All Blacks 2026

@kiwiinmelb said in All Blacks 2026:

I think the tour next year either makes us or breaks us , I dont mind it ,

We either rise to play at the level required to compete with the benchmark or we dont , sink or swim

i think its more beneficial than playing weaker opposition with guaranteed wins and patting ourselves on the back , at least we find out where we are at,

Probably a bit off topic for this thread but south africans seem confident Tony Brown is very happy and about to extend his contract with Rassie .

I like you, love the idea of a good bloody hard year. If we crash , we crash. So we only get 4 home tests? Big deal, how many who want to go to a test will miss out. I bet I get ticket to any test I want to go to. Mind you I reckon we could of dropped a test against Aussies if we needed one against Pumas.

@Jet said in All Blacks 2026:

Next season looks really really ominous.

I have haka fatigue, social media fatigue, learnings fatigue already.

Not sure I can take a full tour of them fellating the Springboks on their socials and giving uncle Siya reacharounds in the sheds.

I want to see people getting their heads caved in.

Bring back the biff.

It's funny you say that about Siya and the SM.

in his book his talks about how the Springboks of the 2017/18 era were on social media "to cover up the fact that we weren't doing the basics properly" whereas he says.......

"The All Blacks weren't putting pictures of their training up on Instagram were they? They were working hard for each other without shouting about it, and when it came to noise - well, was 57-0 loud enough?".

Tbh I'm not sure how exactly you effectively navigate managing players and teams in the social media era where style takes precedence over substance and SM is seen as such an invaluable marketing tool. However, as a coaching group/administration you would have to have a conversation about how you prevent SM becoming a distraction and stop players becoming preoccupied with curating an image of themselves and losing sight of what's important. As has been stated here many occasions Ardie is very much into cultivating his image in a way that prior All Black leaders such as McCaw and Mealamu never were. You need authenticity and sincerity in your leadership group.

At the end of the day, SM is part and parcel of the current climate. But at the end of the day that shouldn't stop our players from rolling up their sleeves and putting in a shift.

@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:

At the end of the day, SM is part and parcel of the current climate. But at the end of the day that shouldn't stop our players from rolling up their sleeves and putting in a shift.

The boks are all over FB and Insta......usually with the same post with Cheslin Kolbe standing next to all the locks.

He's heaps shorter than they are.

Hilarious.

Doesn't stop them dominating.

I don't think anyone would give two fucks what the ABs were doing on Social Media if they were actually winning.

@MN5 said in All Blacks 2026:

@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:

At the end of the day, SM is part and parcel of the current climate. But at the end of the day that shouldn't stop our players from rolling up their sleeves and putting in a shift.

The boks are all over FB and Insta......usually with the same post with Cheslin Kolbe standing next to all the locks.

He's heaps shorter than they are.

Hilarious.

Doesn't stop them dominating.

I don't think anyone would give two fucks what the ABs were doing on Social Media if they were actually winning.

True but doesn't it all start to feel a bit like reality TV where you can't really tell what's real and what's fake? And it's all about producing content more then anything else?

Like when Holland was first picked for the squad the cameras are there to film the announcement and then it's turned into content for NZR and ditto when the ABs go to the Boca Juniors or Chicago Bulls matches.

I get that social media is there whether you like it or not but it seems like it's become the point of the whole exercise and the rugby is only part of it.

Just win the damn games

@nonpartizan said in All Blacks 2026:

@MN5 said in All Blacks 2026:

@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:

At the end of the day, SM is part and parcel of the current climate. But at the end of the day that shouldn't stop our players from rolling up their sleeves and putting in a shift.

The boks are all over FB and Insta......usually with the same post with Cheslin Kolbe standing next to all the locks.

He's heaps shorter than they are.

Hilarious.

Doesn't stop them dominating.

I don't think anyone would give two fucks what the ABs were doing on Social Media if they were actually winning.

True but doesn't it all start to feel a bit like reality TV where you can't really tell what's real and what's fake? And it's all about producing content more then anything else?

Like when Holland was first picked for the squad the cameras are there to film the announcement and then it's turned into content for NZR and ditto when the ABs go to the Boca Juniors or Chicago Bulls matches.

I get that social media is there whether you like it or not but it seems like it's become the point of the whole exercise and the rugby is only part of it.

That's marketing. I have the sneaking suspicion NZR has focussed on what looks good first rather than what actually produces the goods.

When it works, it works. Holland is a great marketing opportunity, he looks a real star and actually is a real star.

When it doesn't work, you get Scott Robertson

The social media fluff stories probably wouldn’t seem so annoying if we were happy with the on field performances .
My most annoying one of the year.

I remember a day or two after the Wellington boks disaster, they ran a feel good story on how that was the Xxth ( can’t remember the exact number ) test the Barrett’s have started together .

No mention of how shit we played.

@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2026:

All Blacks v Ireland, Saturday, 18 July, Eden Park, Auckland, kick off TBC.

This game could end up being an afternoon kickoff. The Warriors have a home game at 7:30 pm that night.

@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2026:

@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2026:

All Blacks v Ireland, Saturday, 18 July, Eden Park, Auckland, kick off TBC.

This game could end up being an afternoon kickoff. The Warriors have a home game at 7:30 pm that night.

If the Warriors are worried about their gate they can change.

You really think All Blacks v Ireland is going to be affected by a Club game?

(Not that I'd object to an afternoon kickoff off.)

@booboo I don't think NZR will care, but Sky won't want the two games being played at the same time.

@booboo It's going to be a very different story from what happened this year when the NRL scheduled the Warriors' week 1 home final to clash with the test against the Boks in Wellington.

@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2026:

@booboo I don't think NZR will care, but Sky won't want the two games being played at the same time.

