehow, Ethan Blackadder still didn’t make the cut. And when Scott Robertson tried to explain that away with the word “versatility,” it felt less like a coaching philosophy and more like a convenient smokescreen.
This is the same Blackadder who was a wrecking ball in the Super Rugby Pacific final—starting at 6, finishing at 7, and dominating both roles like he owned the jersey. His absence isn’t just surprising—it’s baffling. Meanwhile, Du’Plessis Kirifi, who’s been on and off the All Blacks radar and is built strictly for openside, gets the nod again. A new cap? Technically, yes. But to hear some folks call him the best 7 in the comp this year—while Ardie Savea literally took home Player of the Year—makes you wonder what tape they’re watching.
You can respect Kirifi’s hustle, his flair for being noticed, maybe even his off-ball charisma. But in a squad being sold on “versatility,” this is where it gets shaky. Because if versatility’s the ticket, Blackadder’s resume should’ve been laminated.
Throw in Tom Christie, another machine who’s somehow invisible to national selectors, and it starts to feel like those with flash outshine those with fire. And that's a dangerous message to send in a World Cup cycle.
Sure, Savea at 7 with Sititi at 8 and Finau at 6 is a trio you can back. But what happens if Savea limps off in the 62nd minute against France? Do you plug in Kirifi, who plays one position, or do you wish you had someone who could flex like Blackadder?
Maybe this is all part of Razor’s master plan. Maybe there’s a bigger vision we haven’t seen yet. But when a player performs like a man possessed in the biggest game of the year and still gets left behind, it’s fair to question the map—especially if the compass points to “versatility” but the selections don’t.
For now, congratulations to the 35 who made it. No one gets there by accident. But some names missing from that list deserve more than just a shrug and a buzzword. They deserve answers.
#AllBlacks #EthanBlackadder #ScottRobertson #RugbySelectionDrama #SuperRugby #DuPlessisKirifi #RugbyUnion #ArdieSavea #AllBlackSquad2025
No mention of Blackadder getting injured every two seconds in this is astonishing.
Kirifi over Blackadder any day of the week as a 7.
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Today I learned that Chat GTP has a Crusader bot function.
"Are the selectors even watching the same games as the rest of us?! Ethan Blackadder has been throwing his body on the line week in, week out — playing like an absolute beast for the Crusaders — and somehow he’s NOT good enough for a spot in the ABs squad?! Are you kidding me?!?!?!
This guy bleeds red and black!!! He’s the definition of mongrel, heart and workrate!!!
You need someone to make 20 tackles and still be the first one to the ruck? Ethan Blackadder. You need someone to carry hard into a brick wall for the full 80? Ethan Blackadder. You need someone who will die for the jersey? ETHAN BLACKADDER!!!!!
Instead we’re picking guys who’ve barely played a full game this year, or who go missing when it actually matters!!! It’s like the selectors are picking on name and hype instead of who’s actually putting in the mahi!!! What more does the guy have to do?! Win yet another Super Title?! Start tackling planes out of the sky?!?!?
Absolutely disgraceful decision. Leaving Ethan Blackadder out is a straight-up insult to everything the All Blacks jersey is meant to stand for!!! If you want grit, passion, and someone who’ll never take a backward step — it’s ETHAN BLOODY BLACKADDER!!!
Sort it out, NZR. Wake up. This is a shambles.
#JusticeForBlackadder
#Crusaders4ever
#MongrelMatters
#PickTheRightMen" -
@MN5 said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
You Cantabs are great with AI…..
It’s hard to ignore a guy who bleeds for every carry, smashes every ruck like it owes him money, and covers every inch of the field like it’s personal. But somehow, Ethan Blackadder still didn’t make the cut. And when Scott Robertson tried to explain that away with the word “versatility,” it felt less like a coaching philosophy and more like a convenient smokescreen.
This is the same Blackadder who was a wrecking ball in the Super Rugby Pacific final—starting at 6, finishing at 7, and dominating both roles like he owned the jersey. His absence isn’t just surprising—it’s baffling. Meanwhile, Du’Plessis Kirifi, who’s been on and off the All Blacks radar and is built strictly for openside, gets the nod again. A new cap? Technically, yes. But to hear some folks call him the best 7 in the comp this year—while Ardie Savea literally took home Player of the Year—makes you wonder what tape they’re watching.
You can respect Kirifi’s hustle, his flair for being noticed, maybe even his off-ball charisma. But in a squad being sold on “versatility,” this is where it gets shaky. Because if versatility’s the ticket, Blackadder’s resume should’ve been laminated.
Throw in Tom Christie, another machine who’s somehow invisible to national selectors, and it starts to feel like those with flash outshine those with fire. And that's a dangerous message to send in a World Cup cycle.
Sure, Savea at 7 with Sititi at 8 and Finau at 6 is a trio you can back. But what happens if Savea limps off in the 62nd minute against France? Do you plug in Kirifi, who plays one position, or do you wish you had someone who could flex like Blackadder?
