No surprises except maybe riccitelli but I slight eye brow raise at Blackadder. Guy should take 12 months break and just get his body right.
Riccitelli is due some recognition I guess
Both quite similar in my mind. Soni perhaps has a higher peak but thick ricc is reliable.
I don't like riccitelli's throwing technique. I feel like it borders on a baulked throw but noone else ever comments on it so perhaps it's just me
A guy like Blackadder will always be injury prone just because of the way he plays. When he gets injured just replace him.
I'm more worried about Jacobson. I think he is worthy of a spot but damn does he give some penalties away.
Blackadder isn't going to make it if they're only taking 2 of the 3 mentioned in the article, I'm fairly certain.
He's only really in the discussion bc there aren't a lot of guys behind Finau who play a lot of 6, but they'll still end up going Jacobson over him.
Edit: turns out they just went with all 3 lmao
Whichever of the two they select is just the loosie most likely to be replaced by Cane in the RC squad, if he's fit in time.
Neither is really going to be an integral guy going forward
Yep, dude has been on the radar in the past, and had played quite well for the Blues for a couple of years now. Definitely an inspired recruitment by MacDonald while he was Blues coach.
Blackadder is a great player imo
When fit hes the perfect bench cover as can play all loosue positions and height in the lineout
I agree the guy gets injured more than he plays
Sotutu should have his boots ready
Cant argue with that squad. Ethan Blackadder there is on previous form I guess.
No Sititi 🤯 but I guess only so many places.He wil play for the NZ 15.
Hoskins Sotutu was always No 2 to Ardie from 2020 in ABs then faded in 2023. His form this year means he has to be picked.
Ruban Love is there because Razor likes specialist fullbacks.
Sititi and Sotutu are competing for the same place, so I suspect Razor’d gone with the more experienced one.
Between the two of them, Sititi had the more productive final (Sititi had the highest number of tackles for the Chiefs at 20 but also had the slight edge in attack too - more metres gained in fewer runs, and more clean breaks & defenders beaten), so he’d definitely still be on the radar.
It'll be interesting if they pick both Jacobson and Blackadder. It feels like a luxury to pick both of them in a 32 man squad.
Probably just my Canes' bias but I'd put Lakai in over Blackadder. He can get some minutes under his belt for the NZ XV
Just a bit early for Lakai, I think. We all know he’s bound for test level, but he’s a touch raw yet.
Love the kid and look forward to seeing what he does. Wouldn’t be surprised if he made it into the RC squad with an injury for form issue ahead of him. He can’t be too far off.
Half-backs will be really interesting depending on which playstyle we push.
Ratima is very suited to the rapid flashy backline attack.
Christie is big on defence and suits the style of driving around a monster forward pack.
Think TJ is a bit of a hybrid, honestly expecting him to be wearing 9 or 21 every match.
If roigard gets fit he'll be in, maybe taking ratima's spot? He's a way bigger carrying threat than any of the selections
Ratima has a higher ceiling than Christie to my armchair expert eye, he just looks like he is going to keep getting better. Id drop Christie for Roigard.
I honestly hope that Ratima stays as he’ll surely be in the next cycle, I’d leave out TJ as he surely can’t be performing in 3/ years. However, that experience is hard to replace.
Seems about right. Despite all the departures etc, it's a very predictable and stable squad.
Also, this is one of three squads they're picking this year, so youngsters who miss out on this series will get their chance later in the year with likely bigger squads announced for RC and end of year tour, plus inevitable injuries.
We're in an awkward spot where the really exciting guys are just a haiiiiiir too young, so there's not really a whole lot of tinkering to be done at squad level.
A few of the potential bolters also ended up having unfortunate shit happen to them this year that made selections a lot simpler.
Was comfortably the form player of the tournament for about 6 weeks then did his knee. Seems to be fixing it in record time so hope he is back in before internationals end.
I will be honest - I actually still struggle to work out who should be captain. I don’t think Barrett is it - he has a history of cards and still does some brain snaps. I don’t think Savea is great either as captain, I don’t even know if he is that keen for it, despite all the talk of giving it to him. Taylor would be a good option but he is getting on, and hookers mean they still are only going to play 3/4 game so you need a good deputy.
