All Blacks 2026

This might not be the right thread, as many of the points may be more related to Super rugby and alignment in the domestic game, but interesting interview with Pat Lam on Devlin. He talked about how much time he gets with their players (like 30 games) and how they know that unless a player is with their international side, they have them there with them - he contrasted that with NZ and the piecemeal approach that you get as a Super rugby coach. Quite damning when you look at our organization in comparison to what they are doing up North.

@Victor-Meldrew

Also it's not just the top job (culture coach), I'm astounded that NZR got into a situation where the 3 selectors are all from the same franchise. In previous appointments there was an effort to have a variety of backgrounds. It's unthinkable that Henry could've had two Blues selectors with him etc

One of the reasons that the cartel succeeded was because they challenged each other and Henry didn't win every argument

@Duluth said in All Blacks 2026:

@Victor-Meldrew

Also it's not just the top job (culture coach), I'm astounded that NZR got into a situation where the 3 selectors are all from the same franchise. In previous appointments there would be an effort to have a variety of backgrounds. It's unthinkable that Henry could've had two Blues selectors with him etc

One of the reasons that cartel succeeded was that they challenged each other and Henry didn't win every argument

Good point. And it's interesting that the 2 Assistants who have left were non-Cantabs, I'd still have Ryan there though, done a pretty good job/

@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2026:

@Duluth said in All Blacks 2026:

@Victor-Meldrew

Also it's not just the top job (culture coach), I'm astounded that NZR got into a situation where the 3 selectors are all from the same franchise. In previous appointments there would be an effort to have a variety of backgrounds. It's unthinkable that Henry could've had two Blues selectors with him etc

One of the reasons that cartel succeeded was that they challenged each other and Henry didn't win every argument

Good point. And it's interesting that the 2 Assistants who have left were non-Cantabs, I'd still have Ryan there though, done a pretty good job/

But arguably is the worst for provincial bias, going by the rumors about his thoughts on Sotutu and (unconfirmed) Akira.

Edit: Seems confirmed, thanks @African-Monkey

@gt12 said in All Blacks 2026:

@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2026:

@Duluth said in All Blacks 2026:

@Victor-Meldrew

Also it's not just the top job (culture coach), I'm astounded that NZR got into a situation where the 3 selectors are all from the same franchise. In previous appointments there would be an effort to have a variety of backgrounds. It's unthinkable that Henry could've had two Blues selectors with him etc

One of the reasons that cartel succeeded was that they challenged each other and Henry didn't win every argument

Good point. And it's interesting that the 2 Assistants who have left were non-Cantabs, I'd still have Ryan there though, done a pretty good job/

But arguably is the worst for provincial bias, going by the rumors about his thoughts on Sotutu and (unconfirmed) Akira.

@chchfanatic (wherever he is now) can confirm for us that they hated Akira. He was at a bbq with them and Akira's name got bought up and they all laughed at him circa 2018.

@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:

@chchfanatic (wherever he is now) can confirm for us that they hated Akira. He was at a bbq with them and Akira's name got bought up and they all laughed at him circa 2018.

Laughed at Akira, circa 2018? Professional coaches did that?

Pat Lam actually touched on a lot of what’s being debated in this thread — not just results, but the system underneath the All Blacks. He was pretty blunt about NZ not being the benchmark anymore and said that’s actually an advantage if NZ Rugby is honest about it and makes the right decisions around development, Super Rugby, and funding.

What I found interesting is that he wasn’t having a go at Razor or the players at all — more the structures, the crowds dropping, and whether NPC/Super Rugby are still doing the job they used to.

I wrote up a piece pulling together his main points if anyone’s interested:

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2026:

@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:

@chchfanatic (wherever he is now) can confirm for us that they hated Akira. He was at a bbq with them and Akira's name got bought up and they all laughed at him circa 2018.

Laughed at Akira, circa 2018? Professional coaches did that?

According to him, yes.

@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2026:

@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:

@chchfanatic (wherever he is now) can confirm for us that they hated Akira. He was at a bbq with them and Akira's name got bought up and they all laughed at him circa 2018.

Laughed at Akira, circa 2018? Professional coaches did that?

According to him, yes.

I'm a little bit shocked!

@giorgi1997

Welcome aboard.

