All Blacks 2026

@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.

@Landers92

Awful analysis, incorrect conclusions, zero insight
Wrong about pretty much everything

We did think about adding “unsubstantiated rumours” to our tagline, but it got legaled out…..

On Rieko vs Tupaea/Proctor, for me it comes down to what is more concerning in a test against SA - Rieko adding a bit less on attack but rock solid defense, or Tupaea and Proctor offering more threat but with significant defensive issues. You can't hide your 13 on defense at test level (as they have both found out already), so that's why I lean towards Rieko who we know won't let us down there. I would also be very surprised if Rennie decided to just use him as a crash ball merchant in close as well so he should offer more threat on attack if given a chance.

Let’s give Tupaea this weekend, a couple of those warmups and the first test against SA and then start forming an opinion.

We know what Rieko offers, we know Proctor’s limitations (which at this stage appear tough to fix) - we don’t know how Tupaea will look after an extended run.

In their current forms, Tupaea > Rieko all day, and he is undoubtedly in your best side on paper.

We need to find out if it works in practice, and no way is one test enough of a sample size.

@No-Quarter interesting that Tupaea/Proctor have significant defensive issues after one start each, yet the only issue Ioane has is offering a little bit less on attack.

Ioane's issues on attack weren't just down to being used as a battering ram - hence they were evident at super level also. He refused to scan, used next to no footwork, tucked and ducked.

I think there's a bit of revisionism going on about just how good his defence is too.

I would be hugely surprised if a guy seen as too limited in the midfield gets brought into the squad as injury cover for the outside backs and leapfrogs the actual midfield selected.

So the leadership group below Savea: Taylor, J Barrett, Roigard, Jordan & Jacobson.

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2026:

@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.

Sititi has a low workrate when it comes to hitting rucks. It was near the bottom of loose forwards in Super Rugby. 10 per 80 minutes which is near the worst in Super Rugby for loose forwards.

@Bones said in All Blacks 2026:

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.

Good point. Why is Darry clearing the deck? I think there were a few times when Roigard was clearing rucks. Are our loosies doing enough there?

@frugby said in All Blacks 2026:

Let’s give Tupaea this weekend, a couple of those warmups and the first test against SA and then start forming an opinion.

We know what Rieko offers, we know Proctor’s limitations (which at this stage appear tough to fix) - we don’t know how Tupaea will look after an extended run.

In their current forms, Tupaea > Rieko all day, and he is undoubtedly in your best side on paper.

We need to find out if it works in practice, and no way is one test enough of a sample size.

yeah, we all agree super and training isnt the same as a test match...so gove him a couple more games to try and bridge the gap

@brodean said in All Blacks 2026:

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2026:

@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.

Sititi has a low workrate when it comes to hitting rucks. It was near the bottom of loose forwards in Super Rugby. 10 per 80 minutes which is near the worst in Super Rugby for loose forwards.

I can’t comment too much on the super stats, but he has a high usage rate at test level - so he’s not necessarily going to be high on the attacking rucks hit.

Plus he has put in some big tackle efforts, so again not a big ruck hitter if you are the tackler.

@Bones and whilst Rens fave ALB is still breathing, Ioane is no hope of usurping that centre spot!

@brodean said in All Blacks 2026:

@Bones said in All Blacks 2026:

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.

Good point. Why is Darry clearing the deck? I think there were a few times when Roigard was clearing rucks. Are our loosies doing enough there?

It was really noticeable in this game eh, especially in the first 20-30...half the time when someone else is clearing I can't even figure out where Roigard is (possibly still getting up from being tackled as he likes to take it to the line)? I think there was one where it went like 3-4 breakdowns being cleared quickly by someone other than Roigard, a couple of those Roigard was ready behind the clearing player.

@Bones said in All Blacks 2026:

@No-Quarter interesting that Tupaea/Proctor have significant defensive issues after one start each, yet the only issue Ioane has is offering a little bit less on attack.

Ioane's issues on attack weren't just down to being used as a battering ram - hence they were evident at super level also. He refused to scan, used next to no footwork, tucked and ducked.

