@Chris-B. said in All Blacks v Italy, 2026:
@Victor-Meldrew We will have to disagree on Jordan - but, he needs matchplay and DMac doesn't, so I think they'll probably go this way.
BB may be on the bench instead of DMac.
To carry on from my post above. Clarke out. Jordan remains on the wing and Dmac in 15.
@Landers92 said in All Blacks v Italy, 2026:
@chimoaus said in All Blacks v Italy, 2026:
No mention of Tana anywhere in the thread? Not sure how much time he has had to make a difference or how big his role is but lets hope he can help stem the tide of points scored against the ABs in recent years.
He has copped it a bit but I think it’s a little unfair. He has had just over a week to work with the squad. From what I heard, the main focus in the first week or so was on attack. More time went into that than defense.
Let’s give him some time to get his systems in place and make adjustments where needed.
No. I already have my favourite pitchfork.
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks v Italy, 2026:
Is the French side known for thier D?
I think Shaun Edwards has now left so they have a new defence coach. But France were leaking points at the end of the 6N.
@Tim said in All Blacks v Italy, 2026:
@Landers92 said in All Blacks v Italy, 2026:
Clarke out.
Injured?
Don’t have the answer to that sorry.
I’m hearing Ratima is likely to retain his bench spot as well. Other than that, team is subject to change due to a couple of heavy training sessions today and tomorrow. I’ll hold off posting anything else team naming related until things are locked in.
@Tim said in All Blacks v Italy, 2026:
@Landers92 said in All Blacks v Italy, 2026:
Clarke out.
Injured?
Nasty case of niggles?
@Chris-B. said in All Blacks v Italy, 2026:
@Victor-Meldrew We will have to disagree on Jordan - but, he needs matchplay and DMac doesn't, so I think they'll probably go this way.
BB may be on the bench instead of DMac.
After Rennie’s comments last week I doubt we will see Jordan at fullback unless there’s an emergency.
I got the sense that he likes the “two fullbacks” approach in 15 and 14, so makes sense to play Jordan on the right wing.
If they want to try something they can just bring in Moorby to the right, but again I can’t see Jordan being rested given his importance in our attack.
@george33 said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
8- 9 changes within 23 . Expect Vaii to start at 6.
Are you looking over the fence again at training @george33 ?
@SouthernMann said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
I'll stand up for our lad. EDG has played one game in six weeks. He needs to keep playing.
We want him full noise for Ireland. I want a statement win against Ireland at Eden park.
For a few reasons:
To hopefully show the progression and improvement across the July tests.
To make the bokke sit up and take notice. I would like to come in under the radar on the SA tour and for the boks to underestimate us. But seeing improvement is more important. I want SA to feel a little uneasy about the ABs coming over.
Ireland embarrassed us in 2022 on our home turf. We have beaten them 3 times since then - in France, Dublin and Chicago. I want a big performance that says we are back. And beating them at home will show Ireland that normal service has resumed.
So De Groot is in career best form. Let’s keep him that way. Rest ip against Italy or 20 minutes and then starting against Ireland
@Bovidae said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks v Italy, 2026:
Is the French side known for thier D?
I think Shaun Edwards has now left so they have a new defence coach. But France were leaking points at the end of the 6N.
Yes, galthie was running defence at the end of the six nations and Edwards subsequently left.
They then shipped 96 points against Scotland and england .
@george33 said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
8- 9 changes within 23 . Expect Vaii to start at 6.
I don’t have any inside on the forward at the moment, who have you heard George?
I’ll say this, there are 2 changes to the starting backline and 2 changes in the backs on the bench at this stage.
Like I said further up the thread. All subject to change depending how guys pull up after yesterday and today. Should get confirmation tomorrow
@Landers92 Based on earlier posts, changes on the left wing and the reserve backs excluding Ratima?
@george33 said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
Have been told that Reiko will join squad next week.