And the international broadcasters will want it in the evening so the time suits the NH

Have been told that Nick Evans is the new assistant.

Reliable source so don’t think they are pulling my leg. Unsure when to expect an announcement but that’s about the only oil I’ve been able to provide

@Landers92 said in All Blacks 2026:

Have been told that Nick Evans is the new assistant.

Reliable source so don’t think they are pulling my leg. Unsure when to expect an announcement but that’s about the only oil I’ve been able to provide

What role? Will he have much influence?

@Tim said in All Blacks 2026:

@Landers92 said in All Blacks 2026:

Have been told that Nick Evans is the new assistant.

Reliable source so don’t think they are pulling my leg. Unsure when to expect an announcement but that’s about the only oil I’ve been able to provide

What role? Will he have much influence?

Unsure but replacement for Holland is all I was told

@Landers92 said in All Blacks 2026:

@Tim said in All Blacks 2026:

@Landers92 said in All Blacks 2026:

Have been told that Nick Evans is the new assistant.

Reliable source so don’t think they are pulling my leg. Unsure when to expect an announcement but that’s about the only oil I’ve been able to provide

What role? Will he have much influence?

Unsure but replacement for Holland is all I was told

That makes sense, he runs attack for Quins and did for England I think.

Would be good to get a better defensive mind / coach in there as well.

It won't matter if Hansen continues to hold sway over team strategy

The articles I read said that Holland's role changed, and was then reduced, so Evans won't want to be another bit-part coach.

@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2026:

The articles I read said that Holland's role changed, and was then reduced, so Evans won't want to be another bit-part coach.

No point in hiring someone with an international reputation stronger than the other assistants if they don’t get the keys to the car.

Will they sideline David Brent is the question?

I've accepted Razor won't be going anywhere but if Scott Hansen is moved on that'll be very good heading into 2026.

Well lets hope if it is Evans, he is given the appropriate level due for the role, certainly speaks well and comes across with great analysis of the game, hopefully this transfers to the park if given the role...his own experience with AFL and being able to kick certainly should be a good additon too.

It would be interesting to get some inside oil on Evans opinion on the current and potential 10s. I've enjoyed what I've read of his comments, unsure on what his social skills and emotional intelligence are like.

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2026:

It would be interesting to get some inside oil on Evans opinion on the current and potential 10s. I've enjoyed what I've read of his comments, unsure on what his social skills and emotional intelligence are like.

Always seemed like a relatively astute guy

I wonder how many at NZR are singing under their breath "If I can't have Tony Brown, I don't want nobody, baby"...

@Landers92 said in All Blacks 2026:

Have been told that Nick Evans is the new assistant.

Reliable source so don’t think they are pulling my leg. Unsure when to expect an announcement but that’s about the only oil I’ve been able to provide

That would be great. Especially if he's the assistant to Razor, not Hansen.

One thing I recall from the way Evan’s used to play is that passing was most often his first option and he would pass immediately. He was quick (like Barrett used to be all those years ago) but he’d set himself up for a run once the opposition became used to him always passing without even looking like he was going to run the ball. He could obviously kick more than twenty metres too. It’d be ideal if he could introduce these concepts to the current players, with their run it every time style.

@Landers92 said in All Blacks 2026:

Have been told that Nick Evans is the new assistant.

Reliable source so don’t think they are pulling my leg. Unsure when to expect an announcement but that’s about the only oil I’ve been able to provide

a coaching team that's had 2 Jasons, 2 Scott's & now 2 Evans.

we just need a 3rd Taimaiti, we're down to only 1 Holland, but still at 3 Scott's including the captain.

@restofit said in All Blacks 2026:

Taimaiti

We would need two of those already to have a 3rd...

@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:

One thing I recall from the way Evan’s used to play is that passing was most often his first option and he would pass immediately. He was quick (like Barrett used to be all those years ago) but he’d set himself up for a run once the opposition became used to him always passing without even looking like he was going to run the ball.

A coach of mine used to tell me to do the same - make the defence complacent before I took them on.

But being a team player I wouldn't let the team down by passing to them!

If it is Evans then great to have someone who has been outside of the bubble. See if he can last 6 months before he’s on the phone to Rangi.

@game_film said in All Blacks 2026:

If it is Evans then great to have someone who has been outside of the bubble. See if he can last 6 months before he’s on the phone to Rangi.

Neuter little Scott and maybe he has a chance to make a difference

@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:

Neuter little Scott and maybe he has a chance to make a difference

The Head Coach or Scott Robertson?

I hope Evans is sure of what the job description is .... I could see him wanting to make changes and getting push back from the current coaches, may not be a fun time for him much like MacDonald and Holland.
Hopefully not and I'm just being pessimistic

@kidcalder said in All Blacks 2026:

I hope Evans is sure of what the job description is .... I could see him wanting to make changes and getting push back from the current coaches, may not be a fun time for him much like MacDonald and Holland.
Hopefully not and I'm just being pessimistic

For a single coach to make a change he really needs to be a selector too. I doubt that happens

@Duluth you'd hope with him being on the outside watching this unfold for 2 years, along with NZR supposedly aware of the issues there would be a bit of pressure on Razor to make some changes to how they do things, you'd hope

Hope or hopeless...

Extraordinary. Holland has gone from the AB coaching group back to the Canes as an asisstant coach. Man, think of the paycut!

@nzzp said in All Blacks 2026:

Extraordinary. Holland has gone from the AB coaching group back to the Canes as an asisstant coach. Man, think of the paycut!

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(With no actual knowledge at all) I'm not even sure it's a pay cut, rather than just get rid of him NZR has just moved him inside the organisation. I wouldn't be surprised if he's on the same money.