Predicting Dave Rennie's 34-man All Blacks squad for July

The lack of specialist fullbacks named in this squad is concerning. I just don't think dmac is the answer there and bb might be past it. Would rather see zarn sullivan named than reiko, and have him on the right wing.

The 34 man squad for All Blacks July test series should be

Forwards: Ethan De Groot, Fletcher Newell, Oli Norris, Xavier Numia*, Tyrel Lomax, Pasioli Tosi, Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Asafo Aumua, Fabian Holland, Sam Darry, Josh Lord, Naitoa Ah Kuoi*, Ardie Savea (Captain), Wallace Sititi, Peter Lakai, Lucas Casey*, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa* and Anton Segner*

Backs: Cam Roigard, Noah Hotham, Adam Lennox*, Ruben Love, Damian McKenzie, Quinn Tupea, Billy Proctor, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Jordie Barrett, Will Jordan, Caleb Clarke, Fehi Fineanganofo, Leroy Carter, Emoni Narawa and Josh Moorby*

Its time for a change guys like Beaudy, Scott, Reko Ione and ALB have been holding down a spot they don't deserve for far too long so Rennie needs to clean house a bit we know what these guys can do and it's not working it’s time to breed a new era. Guys like Love and Caleb Tangitau are banging on the door of opportunity.

I think Tuipulotu and Vaa'i are unlucky admissions but Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi has just been better this year hes been immense for Chiefs in the second half of the season and I think Vaa'i's attitude much like Finaus lets him down we don’t need silly red cards in big games, I took the versatility of Segner over Christian Lio-Willie and I think Casey is the most natural 7 we’ve seen in years he needs the reps before the world cup and I want to see Semisi cut some weight get test fit so he can just come off the bench for 20 minutes with one job only to run it straight we need someone like that in our team

I think the back 3 is a tough call to select wether you go Clarke, Fehi and Jordan or if you go Fehi and Jordan x factor with Jordie moved back to fullback where I think he’s better he can take care of the high ball, last line of defense and territory he isn’t a 12 he never has been lets stop pretending and actually get over the advantage line with Tupea or even Fainga'anuku who could be an amazing 12 if given the chance I think he’s perfect then Proctor will be at his best feeding off broken play attack linking up with x factor on his outside its time to go back to instinct and run it out of our 22 instead of playing a passive game if Jordan is injured thats where I think its vital to give an in form Moorby a chance

Cortez Ratima has been out of form for the past couple years and realistically we all know we’re just waiting for Dylan Pledger to play a healthy season of Super Rugby but we only need a 20 minute half back anyways to make an impact if Roigard has to come off early lets pray he doesn't I think Lenoxx has proved that’s when he’s at his best

It’s time to utilize the bomb squad the bench should be picked every week with the most impact

Imagine a tired defense has to face a fresh Lord or Ah Kuoi stealing your line out, Casey or Semisi running through your rucks, DMac and Fainga'anuku running amuck out wide

Isn't this the same team of last year?

If Rennie picks players he is familiar with but have always underperformed at test level, like ALB and Havili, then that will be confirmation that he is another yesterday’s man.

I certainly hope Fineanganofo has managed to ease out of his contract. It is a nice little middle-finger salute to the NH teams that continue to rxpe the SH for talent and coaching.

I love people with the courage to put their picks out there to be smashed down by everyone so thanks for the effort. Not sure I agree with a couple and I think Havili has done enough to push ALB out of contention. I also don’t think Reiko has done enough overseas to be picked on the wing, or in the squad because he’s definitely no centre.

While I tend to agree on BB having the experience, I’m not sure his play this year has been worthy of a call up and I think looking to the future bringing in Jacomb would be a smarter move.

You got to be joking naming BB, you talk about Kyle Preston not having game time…where the hell has BB been? and when he has fronted he has been crap, NO WAY!! Josh Jacomb is the future not BB. Same goes for Ioane…a flop in Leinster, and we dont need ALB to have his normal brain fade and get sent off. Not a fan of Havili but id have him in because he has committed to Super rugby and has been out standing this year. Angus Ta'avao ahead of Tu'ungafasi by a mile. Halfback Ratima 4/5th choice behind Preston/Lennox. Anton Segner deserves a spot, he offers way more then Kirifi/Parker.

If Rennie’s earlier comment regarding selection will only be made on form then Beaudenne Barret is out. Even with little game time given to Kyle Preston he is a better prospect than Ratima. Jamie Hannah & Shalfoon have certainly appeared in the frame. Caleb Clarke has been overtaken by emerging better options. Josh Lord before Sam Darry.

