All Blacks XV 2025

Article stating Pledger will likely make the team. https://www.thepost.co.nz/sport/360833574/otago-halfback-dylan-pledger-emerges-player-who-can-make-all-blacks-fast-again

From a Highlanders perspective the guys I'd like to see considered

Bartlett
Ma'u (will miss out due to injury)
Taylor

One of Howden/Stodart/Haig
Either Lasaqa of Casey
Withy (I just don't know what his best role is)

Pledger
Tangitau
JRK

I expect CLW will be there out of Otago

@SouthernMann 13 try assists in 7 starts for Pledger is insane numbers, moreso otago discussion but when holland and Hurley were made unavailable I thought we were gonna be average as always luckily Pledger had other ideas

@SouthernMann Withy might be a decent captain if they see him starting.

Jamie Joseph appointed head coach

tight turn around for players on the semi finals, which I assume will be a majority of them

Listed as having the squad assemble on 24 October. The day before the final. Surely those involved in the final play and then head off with the squad.

@SouthernMann said in All Blacks XV 2025:

Listed as having the squad assemble on 24 October. The day before the final. Surely those involved in the final play and then head off with the squad.

Yup, will assemble and head off following the final.

It’s going to be interesting to see who they select. Lot of ABs still floating around in the NPC. Blackadder, Darry, Bell, Dalton. Do they select Christie assuming he won’t be in the Northern Tour but is ranked 5th? Or do they prioritise youth and exclude a few of them

@SouthernMann said in All Blacks XV 2025:

Listed as having the squad assemble on 24 October. The day before the final. Surely those involved in the final play and then head off with the squad.

My guess not many players involved in the final will play the first game against the Barbarians on 1st November, but they might play against England A a week later.

@jimmyb Blackadder is a broken man, the Crusaders 7 that was tracking to be in this team was Kellow who is also seemingly injured. Finlay can hold tackle bags for the ABs. Crusaders 9 & Pledger obvious halfbacks for this side.

IIRC last year the Wellington and BOP players left the day after the NPC final, while the bulk of the squad departed the day of the final.

Wonder if the match against Georgia will be played in Montpellier again

Just listened to Jamie Joseph he said he meet with Razor about selections for AB XV .

@george33 good to hear George what would you think about this loose forward group Dalton, Lio-Willie, Devan Flanders, Will Stodart & a true bolter the Kerikeri Express Lucas Casey

@Grooter all probably a bit big, need smaller loosies.

@Grooter said in All Blacks XV 2025:

@george33 good to hear George what would you think about this loose forward group Dalton, Lio-Willie, Devan Flanders, Will Stodart & a true bolter the Kerikeri Express Lucas Casey

Just listened to the interview was clear there won't be any direction from the ABs about style of play. Said will be completely upto the coaching group.

Said tight forward depth is a big focus.

With the loosie mix, I reckon we will see two or three of the Landers boys. Being one or two of Howden/Haig/Stodart. Plus either of Lasaqa or Casey. If Casey makes it will make a mockery of the WTG contract he has.

I'd like Howden to be there but they should seriously look at trialing Ah Kuoi at 6. Parker, Lakai and Kirifi were all in the 2024 squad so room for new faces. I assume Sotutu says no again.

@Bovidae said in All Blacks XV 2025:

I'd like Howden to be there but they should seriously look at trialing Ah Kuoi at 6. Parker, Lakai and Kirifi were all in the 2024 squad so room for new faces. I assume Sotutu says no again.

Not like Ah Kuoi will get any time there for the Chiefs, being being five All Blacks...

@Bovidae said in All Blacks XV 2025:

I'd like Howden to be there but they should seriously look at trialing Ah Kuoi at 6. Parker, Lakai and Kirifi were all in the 2024 squad so room for new faces. I assume Sotutu says no again.

Sotutu had shoulder surgery last week. Not sure how long he's out for. I'd be shocked if he ever got named again while Razor and his cronies are in control.

@Kiwidom said in All Blacks XV 2025:

Wonder if the match against Georgia will be played in Montpellier again

Believe it's actually a match against Uruguay, but it will be played in Montpellier.