It was interesting interview, and he brought up many interesting points, including that he hardly knew Robbie Deans when he was asked to coach with him on the AB ticket. His story on that really showed how stupid it has been to make coaches find a team - often independent from others - of what the whole team would look like. He's right that they should hire the head coach, who then gets to help select the right and best assistants.

On many other points, I think he makes good points - falling interest from the public etc, but his solution (a Giteau rule to free up more money) was rightly questioned by Devlin - taking more stars out of the NZ game isn't going to get punters to the games.

@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2026:

@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:

@chchfanatic (wherever he is now) can confirm for us that they hated Akira. He was at a bbq with them and Akira's name got bought up and they all laughed at him circa 2018.

Laughed at Akira, circa 2018? Professional coaches did that?

According to him, yes.

Him being chchfanatic or Akira?
The Cantab mafia have been a bit quiet lately. I really enjoyed ChCh sauce as he clearly knows much and was happy to share. It would be fascinating to hear what is being said there at the moment.

@gt12 said in All Blacks 2026:

@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2026:

@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:

@chchfanatic (wherever he is now) can confirm for us that they hated Akira. He was at a bbq with them and Akira's name got bought up and they all laughed at him circa 2018.

Laughed at Akira, circa 2018? Professional coaches did that?

According to him, yes.

Him being chchfanatic or Akira?
The Cantab mafia have been a bit quiet lately. I really enjoyed ChCh sauce as he clearly knows much and was happy to share. It would be fascinating to hear what is being said there at the moment.

Him being chchfanatic.

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2026:

Professional coaches did that?

Clearly not professional. Pity NZR are only just finding out, eh?

@giorgi1997 said in All Blacks 2026:

and whether NPC/Super Rugby are still doing the job they used to.

Well. Lam pretty much lining up with my thoughts, and this thread really.
It's kinda starting to become obvious to all the astute.

As for NPC and SR, i've pretty much written them off as top level competitions.
I still like them, but they are not top class, and probably never will be going forward.
They are just for AB talent spotting now.
The preparation for Test rugby can not be done in those comps.
Instead of sending veteran ABs overseas on sabbatical/loan deals; maybe they should be sending the development players.

The NZ rugby public are a little bit aware.
They realise that the star players are not playing in the NPC.
Taking the star players out of any sporting comp, is going to fuck it real quick.
NZR dont hesitate to take star players out of SR as well.

And it's not just the star players either.
A while ago I counted about 500 NZ origin players; in pro leagues around the world.
Add to that nearly 200 NZ born players in the NRL.
In the past (amateurs) all those players were in NZ, pressing for places in provincial teams.
So you can see why you'd get crowds of tens of thousands at big inter-provincial games.
The GP can be stupid, but they can recognise an inferior product sometimes.

@mohikamo said in All Blacks 2026:

@reprobate

I dont think being an international HC is an important requirement for being the AB HC.
But when the next AB HC is appointed; having experience with an overseas coaching system, should be an essential part of the resume.

But surely there is a bit of a change in focus for international vs club?
Club you get the guys for a full, uninterrupted season. Can train them exactly how you want, get them in camps early and build the team environment. Club pathways have fed you players familiar with the club style, you might pick up a signing or two but overall your tools are in front of you and you do the best with what you have. Your opponents are a fairly known quantity too so you can plan accordingly

Whereas international, you are not only identifying talent, you are basically starting with a blank canvas (obviously with some incumbents). You have them for a shorter time, guys might be in form (or not), you are trying to research other international teams that dont play week in week out. Build new relationships and timetables with these guys, drop vets and start rookies. Seems like a lot more to think about than a club side.

At least being familiar with this dynamic as a player or coach is surely a pretty valuable item on a resume

@DurryMexted That's the thing. There are people saying 'international experience is crucial'. But do they mean:
Coaching an overseas club, or a national team? Does that team have to be successful?
If a national team, does it have to be tier 1? If a club team, which comps count?
Does it have to be as a head coach, or is being an assistant in those environments enough?
What about playing in those environments, does that count?

@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:

@DurryMexted That's the thing. There are people saying 'international experience is crucial'. But do they mean:
Coaching an overseas club, or a national team? Does that team have to be successful?
If a national team, does it have to be tier 1? If a club team, which comps count?
Does it have to be as a head coach, or is being an assistant in those environments enough?
What about playing in those environments, does that count?

Yeah i see what you mean. Be interesting to know how these coaches themselves actually upskill themselves. No doubt theres endless research into high performance coaching and environments.