I think there's a bit of revisionism going on about just how good his defence is too.

I would be hugely surprised if a guy seen as too limited in the midfield gets brought into the squad as injury cover for the outside backs and leapfrogs the actual midfield selected.

I am talking about what I would like to see, not what I think Rennie will do who will surely continue with his current centres in the squad.

I think an issue for Rieko is that people always compare him to Conrad Smith when he has never been and will never be anything like the same player. Primarily what Rieko brings to the table is very strong defense and a strong running game. Our current backline has playmakers at 9, 10, 12, 15 and to a lesser degree 14. So to my mind a player with Rieko's attributes fits into that well where they can work to give him space to run on the outside, or use him as a decoy to attract defense in.

And yes I do think Tupaea and Proctor have significant issues on defense at test level as 13 is a very tricky position to defend from. Tupaea struggled there against France, and Proctor again was unable to match up against Italy.

For what it's worth I hope Tupaea can go well there, as he offers the most on attack with a strong running game, vision for his outsides and quick hands to set them away. His problem right now is he's a 12 playing 13 that is about to play the best centres in the world, who will be ruthless with any defensive deficiencies we have in that channel.

@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2026:

@Bones said in All Blacks 2026:

@No-Quarter interesting that Tupaea/Proctor have significant defensive issues after one start each, yet the only issue Ioane has is offering a little bit less on attack.

Ioane's issues on attack weren't just down to being used as a battering ram - hence they were evident at super level also. He refused to scan, used next to no footwork, tucked and ducked.

I think there's a bit of revisionism going on about just how good his defence is too.

I would be hugely surprised if a guy seen as too limited in the midfield gets brought into the squad as injury cover for the outside backs and leapfrogs the actual midfield selected.

I am talking about what I would like to see, not what I think Rennie will do who will surely continue with his current centres in the squad.

I think an issue for Rieko is that people always compare him to Conrad Smith when he has never been and will never be anything like the same player. Primarily what Rieko brings to the table is very strong defense and a strong running game. Our current backline has playmakers at 9, 10, 12, 15 and to a lesser degree 14. So to my mind a player with Rieko's attributes fits into that well where they can work to give him space to run on the outside, or use him as a decoy to attract defense in.

And yes I do think Tupaea and Proctor have significant issues on defense at test level as 13 is a very tricky position to defend from. Tupaea struggled there against France, and Proctor again was unable to match up against Italy.

For what it's worth I hope Tupaea can go well there, as he offers the most on attack with a strong running game, vision for his outsides and quick hands to set them away. His problem right now is he's a 12 playing 13 that is about to play the best centres in the world, who will be ruthless with any defensive deficiencies we have in that channel.

If Proctor had made a better fist of 13 Tupaea could concentrate on playing 12 ( there's obviously a Jordie sized obstacle there though ) as it is he's being tried in a spot he's not totally comfortable in.

It would be nice if the ABs could have JB and QT as a one two punch at 12 given the former is pretty much in career best form.

Regarding Reikos defence I think a lot of that is down to tremendous pace rather than amazing tactical nous.

Rieko was more than solid in the business end of URC. He was pretty dominant against all the SA URC teams at 13. He was preferred over Ringrose at 13 in the games that mattered. His size was useful against the smaller SA backs and he made breaks, scored tries, passed well and had some really good covering tackles when he tracked back to tackle someone whop was destined to score. I am happy he is in the squad, not saying he should be picked over Tupaea or Proctor yet but having him in the squad is very useful and he has some recent experience playing in SA and against SA URC teams too.

@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2026:

I would like to see

I would also like to see this defensive genius you speak, alas reality interferes and @mn5 has summed up Rieko's defence "skills" (as well as Reiko's).

The counter argument being the demigods SA have in the midfield will absolutely swallow up a centre who only has one option on attack and the well will run dry.

@antipodean said in All Blacks 2026:

@george33 said in All Blacks 2026:

Scott Barrett v Ardie no return.

To the captaincy, the squad, or to rugby?

They're versing it seems.

