@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.

8- 9 changes within 23 . Expect Vaii to start at 6.

@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?

Have been told that Reiko will join squad next week.

@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.

I expect Proctor and Fehi will start.

@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.

This game likely to sell out in next day.

@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.

9. Roigard
10. Love
11. Carter
12. Barrett
13. Proctor
14. Jordan
15. McKenzie

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.

9. Roigard
10. Love
11. Carter
12. Barrett
13. Proctor
14. Jordan
15. 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.

@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.

@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)?

@Mr-Fish I don’t think so. I also don’t have that much info haha. Just know they want to continue putting close to their strongest sides out while also getting a look at everyone before the tour.

Can anyone recall the last time Carter played left wing?

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.

9. Roigard
10. Love
11. Carter
12. Barrett
13. Proctor
14. Jordan
15. 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.

Really pleased they are continuing with the axis of 10. Love, 14. Jordan, 15. DMac. It's easily the best use of all three players talents, and gives us lots of options for the makeup of the bench. I think those three players are going to be critical to our chances in SA.

@Landers92 said in All Blacks v Italy, 2026:

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.

9. Roigard
10. Love
11. Carter
12. Barrett
13. Proctor
14. Jordan
15. McKenzie

Bench
21. Ratima
22. ALB
23. Moorby

Is this backline better than the Canes?

@BerniesCorner said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:

@Landers92 said in All Blacks v Italy, 2026:

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.

9. Roigard
10. Love
11. Carter
12. Barrett
13. Proctor
14. Jordan
15. McKenzie

Bench
21. Ratima
22. ALB
23. Moorby

Is this backline better than the Canes?

WJ an upgrade. DMac playing well when he's not brainfarting. Carter<Fehi, ALB not an upgrade. It's a close one, but I'd say nah

@jimmyb Fehi should have had a start against Italy, we know Carter should not start against the Boks as he was as clueless as the English wingers were the last weekend under the high ball. Boks will put Ethan Hooker up against him (1.94m) and destroy us with a high ball barrage.

@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

It confounds me that a guy like Stevenson who is great under the highball and has a massive boot got 1 opportunity while guys like Carter and Reece who can't catch to save themselves get do overs all the time

@Canes4life said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:

@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 ?

@canefan Yeah. I'd be starting Moorby and Fehi for this one.