All Blacks 2026

@jimmyb said in All Blacks 2026:

I don’t want to sound too controversial but let’s try and pick a 6 and 6 rather than a lock or an 8? Va’ai before his injury was the form lock. Let’s give him a chance to get back into it. He has a point of difference that the rest of our locks don’t so why fuck around with him at 6?

What’s the point of having Parker in the squad if you don’t at least give him a chance in the first three matches?

I think the calls for Vaa'i at blindside are purely down to searching for the right loose forward combination, with the other options not quite solving the problem so far despite generally solid performances (Lakai, though probably not Sititi). There might have been reluctance to try other players if they're new to the environment, seen as better suited to other roles, or perhaps aren't yet meeting the standards Rennie wants. Giving Vaa'i a go is simply working through the options in the hope that something clicks.

6 Parker
7 Savea
8 Vaa'i

20 Jacobson

@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2026:

@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2026:

I don't mind Ioane in the midfield at all - just think he's behind Proctor and potentially Tupaea and Lienert-Brown

Look, I'm a huge fan of ALB. He's been fucked about by the last 2-3 coaches but still gave his all. Had he been handled properly he could have been a true AB great and if any player deserves 100 caps it's him.

But his time has passed. Take him for the mid-week games in SA possibly, but he shouldn't be blocking others in Tests

I have a lot of sympathy for your view.

That said, from a scientific perspective it would be informative to see the effect of ALB having 40 outside Cam, Love and Jordie. That way there would be a proper comparison at 13 against Tupaea and Proctor.

@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2026:

6 Parker
7 Savea
8 Vaa'i

20 Jacobson

Pair that up with our best props and keep leaving tuipulotu out, and that's our zero ball running XV.

@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:

@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2026:

6 Parker
7 Savea
8 Vaa'i

20 Jacobson

Pair that up with our best props and keep leaving tuipulotu out, and that's our zero ball running XV.

Are we talking about 2025 Tuipulotu or every other year Tuipulotu?

@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2026:

@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:

@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2026:

6 Parker
7 Savea
8 Vaa'i

20 Jacobson

Pair that up with our best props and keep leaving tuipulotu out, and that's our zero ball running XV.

Are we talking about 2025 Tuipulotu or every other year Tuipulotu?

Does it matter which one if we're leaving him out?

@MiketheSnow said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Bones said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Rattle JGP, get him off his game and they're a bit of a nothing side now.

Same could be said for Roigard

He's easily our most important player and with a strike rate like the below he's going to break plenty of records.

@Canes4life said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@MiketheSnow said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Bones said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Rattle JGP, get him off his game and they're a bit of a nothing side now.

Same could be said for Roigard

He's easily our most important player and with a strike rate like the below he's going to break plenty of records.

I think he is our most important player, but only due to the lack of similar (in style and quality) options behind him.

@reprobate said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Canes4life said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@MiketheSnow said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Bones said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Rattle JGP, get him off his game and they're a bit of a nothing side now.

Same could be said for Roigard

He's easily our most important player and with a strike rate like the below he's going to break plenty of records.

I think he is our most important player, but only due to the lack of similar (in style and quality) options behind him.

Yeah but that’s also purely down to how dominant of a player he is. It’s pretty obvious that Roigard has become the dominant decision maker for the ABs.

Historically it’s been the 10 making most of the big decisions, but in recent years that has shifted to the 9, we’ve seen it with JGP at Ireland and Du Pont at France. 9s are having a lot more say on the game than they used to.

@Canes4life said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@reprobate said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Canes4life said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@MiketheSnow said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Bones said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Rattle JGP, get him off his game and they're a bit of a nothing side now.

Same could be said for Roigard

He's easily our most important player and with a strike rate like the below he's going to break plenty of records.

I think he is our most important player, but only due to the lack of similar (in style and quality) options behind him.

Yeah but that’s also purely down to how dominant of a player he is. It’s pretty obvious that Roigard has become the dominant decision maker for the ABs.

Historically it’s been the 10 making most of the big decisions, but in recent years that has shifted to the 9, we’ve seen it with JGP at Ireland and Du Pont at France. 9s are having a lot more say on the game than they used to.

The point is France have the world class Lucu as the other halfback option to Dupont.

