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Ex-All Blacks on whether Razor needs to develop talent in the black jersey
By Henry Lee
In exactly one week, Scott Robertson will name his first All Blacks squad of the year, a 35-man set of players ready to take on France at home in a three-match series starting on the 5th of July in Dunedin.
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The Super Rugby Pacific final is on Saturday evening in Christchurch, giving Chiefs and Crusaders players one last chance to impress the All Blacks coaches ahead of the squad naming.
The first squad of the year typically features players with significant experience in the black jersey, but according to three former All Blacks, some less experienced players also deserve more opportunities in the 2025 International season.
Former All Black first-five Aaron Cruden believes that over the last five years the All Blacks have been able to build experience, but now need to give new talent opportunities, two years before the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
“To me, it’s about blooding some new talent, either new talent or guys that probably haven’t had many minutes out there at Test match level,” Cruden told The Breakdown on Sky Sport.
“So for me, it’s finding that balance of being able to do that, not always just always thinking, if there’s a lost Test match, I’m just going to give guys the experienced guys another crack.
“Especially through Super Rugby, the guys that haven’t had much opportunity at Test match level, if they’re performing, so for me, that’s what I guess I would like to see from an All Blacks point of view.”
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Sky Sports commentator and former All Black Jeff Wilson asked Cruden how important he thinks winning is right now, compared to developing players for the World Cup in 2027.
“I think the expectations for the All Blacks are always to win, I think based on possibly last year and a little bit of inconsistency, I think Razor will be thinking that, he’s going to be judged possibly more harshly in year two than he was in year one.
“So, yeah, I totally get that again, but I still just feel guys that are in form knocking on the door, what more can they do to be given opportunities?”
Wilson asks former All Black centurian Mils Muliaina whether the All Blacks can develop and win at the same time, something that has often been a talking point amongst All Blacks fans.
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“I think if you’re the coaching staff off the back of last year, you need to win now, you need to win now because last year was your sort of stepping in period.
“The Test series against France, is probably the most important Test series for Razor right now, because he’s got to win, I don’t think you bring guys into to play those games unless we’ve won the first two.
“That’s when you start with someone like a third halfback, Ratima to me is your second half back, with Roigard, then you start blooding new guys in.
“We’ve got to get back to winning and when you look at Super Rugby, it gives me confidence that we’ve adapted.”
Muliaina believes Peter Lakai and Billy Proctor are the ones who deserve more game time in 2025.
“It probably won’t be a bolter, but a person that’s been in there, Peter Lakai, giving them more opportunity to get out there and face some of that sort of Test pressure in either 6,7,8, he could play any of those positions but it allows them to go out there and just gain a bit more of that experience,” Muliaina said on The Breakdown.
“Billy Proctor is going, two different positions, but Billy Proctor needs to go, he has had a great season and I know he’s been injured but when he’s come back into the fold of things, I like his balance.
“He’s strong, his distributing skills are awesome so you give him a bit more time. It’s whether they pick a Quinn Tupaea based on the Jordie Barrett’s of the world coming back that extended squad, Anton Lienert-Brown, but for me, Billy Proctor goes.”
Former World Cup-winning All Black first-five Stephen Donald believes it will depend on what way Robertson wants to play, as Tupaea’s game is suited to a more direct style of play.
“That goes back to my original point around what game he’s trying to play, have they sat back and gone, we need more punch,” Donald said on The Breakdown.
“If we need more punch around that gain line, to get momentum, a big presence defensively in the midfield, which Quinn (Tupaea) does and if you’re going to run square at him, he’s going to hit you.
“We’ve seen it all Super Rugby season, so again, you can theorize around Quinn’s value, but how are you going to use him?
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It’s all very well them spouting “10 new players”, but most then spent 2024 days in the stands watching the veterans go out there and crack when the heat came on, like they have for years. It was the young players who really stood up and usually outplayed most of the players out there for their ‘experience’.
SA think big picture, whereas we (and Razor apparently) just think win the battle, not the war. Give new players actual minutes against quality opposition.
Might be some short-term pain, but there will be more long-term gain.
Yes, Razor needs to speed up the development process from 2024. Holland, Leroy Carter, Kirifi, Tavatavanawai, Lio-Willie, all worthy of a call-up. Other fringe ABs like Love, Narawa, Lakai, & Quinn Tupaea, are also compelling. I’d be disappointed if we followed basically the same selection model as last year.
Does he need to?
Or what?
Will he be sacked?
Yeah, Nah.
So many people saying Razor needs to….
Why is Razor the All Black coach and not Cantab or PoppaRick?
He’s the Best man for the job.
Let’s kick back and enjoy the ride. Last time we kept putting our 2 cents worth in, Stu Foster was dropped for a crap job for Post World Cup, Pre World Cup and then nearly won the World Cup.
That’s what happened and no it doesn’t make sense, that’s my point.
Hopefully Razor isn’t listening to us couch experts, “Ex-All Blacks and legends from the past. Who cares David Campese, F off.
His priority should be creating a culture that brings out the best in his “team”.
Yes it would be nice to win all games leading up to the World.
But when it comes down it we will forget how many games we lose if he brings Web Ellis home.
Rick
Reckon Love as 3rd 10 and 2nd 15 if there is any niggles needs to be on bench if Dmac Beaudie out and a straight swap to start if Jordan injured
Speaking of speed-up Razor needs to find some wingers with true speed. None of the incumbent wingers have express pace. It’s an unusual position for the All Blacks as we’ve been blessed with speed merchants.
Yes! Be brave, you’re good enough to get these boys winning every game as well. Especially with the talent on display this year.
Too early for Razor to disclose his preferences until after the SRP final. He will already have decided most of his selections but no doubt a few still under consideration. Usually conservatism rules.
Who are going to be the newbies ? Holland probably?will Lio-Willie make it with Ardie and Wallace already there?Parker?reckon Carter will play Māori games, Josh F or Ollie N? Kirifi with Ardie Luke Ethan being able to play 7 does that make Dalton out?…