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

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

@junior Really hope BB is just a squadie. Don't really want to see him anywhere near the starting 23 if everyone is fit. His day has gone and it is Love's turn to carry the mantle at 10.

Love needs reps. Everything else is just masturbation.

Beuady has had 140 odd reps. For me he is there in the "good guy around the hotel lobby" role. To police attire and curfews. Nothing more.

Guess that shows why you not an AB selector or coach, if you wasted picks like that. You would just put him on coaching staff.

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

@Jet then what’s the point of even having him there? I’m not sure what he offers. Why not have a younger guy in to learn a thing or two?

If struck with a late injury crisis at 10 , you can call on a guy that’s not going to shit the bed

He’s not what he used to be , but he’s still handy to have around as a number 3 or 4 imo

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

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

In theory Rennie's style suits him

Rennie's style suits 2016 BB. I don't think it suits 2026 BB.

because Rennie's trying to win?

Rennie confirmed just before that Ardie will be playing this week (not big news, of course) and wasn't really hinting at BB getting a run in relation to questions on that.

Landers on point again.

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

Landers on point again.

Yep, @landers92 coming through with the goods once again.

not a huge fan of guys like Fineangnofo getting a short run off the bench one week and then gone the next, not sure we we saw enough to judge, possible he also picked up a small niggle i guess

all in all not bad

Segner gets named then I look up at the telly screen...

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

not a huge fan of guys like Fineangnofo getting a short run off the bench one week and then gone the next, not sure we we saw enough to judge, possible he also picked up a small niggle i guess

all in all not bad

Hes out injured shoulder

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

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

not a huge fan of guys like Fineangnofo getting a short run off the bench one week and then gone the next, not sure we we saw enough to judge, possible he also picked up a small niggle i guess

all in all not bad

Hes out injured shoulder

Excellent news, it's a tough row to hoe learning to trust the AB coach again.

@Jnr cheers, shit for him but good to think he might not have dropped off the radar after such a short run

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

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

Landers on point again.

Yep, @landers92 coming through with the goods once again.

I better be careful. I might get called out for pointing out a blues winger was dropped from the 23

@Landers92 said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:

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

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

Landers on point again.

Yep, @landers92 coming through with the goods once again.

I better be careful. I might get called out for pointing out a blues winger was dropped from the 23

Lol mate, no doubt a response is coming your way.

Have they said anything about Lakai and if that’s an injury replacement, rotation or searching for the right loose forward combination?

Best thing about this team, no Beauden Barrett once again

@ShaquilleOatmeal Kirifi?

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

@ShaquilleOatmeal Kirifi?

Kirifi, Lakai, Savea... same thing innit?

@Bones i guess the rule has been all loosies are interchangeable

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

@ShaquilleOatmeal Kirifi?

*Lakai. Brain fart there.

@ShaquilleOatmeal fair, same with QT for me....new (ish) to a position and gone after one game

too be clear, still think largely good team

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

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

@ShaquilleOatmeal Kirifi?

*Lakai. Brain fart there.

It looks like they are rotating the squad? Newell, Aumua, Numia, Lakai, Tupaea, Clarke.

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

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

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

@ShaquilleOatmeal Kirifi?

*Lakai. Brain fart there.

It looks like they are rotating the squad? Newell, Aumua, Numia, Lakai, Tupaea, Clarke.

I'd say that is correct. There aren't many opportunities to give the squad time before the August Tour.

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

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

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

@ShaquilleOatmeal Kirifi?

*Lakai. Brain fart there.

It looks like they are rotating the squad? Newell, Aumua, Numia, Lakai, Tupaea, Clarke.

I would’ve thought they’d stick with Lakai, given last week was his first ever start at blindside. But maybe they really don’t think the numbers on the jerseys matter at all or they’re trying to work out who’s best suited to the role as they see it. The other players are known quantities so it makes a little more sense to rotate there.

It would appear there might be players who wont play at all through these 3 NC games?

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

It would appear there might be players who wont play at all through these 3 NC games?

I kind of hope so. I’d much rather they worked on giving those that need it experience, find the best lineup and work on combinations than just gave everyone a run. Assuming everyone in this week’s team gets aim the field, it’s only Parker, Preston and Beauden Barrett yet to feature, though.

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

@ShaquilleOatmeal fair, same with QT for me....new (ish) to a position and gone after one game

too be clear, still think largely good team

I think they mentioned QT was a bit beaten up. I think they wanted to see him at 13 to see if he was a viable option alongside Proctor.

After this weekend they should have a better idea of where each stands.

@1kiwi said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:

Best thing about this team, no Beauden Barrett once again

I am very pleased the spine of hooker, 8, halfback, ten and fullback has remained the same.

Basically happy with that 23 to take on Italy.

Might have been a good one to have given Preston some time at half back. The drop off in that position after Cam Roigard is massive.

@Dan54 said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:

Guess that shows why you not an AB selector or coach, if you wasted picks like that. You would just put him on coaching staff.

He's got a big fat playing contract.
How they handle that is tricky business, if you don't want to use him.

Not like the old days; you'd just say thanks for your efforts, goodbye.

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

Have they said anything about Lakai and if that’s an injury replacement, rotation or searching for the right loose forward combination?

Numia, Aumua and Lakai have had massive workloads this year so probably a good chance for them to freshen up like they’ve done with Tosi.

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

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

Have they said anything about Lakai and if that’s an injury replacement, rotation or searching for the right loose forward combination?

Numia, Aumua and Lakai have had massive workloads this year so probably a good chance for them to freshen up like they’ve done with Tosi.

They've also made it clear they are going to give players selected in the 34 a run so this ticks that off too

oh good so BB v Ireland? When has that ever gone wrong?

Watching DSPN and they’re saying it’s a little conservative. Totally disagree. You’ve got 3 tests to bed in the new coaching before the tour. Need to get consistency while having a look at the positions they’re not 100% sold on.

Beauden won’t play until he rolls out with the dirt trackers.

Someone like Quinn probably needs a rest. Caleb didn’t go so great so compare him to Leroy.

Always love to see an AB team with future captain Sam Darry. FCSD.

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

Always love to see an AB team with future captain Sam Darry. FCSD.

Was watching the top 100 NZ songs on RNZ and spotted this in one of the videos.

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

Watching DSPN and they’re saying it’s a little conservative. Totally disagree. You’ve got 3 tests to bed in the new coaching before the tour. Need to get consistency while having a look at the positions they’re not 100% sold on.

Beauden won’t play until he rolls out with the dirt trackers.

Someone like Quinn probably needs a rest. Caleb didn’t go so great so compare him to Leroy.

Always love to see an AB team with future captain Sam Darry. FCSD.

By ‘conservative’, they mean it’s not a complete B team that’ll play chaotic rugby and make the game worthless for evaluating players.

My own slight complaints are Taylor at hooker and ALB on the bench. Otherwise pretty good team for Italy.

@mariner4life said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:

oh good so BB v Ireland? When has that ever gone wrong?

Let's hope it is just a brief cameo and a farewell from the bench.

I really dislike the way he is blocking younger talent from the squad, but maybe a standing ovation from Eden Park as he comes on with four minutes to go against Ireland would be a fitting way for a once (and it was a decade ago) great All Black to end his international career?