Thinking of it from that perspective, you would probably look at places like the french clubs as having the most resource and advanced systems. You wouldnt be looking at say the fijian coaching crew and think, these guys are clued up in the modern coaching practices, despite recent success. Point taken

@DurryMexted I mean if you put the 'business' spin on it, this guys been running your provincial arm for many years, making good profits, do you make him go work for a competitor overseas to gain further experience before being considered for the top job?

I dont think it is essential, and his CV at the time meant he demanded serious consideration but based on what we have heard since, what did he sell NZR on his vision, 1st year, 2nd and 4 year plan (last one included winning the RWC one assumes)

Where a real world model vs the NZR model part ways, is he gets to bring a team with him, in the business world, these other roles would in most cases be filled already.

@Tim said in All Blacks 2026:

View embedded content

If nothing else, the optics of having an outgoing chief executive who is a former Crusaders teammate of Robertson’s, an interim chief executive, Steve Lancaster, who is also a former Crusaders teammate and who was best man at the All Blacks coach’s wedding and Anthony as head of high-performance, don’t look great.
They are not helped by the fact that the three remaining national assistants – Scott Hansen, Jason Ryan and Tamati Ellison are all also ex-Crusaders.

That's not optics, that's a takeover.

@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2026:

@DurryMexted I mean if you put the 'business' spin on it, this guys been running your provincial arm for many years, making good profits, do you make him go work for a competitor overseas to gain further experience before being considered for the top job?

I dont think it is essential, and his CV at the time meant he demanded serious consideration but based on what we have heard since, what did he sell NZR on his vision, 1st year, 2nd and 4 year plan (last one included winning the RWC one assumes)

Where a real world model vs the NZR model part ways, is he gets to bring a team with him, in the business world, these other roles would in most cases be filled already.

IT's more about demonstrating success in various environments. Show that it's his magic that makes a difference, not the frameworks around him. Canterbury and then the Crusaders is a well established structure with clear culture. Does success transfer? Show it! Penney won the comp after a bad year; how much was him and how much was the framework?

@nzzp yeah I just think it is overstated, but would love to know what he pitched to them, or, as many think, the role was his and they didnt bother much with the detail of his pitch?

@gt12 said in All Blacks 2026:

On many other points, I think he makes good points - falling interest from the public etc, but his solution (a Giteau rule to free up more money) was rightly questioned by Devlin - taking more stars out of the NZ game isn't going to get punters to the games.

This does my head in. The amount of people who want a Giteau rule while at the same time bemoaning crowd numbers and somehow expecting that we can have both a Giteau rule and increase crowd numbers.

Also, is there really falling interest from the public? Viewership has been increasing in the last couple of years, we had bumper test viewership and the highest Super final viewership in over a decade this year. To keep up their doom and gloom scenario the stupid media had to write articles pretending there wasn't less games in Super this year so they could highlight a slight drop in total viewership.

We just don't, as a nation, seem to want to go to live matches anymore. I wonder if that is just price point? The Warriors reinvigorated themselves with cheap tickets, maybe rugby needs to bite the bullet and do the same?

@Nepia

Agreed, I reckon a Giteau rule is the start of the end of NZ's domestic game being anything more than a development league for other comps. It's worth noting that would help Lam btw, but also his rationale was on this aspect was faulty all the way through, so I'd recommend listening to the interview in full.

Edit:

On live games, I'm not going given how much it costs - no only in terms of money, but also the 1 hour drive there and back again, plus traffic, and the shitty food, and shitty beer. I'm surprised people actually go.

@Nepia There are several factors stopping people going as frequently as they used to. The price, as you say - and not just the tickets. Better quality streaming and TVs. A bit of over-saturation of rugby. More competition from other entertainment. Lower-quality competitions, with no All Blacks in the NPC, etc.

This one might just be me, but Super Rugby seems to have lost its appeal a bit with all the changes to teams and competition structure, South African teams leaving, Australian teams underperforming.

I also think atmosphere decline feeds on itself. Smaller crowds create a vicious cycle: empty seats reduce atmosphere, poor atmosphere discourages new or casual fans and once a ground feels quiet, people assume it’s not worth going.

