• Vs Scotland - Forsyth Barr Stadium

• Vs Scotland - Eden Park

• Vs Scotland - Sky Stadium

• Vs Fiji - HFC Bank Stadium

• Vs Argentina - Malvinas Argentinas Stadium

• Vs Argentina - Sky Stadium

• Vs South Africa - Forsyth Barr Stadium

• Vs South Africa - Ellis Park

• Vs Australia - Optus Stadium

• Vs Australia - Eden Park

• Vs Japan - Japan National Stadium

• Vs Wales - Principality Stadium

• Vs England - Twickenham Stadium

• Vs Ireland - Aviva Stadium

• Vs France - Satade de France

Dont play with these guys, total rip off.

You have to give Razor and the coaching staff credit for selecting players like Ratima and Sititi in the first place, but neither of them would have had the opportunity to show what they can do if it wasn’t for injuries. We’ve found answers in certain positions only by default.

Razor has been cowardly and conservative in who he has given minutes to when his hand hasn’t been forced and it begs the question: how much more could we have learned and developed this season had he been a bit braver and more experimental? How might Proctor and Plummer have performed in bigger matches if they’d gotten the opportunity? Potentially very well considering most of the time a rookie player has gotten a shot they’ve actually looked just as good if not better than the old guard.

He doesn’t seem to learn either. When TJ is playing at 9, his delivery to the forwards is so slow that they almost never make meters when they run it straight into contact. They look soft. Then when Ratima comes on, there’s suddenly momentum and they start to consistently break the advantage line. We knew this already, so why not start Cortez against Australia and give Hotham a go off the bench? It’s bizarre.

I’m starting to wonder if the Crusader’s success under Razor had less to do with him than we realise. Perhaps it’s a George Lucas situation where he received undue credit for the original Star Wars, was given complete control of the prequels surrounded by yes men, and proceeded to demonstrate he is wildly incompetent.

Mate and I are doing a punt on picking the 36 man squad and the 29 XV squad and I'm struggling to get past a few players who might not make the 36 (e.g. Hotham, Plummer etc.).

Looking at last year's squad appears to be a mix of:

• Young fellas who are playing good stuff in either NPC, SR or Sevens teams and are within the ABs future conversation (bulk of selections).
• More senior guys who either never have or never will get into the ABs.
• More senior guys who are ex All Blacks but are past it or on their way out.

What's everyone else thinking?

Who could we see, or who would you like to see as new All Blacks on the EOY tour?

I think Peter Lakai is pretty much nailed on.

I think Numia deserves a shot.

Tavatavanawai has been in great form, could be a bolter. Same with Levi Aumua.

I think it’s no secret that Josh Jacomb has a big future. It may be too early for him but I’d be very excited if he got a surprise call up!

Who else?

Sam Cane became the 13th All black to play 100 tests.

Who do you think would be next?

The next highest is Codie Taylor on 93. Peranara is 87 and going overseas at the end of the year so can rule him out.

There’s also Ardie (89), Scott (76), ALB (79), Reiko (77), Jordie (57), DMac (56). Based on their current tracking Ardie and Codie should play their 100th next year. The ones in the 70s should be the year after that.

Jordie should make it eventually. Dmack might also assuming no injuries. He will likely still be in the 23 even once BB is gone in a couple of years.

As an Aussie, can you guys help motivate our boys and spectators by agreeing that the loser of the Bledisloe retains Sonny Bill Williams in their commentary team?

The thought of you fine folk welcoming your forgotten son could be enough to light a fire under the boys.

On 8 Feb 2015, Jonah, who himself was desperately ill due to his kidney disease, was in South Africa and took time to visit his friend, ex-Springbok, Joost van der Westhuizen, who was by then wheelchair bound from the debilitating effects of motor neuron disease. Seeing that video of the two former foes, now bonded in their respective life and death battles shattered me to my core. Jonah died in November that same year. According to Joost's father, Gustav, Joost cried when he was told of his friend's death. Joost died in 2017.

For me, Jonah lives on.