Not sure if this is how Rennie and his coaches will go but the rationale behind these selections are reasonable and quite possible in most cases. We will soon see and injuries and recoveries will yet play a role.

would love to see Harkin in there somewhere, special talent that needs to be kept in NZ

Since work rate is important to Rennie, neither BB nor Ioane will be selected

So gutted Flanders is leaving.

A young man in the form of his life in a position we have been struggling with for depth, with The Nations Championship, Greatest Rivalry Tour, and a World Cup happening in the next 18 months.

I’m sure the money in Japan is good but that is so much to leave on the table. Can’t help thinking he’ll regret it as he’s watching it on TV.

Front row looks good. Ta’avao an outside chance if Newell injured. Would maintain key combinations especially at lock. Would also go 6-2, so Vaa’i and Lord to start, Darry and Tuipulotu as impact.

Back row not ambitious enough. Samipene has not had enough impact this season. I prefer Howden or Barnes to cover 6 (obviously behind Lakai / Sititi) Lio-Willie has the engine, but no real X factor - a likely pick but ABs need more from their 8 - Malachi one to watch. Half backs pick themselves. Love, B Barrett (based only on history not form) and DMac (though he will cover 15 too off bench). Centres yep - I like TT but he has gone backwards this year - and can’t cover 12 and 13 like ALB (who I would rather see put out to pasture like Beauden but not likely). But Tupaea at 13 a real possibility. Definitely Fehi and Clarke, I like Moorby (a Ben Smith like player) and Fai’anganuku for the wings and perhaps Jordan too with DMac starting at FB, with Love as cover too. Rieko is a yeah nah.

So - first test:

EDG Taukei’aho Lomax

Ardie Vaa’i Lord Lakai

Sititi

Roigard

Love, JB, Tupaea

Clarke Jordan Fehi

Numia, Aumua, Tosi

Tuipulotu, Darry

Fai’anganuku

Hotham DMac

I think this squad will be very close to the real thing. Among the forwards, Numia and Segner will be there. I’m not so sure about Tuipulotu. Ah Kuoi could take his place.

As for the back row, I completely agree, although S Tupou Ta’eiloa could get called up.

I’m fine with the half-backs and the centres. Tavatavanawai won’t be there, I’m certain of it.

I’m more sceptical about the back three. I can see Chai Fihaki making the squad, but not necessarily Fineanganofo. I’m assuming his contract with Newcastle hasn’t been terminated. As for Rieko Ioane, I think Leroy Carter is more likely.

And I don’t think Moorby will be in the mix.

think there will be changes wouldnt be shocked if josh morby is in the squad along side the hurricanes lock plummer and the blues hooker slater maybe others finau maybe good at super rugby but i would have parker before him harkin ight be anotherplayer coming close

I think tavatavanawai needs to be in there somewhere. Impact off the bench in number 22 jersey could be massive (presuming DMac is 15 with Jordan injured, so you don’t need a 10 on the bench). Combined with LF at no.23, that’s a whole lot of power and flexibility to unload against the French, Irish and later the Boks

When I saw Samipeni Finau in your 23, I lost my respect for you.

You must be picking him, solely, for his, 1 outstanding game - in the last 12 months. Apparently he played for the All Blacks since last year’s SRP finals. But was entirely forgettable likewise, The Finals. I remember seeing him walking around on the Field after the Final and being shocked, I didn’t know he played and thought much the same about Jacobson.

The only standout memories I have of SP’s careers, were ones of him putting late shots in on much smaller players and the amount cards he received.

If history has taught (most) people, with a memory beyond last Christmas, anything, the Best Team and It’s players, stand up in winter.

I know it’s unpopular to mention “crusaders “ at this time of the year, if you live north of Tasman, so understand why you don’t have the Cahones to do so.

So I’ll give you a caveat to borrow, IF, you swap out, Finau for ANYONE.

“This is my selection, with the understanding, there is likely to be, Crusader players, stand up in the coming weeks and claim spots in Rennie’s 23”.

Na.

Proctor couldn't handle the step up in 2025

Jordy Barrett to FB.

LF from wing to centre.

Some of the older backs have had their time & needs to be some brutal changes.

DMac, ALB are past it. 😊

I’d be surprised if Ratima is picked.

If this was the selection, I’d be happy. This is especially true of the loose forwards which is the most contentious area. I didn’t think that Will Jordan’s injury was that bad, but if he is missing then that might give an opportunity for Reiko coming back, I guess.

Outside backs is ridiculous. Definitely can drop some for extra midfielders and loosies.

This author has lost the plot talking about Rieko as winger.