All Blacks 2025
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Intrigued for the thoughts of some non Highlanders fans last night. I thought with the lights shining, de Groot was excellent, Holland was the best lock on the field, and Tavatavanawai was superb. Fakatava was also excellent even if not as impactful as Roigard. Feel all four should be in the ABs squad?
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@frugby I agree about Holland, he reminds me so much of Sam W, he really contests on opposition ball in lineout, and generally plays like a tight lock should, De Groot had a good game, mind he was past due. Fakatava needs a decent body of work as yet. but good to see them plaing well. TT might well be close too, depends where they see him playing.
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@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
@frugby Fakatava probably just misses out. But the other three must be there.
I can live with Fakatava missing out if they stick with Hotham, but I think he has been highly impressive in a crap team. Feels like the perfect bench halfback to me.
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Thought Fakatava was very good. Holland has been in decent form all season but played well, as did Tavatavanawai and Tele'a. JRK is in good form given he's been out for so long and could be a good option for NZ in the outside backs.
Love, Proctor and Roigard were the stand-outs for the Hurricanes.
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Big TT reminds a bit of Ardie in the way he plays his own position. To select TT the ABs would need to change the way 12 plays. He is not exactly a traditional 12, and if he is combined with Rieko how fear for our ability to put others in space. His biggest asset, and it is very bloody useful, is the way he goes looking for turn overs. He hovers behind the ruck looking for his chance in much the same way Kirifi does. Those two could end up getting in each other's way if selected together.
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From a Canes perspective I thought TT, Fakatava, Tele’a and JRK caused problems for us all night. Whether it was running over players or being able to scramble effectively I thought those four players were the best on the park for the Landers. Holland and Dunshea were also very good at killing our lineout which stopped a lot of our momentum. De Groot also deserves a mention, he probably had one of his better games for a while.
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Fakatava's passing wasn't great at times. When the Highlanders were going for a second quick try he threw out some shocking passes which really stopped any momentum, and eventually led to a breakdown penalty. The one to Tele'a is an example. Of course, Roigard misfired with a couple of wide passes too.
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@booboo
I don't know. They have so different qualities and styles of play that a comparison would be odd. In this peculiar game, I think Tele'a was the most influential. He is an attacking weapon that the Highlanders have sorely lacked in recent times. -
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
@frugby Fakatava probably just misses out. But the other three must be there.
Roigard hasn't been stand-out this year and has been a bit meh at times. Hopefully he'll click in before the Tests
Not too worried. We seem to have reasonable options at 9.
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Scooter should just hand over the captaincy to Ardie now.
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@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
@frugby Fakatava probably just misses out. But the other three must be there.
Roigard hasn't been stand-out this year and has been a bit meh at times. Hopefully he'll click in before the Tests
Not too worried. We seem to have reasonable options at 9.
He finally started running the ball last night. More of that please Cam.
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2025:
Scooter should just hand over the captaincy to Ardie now.
He's a shit AB captain Too agreeable