@gt12 said in All Blacks 2026:

@Nepia

Agreed, I reckon a Giteau rule is the start of the end of NZ's domestic game being anything more than a development league for other comps. It's worth noting that would help Lam btw, but also his rationale was on this aspect was faulty all the way through, so I'd recommend listening to the interview in full.

We'd become the equivalent of Brazillian football. Up and coming stars leaving early, with NPC level players becoming super rugby regulars mixed with washed up former ABs who can't get a decent contract overseas.

@gt12 said in All Blacks 2026:

That's not optics, that's a takeover.

That has always been my concern with the current iteration of NZR. It also explains the weak response by those at the top to the current situation with the ABs.

@gt12 said in All Blacks 2026:

@Nepia

Agreed, I reckon a Giteau rule is the start of the end of NZ's domestic game being anything more than a development league for other comps. It's worth noting that would help Lam btw, but also his rationale was on this aspect was faulty all the way through, so I'd recommend listening to the interview in full.

Edit:

On live games, I'm not going given how much it costs - no only in terms of money, but also the 1 hour drive there and back again, plus traffic, and the shitty food, and shitty beer. I'm surprised people actually go.

Being in Sydney, my live attendances comes down to whether the Chiefs/Blues/Highlanders get a game in Sydney. Maybe the Canes if my mates want to go to it but then I'm left cheering for the reffing team.

SFS is a good stadium to watch games in, same with Commbank, but the combo of prices for AB tickets and especially the dog that is Homebush stadium has seen me choose not to go to test matches which would have been unthinkable in the past.

I always try to get to a match in NZ when I'm on trips home, especially the Magpies.

@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:

@gt12 said in All Blacks 2026:

@Nepia

Agreed, I reckon a Giteau rule is the start of the end of NZ's domestic game being anything more than a development league for other comps. It's worth noting that would help Lam btw, but also his rationale was on this aspect was faulty all the way through, so I'd recommend listening to the interview in full.

We'd become the equivalent of Brazillian football. Up and coming stars leaving early, with NPC level players becoming super rugby regulars mixed with washed up former ABs who can't get a decent contract overseas.

I was going to cite the exact same idea, but we'd be Brazil without the local population, so even worse as our domestic comp would likely struggle to even stay afloat.

@Nepia said in All Blacks 2026:

@gt12 said in All Blacks 2026:

@Nepia

Agreed, I reckon a Giteau rule is the start of the end of NZ's domestic game being anything more than a development league for other comps. It's worth noting that would help Lam btw, but also his rationale was on this aspect was faulty all the way through, so I'd recommend listening to the interview in full.

Edit:

On live games, I'm not going given how much it costs - no only in terms of money, but also the 1 hour drive there and back again, plus traffic, and the shitty food, and shitty beer. I'm surprised people actually go.

Being in Sydney, my live attendances comes down to whether the Chiefs/Blues/Highlanders get a game in Sydney. Maybe the Canes if my mates want to go to it but then I'm left cheering for the reffing team.

SFS is a good stadium to watch games in, same with Commbank, but the combo of prices for AB tickets and especially the dog that is Homebush stadium has seen me choose not to go to test matches which would have been unthinkable in the past.

I always try to get to a match in NZ when I'm on trips home, especially the Magpies.

I should add that I don't think the issue is the quality of the product.

Super rugby this year was great, and the teams were all pretty fun to watch - and the Landers will likely be the team to really watch moving forward.

So, the issue is likely a combination of cost, population, transport etc etc. You can avoid all that by getting F&C and enjoying at home.

@gt12 said in All Blacks 2026:

@Nepia said in All Blacks 2026:

@gt12 said in All Blacks 2026:

@Nepia

Agreed, I reckon a Giteau rule is the start of the end of NZ's domestic game being anything more than a development league for other comps. It's worth noting that would help Lam btw, but also his rationale was on this aspect was faulty all the way through, so I'd recommend listening to the interview in full.

Edit:

On live games, I'm not going given how much it costs - no only in terms of money, but also the 1 hour drive there and back again, plus traffic, and the shitty food, and shitty beer. I'm surprised people actually go.

Being in Sydney, my live attendances comes down to whether the Chiefs/Blues/Highlanders get a game in Sydney. Maybe the Canes if my mates want to go to it but then I'm left cheering for the reffing team.

SFS is a good stadium to watch games in, same with Commbank, but the combo of prices for AB tickets and especially the dog that is Homebush stadium has seen me choose not to go to test matches which would have been unthinkable in the past.

