All Blacks & AB XV Northern Tours 2025

[waiopehu oldboy]

Dates announced so far:

1 Nov AB XV v Barbarians in Brentgord time TBA

2 Nov AB v Ireland in Chicago 0900 NZT

9 Nov AB v Scotland at Murrayfield 0410

16 Nov AB v England at Twickenham 0410

23 Nov AB v Wales at Millennium Stadium 0410

Still room for an out-of-window money maker in early December...

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Fixture added:

8 Nov AB XV v England A in Bath

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Jamie Joseph will coach the AB XV this year & next.

 

[Dan54]

Fixture added:

8 Nov AB XV v England A in Bath

Geez and I was in Bath a year early WOB, what an absolutely beuatiful city and ground to be playing the match!

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

The article about Joseph's appointment also mentions a match v Georgia on Edit: 16/11 is close to being confirmed.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Asago Aumua is still working through the return to play protocols ~6 weeks after being concussed. Even if he completes them in time to be available for selection he won't have played since 31/08 so would Razor risk picking him or go with McAlister or Bell?

 

[Dan54]

No way should he even be considered. It's a head injury, just let him get over it properly.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Team naming at 11:30 today NZDT.

Not expecting any surprises, Razor being the most conservative AB coach selection-wise in decades, but they do need to replace Vaa’i, Lomax, Narawa, Hotham & possibly Aumua.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Team naming at 11:30 today NZDT.

Not expecting any surprises, Razor being the most conservative AB coach selection-wise in decades

ALB, BB, Jordie, it'll be the usual parade of contractually-obligated plodders.

 

[zer0]

ALB, BB, Jordie, it'll be the usual parade of contractually-obligated plodders.

As predicted by the resident expert.

Extremely uninspiring. The XV is shaping us as being much more interesting.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Bell the only player not in or added to TRC squad, Mafileo the only uncapped player.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

ALB, fuck me.

God only knows why theyre persisting with Finau, Kirifi and Jacobsen. Found out as either too small, too dumb or a nothing journeyman.

Josh Lord over Darry, LOL.

Lord to be injured on the flight over by one tiny bump of turbulence as he sits in his plane seat.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

AB XV named tomorrow & hopefully contains plenty of newbies to replace the oldies in the main squad in time for RWC.

 

[zer0]

What's the likelihood of that happening though? Like you said, for all his surfer bro-ness and terrible dancing, Robertson is the most conservative AB coach in decades/the pro era. The only way I can see significant changes is if the EOYT is a complete disaster, to the tune of 1-3 or something.

Otherwise this is probably close to the RWC squad. Which is extremely depressing.

 

[Dan54]

Pretty well team as I thought it would be. I didn't see many changes. Thought maybe we would of seen Darry get a look, but apart from maybe Tangitau on wing (couple of players I wouldn't of minded a peek at), I don't think genuinely there was a chance of changes. Even those two maybe considered better to go on ABXV tour and show wares?

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Robertson is the most conservative AB coach in decades/the pro era.

That miserable squad looks like Razors had the hard word from NZRFU Accounts "look, these tenured old creakers of yesteryear are all on hoary great contracts so we're contractually obliged to keep picking the hopeless pricks now."

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

He did say "there will be some bolters" when asked about the XV today, let's hope he's true to his word & doesn't class e.g. Darry as a bolter...

 

[zer0]

Maybe not as exciting as I'd hoped if Robertson is basically picking it.

Robertson confirmed hooker Brodie McAlister and lock Sam Darry will be in the All Blacks XV squad coached by Highlanders boss Jamie Joseph. McAlister made two test appearances against France and the Springboks this season, but his place in the All Blacks' Grand Slam squad has been taken by George Bell.

While the All Blacks selectors had a heavy hand in picking the All Blacks XV squad, it was up to Joseph to name his captain.

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

McAlister already locked in. I'm now expecting other such bold and dazzling selections as, Ethan Blackadder, Quinten Strange, Tom Christie, Braydon Ennor, and Chay Fihaki. And, of course, Dave.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Refs have been appointed:

"Frenchman Pierre Broussert will referee the All Blacks opening game of their northern tour against Ireland in Chicago on November 1.

"Australian Nic Berry will referee their Test against Scotland in Edinburgh on 8 November.

"Italian Andrea Piardi will referee the Test against England at Twickenham on 15 November.

"Hollie Davidson will referee the All Blacks Test against Wales in Cardiff on 22 November."

Hollie Davidson to referee All Blacks game

Scottish referee Hollie Davidson will control the All Blacks Test against Wales in Cardiff next month.

www.rnz.co.nz

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Tuipulotu out with a shoulder injury, replaced by Darry.

Ah Kuoi next in line?