NPR

I feel more excited to comment on that than the ABs. That’s an interesting looking team, lots to watch there.

Guy Smiley wrote: Tue Jun 24, 2025 4:49 am I feel more excited to comment on that than the ABs. That’s an interesting looking team, lots to watch there.

Yep, solid forward selections and some real excitement in the backs. Good to see your boy Rivez picked to run the cutter. And I really like the potential Taele/Rona midfield, with the Sullivan bros out wide. Their game against Scotland should be a good curtain-raiser for the first France test.

Just watched the ARP, and they had a good interview with Jason Ryan. I may be reading too much into it, but he seemed to hint that Rieko might get more time on the wing. Also said how much they like Finau, so hoping he'll start alongside Savea and Sititi. Ryan also mentioned our crop of big, skillful props as a point of difference. All pretty encouraging stuff.

Gumboot wrote: Tue Jun 24, 2025 3:27 am The Maori All Blacks squad has been named.

They play a Japan XV in Tokyo on Saturday, then Scotland in Whangarei on 5 July.

Forwards:
Benet Kumeroa, Jared Proffit*, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Kershawl Sykes-Martin*, Mason Tupaea*, Jacob Devery*, Kurt Eklund (capt), Zach Gallagher*, Laghlan McWhannell, Antonio Shalfoon*, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Nikora Broughton, Jahrome Brown*, Cullen Grace, Caleb Delany, Te Kamaka Howden
Backs:
Kemara Hauiti-Parapara*, Sam Nock, Rivez Reihana, Kaleb Trask, Corey Evans, Bailyn Sullivan, Daniel Rona, Xavi Taele*, Gideon Wrampling*, Cole Forbes, Jonah Lowe, Zarn Sullivan.

It will be 35C and very humid on Saturday. Kick-off is at 6PM

Kiwias wrote: Tue Jun 24, 2025 7:20 am It will be 35C and very humid on Saturday. Kick-off is at 6PM

Not nice. Not much prep time, either.

Any idea what the Japanese side will be like, mate?

Gumboot wrote: Tue Jun 24, 2025 7:33 am

Kiwias wrote: Tue Jun 24, 2025 7:20 am It will be 35C and very humid on Saturday. Kick-off is at 6PM

Not nice. Not much prep time, either.

Any idea what the Japanese side will be like, mate?

Not seen any announcements yet.

Gumboot wrote: Tue Jun 24, 2025 7:20 am Just watched the ARP, and they had a good interview with Jason Ryan. I may be reading too much into it, but he seemed to hint that Rieko might get more time on the wing. Also said how much they like Finau, so hoping he'll start alongside Savea and Sititi. Ryan also mentioned our crop of big, skillful props as a point of difference. All pretty encouraging stuff.

Interesting Ryan saying that they prefer to look at the whole season rather than just the last few games... opposite to Steve Hansen who always maintained that finals rugby with the added pressure was more like test rugby and that's when they made decisions on players... so he'd probably have picked Ethan...

Hugo wrote: Mon Jun 23, 2025 7:46 pm

OomStruisbaai wrote: Mon Jun 23, 2025 7:36 pm

Hugo wrote: Mon Jun 23, 2025 6:23 pm

Can you imagine how proud his Dad is at his son making the All Blacks? He dreamed for 28 years of this moment.

2nd most Springboks surname

Players Date of Birth Tests Tries
Nick du Plessis 4 Dec 1894 5 0
Felix du Plessis 24 Nov 1919 3 0
Piet du Plessis 23 Jul 1947 1 0
Daan du Plessis 9 Aug 1948 2 0
Morné du Plessis 21 Oct 1949 22 3
Tommy du Plessis 29 Jun 1953 2 1
Willie du Plessis 4 Sep 1955 14 3
Michael du Plessis 4 Nov 1958 8 1
Carel du Plessis 24 Jun 1960 12 4
Jannie du Plessis 16 Nov 1982 70 1
Bismarck du Plessis 22 May 1984 79 11


Maybe the 1981 Doep bros Carel , Michael & Willie sons playing provincial rugby.