I always try to get to a match in NZ when I'm on trips home, especially the Magpies.

I should add that I don't think the issue is the quality of the product.

Super rugby this year was great, and the teams were all pretty fun to watch - and the Landers will likely be the team to really watch moving forward.

So, the issue is likely a combination of cost, population, transport etc etc. You can avoid all that by getting F&C and enjoying at home.

I agree, anyone who was death riding rugby (at Super and NPC level) this year just wasn't watching.

@gt12 said in All Blacks 2026:

@Nepia

Agreed, I reckon a Giteau rule is the start of the end of NZ's domestic game being anything more than a development league for other comps. It's worth noting that would help Lam btw, but also his rationale was on this aspect was faulty all the way through, so I'd recommend listening to the interview in full.

Edit:

On live games, I'm not going given how much it costs - no only in terms of money, but also the 1 hour drive there and back again, plus traffic, and the shitty food, and shitty beer. I'm surprised people actually go.

Going to rugby has always been thus mate. In fact it used to be you couldn't buy a beer there anyway. But I genuinely think if people don't go to rugby because of shitty beer, they were never going for rugby anyway. Probably same for food, my only concern would be price for people in family groups, but the same in any sport or where there temporary food stalls. I (and mrs) usually have something to eat before a game, and same with having a beer etc.Geez and I drive always an hour for NPC games, never under 2 hrs for a super game and about 3.5 hours for tests.
It's ok to say I don't want to get off couch, got a brother in law who says exactly that, why go out when I can watch it from couch.
I go to games because I love the game, think it deserves my support, and above all else can actually see more.

@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:

@gt12 said in All Blacks 2026:

@Nepia

Agreed, I reckon a Giteau rule is the start of the end of NZ's domestic game being anything more than a development league for other comps. It's worth noting that would help Lam btw, but also his rationale was on this aspect was faulty all the way through, so I'd recommend listening to the interview in full.

Edit:

On live games, I'm not going given how much it costs - no only in terms of money, but also the 1 hour drive there and back again, plus traffic, and the shitty food, and shitty beer. I'm surprised people actually go.

Going to rugby has always been thus mate. In fact it used to be you couldn't buy a beer there anyway. But I genuinely think if people don't go to rugby because of shitty beer, they were never going for rugby anyway. Probably same for food, my only concern would be price for people in family groups, but the same in any sport or where there temporary food stalls. I (and mrs) usually have something to eat before a game, and same with having a beer etc.Geez and I drive always an hour for NPC games, never under 2 hrs for a super game and about 3.5 hours for tests.
It's ok to say I don't want to get off couch, got a brother in law who says exactly that, why go out when I can watch it from couch.
I go to games because I love the game, think it deserves my support, and above all else can actually see more.

Just because something is a bit shit doesn't mean it has to be.
Just because the rugby is the main attraction, there's no harm in the ancillary stuff being good.
If you make it easy and affordable and a good experience, people will go and more importantly will come back, and they'll also bring friends who maybe aren't as into the footy. If people come away with a mild sense of regret at how much it cost and disappointment re quality vs price of what they got, or hold off on buying drinks and food... they don't come back and we get empty grounds.

@Nepia said in All Blacks 2026:

I agree, anyone who was death riding rugby (at Super and NPC level) this year just wasn't watching.

I was really impressed by what I saw of NPC this year, seemed better to my ignorant eyes than the hoopla of Super. Messier, maybe, but far less diluted, and more exciting!

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2026:

@Nepia said in All Blacks 2026:

I agree, anyone who was death riding rugby (at Super and NPC level) this year just wasn't watching.

I was really impressed by what I saw of NPC this year, seemed better to my ignorant eyes than the hoopla of Super. Messier, maybe, but far less diluted, and more exciting!

Yeah I'm on board too, the actual footy has been great fun.

@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:

@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:

@gt12 said in All Blacks 2026:

@Nepia

Agreed, I reckon a Giteau rule is the start of the end of NZ's domestic game being anything more than a development league for other comps. It's worth noting that would help Lam btw, but also his rationale was on this aspect was faulty all the way through, so I'd recommend listening to the interview in full.

Edit:

On live games, I'm not going given how much it costs - no only in terms of money, but also the 1 hour drive there and back again, plus traffic, and the shitty food, and shitty beer. I'm surprised people actually go.