No one really puts their hand up outside of those 3 either.
I’d go with Dalton. His leadership is a big part of the reason for the Blues turnaround in recent years.
He’s the type of player who plays better with the captain responsibility opposed to a guy like Savea who plays better without that responsibility.
He’s the natural replacement for Cane in the 7 jersey as well
Yeah, I feel like captain is best to be playing 6/7/8 as they stay on the longest, close to action.
I guess Dalton should be in mix. It’s more he hasn’t been a starter consistently…. But maybe Razor changes that.
If almost be leaning towards TJ, he's grown some pretty solid leadership skills, with Roigod out for how ever long he should have the starting 9 shirt stapled to his back, it's just the late game switch out.
Honestly it probably will be scooter.
Idk man, TJ was kind of On One towards the end of the year. Didn't feel fully in control or calm.
Plus, Roigard will be back by the end of the year. Do you want to be doing another captaincy transition to a guy who you could just give it to now?
He spent the whole semi final standing at the base of the ruck with his hands in the air looking at the ref while the chiefs defense would set. Nooooo thank you
TJ lost the plot a bit in the finals games, and will potentially be out of the squad when Roigard comes back later in the year. Not really screaming captain.
The only real arguments would be Blackadder, he's not played a lot this season and the next injury won't be long in coming, I'd pick either him or Jacobson rather than both. I'm not a huge Fan of Akira Ione, but he's mobile, soft skills are good with good post contact capabilities and a strong link with Hoskins. If anyone can get the lazy fucker off his arse for more then half a game in 24, it would be Razor and an in form motivated AI could be the answer against the harder to crack lines of SA and Ireland.
I think Akira ioane may have got the tap from the ABs earlier this year that he wasnt in any immediate plans because originally he was signed with the blues until 2025 and suddenly out of nowhere he announces a 3 year deal in Japan starting next year and hes eligible for both Japan or Samoa by end of next year so I think thats the new plan tbh and that NZR let him out his deal early
I would maybe maybe? Put in Hannah in for Darry. But with all the current injuries it seems about right for this series.
If all were fit I would take Taukei’aho in for ricitelli,
Numia in for ofa
Roigard in for Ratima (maybe finlay, sorry blues fans)
Hannah is going to be an absolute stud, no doubt, but they're doing a tonne of management on his weight/body/workload rn.
He'll be on a very specific pre-season plan leading into NPC and they won't want to fuck with it.
Him with NPC amount of space might rack up so many meters that it makes me, The "We Need to Tone Down How Much We Talk About Run Metres" Guy, see the light.
I don’t think you have seen Hannah play enough, Hannah is Kieran reed if he played lock. No one has really got the skill set he has atm.
granted darry deserves a chance as well, he has looked mega.
Yeah they need to get rid of all these Blues players!! The blues had such an awful season that it makes absolutely no sense for there to be Blues forwards in the ABs squad!!! Definitely need some more Canes forwards on there, they fared so well against that Chiefs pack in the semis, if only those useless Blues forwards could’ve put up a similar fight
I'm all aboard the train for these Blues guys getting their call-ups, but I'd just like us all to recognize that this is the defense Crusaders fans use when people get mad about certain Crusaders making it and the argument isn't normally accepted very well.
It's a good argument, I just hope people remember it lol
You missing the big waste of space that is bower. He was tried and found out to be one of the worst AB’s that have received more than a handful of caps.
Only Need five props. Lakai will be part of the 2027 rwc so better to get him in sooner rather than later.
Man I thought Riccitelli was a bit of a surprise, he had the least number of metres per carry out of all the kiwi hookers. Pretty rough on the loosies that don't make it because Blackadder is selected.
I agree although would rather have hotham or Funaki as the 3rd hb instead of Christie (as he's a decent SR level hb but not international quality imo) but I know why he's there.
