All Blacks 2026

@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2026:

@antipodean if he does guide us to a rwc win, does that absolve this shit now?

For me, nope, losing in the manner we have is never acceptable.

Had the All Blacks won the 2023 World Cup (and to me that’s one of two World Cup titles for South Africa with an asterisk beside it) everyone still would have though Foster was a terrible coach, with some awful records and firsts. He just would have also happened to have a World Cup win in amongst all the rubbish. Same goes for Robertson, if he manages it.

@booboo said in All Blacks 2026:

@nzzp said in All Blacks 2026:

Most AB losses in a year was 4 I believe.

5 in 1998. SA x 2, Aus x 3

Actually 6! In 1949. SA x 4, Aus x 2. Including 2 in one day! Caveat that best Pakehas were in SA, Best Maoris and second best Pakehas at home to Aus.

6 losses in 1976, as well, I think.

It's a bit misleading to be going "worst ever" losing five tests, when in the old days four tests in a season was probably all you got (max). So you've got to count those provincial losses in the olden days to have anything like a comparable framework.

@antipodean said in All Blacks 2026:

Fuck you lot are pessimistic. You only have to look at his track record to see this is part of the RWC plan. His Super Rugby dominating Crusaders built into their seasons and we're only halfway into this RWC cycle.

Sure as shit he's going to be breakdancing come 13 Nov 27. We'll just have to put up with some blips as we lose to the equivalent of the Western Force between now and then.

You are @kiwi_expat and I claim my free bag of chips.

@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2026:

@booboo said in All Blacks 2026:

@nzzp said in All Blacks 2026:

Most AB losses in a year was 4 I believe.

5 in 1998. SA x 2, Aus x 3

Actually 6! In 1949. SA x 4, Aus x 2. Including 2 in one day! Caveat that best Pakehas were in SA, Best Maoris and second best Pakehas at home to Aus.

6 losses in 1976, as well, I think.

It's a bit misleading to be going "worst ever" losing five tests, when in the old days four tests in a season was probably all you got (max). So you've got to count those provincial losses in the olden days to have anything like a comparable framework.

Our Test win ratio was 60% in the 1970's. We won 1 test in 4, two years running. Unprecedented at the time.
.
I can see that figure being emulated next year unless there's a big, big improvement.

@Victor-Meldrew

I still remember some of those years.

1976 is burned into my soul!

@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2026:

vs New Zealand @ Accor Stadium, Sydney – 17 October

Could be a few good days in Sydney as the Kiwis v Roos is on Thursday 15 October to kick off the RLWC.

@sparky said in All Blacks 2026:

@booboo Two of those losses in 1949 were on the same day if I remember correctly.

Jesus Sparky, how old are you!?

@Chris-B said in All Blacks 2026:

@Victor-Meldrew

I still remember some of those years.

1976 is burned into my soul!

'76 was the turnaround year. We started to play smart rugby again.

And here we are, in a thread about 50 years later...

@Victor-Meldrew Just hadn't yet learned our lesson about goal kicking!

@Bones said in All Blacks 2026:

And here we are, in a thread about 50 years later...

We're just hoping 50 yr-old history repeats and we turn the AB ship around in 2026

Metaphorically speaking.

@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2026:

@Bones said in All Blacks 2026:

And here we are, in a thread about 50 years later...

We're just hoping 50 yr-old history repeats and we turn the AB ship around in 2026

Metaphorically speaking.

Have to drop some deadweight first

@Bones said in All Blacks 2026:

And here we are, in a thread about 50 years later...

There are a lot of corollaries between the 2020's and the 1970's.
Both eras coming after periods of sustained success.
83.33% test wins in the 60's.
Only two test losses between 1960 and 1970.

@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:

Don’t worry, guys - I’ve just received some inside information on Robertson’s coaching plans for 2026. Honestly, it all looks pretty bloody effective to me.

View image

Fake news, there's no way the ABs would have so many running onto the ball (or in support).

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2026:

@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:

Don’t worry, guys - I’ve just received some inside information on Robertson’s coaching plans for 2026. Honestly, it all looks pretty bloody effective to me.

