2025 All Blacks v France series

@gt12 said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

A player like Bower might be third choice but with Williams now first choice, they have good cover in DeGroot and should invest in a less experienced player in the squad.

If there is an injury, Bower could come right in to start or go on the bench.

Sadly, the ABs also need to operate a bit like a club team as we don't run an AB 15 for the full representative season, and they aren't a capture team, so we should be sending a message to players like Norris to stick around.

I agree. Bower would be underwhelming. Get Norris in there

Can Norris play both sides to a good level?

@nostrildamus said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

Can Norris play both sides to a good level?

Only a LH.

@nostrildamus said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

Can Norris play both sides to a good level?

Why does he need to play both sides well if you have two props on the bench?

@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

@nostrildamus said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

Can Norris play both sides to a good level?

Why does he need to play both sides well if you have two props on the bench?

Just curious.

More details on that French Squad:

Forwards:

Props:
Demba Bamba, Racing, 27, 28 caps
Baptiste Erdocio, Montpellier, 25, Uncapped
Paul Mallez, Provence in Division 2, 24, Uncapped
Régis Montagne, ASM Clermont, 24, Uncapped
Rabah Slimani, Leinster, 35, 57 Caps

Hooker:
Gaëtan Barlot, Castres, 28, 9 caps
Guillaume Marchand, Lyon, 27, Uncapped

Locks:
Hugo Auradou, Pau, 21, 6 Caps.
Tyler Duguid, Montpellier, 24. Uncapped. Canadian.
Mickaël Guillard, Lyon, 24, 10 Caps.
Romain Taofifenua, Racing, 34, 54 caps (2:03!)
Théo William, Lyon, 24, Uncapped

Back Row:
Alexandre Fisher, ASM Clermont, 27, Uncapped
Lilian Trixerot, ASM Clermont, 23, 1 Cap
Jaco Von Tronder, Perpignan, 27, Uncapped, Saffa.
Cameron Woki, Racing, 26, 30 Caps, Plays Lock too.

Lots of tall timber there. A set of forwards assembled to drive mauls.

And the Backs:

Half Back:
Thibault Daubagna, Pau, 31, Uncapped
Baptiste Jauneau, Clermont, 21, 1 Cap
Nolann Le Garret, Racing, 23, 10 Caps

First Five:
Léo Barré, Stade Française, 22, 7 Caps
Léo Berdeau, Lyon, 27, Uncapped
Antonie Hastoy, La Rochelle, 28, 7 Caps

Midfield:
Aliverti Duguivalu, Perpignan, 27, Uncapped, Fijian
Gaël Fickou, Racing, 31, 94 Caps
Emilien Gaillleton, Pau, 21, 7 Caps, English
Théo Millet, Lyon, 27, Uncapped

Wing:
Maël Moustin, Montpellier, 22, Uncapped

Full Back
Théo Attissogbe, Pau, 20, 5 Caps.

I've seen this suggested as the likely French XV to play England.

Erdocio-Barlot-Demba
William-Guillard
Von Tronder- Fischer-Woki
La Garret-Berdeu
Millet - Gallieton
Moustin-Barré- Attissogbe

@brodean said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

@nostrildamus said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

Can Norris play both sides to a good level?

Why does he need to play both sides well if you have two props on the bench?

It's bloody handy for when you lose a prop to injury and another on the same side to a card. Just ask Ricky (who probably hadn't played LH for a decade).

Attisogbe is a gun. Better than Penaud IMO. Best winger in France behind LBB.

@SouthernMann said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

@KiwiMurph said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

@SouthernMann said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

@KiwiMurph said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

@SouthernMann said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

Just not an All Black.

That's how I feel about JRK

I'm not sure on whether JRK is there either. I'm just reading on the basis of timing on announcements, and what isn't being stated. I think he has the potential to be a strong 14/15. He just needs an injury free season.

I get the upside potential of JRK - I just worry about his decision making - he seems a bit flaky to me.

He has also made some really impressive decisions. This season especially, he came back into a team that needed him to, not only perform, but potentially perform miracles. That looked like it weighed on him. Hopefully with a more capable 10, there may be less pressure on him. As well as having t Tabgitau alongside him. Plus having someone like Hurley coming on with 30 minutes ot go as a miracle worker. JRK can focus on being a good fullback.

I agree. Maybe just me, but JRK seemed to make exactly the right decision when it really mattered.

That said, don't think he's quite there yet, but def. one for Robertson to keep an eye on and help develop.

Antonio Shalfoon has a good chance to be selected : he was best Crusaders' lock this year. and his inclusion could add more cohesion to the front five, next to his Crusaders teammates.

@cgrant said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

Attisogbe is a gun. Better than Penaud IMO. Best winger in France behind LBB.

I agree. I think he's fantastic. I wish we had someone like him.

@cgrant said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

Antonio Shalfoon has a good chance to be selected : he was best Crusaders' lock this year. and his inclusion could add more cohesion to the front five, next to his Crusaders teammates.

He’s no where near Holland, Lord or Beehre. Wee way down the pecking order just yet. He does wear the right colours though

If Shalfoon gets selected and JRK doesn't, that will give me the shits.

@sparky said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

@cgrant said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

Attisogbe is a gun. Better than Penaud IMO. Best winger in France behind LBB.

I agree. I think he's fantastic. I wish we had someone like him.

View embedded content

I'm sure he is immensely talented, but that highlights video didn't exactly make me think he's something we don't already have. One of the highlights was him head-highing someone.

@Bones

Frankly that's a luxury for an outlier event. With Ofa injured, assuming Williams will be fit, the obvious choices on the bench to kick things off will be De Groot, Tosi/Newell. None of who cover both sides.

@WoodysRFC said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

@sparky said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

@cgrant said in 2025 All Blacks Squad v France:

Attisogbe is a gun. Better than Penaud IMO. Best winger in France behind LBB.

I agree. I think he's fantastic. I wish we had someone like him.

View embedded content

I'm sure he is immensely talented, but that highlights video didn't exactly make me think he's something we don't already have. One of the highlights was him head-highing someone.

This is not a good video. He has been outstanding during the Top 14 and and the few games he played in blue. He is class and has speed to burn, more speed than the 2024 AB wingers.

A forgotten name for the All Blacks midfield below...

Players to achieve at least 50% carry dominance from at least 150 carries into contact:

Josua Tuisova (62% from 172)
Beka Gorgadze (56% from 183)
Leicester Fianga’anuku (53% from 186)
Elia Canakaivata (51% from 152)