I used to watch rugby a lot with my papa at home, and not that I ever really understood much, but I remember we were a dominant team. As I got older and started watching it on my own, we continued to be dominant, but now.. we’re not so much. What’s the difference between the All Blacks 15, 10 even 5 years ago compared to our All Blacks now?

Havili?! No proctor .. guess Beaudie is kicking?

According to NZ Herald.

Anyone understand or can reason on Chat Fihaki being picked?

Now I don't hate his game, he's young, has versatility (which looks to be a biggy tbh) id a solid finisher, quick e.t.c

Though you have guys who have recently been involved in the All Blacks who are better and also better form. I also believe Fihaki should be well down the pecking order

Quinn Tupaea, Shaun Stevenson, Emoni Narawa. Narawa especially has arguably been one of the best players in the NPC this year. While Tupaea has a track record of playing well for the ABs before his injury and Stevenson has never been given a solid shot. Apart from Narawa cameo was tough luck to see these guys miss out this year

Even other guys who have played previously played for the ABs I'm not necessarily big fans off Brayden Ennor & Dallas Mcleod i'd prefer.

I'd much rather give other young guys like Jacob Rautamati Kneepkens or Etene Nanai Seturo a shot.

I'd also argue guys like AJ Lam or Josh Moorby and you could easily sell me on a Levi Aumua, Timoci Tavtavanawai, Macca Springer or Kade Banks to get involved with the All blacks set up over Fihaki.

Now I know Fihaki won't have any involvement this weekend but on the Northern Tour they normally take an extended squad so this could be the train of thought. I don't think/hope, this is Razor just picking his guys, but maybe I'm missing something with Chay? Someone who's abit more versed in his game with any insights? Is there some dynamisim that I haven't seen?

Seems everyone has an opinion on D Mac, lets just remind ourselves that this is his FIRST season running the cutter at first five for the all blacks. Yes he has been in the squad for a long time but much of his play time has been as a fill in first five or full back. There is a brand new coaching set up and a lot of new faces in the team.. things are going to take some time to gel.

Let’s cast our mind back to the RWC semi final in 2019 against England.. remember Richie Mounga in that game? Neither does anyone else because he went missing. Mounga wasn’t always the slick, confident, skilful first five we know today, he took time to grow confidence and game management at international level. The Richie Mo that beat Ireland last WC is a much different Richie Mo to the one that lost against England.

Remember Dan Carter? Well in 2009 he went over to France and fucked his achilles one game in, dude got sidelined for most of his sabbatical.. Left us in the lurch just to sit on the sideline over in France. Then he comes back and his form was terrible! Remember in the 2011-2015 cycle the media ripping into him saying his time is up etc. time for someone new. Dude was getting injured every second game. Well he lead NZ to the rugby world cup final in 2015 and was instrumental in the win over Australia to seal back to back world cups.

If the greatest 10 to ever play the game can’t get a pass from the media and fans then I suppose it isn’t really surprising that D Mac gets the hate that he does.

In closing stfu with the Harry Plummer calls. You all criticise D Mac for shining at super level only yet that’s the only level we’ve seen Plummer play at. Already difficult to get some cohesion and synergy without chopping and changing arguably the most influential position on the field.

If we chop and change anyone its Proctor for Ioane and ALB for Jordie for a couple games. Little bit one dimensional on attack me thinks.

Hear me out. What would happen if the crowd joined in when the All Blacks did the Haka. They always do Ka Mate in Wellington (I think). Imagine the sound of 30000 voices and stamped feet just before kick off.
I’m interested in your thoughts.

With the Bledisloe locked up, and the All Blacks aware of what they get with DMac, Wellington presents itself as an opportunity for a shuffle to allow DMac to rest and others the chance to prove whether they are up to it.

For me, I’d like the backline to look like

9. Ratima
10. Plummer
11. Clarke
12. ALB
13. Proctor
14. Ioane
15. Jordan

Back reserves being Perenara, DMac and Beaudie. Our centres are covered with Ioane and ALB with 1st 5 and FB covered by either Beaudie or DMac - the caveat being that if we needed to bring either Beaudie or DMac on, then Jordan covers the wing.

We gain nothing by playing the same lineup against the Wallabies.

Time to ring in the changes.