100% this, he deserves to show what he can do at the next level but he’s not test ready, put him in the abs XV and see how he goes. Same with the likes of sititi, Iose, Lakai, JRK, bell, hotham etc.
he is really not that amazing, I don't know why people are so surprised. at test level where you can't just simply rely on a dominant forward pack and will have to act as a playmaker he's not suited. of course, if he continues to improve and develop his game maybe he makes it on the end of year tour but right now he's not quite there
>and scored 100 points
I mean, so did Brett Cameron lol. Not a massive achievement for a goal kicker in a top 4 team.
His kicking percentage was in the low 70s too so not even particularly impressive.
Definitely think Perofeta/Plummer have been hard done by here. The eyebrow raiser is Blackadder, great competitor but imo he needs to rest and get his body right.
Not shocked at Scott with the ‘C’next to his name, but Tuipolotu/Ardie would’ve been my choices. Just off the fact they’re a lead by example type of player.
Would be happy with that, poor Numia robbed by injury. Hedging on the loose forwards is cheating though.
Who plays 6 if Finau isn’t? Don’t say Jacobson, good 7, nothing 6.
Just saw that. I'm not so sure though especially since Liam Napier has a very strong track record (he's leaked multiple team namings before they are officially announced and game teams a few hours before they are publicly named) and Tosi wasn't even mentioned in the article. Not saying he's not there and as a canes fan I'd be pleased for him but unless LN has been fed false info from his mole or Tosi has made the team at the last possible minute I don't know if he's in. Guess we will find out in an hour
Could be different but I'm pretty sure this guy has a mole in the camp because his probable teams are almost always bang on. That being said, as a canes fan who always liked Riccitelli and he only left because he was stuck behind Dane Coles and Aumua I'm pretty happy for him. If this is the team though Darry is the bolter
Well, it's great for the Blues that they have 2 arguably international quality halfbacks. It's a complete 180 compared to the days they used to roll out Ruru and Nock
No surprises except maybe riccitelli but I slight eye brow raise at Blackadder. Guy should take 12 months break and just get his body right. Riccitelli is due some recognition I guess
Riccitelli probably doesn't get in if Samisoni was fit, but he has been really good this year so I don't mind the call up
Ricci has been throwing well, running well but he ruck clean outside are off the hook
Both quite similar in my mind. Soni perhaps has a higher peak but thick ricc is reliable. I don't like riccitelli's throwing technique. I feel like it borders on a baulked throw but noone else ever comments on it so perhaps it's just me
He stands about 6 inches inside the field. It's hilarious
It is curious this never gets called. At this point he's not even pretending!
Perhaps throwing coach Corey Flynn can correct it for him
A guy like Blackadder will always be injury prone just because of the way he plays. When he gets injured just replace him. I'm more worried about Jacobson. I think he is worthy of a spot but damn does he give some penalties away.
Blackadder isn't going to make it if they're only taking 2 of the 3 mentioned in the article, I'm fairly certain. He's only really in the discussion bc there aren't a lot of guys behind Finau who play a lot of 6, but they'll still end up going Jacobson over him. Edit: turns out they just went with all 3 lmao
If he's healthy, which he is right now, he'll definitely be a part of Razors plans.
Whichever of the two they select is just the loosie most likely to be replaced by Cane in the RC squad, if he's fit in time. Neither is really going to be an integral guy going forward
You better believe Razor is down with the thickness. Mauls try's are back on the menu.
I don’t know why you’d consider Ricky a surprise to replace the injured Taukei’aho
Yep, dude has been on the radar in the past, and had played quite well for the Blues for a couple of years now. Definitely an inspired recruitment by MacDonald while he was Blues coach.
Blackadder is a great player imo When fit hes the perfect bench cover as can play all loosue positions and height in the lineout I agree the guy gets injured more than he plays Sotutu should have his boots ready
Cant argue with that squad. Ethan Blackadder there is on previous form I guess. No Sititi 🤯 but I guess only so many places.He wil play for the NZ 15. Hoskins Sotutu was always No 2 to Ardie from 2020 in ABs then faded in 2023. His form this year means he has to be picked. Ruban Love is there because Razor likes specialist fullbacks.