Oom, did those du Plessis come from all over South Africa or from a specific clan of Afrikaners in a certain region?

Most come from all over.
Families:
Felix is Morne du Plessis dad- Grey College
Willie/Carel/Michael are broers-different schools
Jannie & Bismarck are broers.- Grey College

France squad

Les avants :

Esteban Abadie – 27 ans – 1 sélection – RC Toulon / Racing 92
Hugo Auradou – 21 ans, 5 sélections – Section Paloise / CA Sarladais Périgord Noir
Demba Bamba – 27 ans, 28 sélections – Racing 92 / Saint-Denis US
Gaëtan Barlot – 28 ans, 9 sélections – Castres Olympique / AS Montferrandaise
Giorgi Béria – 25 ans – 0 sélection – USA Perpignan / Stade Aurillacois
Pierre Bourgarit – 27 ans 14 sélections Stade Rochelais / ES Gimontoise
Georges-Henri Colombe – 27 ans – 9 sélections – Stade Rochelais / Racing Nanterre Rugby
Tyler Duguid – 24 ans, 0 sélection – Montpellier HR / Edmonton Nor’Westers Rugby Club (Canada)
Baptiste Erdocio – 25 ans, 0 sélection – Montpellier HR / Bidart UC
Alexandre Fischer – 27 ans, 0 sélection – ASM Clermont / US Issoirienne
Mickaël Guillard – 24 ans, 10 sélections – LOU Rugby / RC Maurepas Élancourt
Matthias Halagahu – 23 ans – 0 sélection – RC Toulon / CA St Raphaël Frejus
Paul Mallez, 24 ans, 0 sélection – Provence Rugby / RCPA Mousson
Guillaume Marchand – 27 ans, 0 sélection – LOU Rugby / US Montréjeau
Régis Montagne – 24 ans, 0 sélection – ASM Clermont / FC Grenoble
Rabah Slimani – 35 ans, 57 sélections – Leinster Rugby / AAS Sarcelles
Romain Taofifenua – 34 ans, 54 sélections – Racing 92 / AL Échirolles
Killian Tixeront – 23 ans, 1 sélection – ASM Clermont / US Martres-de-Veyre
Jacobus Van Tonder – 27 ans, 0 sélection – USA Perpignan / Free State Cheetahs (AFS)
Théo William – 24 ans, 0 sélection – LOU Rugby / CS Bourgoin-Jallieu
Cameron Woki – 26 ans, 30 sélections – Racing 92 / AC Bobigny

Les trois-quarts :

Théo Attissogbe – 20 ans, 5 sélections – Section Paloise / Peyrehorade Sports Rugby
Léo Barré – 22 ans, 7 sélections – Stade Français / RC Versailles
Léo Berdeu – 27 ans, 0 sélection – LOU Rugby / OL Grasse
Léon Darricarrère – 21 ans – 0 sélection – ASM Clermont Stade Rochelais
Thibault Daubagna – 31 ans, 0 sélection – Section Paloise / Section Paloise
Alivereti Duguivalu – 27 ans, 0 sélection – USA Perpignan / Nadroga (Fidji)
Gaël Fickou – 31 ans, 93 sélections – Racing 92 / US Seynoise
Émilien Gailleton – 21 ans, 7 sélections – Section Paloise / Cahors Rugby Saint-Cadurcien
Antoine Hastoy – 28 ans – 7 sélections – Stade Rochelais / RC Billère ASPTT Lescar
Baptiste Jauneau – 21 ans – 1 sélection – ASM Clermont / AS Buzy Ogeu
Nolann Le Garrec – 23 ans – 10 sélections – Racing 92 / RC Vannes
Théo Millet – 27 ans – 0 sélection – LOU Rugby / Lille Métropole Rugby
Joris Segonds – 28 ans – 0 sélection – Aviron Bayonnais / SG C Decazevillois
Tom Spring – 22 ans – 0 sélection – Aviron Bayonnais / US Nafarroa
Cheikh Tiberghien – 25 ans – 0 sélection – Aviron Bayonnais / Aviron Bayonnais
Maël Moustin – 22 ans – 0 sélection – Montpellier HR / RC Diamant Martinique

Basically a throw the tour squad. Time to rethink these tours.