ABs other 9s i'm not even sure are test quality let alone world class

@KiwiMurph I guess the hope would be that Pledger is as good as we all think he is, and there's your one-two punch.

@KiwiMurph said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Canes4life said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@reprobate said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Canes4life said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@MiketheSnow said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Bones said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Rattle JGP, get him off his game and they're a bit of a nothing side now.

Same could be said for Roigard

He's easily our most important player and with a strike rate like the below he's going to break plenty of records.

I think he is our most important player, but only due to the lack of similar (in style and quality) options behind him.

Yeah but that’s also purely down to how dominant of a player he is. It’s pretty obvious that Roigard has become the dominant decision maker for the ABs.

Historically it’s been the 10 making most of the big decisions, but in recent years that has shifted to the 9, we’ve seen it with JGP at Ireland and Du Pont at France. 9s are having a lot more say on the game than they used to.

The point is France have the world class Lucu as the other halfback option to Dupont.

ABs other 9s i'm not even sure are test quality let alone world class

That’s a fair point.

@frugby said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@KiwiMurph I guess the hope would be that Pledger is as good as we all think he is, and there's your one-two punch.

Pledger looks like the perfect impact halfback as he’s a whippet.

@Canes4life See, I think if Pledger was able to translate what he could do at NPC level to test level, then he'd be the more obvious starter as that is a more polished player than Roigard, who would thrive in the chaos of a tiring defence.

But that is negligible, and we are a longgggg way away from being able to consider this. First things first he needs to get himself fit, and then prove he can do it at Super level.

@KiwiMurph said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Canes4life said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@reprobate said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Canes4life said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@MiketheSnow said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Bones said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Rattle JGP, get him off his game and they're a bit of a nothing side now.

Same could be said for Roigard

He's easily our most important player and with a strike rate like the below he's going to break plenty of records.

I think he is our most important player, but only due to the lack of similar (in style and quality) options behind him.

Yeah but that’s also purely down to how dominant of a player he is. It’s pretty obvious that Roigard has become the dominant decision maker for the ABs.

Historically it’s been the 10 making most of the big decisions, but in recent years that has shifted to the 9, we’ve seen it with JGP at Ireland and Du Pont at France. 9s are having a lot more say on the game than they used to.

The point is France have the world class Lucu as the other halfback option to Dupont.

ABs other 9s i'm not even sure are test quality let alone world class

And Le Garrec is excellent too. Their 9s are like our hookers.

@frugby said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Canes4life See, I think if Pledger was able to translate what he could do at NPC level to test level, then he'd be the more obvious starter as that is a more polished player than Roigard, who would thrive in the chaos of a tiring defence.

But that is negligible, and we are a longgggg way away from being able to consider this. First things first he needs to get himself fit, and then prove he can do it at Super level.

Me too bro, but as you say all very hypothetical at this point.
Pledger's acceleration and pace is exciting, but it's the fact that he gets to every ruck so quick and distributes fast both ways off the deck which is the key marker for me.

@Canes4life said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@reprobate said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Canes4life said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@MiketheSnow said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Bones said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Rattle JGP, get him off his game and they're a bit of a nothing side now.

Same could be said for Roigard

He's easily our most important player and with a strike rate like the below he's going to break plenty of records.

I think he is our most important player, but only due to the lack of similar (in style and quality) options behind him.

Yeah but that’s also purely down to how dominant of a player he is. It’s pretty obvious that Roigard has become the dominant decision maker for the ABs.

Historically it’s been the 10 making most of the big decisions, but in recent years that has shifted to the 9, we’ve seen it with JGP at Ireland and Du Pont at France. 9s are having a lot more say on the game than they used to.

That's not some sort of historical trend mate, it's Sexton retiring and France playing a different style. There have always been some 9s who play that way (Weepu, Going, Bachop to an extent) and 10s who range from very dominant game controllers to just a link in the chain.

Roigard is dominant, and does a lot of the kicking, particularly exits. I would be mildly concerned with how that would go if Roigard gets injured.

@reprobate said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Canes4life said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@reprobate said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Canes4life said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@MiketheSnow said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Bones said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Rattle JGP, get him off his game and they're a bit of a nothing side now.

Same could be said for Roigard

He's easily our most important player and with a strike rate like the below he's going to break plenty of records.

