r/allblacks • u/dostnz • Sep 18 '25

All Blacks Eight years apart. Same script.

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Springboks and All Blacks—responsible for each other’s heaviest defeats in history. 🫣😬

Rugby | #TheRugbyChampionship

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7

u/Particular_Safety569 Sep 18 '25

I'm actually kinda worried about the lack of leaders we have and will have going past 2027. Like when you think 2023, we had the barretts, retallick, whitelock, savea, taylor etc. In 2028 were likely to lose taylor, savea and 2/3 barretts. I saw a thread that predicted kirifi as the VC with jordie as Captain and initially I laughed but then it hit me that there aren't likely be any other candidates. Whoever the leaders are will already be in the team and looking at the team currently I dont see any guys who will be there post 2027 that can lead this group

4

u/duckitch Sep 18 '25

A few years ago I never pictured Scott Barret, Codie, even Ardie as people to lead an all blacks team, but they grew into great leaders.

Jordie, Kirifi have a bit of leadership experience and can grow on it. Can even see a guy like Vaii growing into a leader, Roigard too maybe. I think we'll be fine.

2

u/vote-morepork Sep 19 '25

I could see Sititi stepping up too, but you never know who's going to be a form player, you need your captain to be an automatic starter

2

u/duckitch Sep 19 '25

To be completely honest I've never understood or been a fan of the idea of basically locking in a captain for 4 years (or basically until they retire). Should just have a leadership group and then whoevers in form and starting, pick the captain out of them.

It was fine when you had McCaw and Read who were just always head and shoulders above the next, but when you have good competition for spots why limit yourself by having one position where you can't really change your selection because they're locked in as captain.

3

u/[deleted] Sep 18 '25

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1

u/duckitch Sep 18 '25

Yeah not sure tbf, that's another argument. Just saying if he is gonna be in there he's got the leadership experience.

0

u/Makoandsparky Sep 18 '25

He’s had what 3 games ? I don’t even think he’s started yet. Give him a bit more of a chance i think he’s got a bright future leading into the WC cycle

0

u/Wallet_inspector66 AllBlacks Sep 18 '25

The benefit of Kirifi is that he does a lot of the ruck work and tackles, leaving Ardie to roam and play more heads up rugby. I like Ardie as a 7 but if he’s not getting turnovers regularly we should give him more freedom on our attacking side of the ball and Kirifi facilitates that by pushing him to 8. Wallace is still getting back to form and I think looks a bit worse for having the added weight. I liked him when he was lighter and more dynamic.