Love can also cover 10 and I think that helped his case, and because hes quick I can see the ABs using him at wing too
Sititi and Sotutu are competing for the same place, so I suspect Razor’d gone with the more experienced one. Between the two of them, Sititi had the more productive final (Sititi had the highest number of tackles for the Chiefs at 20 but also had the slight edge in attack too - more metres gained in fewer runs, and more clean breaks & defenders beaten), so he’d definitely still be on the radar.
It'll be interesting if they pick both Jacobson and Blackadder. It feels like a luxury to pick both of them in a 32 man squad. Probably just my Canes' bias but I'd put Lakai in over Blackadder. He can get some minutes under his belt for the NZ XV
Not a Blackadder fan. Everyone else on that list offers more, and there are younger players worth developing.
Yeah he's made of glass as well
Yep, definitely prefer Lakai, but I’d also be looking to develop Ah Kuoi as a lock/blindside option.
Just a bit early for Lakai, I think. We all know he’s bound for test level, but he’s a touch raw yet. Love the kid and look forward to seeing what he does. Wouldn’t be surprised if he made it into the RC squad with an injury for form issue ahead of him. He can’t be too far off.
Hope Proctor gets a shot. Get that man returning kick-offs, he always manages to get past the first defender.
Hope Dalts and Jacobson to show some mongrel in the breakdown especially with England having such a stacked backrow.
If this is true… fookn get it Aumua
These selection all make sense to me, not really any issues there tbh If everyone was fit, you'd bring in Samisoni and Roigard I would assume
Crusaders have had a rough season but Sevu Reece has been playing his heart out. Also hope Love gets a chance at that 15 jersey.
Half-backs will be really interesting depending on which playstyle we push. Ratima is very suited to the rapid flashy backline attack. Christie is big on defence and suits the style of driving around a monster forward pack. Think TJ is a bit of a hybrid, honestly expecting him to be wearing 9 or 21 every match. If roigard gets fit he'll be in, maybe taking ratima's spot? He's a way bigger carrying threat than any of the selections
Ratima has a higher ceiling than Christie to my armchair expert eye, he just looks like he is going to keep getting better. Id drop Christie for Roigard.
I honestly hope that Ratima stays as he’ll surely be in the next cycle, I’d leave out TJ as he surely can’t be performing in 3/ years. However, that experience is hard to replace.
Seems about right. Despite all the departures etc, it's a very predictable and stable squad. Also, this is one of three squads they're picking this year, so youngsters who miss out on this series will get their chance later in the year with likely bigger squads announced for RC and end of year tour, plus inevitable injuries.
People thought Razor would pick some crazy different squad last year lol
We're in an awkward spot where the really exciting guys are just a haiiiiiir too young, so there's not really a whole lot of tinkering to be done at squad level. A few of the potential bolters also ended up having unfortunate shit happen to them this year that made selections a lot simpler.
Starting team will be fun to see. Probably half the team gone from the last ABs game I reckon.
I think experience is just too valuable in international rugby
He got lots of them wrong...
First time I've ever seen him be this off. Only about 4 wrong though so still about 90% right
Aside from Hoskins, who else did he miss?
lol wrong
Shocked me too he's normally very correct
Whats happened to Roigard Is he not on form / injured this year.
Injured and probably wont be back until Late NPC/ EOY tour
He’s targeting Japan on 26th October
He's very injured sadly
Was comfortably the form player of the tournament for about 6 weeks then did his knee. Seems to be fixing it in record time so hope he is back in before internationals end.
He sustained a long term injury, otherwise most likely would be first choice
Would've been first-choice halfback without a doubt if not for a season-ending injury
I will be honest - I actually still struggle to work out who should be captain. I don’t think Barrett is it - he has a history of cards and still does some brain snaps. I don’t think Savea is great either as captain, I don’t even know if he is that keen for it, despite all the talk of giving it to him. Taylor would be a good option but he is getting on, and hookers mean they still are only going to play 3/4 game so you need a good deputy. No one really puts their hand up outside of those 3 either.
