All Blacks 2026

@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2026:

@brodean said in All Blacks 2026:

Proctor and Tupaea both failed to claim the position so far.

And so did Rieko with far more chances

He was re-selected their for years. He obviously claimed it getting a chance in 2020 and then consistently being selected their leading up until the 2023 RWC.

Sure he lost it but there was a period of years where he was the preferred 13.

The failed All Black coach Scott Robertson tried to move him back to 11 but by the end of the URC season Rieko was the preferred 13 to Ringrose at Leinster - Ireland's highly acclaimed 13.

@brodean He also started the week after when we copped the biggest toweling imaginable... I'm neutral myself on Parker the player and whether or not he should start, but I think there must be a school of thought that trying to beat the Boks at their own game, when we don't have anything close to the cattle required to do it is nuts.

@frugby said in All Blacks 2026:

@brodean He also started the week after when we copped the biggest toweling imaginable... I'm neutral myself on Parker the player and whether or not he should start, but I think there must be a school of thought that trying to beat the Boks at their own game, when we don't have anything close to the cattle required to do it is nuts.

The point is Parker has the proven upside. Coaches need to take players with upside and get the best out of them consistently.

Replacing 1 of 3 openside sized loose forwards with 1 bigger loose forward is hardly trying to beat the Boks at their open game.

Regardless of the attacking game plan you still need to defend and the Boks will just smash through our defence like it's nothing if we have 3 small loose forwards on the park whether in the maul or running it close to the ruck.

@brodean said in All Blacks 2026:

@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2026:

@brodean said in All Blacks 2026:

Proctor and Tupaea both failed to claim the position so far.

And so did Rieko with far more chances

He was re-selected their for years. He obviously claimed it getting a chance in 2020 and then consistently being selected their leading up until the 2023 RWC.

Sure he lost it but there was a period of years where he was the preferred 13.

The failed All Black coach Scott Robertson tried to move him back to 11 but by the end of the URC season Rieko was the preferred 13 to Ringrose at Leinster - Ireland's highly acclaimed 13.

He's looked decent enough for Leinster, but "decent" in the URC and Champions Cup isn't the benchmark for starting in the black jersey. The All Blacks should be selecting players who can change test matches, not simply get through them.

Defensively, there's no questioning his ability. His work rate, line speed and physicality are outstanding, and he's one of the best defensive centres we have. But defence alone shouldn't be enough to lock down the No. 13 jersey.

Attack is where the concerns are for me. Too often he defaults to taking contact rather than putting players around him into space. The great All Black centres, players like Conrad Smith made everyone outside them better. They drew defenders, squared up the line and consistently created opportunities. Rieko still looks like a winger playing centre rather than a genuine playmaking 13.

The other reality is that the raw pace that made him such a devastating weapon early in his career isn't quite what it used to be. He's still quick, but he's no longer blowing Test defenders away purely through speed. When that point of difference starts to fade, the other parts of your game need to become elite, and I don't think his distribution or decision-making have reached that level.

You point to his time at Leinster as proof he's rediscovered his best form, but I'd argue he's simply been solid. There's a big difference between fitting seamlessly into a quality provincial side and consistently dominating the biggest Test matches. This is where Proctor has also struggled.

For me, the All Blacks need a centre who offers more than defensive stability. They need someone who can unlock defences, create space for the outside backs and provide another layer of attacking threat. Right now, I don't think Rieko does that consistently enough.

@Jnr said in All Blacks 2026:

@Chester-Draws said in All Blacks 2026:

I cannot see an attack-oriented coach going for a centre that is still basically a slow winger. No matter how well he tackles.

Our backs scored 25 tries all season last year, and only one try on the counter.

This year they already have 8.

There's a correlation.

The causation you're looking for is BB at 10 my man.

@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:

@Jnr said in All Blacks 2026:

@Chester-Draws said in All Blacks 2026:

I cannot see an attack-oriented coach going for a centre that is still basically a slow winger. No matter how well he tackles.

Our backs scored 25 tries all season last year, and only one try on the counter.

This year they already have 8.

There's a correlation.

The causation you're looking for is BB at 10 my man.

Did you not see the stats on how many passes Rieko actually made the last few years? Super rugby or international level......