@booboo said in All Blacks 2026:

@antipodean said in All Blacks 2026:

@george33 said in All Blacks 2026:

Scott Barrett v Ardie no return.

To the captaincy, the squad, or to rugby?

They're versing it seems.

NZR missing a trick by not having them joust - put it on PPV!

I don't get the Rieko hate. I reckon he was one of the most underutilised players in the last few AB seasons. A direct recipient of slow ball into BB shovelling, putting JB into zero space meaning Rieko got trite double shovelled ball or maybe at best a pop pass in a tackle if Jordie freed his arms.. I don't recall him being given any ball in space then failing to put an outside away when he had the chance

As for his defense, he was one of our best - both one on one and certainly when scrambling. The "he's not a defensive genius, he's just fast * is the dumbest analysis I've seen on this site, and that's saying a lot.. Who fucking cares WHY he's good at it. Denigrating him is like saying of someone "he's a great defender but only because he has a really strong shoulder and always tries hard, he's really not that clever"

Fucking idiotic

@voodoo said in All Blacks 2026:

I don't get the Rieko hate. I reckon he was one of the most underutilised players in the last few AB seasons. A direct recipient of slow ball into BB shovelling, putting JB into zero space meaning Rieko got trite double shovelled ball or maybe at best a pop pass in a tackle if Jordie freed his arms.. I don't recall him being given any ball in space then failing to put an outside away when he had the chance

As for his defense, he was one of our best - both one on one and certainly when scrambling. The "he's not a defensive genius, he's just fast * is the dumbest analysis I've seen on this site, and that's saying a lot.. Who fucking cares WHY he's good at it. Denigrating him is like saying of someone "he's a great defender but only because he has a really strong shoulder and always tries hard, he's really not that clever"

Fucking idiotic

Playing in the current setup he would certainly have more room to move than he's ever had in an AB team

@canefan 100%

@voodoo said in All Blacks 2026:

@canefan 100%

I don't think he's good enough to play wing anymore. Doesn't have the gas. It's midfield or busy for me

@voodoo said in All Blacks 2026:

the dumbest analysis I've seen on this site

You say that whenever you disagree with an opinion.

@Bones said in All Blacks 2026:

@voodoo said in All Blacks 2026:

the dumbest analysis I've seen on this site

You say that whenever you disagree with an opinion.

The dumbnestness continues to exceed expectations

@voodoo said in All Blacks 2026:

I don't get the Rieko hate. I reckon he was one of the most underutilised players in the last few AB seasons. A direct recipient of slow ball into BB shovelling, putting JB into zero space meaning Rieko got trite double shovelled ball or maybe at best a pop pass in a tackle if Jordie freed his arms.. I don't recall him being given any ball in space then failing to put an outside away when he had the chance

As for his defense, he was one of our best - both one on one and certainly when scrambling. The "he's not a defensive genius, he's just fast * is the dumbest analysis I've seen on this site, and that's saying a lot.. Who fucking cares WHY he's good at it. Denigrating him is like saying of someone "he's a great defender but only because he has a really strong shoulder and always tries hard, he's really not that clever"

Fucking idiotic

As I think @duluth said (may have been @kirwan ... they both look the same to me) Ioane got the short end of the stick by being engaged to run into contact no matter what.

So all of us pointed and said "oh look at that, all he does is run into contact, how useless his he?".

Poor coaching by the previous regime.

But if we were capable of taking the blinkers off, in his most recent games, particularly against Wales, you'd see the speed was back.

Would love to see him back and properly utilised.

@booboo see if that's the case, you've got to call into question how bad a coach Vern and team are. Rieko still did his tuck and duck at SR level.

I'd love it if his time at Leinster has led to him holding the ball in two hands, using his feet and a lot more guile... but I'm skeptical.

@voodoo said in All Blacks 2026:

@Bones said in All Blacks 2026:

@voodoo said in All Blacks 2026:

the dumbest analysis I've seen on this site

You say that whenever you disagree with an opinion.

The dumbnestness continues to exceed expectations

You say that too

With Codie Taylor being a part of the leadership group, does that indicate he's likely to remain in the 23?