Almost 50% have no caps, while 29 of the 37 selected have less than 10 caps.

Grandpa wrote: Tue Jun 24, 2025 12:31 pmInteresting Ryan saying that they prefer to look at the whole season rather than just the last few games... opposite to Steve Hansen who always maintained that finals rugby with the added pressure was more like test rugby and that's when they made decisions on players... so he'd probably have picked Ethan...

Yeah, that seems to be a big shift in approach.

And I like the idea of concentrating on building real depth this year, but doesn't 4 or 5 deep in each position mean he's essentially talking about every Supe starter in the country?

Grandpa wrote: Tue Jun 24, 2025 12:31 pm

Gumboot wrote: Tue Jun 24, 2025 7:20 am Just watched the ARP, and they had a good interview with Jason Ryan. I may be reading too much into it, but he seemed to hint that Rieko might get more time on the wing. Also said how much they like Finau, so hoping he'll start alongside Savea and Sititi. Ryan also mentioned our crop of big, skillful props as a point of difference. All pretty encouraging stuff.

Interesting Ryan saying that they prefer to look at the whole season rather than just the last few games... opposite to Steve Hansen who always maintained that finals rugby with the added pressure was more like test rugby and that's when they made decisions on players... so he'd probably have picked Ethan...

The whole of season thing is something they mentioned last year, which is where I got my suggestion from earlier in the thread.

What I find interesting (finally catching up on the ARP now) is the way Ryan talks about Finau coming in and 'needing some s
work' in a few areas. He mentioned accuracy in a couple of games... that's all fair and reasonable when they clearly have an eye on the qualities he brings to the park. That kinda flies in the face of the ABs are not a development team in some ways but I think it's more about fine tuning a player to suit a specific game plan or style. I think the same suggestion came from Razor last year with regard to DMac and his game.

With regard to Blackadder, I saw a short clip of Razor post team announcement and Ryan echoes what he was saying... he's in the orbit for selection but the thing is his season was shortened through injury. The obvious competition for him over a spot is Finau. If Finau gets it right and stays fit then Blackadder probably stays in orbit unless someone else falls over. It's tough but fair. As for Havili... he's possibly a more unfortunate omission based on season form but questions about his consistency or error rate in the black jersey pale beside the apparent drive for more power in the midfield. They've got Jordie in there who can play the second boot role for kicking and he has a power game. They've gone for power in all of their other midfield selections including Rieko who adds that flexibility for a wing spot.

I like how this is shaping up... from 1 to 15, they are building for power and speed.

Gumboot wrote: Wed Jun 25, 2025 8:02 pm

Grandpa wrote: Tue Jun 24, 2025 12:31 pmInteresting Ryan saying that they prefer to look at the whole season rather than just the last few games... opposite to Steve Hansen who always maintained that finals rugby with the added pressure was more like test rugby and that's when they made decisions on players... so he'd probably have picked Ethan...

Yeah, that seems to be a big shift in approach.

And I like the idea of concentrating on building real depth this year, but doesn't 4 or 5 deep in each position mean he's essentially talking about every Supe starter in the country?

Yeah, you'd be miffed to miss out! Crusaders won the final and no loosies made the All Blacks.. other than Lio-Willie as injury back up....