Ioane is a better centre than Proctor, and faster than both him and QT. His distribution is not as bad as is made out here, and he deserves a shot with the Rennie gameplan to play wide. Remember Robertson used him as the crash options (bizarrely)

@brodean said in All Blacks 2026:

@MN5 said in All Blacks 2026:

@brodean said in All Blacks 2026:

@MN5 said in All Blacks 2026:

@brodean said in All Blacks 2026:

@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2026:

@MN5 said in All Blacks 2026:

Both Tupaea and Proctor have failed to nail the 13 jumper.

One game each admittedly isn’t a huge sample size but with a tour to SA coming up this could be good news for Reiko Ioane.

Certainly defensively

I think we just need to come to terms that we don't have an international quality centre atm and we just have to do the best with what we've got. It's the same for blindside flanker.

I'm happy to admit that Proctor hasn't stepped up, similar to David Havili, he looks really good at Super but just can't make the step up to international level for whatever reason.

Going back to Ioane and ALB will just provide us with different issues.

Rieko played well in the business end of the URC. He's still only 29 and physically bigger than Tupaea and Proctor. Neither Proctor or Tupaea have been reliable defenders there.

From the interweb….

All Black and Gallagher Chiefs midfielder Quinn Tupaea stands at 1.86m (6'1") and weighs 102kg (225 lbs). He is renowned for his immense strength in the gym, having broken the Chiefs midfielders' all-time records for both squats and pull-ups during his career

Yeah Tupaea's strong no doubt. Nick Gill a couple of years back said Rieko is also very strong and was the best all round athlete in the squad considering strength, speed, endurance and power.

That’s a lifetime ago for an AB outside back

Rieko is still bigger, faster and stronger than Conrad Smith was at any point in his career. He would still be faster than Proctor and Tupaea. He played well into the URC final.

Proctor and Tupaea both failed to claim the position so far.

I'm glad Rieko is in the squad, he won't let us down and gets us one step closer to 6:2.
Tupaea's touches on attack against France mean I want to see more of him. He played really well in one test at 13 last year (McKenzie at 10), and has not had the same number of opportunities as Proctor.
Proctor's starts have mostly come in a dysfunctional backline to be fair, but despite his excellent super form there were still occasional bad defensive misses there. I'd like to know the coaches have been working on that for a few weeks before we see him again.

@Jnr said in All Blacks 2026:

@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:

@Jnr said in All Blacks 2026:

@Chester-Draws said in All Blacks 2026:

I cannot see an attack-oriented coach going for a centre that is still basically a slow winger. No matter how well he tackles.

Our backs scored 25 tries all season last year, and only one try on the counter.

This year they already have 8.

There's a correlation.

The causation you're looking for is BB at 10 my man.

Did you not see the stats on how many passes Rieko actually made the last few years? Super rugby or international level......

I'm just talking about the lack of tries from the backs mate, no need to shift those goalposts.

@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:

@Jnr said in All Blacks 2026:

@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:

@Jnr said in All Blacks 2026:

@Chester-Draws said in All Blacks 2026:

I cannot see an attack-oriented coach going for a centre that is still basically a slow winger. No matter how well he tackles.

Our backs scored 25 tries all season last year, and only one try on the counter.

This year they already have 8.

There's a correlation.

The causation you're looking for is BB at 10 my man.

Did you not see the stats on how many passes Rieko actually made the last few years? Super rugby or international level......

I'm just talking about the lack of tries from the backs mate, no need to shift those goalposts.

That was a lot more than just RI at centre. Start with the duff coaches

@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:

@Jnr said in All Blacks 2026:

@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:

@Jnr said in All Blacks 2026:

@Chester-Draws said in All Blacks 2026:

I cannot see an attack-oriented coach going for a centre that is still basically a slow winger. No matter how well he tackles.

Our backs scored 25 tries all season last year, and only one try on the counter.

This year they already have 8.

There's a correlation.

The causation you're looking for is BB at 10 my man.

Did you not see the stats on how many passes Rieko actually made the last few years? Super rugby or international level......

I'm just talking about the lack of tries from the backs mate, no need to shift those goalposts.

You're the one that is bringing in BB randomly rather than blaming a dysfunctional coaching team and strategy.

I'm merely showing, with facts, that Rieko's passing game is exceptionally poor. Which is why I include his Super rugby passing record and lack of try assists as well.