I'd like to see Cooper Roberts in midfield. He looks a bit like a new Smith. Same size and acceleration, ability to slip through tackles. Good passing too. He is the future for the All Blacks in a position where good options are scarce.

Paul Cully caught up with Joseph to talk about the gig.

The results of Joseph and Robertson coached teams will be interesting to track over the next two years. If Joseph takes the Landers from last to semi-finalists or above and has the ABXV humming. While Robertson maintains the up and down results he's been having with the ABs the future for those two will be pretty clear.

Hookers
Brodie McAlister (28 / Chiefs / Canterbury)
Jack Taylor (22 / Highlanders / Southland)
Bradley Slater (27 / Chiefs / Taranaki)

Props
George Dyer (25 / Chiefs / Waikato)
Josh Fusitua (24 / Blues / Auckland)
Benet Kumeroa (25 / Chiefs / Bay of Plenty)
Siale Lauaki (22 / Hurricanes / Wellington)
Xavier Numia (26 / Hurricanes / Wellington)

Locks
Naitoa Ah Kuoi (26, Chiefs / Bay of Plenty)
Josh Beehre (23 / Blues / Auckland)
Isaia Walker-Leawere (28 / Hurricanes / Hawke’s Bay)

Loose forwards
Kaylum Boshier (26 / Chiefs / Taranaki)
Devan Flanders (26 / Hurricanes / Hawke’s Bay)
Te Kamaka Howden (24 / Highlanders / Manawatū)
Christian Lio-Willie (27 / Crusaders / Otago)
Dalton Papali’i (28 / Blues / Counties-Manukau)
Sean Withy (24 / Highlanders / Southland)

Halfbacks
Folau Fakatava (25 / Highlanders / Hawke’s Bay)
Kyle Preston (26 / Crusaders / Wellington)
Xavier Roe (26 /Chiefs / Waikato)

First-fives
Josh Jacomb (24 / Chiefs / Taranaki)
Rivez Reihana (25 / Crusaders / Northland)

Midfield
Braydon Ennor (28 / Crusaders / Canterbury)
David Havili (30 / Crusaders / Ta$man)
Dallas McLeod (26 / Crusaders / Canterbury)
Daniel Rona (25 / Chiefs / Taranaki)

Outside backs
Chay Fihaki (24 / Crusaders / Canterbury)
Etene Nanai-Seturo (26 / Chiefs / Counties-Manukau)
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (24 / Highlanders / Taranaki)
Caleb Tangitau (22 / Highlanders / Auckland)

Can't be arsed fixing the other thread (it's merged into the generic All Blacks 2025 thread)

The All Blacks XV match with Uruguay, which was scheduled to take place in Montpellier on November 16, has been forced to move cities.
Instead, the match will take place in nearby Béziers due to an ongoing disagreement between French billionaire Mohed Altrad and Montpellier city officials.

Caleb Delaney and Jamie Hannah called up as injury replacements for Naitoa Ah Kuoi and Isaiah Walker Leawere

Can't find this weekends game on the sky sport guide as of yet?

@Grooter said in All Blacks XV 2025:

Can't find this weekends game on the sky sport guide as of yet?

I can't find it on Stan in Oz either, and there doesn't seem to be the live games option on NZR+ anymore which is where I watched at least one of last year's games.

@Kiwidom said in All Blacks XV 2025:

Caleb Delaney and Jamie Hannah called up as injury replacements for Naitoa Ah Kuoi and Isaiah Walker Leawere

Really short of specialist Locks. That might not be an issue against the Barbarians or Uruguay, but it will be against England A.

@Nepia Yeah, it's not listed on NZR+, but the Ireland test is.

It's on premier sports over here.

@Tim said in All Blacks XV 2025:

@Nepia Yeah, it's not listed on NZR+, but the Ireland test is.

That's on Stan in Oz so not listed on the Oz version of NZR+ at all.

@Nepia Gabe Newell (Valve & Steam) lives in NZ. They should be getting advice from him on digital sales and convenience + user experience.

Tour Captain Expectation: Christian Lio-Willie
Reality: David Havili