Guy Smiley wrote: Wed Jun 25, 2025 9:19 pm

Grandpa wrote: Tue Jun 24, 2025 12:31 pm

Gumboot wrote: Tue Jun 24, 2025 7:20 am Just watched the ARP, and they had a good interview with Jason Ryan. I may be reading too much into it, but he seemed to hint that Rieko might get more time on the wing. Also said how much they like Finau, so hoping he'll start alongside Savea and Sititi. Ryan also mentioned our crop of big, skillful props as a point of difference. All pretty encouraging stuff.

Interesting Ryan saying that they prefer to look at the whole season rather than just the last few games... opposite to Steve Hansen who always maintained that finals rugby with the added pressure was more like test rugby and that's when they made decisions on players... so he'd probably have picked Ethan...

The whole of season thing is something they mentioned last year, which is where I got my suggestion from earlier in the thread.

What I find interesting (finally catching up on the ARP now) is the way Ryan talks about Finau coming in and 'needing some s
work' in a few areas. He mentioned accuracy in a couple of games... that's all fair and reasonable when they clearly have an eye on the qualities he brings to the park. That kinda flies in the face of the ABs are not a development team in some ways but I think it's more about fine tuning a player to suit a specific game plan or style. I think the same suggestion came from Razor last year with regard to DMac and his game.

With regard to Blackadder, I saw a short clip of Razor post team announcement and Ryan echoes what he was saying... he's in the orbit for selection but the thing is his season was shortened through injury. The obvious competition for him over a spot is Finau. If Finau gets it right and stays fit then Blackadder probably stays in orbit unless someone else falls over. It's tough but fair. As for Havili... he's possibly a more unfortunate omission based on season form but questions about his consistency or error rate in the black jersey pale beside the apparent drive for more power in the midfield. They've got Jordie in there who can play the second boot role for kicking and he has a power game. They've gone for power in all of their other midfield selections including Rieko who adds that flexibility for a wing spot.

I like how this is shaping up... from 1 to 15, they are building for power and speed.

I think Jacobson is an odd pick... he's jack of all trades for me... but not good enough to start and not impactful enough to be on the bench.. rather have Lio-Willie, Blackadder, Flanders or Papalii there. Guys who can come off the bench and add impact. Lakai is injured.. I wonder if he would have made it instead of Jacobson?

I like the physical approach to the midfield as well. Against France or the Boks, there is no substitute for power... and pace...

I'm not a huge fan of Jacobson myself and I think he's lucky to be there, with Lakai's injury perhaps the reason as you say. My reason? body language... I see him as more of a follower, not so much a leader despite his captaincy experience. Other players strike me as harder and I know Jacobson is a physical player who doesn't shirk work, I just ... it's a vibe thing.

Lio Willie had a massive season and deserves his spot. He played almost all of the minutes and dominated. Probably the only Crusaders loosie to manage those two factors. After the early hype and hope, Cullen Grace has faded. Tom Christie filled in for the injured Blackadder and while he works like a Trojan, he doesn't command a spot like Kirifi does.

I don't think they see Blackadder as much of a ball-running threat. Jacobson's deceptively quick with a nifty little offload, and Jase made a point of calling him "tough". Finau is more athletic than either of them, excellent in the air, and a real menace on defence. I don't think Razor and co view him as a development project at all. They've emphasised how much they like about his game already, especially when we play the big boppers. He was tracking well towards the end of last year, after failing to impress much against England in June, and it was unfortunate that he got KO'd early on against France. And they clearly seem to rate Lakai ahead of Ethan as well.

I'll be happy if they start Savea, Sititi and Finau, and give them a decent crack at nailing their combo.

For mine it’s more about the tactics that Razor wants to use and how the players fit the game plan. He will have picked them on that basis and let’s see what Razor does. A few games to bed stuff in and we should be seeing and able to judge better by the third game.

My money is on a Bok style power game with the added bonus of intelligence.