@frugby said in All Blacks 2026:

There's a school of thought, that we are best off picking players to play our own gameplan, than picking inferior players to try to match the Boks physically (which we can't do)

There's obviously a balance to be struck, but I am not sure picking Parker, essentially because he is big, is necessarily any better than say picking Lakai and trying to beat them with pure workrate.

While I agree with your point, your example is a bit dicey as PSDT probably has a better workrate than Lakai e.g. he made 21 tackles and 12 carries against the Poms vs Lakai's 7 & 8 against France...

As with Love at first five, they should now be picking a centre - Tupaea - and giving him as much game time as possible, preferably alongside the same players, to get him up to speed.

@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:

As with Love at first five, they should now be picking a centre - Tupaea - and giving him as much game time as possible, preferably alongside the same players, to get him up to speed.

I agree with your premise. I'd prefer Proctor though.

Scott Barrett v Ardie no return.

@Jnr said in All Blacks 2026:

@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:

@Jnr said in All Blacks 2026:

@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:

@Jnr said in All Blacks 2026:

@Chester-Draws said in All Blacks 2026:

I cannot see an attack-oriented coach going for a centre that is still basically a slow winger. No matter how well he tackles.

Our backs scored 25 tries all season last year, and only one try on the counter.

This year they already have 8.

There's a correlation.

The causation you're looking for is BB at 10 my man.

Did you not see the stats on how many passes Rieko actually made the last few years? Super rugby or international level......

I'm just talking about the lack of tries from the backs mate, no need to shift those goalposts.

You're the one that is bringing in BB randomly rather than blaming a dysfunctional coaching team and strategy.

I'm merely showing, with facts, that Rieko's passing game is exceptionally poor. Which is why I include his Super rugby passing record and lack of try assists as well.

It's way less random than blaming Ioane for the lack of tries last year. I don't think he's a passer at all, but he - and certainly not his passing - isn't to blame for us scoring no tries when he played what 5 tests on the wing or something?

The dysfunction and the 10, sure.

@george33 said in All Blacks 2026:

Scott Barrett v Ardie no return.

Huh?

@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:

@frugby said in All Blacks 2026:

There's a school of thought, that we are best off picking players to play our own gameplan, than picking inferior players to try to match the Boks physically (which we can't do)

There's obviously a balance to be struck, but I am not sure picking Parker, essentially because he is big, is necessarily any better than say picking Lakai and trying to beat them with pure workrate.

While I agree with your point, your example is a bit dicey as PSDT probably has a better workrate than Lakai e.g. he made 21 tackles and 12 carries against the Poms vs Lakai's 7 & 8 against France...

I think most people on here would agree that Lakai isn’t a 6 and should be playing 8. Again our loose trio suffers to accomodate Ardie.

@george33 said in All Blacks 2026:

Scott Barrett v Ardie no return.

you mean SB won't be captain again?

@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2026:

I think most people on here would agree that Lakai isn’t a 6 and should be playing 8. Again our loose trio suffers to accomodate Ardie.

Some people think Lakai is a 7.

In the eyes of this coaching group Rieko is behind Tupaea, Proctor and ALB for 13. I can't see him getting a shot at 13 any time soon outside of maybe Bok tour games

@george33 said in All Blacks 2026:

Scott Barrett v Ardie no return.

@kiwimurph said in All Blacks 2026:

In the eyes of this coaching group Rieko is behind Tupaea, Proctor and ALB for 13. I can't see him getting a shot at 13 any time soon outside of maybe Bok tour games

That assumes proctor hasn't gone backwards with his performance against Italy. He might be the midweek option now.

@george33 said in All Blacks 2026:

Scott Barrett v Ardie no return.

To the captaincy, the squad, or to rugby?

@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:

@Jnr said in All Blacks 2026:

@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:

@Jnr said in All Blacks 2026:

@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:

@Jnr said in All Blacks 2026:

@Chester-Draws said in All Blacks 2026:

I cannot see an attack-oriented coach going for a centre that is still basically a slow winger. No matter how well he tackles.

Our backs scored 25 tries all season last year, and only one try on the counter.

This year they already have 8.

There's a correlation.

The causation you're looking for is BB at 10 my man.

Did you not see the stats on how many passes Rieko actually made the last few years? Super rugby or international level......

I'm just talking about the lack of tries from the backs mate, no need to shift those goalposts.

You're the one that is bringing in BB randomly rather than blaming a dysfunctional coaching team and strategy.