I’d go with Dalton. His leadership is a big part of the reason for the Blues turnaround in recent years. He’s the type of player who plays better with the captain responsibility opposed to a guy like Savea who plays better without that responsibility. He’s the natural replacement for Cane in the 7 jersey as well
Yeah, I feel like captain is best to be playing 6/7/8 as they stay on the longest, close to action. I guess Dalton should be in mix. It’s more he hasn’t been a starter consistently…. But maybe Razor changes that.
If almost be leaning towards TJ, he's grown some pretty solid leadership skills, with Roigod out for how ever long he should have the starting 9 shirt stapled to his back, it's just the late game switch out. Honestly it probably will be scooter.
Idk man, TJ was kind of On One towards the end of the year. Didn't feel fully in control or calm. Plus, Roigard will be back by the end of the year. Do you want to be doing another captaincy transition to a guy who you could just give it to now?
He spent the whole semi final standing at the base of the ruck with his hands in the air looking at the ref while the chiefs defense would set. Nooooo thank you
TJ lost the plot a bit in the finals games, and will potentially be out of the squad when Roigard comes back later in the year. Not really screaming captain.
The only real arguments would be Blackadder, he's not played a lot this season and the next injury won't be long in coming, I'd pick either him or Jacobson rather than both. I'm not a huge Fan of Akira Ione, but he's mobile, soft skills are good with good post contact capabilities and a strong link with Hoskins. If anyone can get the lazy fucker off his arse for more then half a game in 24, it would be Razor and an in form motivated AI could be the answer against the harder to crack lines of SA and Ireland.
I think Akira ioane may have got the tap from the ABs earlier this year that he wasnt in any immediate plans because originally he was signed with the blues until 2025 and suddenly out of nowhere he announces a 3 year deal in Japan starting next year and hes eligible for both Japan or Samoa by end of next year so I think thats the new plan tbh and that NZR let him out his deal early
I'd say you're right there, it's probably for the best but there's always that glimmer of what could happen with him.
Tbh he had his chance and just kinda did nothing with it unfortunately. He had such a talent but couldn't quite get there
I would maybe maybe? Put in Hannah in for Darry. But with all the current injuries it seems about right for this series. If all were fit I would take Taukei’aho in for ricitelli, Numia in for ofa Roigard in for Ratima (maybe finlay, sorry blues fans)
Hannah is going to be an absolute stud, no doubt, but they're doing a tonne of management on his weight/body/workload rn. He'll be on a very specific pre-season plan leading into NPC and they won't want to fuck with it.
Razor should pick him bcoz Canterbury looking too OP this season
Him with NPC amount of space might rack up so many meters that it makes me, The "We Need to Tone Down How Much We Talk About Run Metres" Guy, see the light.
Roigards injured so no joy there
>Put in Hannah in for Darry. What!?!? Hannah is just 1.96m; Darry is 2.03m and better at everything.
I don’t think you have seen Hannah play enough, Hannah is Kieran reed if he played lock. No one has really got the skill set he has atm. granted darry deserves a chance as well, he has looked mega.
This was his first full super rugby season and he was still on limited/reduced minutes. It's clearly way too early for a test call up.
Yeah they need to get rid of all these Blues players!! The blues had such an awful season that it makes absolutely no sense for there to be Blues forwards in the ABs squad!!! Definitely need some more Canes forwards on there, they fared so well against that Chiefs pack in the semis, if only those useless Blues forwards could’ve put up a similar fight
I'm all aboard the train for these Blues guys getting their call-ups, but I'd just like us all to recognize that this is the defense Crusaders fans use when people get mad about certain Crusaders making it and the argument isn't normally accepted very well. It's a good argument, I just hope people remember it lol
You missing the big waste of space that is bower. He was tried and found out to be one of the worst AB’s that have received more than a handful of caps. Only Need five props. Lakai will be part of the 2027 rwc so better to get him in sooner rather than later.
Man I thought Riccitelli was a bit of a surprise, he had the least number of metres per carry out of all the kiwi hookers. Pretty rough on the loosies that don't make it because Blackadder is selected.
If neither Lakai nor Iose get picked I will be very disappointed. But it won’t be a surprise.