I think he is our most important player, but only due to the lack of similar (in style and quality) options behind him.

Yeah but that’s also purely down to how dominant of a player he is. It’s pretty obvious that Roigard has become the dominant decision maker for the ABs.

Historically it’s been the 10 making most of the big decisions, but in recent years that has shifted to the 9, we’ve seen it with JGP at Ireland and Du Pont at France. 9s are having a lot more say on the game than they used to.

That's not some sort of historical trend mate, it's Sexton retiring and France playing a different style. There have always been some 9s who play that way (Weepu, Going, Bachop to an extent) and 10s who range from very dominant game controllers to just a link in the chain.

Roigard is dominant, and does a lot of the kicking, particularly exits. I would be mildly concerned with how that would go if Roigard gets injured.

The historical consensus in rugby has always been that the No. 10 is the primary game driver - the quarterback, so to speak, while the No. 9's role has largely been to link the forwards with the first five. What we're seeing now, though, is halfbacks taking control of matches more than ever before. One of the major benefits of that shift is that it allows you to blood a young No. 10 like Love much more comfortably, as the bulk of the decision-making no longer rests solely on his shoulders like it traditionally has.

As for Pledger, I can't really see him overtaking Roigard as the All Blacks' first-choice halfback anytime soon. He hasn't even played Super Rugby yet, so there's still plenty of water to go under the bridge before we're seriously having that conversation. Jordie even mentioned in an interview after returning from his stint with Leinster that, of any player in New Zealand, he believes Roigard has the highest ceiling. That's a pretty sound endorsement, and it's exciting to think how much better Roigard could become with another few years of Test rugby under his belt. He's not going to surrender the All Blacks' No. 9 jersey without a fight, but that's only good news for the All Blacks. Genuine competition should push him to raise his game even further, and the All Blacks will ultimately be the biggest beneficiaries if young Pledger can grab the starting jersey, as it will suggest he's one hell of a player.

@Canes4life said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@reprobate said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Canes4life said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@reprobate said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Canes4life said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@MiketheSnow said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Bones said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Rattle JGP, get him off his game and they're a bit of a nothing side now.

Same could be said for Roigard

He's easily our most important player and with a strike rate like the below he's going to break plenty of records.

I think he is our most important player, but only due to the lack of similar (in style and quality) options behind him.

Yeah but that’s also purely down to how dominant of a player he is. It’s pretty obvious that Roigard has become the dominant decision maker for the ABs.

Historically it’s been the 10 making most of the big decisions, but in recent years that has shifted to the 9, we’ve seen it with JGP at Ireland and Du Pont at France. 9s are having a lot more say on the game than they used to.

That's not some sort of historical trend mate, it's Sexton retiring and France playing a different style. There have always been some 9s who play that way (Weepu, Going, Bachop to an extent) and 10s who range from very dominant game controllers to just a link in the chain.

Roigard is dominant, and does a lot of the kicking, particularly exits. I would be mildly concerned with how that would go if Roigard gets injured.

The historical consensus in rugby has always been that the No. 10 is the primary game driver - the quarterback, so to speak, while the No. 9's role has largely been to link the forwards with the first five. What we're seeing now, though, is halfbacks taking control of matches more than ever before. One of the major benefits of that shift is that it allows you to blood a young No. 10 like Love much more comfortably, as the bulk of the decision-making no longer rests solely on his shoulders like it traditionally has.

Disagree with you on that one mate, I think it still is the consensus, and all we're seeing is 2 or 3 exceptional players causing a blip on the graph. For me it is kind of just as simple as you get a better view from 10, you're better placed to see things which trigger decisions - and that hasn't changed.

@reprobate said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Canes4life said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@reprobate said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Canes4life said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@reprobate said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Canes4life said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@MiketheSnow said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Bones said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Rattle JGP, get him off his game and they're a bit of a nothing side now.

Same could be said for Roigard

He's easily our most important player and with a strike rate like the below he's going to break plenty of records.

I think he is our most important player, but only due to the lack of similar (in style and quality) options behind him.

Yeah but that’s also purely down to how dominant of a player he is. It’s pretty obvious that Roigard has become the dominant decision maker for the ABs.

Historically it’s been the 10 making most of the big decisions, but in recent years that has shifted to the 9, we’ve seen it with JGP at Ireland and Du Pont at France. 9s are having a lot more say on the game than they used to.