View image

Fake news, there's no way the ABs would have so many running onto the ball (or in support).

That's our defence chasing yet another well supported line break.

@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:

Don’t worry, guys - I’ve just received some inside information on Robertson’s coaching plans for 2026. Honestly, it all looks pretty bloody effective to me.

View image

"...and these are the sheep who puffed me up and made me All Blacks Coach!"

Did Robertsin really say that Scott Hansen is actually coaching the All Blacks???

@Young-Hamiltons said in All Blacks 2026:

Did Robertsin really say that Scott Hansen is actually coaching the All Blacks???

Effectively, yes.

But Robertson’s vision was never for him to undertake the tasks that most would agree constitute the role of head coach......Robertson pitched himself as a culture coach, responsible for theming campaigns, communicating one-on-one with players to manage their expectations and career progression.
As Robertson confirmed to the Herald this week in Cardiff, it is his assistant, Scott Hansen, who effectively operates in the role most would recognise as the head coach.

@nzzp Just had some info passed to me that the All Black game v Ireland will be played at Eden Park
The French game more than likely to be at the new Te Kaha Stadium in Christchurch and the Italian game heading to Dunedin
Not fully confirmed on the later 2 but lock in the Irish game at Eden Park

@Steven-Harris So assuming the Bledisloe match is at Eden Park too, then no Tests next year in Wellington or Hamilton.

@mohikamo said in All Blacks 2026:

@Bones said in All Blacks 2026:

And here we are, in a thread about 50 years later...

There are a lot of corollaries between the 2020's and the 1970's.
Both eras coming after periods of sustained success.
83.33% test wins in the 60's.
Only two test losses between 1960 and 1970.

The ABs lost 3 times to the boks alone in that period .. as well as drawing one.

Razor: Yeah,aah Hansy, I'm off surfing, gotta come up with a new theme for the year. I'll be gone for 2 days. These things take time. There's 26 hours of video analysis for you to get through. Give us the 2 minute summary when I get back. Then I've gotta visit the familes of the 5 of the squad. You see, it's all about connection and care.

@Frank said in All Blacks 2026:

Razor: Yeah,aah Hansy, I'm off surfing, gotta come up with a new theme for the year. I'll be gone for 2 days. These things take time. There's 26 hours of video analysis for you to get through. Give us the 2 minute summary when I get back. Then I've gotta visit the familes of the 5 of the squad. You see, it's all about connection and care.

For some reason i happened to read that in Razors voice too.

@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:

@Frank I heard he’s already come up with the themes for the next two years. 2026 is “Row the Same Canoe” and 2027 is “Swim as One School of Fish”.

Will it make the boat go faster?

@sparky said in All Blacks 2026:

then no Tests next year in Wellington

Mark Robinson out the door and some sensible decisions being made.....

As much as I enjoy having a test match 20 minutes from my train station. Wellington Stadium is absolutely terrible.

@Steven-Harris Game against Ireland could be an afternoon kick-off (like the first Bledisloe this year) as the Wahs are scheduled to play at 7.30pm that night

@UpTheHarbs who are these Wahs you speak of ?

@Steven-Harris You know, the rugby league team that played the second half of an elimination final at the same time the ABs played against SA in Wellington?

@UpTheHarbs now i’m with you ,Its the “Our Year Guys”

So when is David Kirk's review happening and when will we find out the results of it?

Ardie seems very concerned with his image. That's a hard pass for me as AB captain.

Roigard or Taylor.

@Frank said in All Blacks 2026:

Ardie seems very concerned with his image. That's a hard pass for me as AB captain.

Roigard or Taylor.

Taylor is 100% AB captaincy material. As in born for the role. Only reason would be if he didn't want the responsibility or it was felt it might infringe on his own game.

@nonpartizan said in All Blacks 2026:

@Frank said in All Blacks 2026:

Ardie seems very concerned with his image. That's a hard pass for me as AB captain.

Roigard or Taylor.

Taylor is 100% AB captaincy material. As in born for the role. Only reason would be if he didn't want the responsibility or it was felt it might infringe on his own game.

He will be 36 by the time of the RWC though - hopefully his body holds up