I'm merely showing, with facts, that Rieko's passing game is exceptionally poor. Which is why I include his Super rugby passing record and lack of try assists as well.

It's way less random than blaming Ioane for the lack of tries last year. I don't think he's a passer at all, but he - and certainly not his passing - isn't to blame for us scoring no tries when he played what 5 tests on the wing or something?

The dysfunction and the 10, sure.

For what it's worth, I'm open to seeing failures under the last regime get a chance under Rennie.

I'm assuming if they can't step up he'll move them on.

And yes, I include BB and Rieko in that category

@Kirwan said in All Blacks 2026:

@kiwimurph said in All Blacks 2026:

In the eyes of this coaching group Rieko is behind Tupaea, Proctor and ALB for 13. I can't see him getting a shot at 13 any time soon outside of maybe Bok tour games

That assumes proctor hasn't gone backwards with his performance against Italy. He might be the midweek option now.

I highly doubt it - I thought Proctor was good off of the bench week 1

@nostrildamus not with Ardie in the team.

@george33 Bad blood?

Any word on Tuipulotu's availability?

@Tim said in All Blacks 2026:

Any word on Tuipulotu's availability?

Rennie said today he's good to go

Also said Jacobson is good

Tuipulotu would have been a lot of people’s choice for the lock spot on the bench going into the series, so it’ll be good to see if he can do that job if he’s back.

Jacobson being healthy is obviously a positive too and I think he deserves to keep his spot. Three test starts in a row is unheard of for him. It’ll mean less tinkering with the loose forwards in general - there’s already likely to be another change at blindside and/or on the bench.

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2026:

@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:

@SecFid said in All Blacks 2026:

@jimmyb Jordie Barrett hasn’t started at 15 for the AB’s in years and didn’t start there at all for the Canes this season. Sure he can drop back in general play to diffuse kicks and does so particularly in the second half. Rennie would be wise to leave him at 12 and just find a centre. I think BB might get a start at 15 as DMac doesn’t seem to be offering much on first phase attack at present. If Love and Mounga are preferred at 10 then BB must offer something from 15, or nothing at all.

I would be happy to leave JB where he is, as he is currently one of our more effective backs. DMac played okay IMHO, and he combines well with Love. Moorby put his hand up as a potential option at 15 and I would use him before either of the Barrett brothers

Moorby looks solid at wing or 15 to me.

After 45-50 minutes of test footy against Italy?

Let’s just see how things go after a bit more playing time.

Hopefully Patty gets a run , will play big part in Africa

@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2026:

@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:

@frugby said in All Blacks 2026:

There's a school of thought, that we are best off picking players to play our own gameplan, than picking inferior players to try to match the Boks physically (which we can't do)

There's obviously a balance to be struck, but I am not sure picking Parker, essentially because he is big, is necessarily any better than say picking Lakai and trying to beat them with pure workrate.

While I agree with your point, your example is a bit dicey as PSDT probably has a better workrate than Lakai e.g. he made 21 tackles and 12 carries against the Poms vs Lakai's 7 & 8 against France...

I think most people on here would agree that Lakai isn’t a 6 and should be playing 8. Again our loose trio suffers to accomodate Ardie.

I dont think that affects workrate and getting through the tackles etc. Sititi from 6 had a big workrate game on the week d for example, as did Ardie in the second 40.

I think they will want to play Parker. He showed some things at Eden Park last year. Against the Boks that offered a point of difference to Sititi and Ardie for example.

These early games have appeared to be more around fast paced attack.

Caleb Clarke and Josh Moorby are expected to contest the starting left wing role this week, with both likely to be involved in the squad to confront Ireland, as fellow wings Leroy Carter and Fehi Fineanganofo nurse shoulder injuries.

@george33 said in All Blacks 2026:

Scott Barrett v Ardie no return.

Please, for the love of god, elaborate so we can understand what you’re saying.

You’re saying it’s a clash between those 2 so Barrett isn’t returning? Or something else? This is quite literally how inaccurate rumours start.

Some interesting points of discussion....

Tupaea hasn't put his hand up at centre.... and yet was crucially involved in at least a couple of tries Vs France and this is only after one bloody game.

Also Ratima getting a hard time because his clearance apparently isn't as fast as Roigard's - which seems bizarre when you note the amount of times the breakdown is being cleared by someone other than Roigard.