That's not some sort of historical trend mate, it's Sexton retiring and France playing a different style. There have always been some 9s who play that way (Weepu, Going, Bachop to an extent) and 10s who range from very dominant game controllers to just a link in the chain.

Roigard is dominant, and does a lot of the kicking, particularly exits. I would be mildly concerned with how that would go if Roigard gets injured.

The historical consensus in rugby has always been that the No. 10 is the primary game driver - the quarterback, so to speak, while the No. 9's role has largely been to link the forwards with the first five. What we're seeing now, though, is halfbacks taking control of matches more than ever before. One of the major benefits of that shift is that it allows you to blood a young No. 10 like Love much more comfortably, as the bulk of the decision-making no longer rests solely on his shoulders like it traditionally has.

Disagree with you on that one mate, I think it still is the consensus, and all we're seeing is 2 or 3 exceptional players causing a blip on the graph. For me it is kind of just as simple as you get a better view from 10, you're better placed to see things which trigger decisions - and that hasn't changed.

You're totally within your right to disagree as opinions are subjective but I think rush defences have fundamentally changed the role of the first five, with defensive lines now launching so quickly that many 10s receive the ball under immediate pressure. As a result, much of the game's decision-making has shifted to the halfback, who is now responsible for manipulating defenders around the ruck through their running threat, passing variation and ability to keep defences guessing before the ball even reaches first receiver.

Cam Roigard is the perfect example of this change. His greatest strength is his ability to constantly ask questions of the defence, whether that's sniping around the ruck, attacking the fringe, box kicking or firing a flat pass, with his running threat alone forcing defenders to compress and creating opportunities for those around him.

Modern halfbacks also dictate the tempo of the game more than ever before, deciding when to speed play up, slow it down or play for territory, while subtly manipulating defenders through their timing and rhythm. At the same time, attacking responsibilities are now shared across fullbacks, centres and loose forwards, meaning teams are no longer solely reliant on a superstar first five to orchestrate every phase, evident through the pod system that many teams use these days.

@Canes4life said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@reprobate said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Canes4life said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@reprobate said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Canes4life said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@MiketheSnow said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Bones said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Rattle JGP, get him off his game and they're a bit of a nothing side now.

Same could be said for Roigard

He's easily our most important player and with a strike rate like the below he's going to break plenty of records.

I think he is our most important player, but only due to the lack of similar (in style and quality) options behind him.

Yeah but that’s also purely down to how dominant of a player he is. It’s pretty obvious that Roigard has become the dominant decision maker for the ABs.

Historically it’s been the 10 making most of the big decisions, but in recent years that has shifted to the 9, we’ve seen it with JGP at Ireland and Du Pont at France. 9s are having a lot more say on the game than they used to.

That's not some sort of historical trend mate, it's Sexton retiring and France playing a different style. There have always been some 9s who play that way (Weepu, Going, Bachop to an extent) and 10s who range from very dominant game controllers to just a link in the chain.

Roigard is dominant, and does a lot of the kicking, particularly exits. I would be mildly concerned with how that would go if Roigard gets injured.

As for Pledger, I can't really see him overtaking Roigard as the All Blacks' first-choice halfback anytime soon.

Neither can I, but we need to get our heads around the idea that the 'best' player doesn't have to start and the reserves don't have to wait until the 60-minute mark to come on. Roigard could come on after just 20 minutes, for example, make a huge impact against a tiring opposition late in the first half and still be going flat out in injury time.

@ShaquilleOatmeal said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Canes4life said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@reprobate said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Canes4life said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@reprobate said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Canes4life said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@MiketheSnow said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Bones said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Rattle JGP, get him off his game and they're a bit of a nothing side now.

Same could be said for Roigard

He's easily our most important player and with a strike rate like the below he's going to break plenty of records.

I think he is our most important player, but only due to the lack of similar (in style and quality) options behind him.

Yeah but that’s also purely down to how dominant of a player he is. It’s pretty obvious that Roigard has become the dominant decision maker for the ABs.

Historically it’s been the 10 making most of the big decisions, but in recent years that has shifted to the 9, we’ve seen it with JGP at Ireland and Du Pont at France. 9s are having a lot more say on the game than they used to.

