New Zealand Rugby Team Watch

[Wilson]

Not sure why anyone would think Parker is a surprise much less shock selection given his pathway. Plus he's 25 now so has added some bulk since U-20's.

Probably because All Black Simons are so rare:

 

[cyclopath]

The entire Pitcairn Islands have been IP blacklisted from that forii.

Can't think why.

Well, it's only 1 IP address surely...

 

[Dismal Pillock]

All Blacks Rugby Championship squad

Hookers: Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Brodie McAlister
Props: Ethan de Groot, Tamaiti Williams, Ollie Norris, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi
Locks: Scott Barrett, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa’i, Fabian Holland
Loose Forwards: Samipeni Finau, Simon Parker, Ardie Savea, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Wallace Sititi, Peter Lakai, Luke Jacobson
Halfbacks: Cortez Ratima, Cameron Roigard, Noah Hotham
First-five eighths: Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie
Midfielders: Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Billy Proctor, Timoci Tavatavanawai
Outside Backs: Rieko Ioane, Caleb Clarke, Sevu Reece, Emoni Narawa, Will Jordan, Ruben Love

13 Chiefs - basically the whole Chiefs team - they must be individually rock solid under the pressure of playing in big games, their big match temperaments forged in the fires of having excelled in big matches at the pointy end of the seas..................... oh shit.

 

[KiwiM]

The more I think about it the less I understand why Jacobson is picked

He didn't play a single minute of the French series

He isn't going to play the Argie games

And he's going to swan back in for the biggest test match of the year vs Boks at Eden Park having not played rugby for 2 months and having done fuck all in his AB career but gets picked in squad after squad

If I was Lio Willie I would be mighty pissed off.

 

[Dan54]

I not sure about the Jacobson selection either @KiwiM , although I genuinely thought that I would of liked Darry to go ahead of even Lio-Willie, as I would like to see Vai'i staying at 6. Parheps I not overly convinced about Lio-Willie at test level, and he was only there as cover for Jacobson anyway?

 

[Wilson]

Mo'unga returning to the Crusaders after the 2026 season:

Superstar flyhalf Richie Mo’unga set to return to New Zealand Rugby

Richie Mo’unga’s return to New Zealand Rugby has been confirmed as the flyhalf signs an 18-month deal from July 2026.

www.rugby.com.au

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Mo'unga returning to the Crusaders

CCTV systems indicate W.Oldboy is already half a day into his celebratory bender:

 

[Dan54]

I not

Mo'unga returning to the Crusaders after the 2026 season:

Superstar flyhalf Richie Mo’unga set to return to New Zealand Rugby

Richie Mo’unga’s return to New Zealand Rugby has been confirmed as the flyhalf signs an 18-month deal from July 2026.

www.rugby.com.au

I am not sure why paper even wrote this. It was hardly a surprise, he always said he wanted to play in the WC.
What I like is proves the having to play here to be an AB works!

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Not everyone follows the game as closely as you, Dan.

Agree with your second point but I'd add a "for now" as I suspect there are current AB who'll be AB-eligible despite playing overseas at some point in their career.

Edit: on a case by case basis initially, of course, but once the regs are loosened they're only gonna get looser over time.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Still seeing articles describing Parker as a bolter. IMO the only bolter - as in someone who's name wasn't really in the conversation - is Preston.

 

[Braveheart81]

How many All Blacks can you spot in this picture from the new Jason Momoa series, Chief of War?

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Six?

 

[Braveheart81]

Six?

I don't actually know the answer. I think it might be more than 6 though.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Weepu looks fit as a fiddle. When do you expect him back in the ABs?

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

You wouldn't say that if he was standing side-on

Frank Bunce on the other hand...

 

[Braveheart81]

Weepu looks fit as a fiddle. When do you expect him back in the ABs?

You wouldn't say that if he was standing side-on

Frank Bunce on the other hand...

22 years age difference between them and if you didn't know who they were, I'm not sure who you'd pick was the older one.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Back in the day Kees was classed as a big guy even for a prop but Ofa's got half a head & a reasonable width of shoulder on him.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

L-to-R, Nock (?), Ofa, Meeuws, Flavell, Messam, Weepu, Eric Rush, Actor, Ranger, Bunce, Faumauina, Alatini, Lander (?), ?.

 

[Braveheart81]

Liam Messam looks like he's imitating Nicholas Cage in Con Air.

 

[Dan54]

I actually wonder if Jason Mamoa made sure he got the pic published with ex ABs, to help get him in his attempt at citizenship in NZ?
I mean let the people in charge know you mates with some ABs will help.