Going to rugby has always been thus mate. In fact it used to be you couldn't buy a beer there anyway. But I genuinely think if people don't go to rugby because of shitty beer, they were never going for rugby anyway. Probably same for food, my only concern would be price for people in family groups, but the same in any sport or where there temporary food stalls. I (and mrs) usually have something to eat before a game, and same with having a beer etc.Geez and I drive always an hour for NPC games, never under 2 hrs for a super game and about 3.5 hours for tests.
It's ok to say I don't want to get off couch, got a brother in law who says exactly that, why go out when I can watch it from couch.
I go to games because I love the game, think it deserves my support, and above all else can actually see more.

Just because something is a bit shit doesn't mean it has to be.
Just because the rugby is the main attraction, there's no harm in the ancillary stuff being good.
If you make it easy and affordable and a good experience, people will go and more importantly will come back, and they'll also bring friends who maybe aren't as into the footy. If people come away with a mild sense of regret at how much it cost and disappointment re quality vs price of what they got, or hold off on buying drinks and food... they don't come back and we get empty grounds.

Don't disagree mate, what I saying you can find a reason to stay home, or find a reason to go. Have to travel an hour or 2 to game? Can't change that, unless you move.
Beer not up to standard? It never will be everyone has different tastes, and not enough (hopefully) go to a game for the beer. Otherwise you get families not interested in taking their kids to hang out with a lot of pissheads?
I not sure how you are going to sell food or beer cheap at stadiums as they all temporary set ups, that cost an awful lot more to set up and run than in a permanent base. All sports have same problem unfortunately, they all have to pay for rent of stadium, and in a lot of cases have to use the suppliers etc for food etc. Also food vendors etc also have to pay to have use of facilities, meet food and health standards, and pay staff . Same with booze, it not easy get liquor licenses etc. Wish it was of course, and all rugby unions didn't have to pay players etc to make it cheaper. But as I say it same complaints on costs etc on almost any sport in my experience ,admittedly only in NZ and Australia that I know of.
In a perfect world, it would all be easier and cheaper, but someone has to pay costs.

Also add myself and Mrs are season ticket holders at of the Naki. Costs us $110 each for tickets the best ones we can get, also cover parking etc at games, I don't find that over the top in anyway.

@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2026:

@Nepia said in All Blacks 2026:

I agree, anyone who was death riding rugby (at Super and NPC level) this year just wasn't watching.

I was really impressed by what I saw of NPC this year, seemed better to my ignorant eyes than the hoopla of Super. Messier, maybe, but far less diluted, and more exciting!

Yeah I'm on board too, the actual footy has been great fun.

Strangely enough, that could signify that the public may be aligned with us becoming Brazil-like, the NPC was fun but it was mainly about finding and enjoying the new talent coming out. It was certainly not close at all to premier domestic competitions in terms of level of defense and organization, which are essential as the step to international rugby.

So, to take a side I don't actually agree with for arguments sake, if we have local competitions which are focused on getting players to the ABs, we could just turn into SA, pick from overseas, and use AB revenue to focus our local competitions on finding the next big thing. That is basically Lam's argument.

@Tim

Jeez, i'd like to be hearing some of the chattering inside NZR at the mo.
Wonder whose idea this was; Anthony? Lendrum? Kirk?; definitely not the CEO.
Or maybe it was Robinson's final piece of advice while walking out the door.
"Stay away from this one guys, get someone else to do it."

Tricker probably the right man for the job, so long as he is not already cosy with the likes of Lendrum/Anthony.

@gt12 said in All Blacks 2026:

becoming Brazil-like

We are Brazil-like now.
Hundreds of our players play abroad (thousands for Brazil).
The Brazil domestic leagues are still great tho; just like ours.
Just not top bracket.

The only difference is NZ can retain at least some star players because of the international rugby set up.
The concern is we become Uruguay-like.

@mohikamo said in All Blacks 2026:

@gt12 said in All Blacks 2026:

becoming Brazil-like

We are Brazil-like now.
Hundreds of our players play abroad (thousands for Brazil).
The Brazil domestic leagues are still great tho; just like ours.
Just not top bracket.

The only difference is NZ can retain at least some star players because of the international rugby set up.
The concern is we become Uruguay-like.

I'd definitely take Uruguay over Brazil, they're ranked 14th in the world. Brazil are 34th. It's like they don't even play Rugby.