Maybe this is all part of Razor’s master plan. Maybe there’s a bigger vision we haven’t seen yet. But when a player performs like a man possessed in the biggest game of the year and still gets left behind, it’s fair to question the map—especially if the compass points to “versatility” but the selections don’t.
For now, congratulations to the 35 who made it. No one gets there by accident. But some names missing from that list deserve more than just a shrug and a buzzword. They deserve answers.
#AllBlacks #EthanBlackadder #ScottRobertson #RugbySelectionDrama #SuperRugby #DuPlessisKirifi #RugbyUnion #ArdieSavea #AllBlackSquad2025
Sounds like SBW1.
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@sparky said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
You need someone to make 20 tackles and still be the first one to the ruck? Ethan Blackadder. You need someone to carry hard into a brick wall for the full 80? Ethan Blackadder. You need someone who will die for the jersey? ETHAN BLACKADDER!!!!!
Call me old-fashioned but I prefer a player who can live and play well for 80 minutes. And if they train by running into brick walls maybe they should try out league.
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@nostrildamus said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@sparky said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
You need someone to make 20 tackles and still be the first one to the ruck? Ethan Blackadder. You need someone to carry hard into a brick wall for the full 80? Ethan Blackadder. You need someone who will die for the jersey? ETHAN BLACKADDER!!!!!
Call me old-fashioned but I prefer a player who can live and play well for 80 minutes. And if they train by running into brick walls maybe they should try out league.
Na, Run it straight is where it's at these days.
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@African-Monkey said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@Bones said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
Pretty astounded Higgins wasn't named captain tho
Thought Brad Shields was a Shoe in once he became eligible.
How would he be considered in front of Iose or Flanders?
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@booboo said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@African-Monkey said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@Bones said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
Pretty astounded Higgins wasn't named captain tho
Thought Brad Shields was a Shoe in once he became eligible.
How would he be considered in front of Iose or Flanders?
I thought all 3 of them would have made up the loose trio. They could all take turns playing 7.
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@Canes4life said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
Fk me, how many times can people talk about Blackadder on this forum? 😂
Probably not as many times as the Foz
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@Bones said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
I'd be a bit loathe to judge Holland's ball carrying off SR this year. He seemed to be just so busy he didn't have energy left, but he showed good power and feet last year at a few levels.
Great ball in hand for the NZ XV.
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@KiwiMurph said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@Old-Samurai-Jack said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
Geez, it is just a circle-jerk of butt-hurt provincial bias against Blackadder, isn't it?
Interesting response to statistics
Here is a stat for you.
Funnily enough, I am not bitching about why he is left out of the ABs. I completely understand the logic and personally think a Finau/ Vaai/ Parker(maybe) is a better fit at 6.
You keyboard warriors saying he isn't a good footy player is going beyond the pale though. All I see is vindictive shenanigans, the same kind of skulduggery that dogged Akira (another good player). It is all along provincial lines, repetitive, and boring. Go suck a plop. -
@Old-Samurai-Jack said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
You keyboard warriors saying he isn't a good footy player
What has been said?
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@SouthernMann said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
@antipodean said in 2025 All Blacks v France series:
My impression is he doesn't do enough in the defensive side of the game.
Lasaqa doesn't hit enough rucks for a 7 and is ineffective:
Rucks Per 80 Minutes
37.1 Ethan Blackadder
35.34 Dalton Papali'i
33.52 Sean Withy
32.44 Tom Christie
31.48 Du'Plessis Kirifi
29.13 Jahrome Brown
28.53 Ardie Savea
26.84 Luke Jacobson
26.31 Kaylum Boshier
20.92 Veveni LasaqaAttacking Ruck Effectiveness
89.9 Dalton Papali'i
89.6 Tom Christie
87.6 Jahrome Brown
86.3 Ardie Savea
85.0 Du'Plessis Kirifi
84.9 Luke Jacobson
84.2 Sean Withy
82.7 Ethan Blackadder
76.5 Veveni Lasaqa
76.1 Kaylum BoshierDefensive Ruck Effectiveness
23.5 Kaylum Boshier
23.2 Luke Jacobson
21.5 Du'Plessis Kirifi
20.5 Ardie Savea
15.2 Jahrome Brown
14.8 Ethan Blackadder
14.5 Dalton Papali'i
14.5 Sean Withy
13.8 Tom Christie
12.1 Veveni LasaqaBe interested to see Sean Withy's stats there. Lasaqa spends a lot of time in the wider channels. With Withy primarily being the worker. It is Lasaqa's first year in Super too. He will get better, bigger and more robust.
Re Sean Withy, additionally -
Dominant Carry 39.1%
Gainline 55.4%
Tackle evasion 11.1%EDIT: Included Withy's stats around ruck in the above list.
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I’ve got nothing against him , he empties the tank every time he plays and I can’t do anything but respect that,
Just don’t think he’s the answer for the abs at 6 like has been suggested in some areas prior to this year .
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@kiwiinmelb not to mention his history of breaking, he is stopping both himself and the ABs of developing combinations.