Oh! Maybe that locked in starting backline from a few weeks ago was for the Ireland game.
@ShaquilleOatmeal maybe tomorrow.
@george33 said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
@ShaquilleOatmeal maybe tomorrow.
Awesome. I’m really looking forward to Beauden Barrett at first five and Jordie Barrett on the wing! And a team naming on Wednesday too.
@george33 said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
Have been told that Reiko will join squad next week.
for who? whos injured?
@Kiwiwomble said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
@george33 said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
Have been told that Reiko will join squad next week.
for who? whos injured?
Joining the squad could mean joining the squad for training as opposed to an official squad member
@KiwiMurph very true, i have assumed he means joining the playing squad but youre right
@KiwiMurph joining the squad . Injuries couple.
@Kiwiwomble said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
@george33 said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
Have been told that Reiko will join squad next week.
for who? whos injured?
I'd assumed Clarke, based on the reliable sauce.
@WoodysRFC said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
This game likely to sell out in next day.
They had to heavily discount tickets in a promotion a week or so back.
@Bovidae said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
@WoodysRFC said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
This game likely to sell out in next day.
They had to heavily discount tickets in a promotion a week or so back.
It's Italy, too be expected really, may as well follow the successful Warriors formula.
Just posted this in the wrong thread lol.
Haven’t heard anything that leads me to believe any injuries were picked up over the last 2 days so will post the backline below.
Bench
21. Ratima
22. ALB
23. Moorby
Now if anything has been picked up and I haven’t been informed that backline could change. If I hear anything I’ll post it.
Unsure on forwards other than a similar amount of changes. They are pretty keen to have their best available out there.
@Landers92 said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
Just posted this in the wrong thread lol.
Haven’t heard anything that leads me to believe any injuries were picked up over the last 2 days so will post the backline below.
- Roigard
- Love
- Carter
- Barrett
- Proctor
- Jordan
- McKenzie
Bench
21. Ratima
22. ALB
23. Moorby
Love the oil, not enamoured with some of the selections.
But for now, in Rennie we trust. Carter would have thrived in last week's game.
Hopefully we see Fehi starting next week.
@Landers92 said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
@Mr-Fish I’m assuming Fehi has picked something up either against France or at training. As I posted up the thread they weren’t taking any risks with anyone carrying a niggle with the SA tour just around the corner.
Do you think all changes will be injury enforced, even if it's only minor niggles (e.g. Quinn Tupaea's absence)?
No Barrett again is welcome news. If he doesn’t get a run against the likes of Italy, he’s really down the pecking order. We might never be forced to watch in horror as he floats a chip kick directly to an opposition player again.
@Landers92 said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
Just posted this in the wrong thread lol.
Haven’t heard anything that leads me to believe any injuries were picked up over the last 2 days so will post the backline below.
- Roigard
- Love
- Carter
- Barrett
- Proctor
- Jordan
- McKenzie
Bench
21. Ratima
22. ALB
23. Moorby
Pretty happy with that. Would have preferred to see QT get some more miles under the belt at centre and develop that 12/13 combination, but at least the playmakers are mostly intact.
Hoping the tight forwards balance between bench and starter skillsets changes a bit, and to see some loosie changes.
@antipodean when we got owned by Boks in Wellington.
I really don’t understand the continued selection of Carter. Thought he was woeful against the Bok and England last year and juts as woeful in the SR final. Not sure his speed makes up enough the the highball and positioning deficiencies
@Rugbyman said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
@antipodean when we got owned by Boks in Wellington.
Not the ringing endorsement one was hoping for!
@jimmyb said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
I really don’t understand the continued selection of Carter. Thought he was woeful against the Bok and England last year and juts as woeful in the SR final. Not sure his speed makes up enough the the highball and positioning deficiencies
Definitely wouldn't have him playing against the Springboks but think he adds value against basically every other team. But given Moorby needs match time before the South Africa trip, I would have preferred to see him play.