Also interesting that Jacobson is in there - shows how well regarded he is. No Ethan de Groot, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa'i etc.

@booboo I’m not sure if that is what happened though. Jordie essentially became the ‘hit it up’ player. Allowing Ioane to get second or third phase ball more often to create from.

I wish the coaches would’ve kept him on the wing. Not saying he was terrible at centre, and he certainly filled the role admirably at the 23RWC, but for me that wasn’t his best footy. His best was on the left wing and even the few occasions he filled in on the right. One thing was pretty evident to me too, him and Clarke defending in tandem on the left side did not work.

@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2026:

With Codie Taylor being a part of the leadership group, does that indicate he's likely to remain in the 23?

Also interesting that Jacobson is in there - shows how well regarded he is. No Ethan de Groot, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa'i etc.

Not necessarily just because he’s in the leadership group. However I think as part of the planning it’s unlikely that Taylor will play in any of the lead up games to the first Boks test, so he will get his rest then. This Ireland test is the one they would’ve been targeting for the NC and will want all their experience etc.

No surprise with Jacobson either. His leadership was highly rated by the previous coaches. It’s just that he’s more fit (touchwood) now.

@Kirwan said in All Blacks 2026:

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)

The issue is we are building a midfield around JB. Understandable as he's such a solid reliable presence, but I'd like to see how QT goes at 12 rather than shoe-horning him in at 13.

I can't make my mind up about Reiko. He was growing steadily but def. went backwards under Robertson, so agree with you there.

@Bones said in All Blacks 2026:

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

Delegation is an underrated ability,

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2026:

@booboo I’m not sure if that is what happened though. Jordie essentially became the ‘hit it up’ player. Allowing Ioane to get second or third phase ball more often to create from.

I wish the coaches would’ve kept him on the wing. Not saying he was terrible at centre, and he certainly filled the role admirably at the 23RWC, but for me that wasn’t his best footy. His best was on the left wing and even the few occasions he filled in on the right. One thing was pretty evident to me too, him and Clarke defending in tandem on the left side did not work.

There was a reason Ioane was dropped for George Bridge in 2019... His best days were behind him even at that point.

@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2026:

@Bones said in All Blacks 2026:

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

Delegation is an underrated ability,

I'd say getting to the ruck is an underrated ability.

@Bones said in All Blacks 2026:

@booboo see if that's the case, you've got to call into question how bad a coach Vern and team are. Rieko still did his tuck and duck at SR level.

I'd love it if his time at Leinster has led to him holding the ball in two hands, using his feet and a lot more guile... but I'm skeptical.

He's been playing centre at the Blues for ages, so there's Leon too . It's like the BB only chip kicks because Robertson told him to argument.

@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2026:

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks 2026:

@booboo I’m not sure if that is what happened though. Jordie essentially became the ‘hit it up’ player. Allowing Ioane to get second or third phase ball more often to create from.

I wish the coaches would’ve kept him on the wing. Not saying he was terrible at centre, and he certainly filled the role admirably at the 23RWC, but for me that wasn’t his best footy. His best was on the left wing and even the few occasions he filled in on the right. One thing was pretty evident to me too, him and Clarke defending in tandem on the left side did not work.

There was a reason Ioane was dropped for George Bridge in 2019... His best days were behind him even at that point.

Agree with the first sentence: I understood he was carrying a injury.

Second sentence: i disagree.

@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:

@Bones said in All Blacks 2026:

@booboo see if that's the case, you've got to call into question how bad a coach Vern and team are. Rieko still did his tuck and duck at SR level.

I'd love it if his time at Leinster has led to him holding the ball in two hands, using his feet and a lot more guile... but I'm skeptical.

He's been playing centre at the Blues for ages, so there's Leon too . It's like the BB only chip kicks because Robertson told him to argument.

I think they're both in the same category. They're either a busted flush or were used appallingly by previous coaches.

Get them both into the environment and let Rennie make a decision on whether they're good enough for his style.

He should have a definitive answer by the end of SA. I say "he" as regardless of how they go I doubt many on here will change their minds.