All Blacks squad announced with Scott Barrett named captain

Scott Robertson is the best International Coach in the World Rugby. He excites players to be the best they can be. Team culture and Personal Growth are his philosophy. Don’t be fooled by his Happy Go Lucky Persona.

His coaching record speaks for itself. 7 consecutive Super Rugby Championships. A total of ten rugby titles. 2015 Under 20 World Champs All Blacks. He is constantly adjusting his tactics. He has an all time 84% WIN Record.

Conversely Steve Borthwick has a 65% WIN record for the Leicester Tigers and a 59% WIN rate for England. Plus England have WON twice in New Zealand in 120 years.

I am sure this new All Black team will be a “Force” to be reckoned with and will be a much happier team with a great culture and play scintillating rugby, which will outsmart any “Tactics Borthwick will employ”

To think that Borthwick will suddenly improve his game tactics by 25%+ against Robertson in New Zealand is simply “a fairy tale”

After the Poms get thrashed in the two tests here, he will probably be looking for a new gig.

All Blacks 43 + England 9 and no tries

Barrett seems risky for the captaincy. Unless this Razor fella was impressed by Cane getting sent off in a world cup final. Perhaps that’s the new standard?

There has been so much messing around with the fullback that hardly any team has a fulltime / specialist 15. Too many hybrids 10 / 15s and converted wings. Stevenson is probably the only “proper fullback” in Super Rugby.

Razor has his team and the coaches he wanted. Hopefully he gets treated with more respect by the press and fans than the previous coach. Like other coaches, he has two options - win or win - with no excuses. That’s the job description. Failure will bring criticism, especially as he has been placed on a pedestal by many.

I really thought that Ardie Savea had shown enough leadership quality to be All Black’s Captain. I am shocked that he was overlooked but I guess Scott is not a bad choice other

Some good players were always going to miss out on this squad, I’m just surprised which ones they are.

There were some very bold selections done on the back form that just can’t be ignored in the case of Sititi, Tosi, Aumua, and Proctor.

But then players like Sotutu, Love, Lakai, who had similarly breakout seasons were left out in favour of incumbents with injury effected seasons and middling form like Jacobson, Blackadder, and Perofeta, which seems incredibly UNbold. Foster-esque in fact.

Hurricanes underwhelming end to the season probably cost some of their players getting over the line, but there are a large number of Chiefs forwards included at the expense of Blues forwards who made them look like amateurs.

Razor and co having their first game against a strong England team was always going to be a difficult start, some of these random selections (like no specialist 15 against a team who LOVES high kicks and have an outstanding chasing game) seems to be increasing the difficulty level, but makes the team announcement all the more intriguing.

I posted a comment asking for clarification on Sam Darrys status in the squad, I’ve since found my answer elsewhere but I’ve come back to find my comment has been labeled as spam. Can anyone else see it? This has never happened to me before and I checked for similar comments but there aren’t any. The only explanation I can think of is that I quoted the article which is so silly if that’s the reason.

Selecting the dirtiest player in the team as captain is very risky.

A rather dull affair in the end, don’t know why Razor was so nervous. They need to have it as like a SR awards/winners dinner and All Black presentation.

Fairly predictable side, with Razor and co definitely falling on the side of All Black tradition and transitioning the existing group. The time for change will come later.

I think the All Blacks most likely missed the boat over the last few years promoting Bell over Tyrone Thompson. I would have preferred if things developed faster for him and he’d have time to win selection.

Would have loved if Razor got asked what position or role Blackadder was picked for. Surprised theres no presser?

No Sotutu or Lakai but Blackadder gets in somehow. Sititi got included because his stats speak for themselves and he was a clear standout in a team that was completely dominated in a final. But Sotutu had his best year ever and still misses out. I wouldn’t have Finau in the team either. The guy is a penalty magnet thanks to poor discipline as he has consistently shown all year.

I thought George Bower did enough for a recall in a losing Crusaders team and did not expect Tosi to get in ahead of him. You’d have to think if Numia did not get injured he’d be there instead.

And Bell over Riccitelli is confusing because Riccitelli had a hell of a year and throws lineouts pretty consistently.