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All Blacks dared to put 'record on the line' in 'biggest game in 2025'
By Josh Raisey
The All Blacks will return to New Zealand this week wondering what might have been after two narrow losses to South Africa.
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The visitors held the advantage heading into the second half at both Emirates Airline Park and the DHL Stadium, only to see the world champions grind them down, aided by their bench, to earn back-to-back victories and take a huge stride towards the Rugby Championship title.
But for a team with a new head coach, a spate of injuries and entering a new era following the retirements of many greats after last yearās World Cup, there were many positives to take from the tour. For a team that is well-accustomed to winning, that may be scant consolation.
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Most importantly, Scott Robertson will know that his side can compete with the world champions and current world number ones. And with the Springboks making their way to New Zealand in next yearās Rugby Championship, they may have their chance to exact revenge.
Ahead of 2025, former Springbok Hanyani Shimange has laid the ultimate challenge at the All Blacksā feet by daring them to host Rassie Erasmusā side at Eden Park.
The All Blacks brought up their half-century of consecutive victories at Eden Park against Argentina in round two of this yearās Championship, a run that dates back to 1994.
On this weekās upcoming episode of RugbyPass TVās The Boks Office, Shimange said it will say a lot about New Zealand rugby if they are not willing to āput that record on the lineā.
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āPlease, can we play them at Eden Park next year?ā he said.
āThey have to put that record on the line. A lotās going to be said about New Zealand rugby if next year the schedule comes out and theyāre trying to protect their record and they donāt take us to Eden Park. It has to happen.
āIf they back themselves and believe in Eden Park, then surely you want to play the current world champions at Eden Park.ā
Fellow Boks Office regular Schalk Burger was less keen on the idea, however.
āNo oneās winning at Eden Park ever. Thatās done,ā the former South Africa flanker added
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āItās not even Eden Park, we went to Mount Smart and got absolutely smashed last year. I donāt think Aucklandās the place we want to go to, but they can take us to Wellington any time.ā
This weekās guest, EggChasers Rugby Podcast co-host Tim Cocker, added: āIf that game happens, thatās the biggest game in 2025, it hurts me to say because itās the British and Irish Lions tour.ā
We need big bodies to match European and South African Team. NZ got them in heaps. The end of the year Northern Hemisphere tour is coming and it is the perfect time to realign and makes changes.
Firstly, a few pointers for Razor. BB and DMAc are not 1st Fives. As long as these two start all blacks will never win big games. Pick only one in the reserve for big games as cover for FB. Richie Moanga is ok and better than BB and DMAc at 1st five. If Richie is available BB and Dmac should never be picked.
Secondly, Rico has to go. Rico is the reason why all blacks did not win the world cup. It was lost in the quarter final when he sledged departing Irish player. Perhaps if he had performed a haka and bring him to tears rather than derail him in his last day, Rugby Gods will be smiling at AB. It is karma. Like Gregans "wait 4 more years" Sledge and Australia lost the final to England
On the other hand, you see the South African players will never ever do such acts and go down that low. They are very respectful and good people and they will keep winning. Rugby Gods will make South Africa win and they will keep winning unless Scott makes these changes
Thirdly, Don't let Sam Cane go. All Blacks have to keep him for big games. All Blacks Maul Defense is good because of him. Just keep him at test level and no other Rugby or very minimal club Rugby. Young loosies should hang around with Cane and learn about humility and respect
A message to BB, Dmac, Rico, Ardie Savea and TJ. Please make yourselves unavailable for 2 years. Ardie you are good but not a Back Row. You are too light.
That out of the way, now letās select the team.
Front row sorted out by Jason Ryan. Wonāt talk about it.
Locking sorted out with Tupou, Scott, Darry, Pat Tuipulotu and Josh Lord
Loosies. Do away with Ardie for a while. Go with Siti, Sotutu, Cane, Ethan, Jacobson, Papalii and Finau
Young stars like Satiti and Finau have to be grounded and train hard in the gym and bulk up for the next world cup. Sotutu has to work harder off the ball.
Half Backs: TJ out. Cam Roigard [has to learn to scream and communicate game time], Ratima and Noah Hotham
Back Line: 1st Five: Harry Plummer [Inside center Cover]
2nd five: JB [Fullback and first five cover]
Outside Centre: Billy Proctor
Wings: Clarke and Will Jordon [Fullback Cover]
Fullback: Ruben Love [1st Five Cover], Zarn Sullivan
Wings: Shaun Stevson [Fullback Cover], Talaea and Narawa
Centre: Quinn Tupaea, Umaga Jenson Brothers - need big boys, ALB
Messaage to BB, DMac, Ardiae, Rico and TJ. If you want All Backs to evolve and be world leaders again, please make yourselves unavailable for 2 years. Please just do it for your country. You will come back stronger in 2 years.
New Zealand team reminds me of NSW State of Origin. They always had the best players in their positions but never selected them in their position until Madge came and now NSW will be untouchable.
I think the ABās must forget about thinking whether they can compete with the Springboks. They lost. That is the final word on that. They need to start concentrating on their own game. Their DNA. They have two tests against a mediocre Wallaby side to find it as things will not become easier for them after that as France, Ireland and England await them in Europe.
The ABs arnt running scared of the Boks. Looking forward to being at the Park next year
That will never happen. The same reason why they did not play Ireland at the Park.
Geez a good year and the Boks go all ferrel. NZR will schedule the tests anywhere they damn well decide to schedule them.
The will play the bokke at Eden Park next year.
No doubt about that.
Nz will also beat the Boks 2-0 in 2025.
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They would have beaten The Irish 3-0 in 22 and they also would have beaten the Springboks in the world cup final again in 23 just like they did in 95. And now you say they will beat the Springboks 2-0 at home in 25. Let us wait and see what happens against Ireland and France first in November before we start predicting 2025. I am actually looking forward to the Nz vs Aus first game. You might destroy them or they might surprise you just like the Argies did.
1-1 next year. Boks have plenty of gears in them and will keep improving as will the ABs. We shall see either way..
They will do it. It just adds that extra little bit more to a test we're already looking forward to.
Hanyani Shimangi will get his wish.
I think it is a wonderful idea and it will be the #1 game of 25 nevermind the B&I and SH imports team in Aus. What will make it even better is if Sa and Nz could be 1 and 2 in the world at that point (does not matter which one is 1 and which is 2) with something like a win to decide the #1 spot. Mix in Eden park with it's rich rugby history, the 4 on the trot win/lose stat and we might just have a game of the decade in the making.