That's not some sort of historical trend mate, it's Sexton retiring and France playing a different style. There have always been some 9s who play that way (Weepu, Going, Bachop to an extent) and 10s who range from very dominant game controllers to just a link in the chain.

Roigard is dominant, and does a lot of the kicking, particularly exits. I would be mildly concerned with how that would go if Roigard gets injured.

As for Pledger, I can't really see him overtaking Roigard as the All Blacks' first-choice halfback anytime soon.

Neither can I, but we need to get our heads around the idea that the 'best' player doesn't have to start and the reserves don't have to wait until the 60-minute mark to come on. Roigard could come on after just 20 minutes, for example, make a huge impact against a tiring opposition late in the first half and still be going flat out in injury time.

You're not wrong and I think that's where the Springboks have been better than anyone else in the world. That's why I think having the likes of DMac coming on with 30 to go and ripping up would be much more impactful on this side than him starting.

@Canes4life Fully agree - the halfback controls a lot of the play now. However if the new trend of wingers retreating to field box kicks is seen as successful, and we see fewer box kicks because of it then the role of the 10 may become more important again.

@reprobate said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Roigard is dominant, and does a lot of the kicking, particularly exits. I would be mildly concerned with how that would go if Roigard gets injured.

I would be concerned as well if these stats from AI are to be believed. One bonus is BB is not playing.

@ShaquilleOatmeal said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Canes4life said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@reprobate said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Canes4life said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@reprobate said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Canes4life said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@MiketheSnow said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Bones said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Rattle JGP, get him off his game and they're a bit of a nothing side now.

Same could be said for Roigard

He's easily our most important player and with a strike rate like the below he's going to break plenty of records.

I think he is our most important player, but only due to the lack of similar (in style and quality) options behind him.

Yeah but that’s also purely down to how dominant of a player he is. It’s pretty obvious that Roigard has become the dominant decision maker for the ABs.

Historically it’s been the 10 making most of the big decisions, but in recent years that has shifted to the 9, we’ve seen it with JGP at Ireland and Du Pont at France. 9s are having a lot more say on the game than they used to.

That's not some sort of historical trend mate, it's Sexton retiring and France playing a different style. There have always been some 9s who play that way (Weepu, Going, Bachop to an extent) and 10s who range from very dominant game controllers to just a link in the chain.

Roigard is dominant, and does a lot of the kicking, particularly exits. I would be mildly concerned with how that would go if Roigard gets injured.

As for Pledger, I can't really see him overtaking Roigard as the All Blacks' first-choice halfback anytime soon.

Neither can I, but we need to get our heads around the idea that the 'best' player doesn't have to start and the reserves don't have to wait until the 60-minute mark to come on. Roigard could come on after just 20 minutes, for example, make a huge impact against a tiring opposition late in the first half and still be going flat out in injury time.

theyre also different players so "first choice" might have a * next to it, 75% of the time its clear but there might certain opposition where someone like pledger is preferred, we need need to get past the idea the first choice starts and second choice is on the bench....horses for courses

Pledger has only performed at NPC level, there is no guarantee he can translate that dominance to test level. I certainly think he has more upside than all the other backups to Roigard and would hope come the WC next year he has worked his way onto the bench. But that is a long way off and he has to have a dominant super season. I don't see him replacing Roigard anytime soon, I think Roigard has that winning mentality a bit like Justin Marshall and he is ultra competitive by all accounts.

@Rugbyman said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

I think Roigard has that winning mentality

This is the key thing eh, when everyone else really just wants to lose, having someone who wants to win is a game changer.

@Rugbyman said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Pledger has only performed at NPC level, there is no guarantee he can translate that dominance to test level. I certainly think he has more upside than all the other backups to Roigard and would hope come the WC next year he has worked his way onto the bench. But that is a long way off and he has to have a dominant super season. I don't see him replacing Roigard anytime soon, I think Roigard has that winning mentality a bit like Justin Marshall and he is ultra competitive by all accounts.

Why does he have to have a dominant season? If the WC is next year and he's good enough get him in there. At present he just needs to be better than Ratima or Preston.

Personally I doubt he'd surpass Roigard,but if we get to the situation we have to even talk about it we'd be in a good position.