Flockwitt wrote: Thu Jun 26, 2025 12:25 am For mine it’s more about the tactics that Razor wants to use and how the players fit the game plan. He will have picked them on that basis and let’s see what Razor does. A few games to bed stuff in and we should be seeing and able to judge better by the third game.

Agreed, and I'm happy they appear to be backing Finau to help implement their game plan. He gets accused of seagulling, but his ability to keep the ball alive when ranging wide sets him apart from the other blindside contenders, for mine.

And his anticipation on defence is also second to none - just ask Caleb Clarke!

The selectors are clearly backing their ability to fix his, cough, occasional minor timing issue.


(Too much fluffing?)

Guy Smiley wrote: Thu Jun 26, 2025 12:28 am My money is on a Bok style power game with the added bonus of intelligence.

The bench is a big work on. Get that right and we may start staying in the big games for the full 80 minutes.

Sititi has pulled out of the squad for surgery on an ankle injury so Lio-Willie is in.

Kiwias wrote: Thu Jun 26, 2025 5:14 am Sititi has pulled out of the squad for surgery on an ankle injury so Lio-Willie is in.

Bugger.

Pretty much the death knell for Sotutu you'd have to think.

Kiwias wrote: Thu Jun 26, 2025 5:14 am Sititi has pulled out of the squad for surgery on an ankle injury so Lio-Willie is in.

Heard he was in moonboot on Sunday. Wasn't sure if it was true, but seems it was.

Flockwitt wrote: Thu Jun 26, 2025 6:35 am Pretty much the death knell for Sotutu you'd have to think.

Papali'i brought in as injury cover, not Blackadder

Losing Sititi is a big blow.. hope they don't try and rush him back after surgery...

Grandpa wrote: Thu Jun 26, 2025 3:30 pm Losing Sititi is a big blow.. hope they don't try and rush him back after surgery...

Hope they give Lio-Willie a start, with Kirifi coming off the bench. Ardie's not too shabby at No.8, but I'm keen to see him back at openside.

Agreed Gumboot.

Sad news for Sititi but I'm happy for Lio Willie. He had a good season and a good finals and is well deserving of the call up.

Agreed. Earned the spot.

How's everyone going with their autofill grudge against Razor for favouring Crusaders' players?

Guy Smiley wrote: Thu Jun 26, 2025 8:25 pm How's everyone going with their autofill grudge against Razor for favouring Crusaders' players?

I think he's gone too far the other way now... in the forwards at least! But glad Lio Willie is in... hope they play him at 8 as well... he punches above his weight... and he's from my school..

Gumboot wrote: Tue Jun 24, 2025 3:27 am The Maori All Blacks squad has been named.

They play a Japan XV in Tokyo on Saturday, then Scotland in Whangarei on 5 July.

Forwards:
Benet Kumeroa, Jared Proffit*, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Kershawl Sykes-Martin*, Mason Tupaea*, Jacob Devery*, Kurt Eklund (capt), Zach Gallagher*, Laghlan McWhannell, Antonio Shalfoon*, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Nikora Broughton, Jahrome Brown*, Cullen Grace, Caleb Delany, Te Kamaka Howden
Backs:
Kemara Hauiti-Parapara*, Sam Nock, Rivez Reihana, Kaleb Trask, Corey Evans, Bailyn Sullivan, Daniel Rona, Xavi Taele*, Gideon Wrampling*, Cole Forbes, Jonah Lowe, Zarn Sullivan.