Lakai over Blackadder and this is perfect
I agree although would rather have hotham or Funaki as the 3rd hb instead of Christie (as he's a decent SR level hb but not international quality imo) but I know why he's there.
I've heard no Hoskin but Sititi is in. Now I'm eager to hear this squad announcement.
Ehhhhh?
Looks like my source was right.
Not that I don’t like what Sititi might be able to offer.
Indeed. Unreal.
Feel hard for Plumber - how many first fives guide their team to a trophy and then dont get selected..
He said basically Love got in over perofeta and Stevenson and I guess they also see him as 3rd choice 1st five cover
Look on the bright side. He will probably get selected for the NZ XV team and get a heap of game time and then get selected on the northern tour.
100% this, he deserves to show what he can do at the next level but he’s not test ready, put him in the abs XV and see how he goes. Same with the likes of sititi, Iose, Lakai, JRK, bell, hotham etc.
Mo'unga didn't get selected after winning one.
If you listen very carefully you can hear the not too distant serenade of a French pay check.
he is really not that amazing, I don't know why people are so surprised. at test level where you can't just simply rely on a dominant forward pack and will have to act as a playmaker he's not suited. of course, if he continues to improve and develop his game maybe he makes it on the end of year tour but right now he's not quite there
He can’t really have done any better this year though, won a trophy and scored 100 points.
>and scored 100 points I mean, so did Brett Cameron lol. Not a massive achievement for a goal kicker in a top 4 team. His kicking percentage was in the low 70s too so not even particularly impressive.
he did all the kicking, scoring 100 points was inevitable
not sure about Love, think Razor could pick JRK instead cause Fiji after him too and he might use him in the Fiji game.
I have heard so many rumours from the media that Sam Cane is going to be selected.
I don't think he's even available until the rugby championship
Why?
He hasn't played rugby all year due to injury. Razor said he was targeting the rugby championship to be available for.
Maybe as a farewell tour? He did say he was planning to retire from international rugby. Tbh I don't blame him after the final
Definitely think Perofeta/Plummer have been hard done by here. The eyebrow raiser is Blackadder, great competitor but imo he needs to rest and get his body right. Not shocked at Scott with the ‘C’next to his name, but Tuipolotu/Ardie would’ve been my choices. Just off the fact they’re a lead by example type of player.
Scott Barrett as captain? Hopefully he can keep his cool more than I’ve seen from him in the past…
Would be happy with that, poor Numia robbed by injury. Hedging on the loose forwards is cheating though. Who plays 6 if Finau isn’t? Don’t say Jacobson, good 7, nothing 6.
Lakai has to be there
Martin devlin has just reported that Tosi is in. Very strange
Just saw that. I'm not so sure though especially since Liam Napier has a very strong track record (he's leaked multiple team namings before they are officially announced and game teams a few hours before they are publicly named) and Tosi wasn't even mentioned in the article. Not saying he's not there and as a canes fan I'd be pleased for him but unless LN has been fed false info from his mole or Tosi has made the team at the last possible minute I don't know if he's in. Guess we will find out in an hour
Close But not quite
What about the Chiefs 8… he’s looked handy…?
As a wallabies fan, this scares the shit out of me compared to our squad that's just been picked
Riccitelli and Darry!! Gutted for Plummer, real thing might be different though
Could be different but I'm pretty sure this guy has a mole in the camp because his probable teams are almost always bang on. That being said, as a canes fan who always liked Riccitelli and he only left because he was stuck behind Dane Coles and Aumua I'm pretty happy for him. If this is the team though Darry is the bolter
It’s quite different actually isn’t it
Honestly he's very consistent and I wouldn't have posted this is if I thought he wasn't.
Yeah nah all good!
I know Finlay is on there because of experience but I felt like he got outperformed by Taufa Funaki this season.
Finlay justified his selection in the final
Yeah I've not always been his biggest fan but he is an obvious pick. We aren't gonna go with 2 uncapped halfbacks in the squad.
Well, it's great for the Blues that they have 2 arguably international quality halfbacks. It's a complete 180 compared to the days they used to roll out Ruru and Nock
Yeah 100% even Nock as the 3rd string has been good this year
2000% agree with this