@Rugbyman said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Pledger has only performed at NPC level, there is no guarantee he can translate that dominance to test level. I certainly think he has more upside than all the other backups to Roigard and would hope come the WC next year he has worked his way onto the bench. But that is a long way off and he has to have a dominant super season. I don't see him replacing Roigard anytime soon, I think Roigard has that winning mentality a bit like Justin Marshall and he is ultra competitive by all accounts.

Everyone's praise of him has been prefaced by similar statements, it's all obviously a big 'if' with major steps up to come.
But... it's hard to remember a better NPC breakout season, he was a star at U20 - and his game isn't based on being a bully, it's based on quick thinking, quick feet, quick pass. He's pretty exciting.

@reprobate said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

@Rugbyman said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

Pledger has only performed at NPC level, there is no guarantee he can translate that dominance to test level. I certainly think he has more upside than all the other backups to Roigard and would hope come the WC next year he has worked his way onto the bench. But that is a long way off and he has to have a dominant super season. I don't see him replacing Roigard anytime soon, I think Roigard has that winning mentality a bit like Justin Marshall and he is ultra competitive by all accounts.

Everyone's praise of him has been prefaced by similar statements, it's all obviously a big 'if' with major steps up to come.
But... it's hard to remember a better NPC breakout season, he was a star at U20 - and his game isn't based on being a bully, it's based on quick thinking, quick feet, quick pass. He's pretty exciting.

Hopefully he has a Milner-Skudder-esque year in 2027 and forces his way into our top 23 for the WC.

@Jnr the gap between NPC level and test level is huge. even the gap between Super rugby and Test level is big. Everyone (myself included) is getting very carried away about his form in the lowly NPC competition. But agreed, if he is better in super rugby than Ratima and co then yes he should be expedited into the squad.

@Rugbyman Right now, the backups aren’t trusted unless the game is well and truly over. Ratima got just six minutes against France. I’d be tempted to pick Pledger if he shows even the slightest bit of promise. At this point, he can hardly be any worse than that.

How does Pledger's pass compare to Roigard's.

@Bones said in All Blacks 2026:

@Rugbyman said in NC: All Blacks v Ireland:

I think Roigard has that winning mentality

This is the key thing eh, when everyone else really just wants to lose, having someone who wants to win is a game changer.

I think what Rugbyman is getting at is the will to impose oneself on a game. Not hiding. Not passive.

Messi has done it every week when Argentina were behind. More touches, more touches , give me the fucking ball.

Roigard feels the same. Very proactive. Quick taps, sniping, taking ownership of situations.

Some people let the match happen to them, whereas Roigard displays agency in trying to turn things around. If he was on the pitch in the 2007 QF he'd have taken the drop goal himself .

@Jet Agree that is what I see in Roigaard. A leader and the ultimate competitor, just the kind of guy we need to take on the Boks. You right in 2007 the situation was crying out for McAlister or someone to take ownership of the situation and they were tentative and by the time they tried it was too late and they were out of range. Roigard takes the game by the horns.

He should also take the bull by the scruff of the neck.

@Bones why don't you add some decent analysis rather than mocking everything or trying to find fault with the words people use?

@Rugbyman said in All Blacks 2026:

why don't you add some decent analysis

Not to pick holes, but I wouldn't go flinging stones if I were you.

@Rugbyman said in All Blacks 2026:

@Jet Agree that is what I see in Roigaard. A leader and the ultimate competitor, just the kind of guy we need to take on the Boks. You right in 2007 the situation was crying out for McAlister or someone to take ownership of the situation and they were tentative and by the time they tried it was too late and they were out of range. Roigard takes the game by the horns.

Bugger me. You sound just like @kiwi_expat a couple of years ago fluffing Robertson as the one-man saviour of NZ Rugby

@Rugbyman said in All Blacks 2026:

@Jnr the gap between NPC level and test level is huge. even the gap between Super rugby and Test level is big. Everyone (myself included) is getting very carried away about his form in the lowly NPC competition. But agreed, if he is better in super rugby than Ratima and co then yes he should be expedited into the squad.

You do it that way and you put him into the environment with only a couple of games before the WC.

Do it earlier and he learns and develops substantially more. It's not like we're in year one of a four year cycle, our runway is getting shorter by the day.

We've picked players before who haven't had to dominate at Super level.