The Japan team has now been announced, a long way from the top team

Japan XV: 15 Jingo Takenoshita, 14 Taira Main, 13 Siosaia Fifita, 12 Charlie Lawrence, 10 Sam Greene, 9 Kenta Fukuda, 8 Keito Aoki, 7 Kanji Shimokawa, 6 Vueti Tupou, 5 Waisake Raratubua, 4 Epineri Uluivati, 3 Shuhei Takeuchi, 2 Hayaye Era, 1 Kenta Kobayashi
Replacements: 16 Kenji Sato, 17 Sena Kimua, 18 Sanshiro Kihara, 19 Shu Yamamoto, 20 Taishiro Kido, 21 Shuntaro Kitamura, 22 Ichigo Nakakusu, 23 Halatoa Vailea

Gumboot wrote: Wed Jun 25, 2025 8:02 pm

Grandpa wrote: Tue Jun 24, 2025 12:31 pmInteresting Ryan saying that they prefer to look at the whole season rather than just the last few games... opposite to Steve Hansen who always maintained that finals rugby with the added pressure was more like test rugby and that's when they made decisions on players... so he'd probably have picked Ethan...

Yeah, that seems to be a big shift in approach.

And I like the idea of concentrating on building real depth this year, but doesn't 4 or 5 deep in each position mean he's essentially talking about every Supe starter in the country?

Not really, I think that's what he means by players that play lock/blindside. 10/15. midfield wing. Basically you can do it with 35-40 players?

Dan54 wrote: Fri Jun 27, 2025 8:06 pm

Gumboot wrote: Wed Jun 25, 2025 8:02 pm

Grandpa wrote: Tue Jun 24, 2025 12:31 pmInteresting Ryan saying that they prefer to look at the whole season rather than just the last few games... opposite to Steve Hansen who always maintained that finals rugby with the added pressure was more like test rugby and that's when they made decisions on players... so he'd probably have picked Ethan...

Yeah, that seems to be a big shift in approach.

And I like the idea of concentrating on building real depth this year, but doesn't 4 or 5 deep in each position mean he's essentially talking about every Supe starter in the country?

Not really, I think that's what he means by players that play lock/blindside. 10/15. midfield wing. Basically you can do it with 35-40 players?

OK, that makes more sense.

But is Jordie then included on the depth charts for 10, 11, 12, 14 and 15??

Take the big oaf out of 10 and you have a point. That's not depth there, that's desperation.

Gumboot wrote: Fri Jun 27, 2025 10:12 pm

Dan54 wrote: Fri Jun 27, 2025 8:06 pm

Gumboot wrote: Wed Jun 25, 2025 8:02 pm

Yeah, that seems to be a big shift in approach.

And I like the idea of concentrating on building real depth this year, but doesn't 4 or 5 deep in each position mean he's essentially talking about every Supe starter in the country?

Not really, I think that's what he means by players that play lock/blindside. 10/15. midfield wing. Basically you can do it with 35-40 players?

OK, that makes more sense.

But is Jordie then included on the depth charts for 10, 11, 12, 14 and 15??

Who knows, (I doubt it) but I can see a 10 or 2 getting runs for ABs over next year or so.

I would not be surprised at all to see Love get a start or two at 10 this year

Kiwias wrote: Sat Jun 28, 2025 6:10 am I would not be surprised at all to see Love get a start or two at 10 this year

I’ll be very disappointed if that doesn’t happen. BB is 33, DMac is 30 I think. Both are long in the tooth for a test 10 now let alone in 3 years.

I can appreciate Razor and co wanting to keep experience in the environment as they bring new guys in, totally. I’ve read a lot of commentary suggesting BB particularly does a lot of leading onfield, doing a lot of the talking. Most of that commentary comes from people outside the team, professing inside knowledge.

I’m more of a visual person with regard to this sort of thing. I go by what I see. What I’ve seen for most of the last 10 years is BB being a bit of a sideways shoveller who relies on speed to dazzle, and he does seem to have dazzled a shitload of NZers.

I’m impatient with it now. That era of the ABs is done. I want to see some sort of regeneration at 1st five and so far, it’s not there. Time is running out.

After a tight first half, MAB explode in the second half and win by 53 -20 or so.

Guy Smiley wrote: Sat Jun 28, 2025 6:41 amBB is 33, DMac is 30 I think. Both are long in the tooth for a test 10 now let alone in 3 years.

So does that also rule out the return of 31-year old Richie Mo'unga, then?