All Blacks 2026

@mohikamo said in All Blacks 2026:

and the saffers are winning world championships and the game is thriving there

For now.

Short term picking from overseas is great. But it takes time to filter through to dilute the comps and undermine the structure. NZR have done this well with Super - expanding when the talent wsan't there, taking players out to save them for the ABs. The comp has deteriorated. If you pick overseas players you diminish it further, just when it may be turning a corner.

NZR's strength is alignment through the NPC Super and ABs. Players getting flogged by clubs overseas means you just don't know what condition they get back in - and combine the travel factor as well. We are not in the same time zone as Europe (the SA are) - so it's damn hard to bring people back, get them into the environment and playing within a week. Remember the Paul brothers in league? They used to do that - come over for a one off test. Not easy.

Just a random thought, with our depth in locks , I can see why you might not select patty to start when you are selecting 2 locks and our smaller loosies . The taller options probably make more sense .

But if you are going to select Tupou at 6 , I think you get away with his lack of height more and then you get the added bonus of his physicality and strong Carries . The qualities you might get from a traditional 6, so there is some balance to the pack.

His selection makes more sense to me now .

I think if Tuipulotu keeps playing like he did on Saturday then you probably want him in the 23. I also think Darry played exceptionally well in his two matches. I think Lord and Holland are fighting it out for the other starting berth (assuming that Vaa'i is at 6 and that a lock is selected on the bench). Given Holland is coming back from injury, Lord has the inside running.

@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2026:

I think if Tuipulotu keeps playing like he did on Saturday then you probably want him in the 23. I also think Darry played exceptionally well in his two matches. I think Lord and Holland are fighting it out for the other starting berth (assuming that Vaa'i is at 6 and that a lock is selected on the bench). Given Holland is coming back from injury, Lord has the inside running.

That's pretty much how I see it too. Tuipulotu's carrying in traffic is a useful point of difference vs the others.
I'd give Holland the edge over Lord on work rate though - I think he hits more rucks, makes more tackles and covers more ground - but that is assuming he quickly gets back to the standard he was at last year.

I don't like Vaa'i playing 6 then going into lock particularly.

Is there another coach coming into the All Blacks or has it all been named?

@nzzp said in All Blacks 2026:

@mohikamo said in All Blacks 2026:

and the saffers are winning world championships and the game is thriving there

For now.

Short term picking from overseas is great. But it takes time to filter through to dilute the comps and undermine the structure. NZR have done this well with Super - expanding when the talent wsan't there, taking players out to save them for the ABs. The comp has deteriorated. If you pick overseas players you diminish it further, just when it may be turning a corner.

NZR's strength is alignment through the NPC Super and ABs. Players getting flogged by clubs overseas means you just don't know what condition they get back in - and combine the travel factor as well. We are not in the same time zone as Europe (the SA are) - so it's damn hard to bring people back, get them into the environment and playing within a week. Remember the Paul brothers in league? They used to do that - come over for a one off test. Not easy.

Additionally, people are using the current Boks as the example of why this is fine, forgetting that for the majority of the time we dominated them they had the same or similar eligibility. They have a golden generation currently, and arguably transformation/quotas (that so many of their supposed fans hated) is the driving force behind that in conjunction with a really good coach (or manager or whatever the fuck Rassie is).

South Africa doesn't have the NRL on it's doorstep to fill in the domestic gap, we will have if we allow all our best players to go overseas.

@Nepia NZ Rugby still needs to sort the low hanging fruit that’s right in front of their faces
Shredding pathways is death by thousand cuts leaving the door open for the rival code to walk in and grab whatever talent is available already happening talking to HP guys around the traps

@tubbyj said in All Blacks 2026:

Wouldn't mind seeing this team get a run before year end

1. Ethan De Groot
2. Samisoni Taukei'aho
3. Fletcher Newell
4. Sam Darry (cc)
5. Fabien Holland
6. Tupou Vaai
7. Luke Jacobson
8. Peter Lakai
9. Cam Riogard
10. Reuben Love
11. Josh Moorby
12. Jordie Barrett
13. Quinn Tupeau
14. Will Jordan (cc)
15. Damien Mackenzie

Reserves
16. Xavier Numia
17. Asafo Aumua
18. Pasilio Tosi
19. Patrick Tuipoluto
20. Ardie Savea (cc)
21. Kyle Preston
22. Leicester Fainga'anuku
23. Caleb Clarke

I wouldn’t be leaving Ardie out of any important test match this year. He’s on fire at the moment.

For the bench, I wouldn’t have both Fainga’anuku and Clarke. Both cover wing. You could play Fainga’anuku and a specialist 1st 5 (Mo’unga). With Clarke they will want a midfield cover

Sounds like Mounga will tour whether he plays or not remains to be seen. What about Frizell? No one is mentioning Ioane. Could he play a similar role to what he did in preparing for Ireland?

@SBW1 said in All Blacks 2026:

Sounds like Mounga will tour whether he plays or not remains to be seen. What about Frizell? No one is mentioning Ioane. Could he play a similar role to what he did in preparing for Ireland?

Ioane will tour. At the initial squad naming Rennie gave about as strong a hint as you can give - plus being brought into the squad last week.

@SBW1 said in All Blacks 2026:

Is there another coach coming into the All Blacks or has it all been named?

Think there are quite a few part-time coaches that come in when needed to do specific skills work, even if they're not formally on the docket.

Euan Mackintosh has been working with them in July, for example.

@SBW1 said in All Blacks 2026:

Sounds like Mounga will tour whether he plays or not remains to be seen. What about Frizell? No one is mentioning Ioane. Could he play a similar role to what he did in preparing for Ireland?

Ioane was on sabbatical so shouldn't be mentioned with those two as far as availbility.

@SBW1 said in All Blacks 2026:

Sounds like Mounga will tour whether he plays or not remains to be seen. What about Frizell? No one is mentioning Ioane. Could he play a similar role to what he did in preparing for Ireland?

Do you mean Mo'unga will play an NPC game or wait for an injury, become eligible to play, go on tour but won't be part of the test team? It's likely everyone on tour will play some rugby, unless they're an injury replacement later on in the tour.

@Steven-Harris said in All Blacks 2026:

@Nepia NZ Rugby still needs to sort the low hanging fruit that’s right in front of their faces
Shredding pathways is death by thousand cuts leaving the door open for the rival code to walk in and grab whatever talent is available already happening talking to HP guys around the traps

I know your more in the know about Auckland but do you think it's more specific to there? Schoolboy rugby numbers have been increasing, like most sports after Covid, which seems to be a rising tide raises all boats - are they all switching to league at 19?

But, really, who are all these kids going to league? We hear of the odd cases like Inch and the loosie from Ta$man, but most of the players we see coming up through the grades in Oz when you look closely at them have a league background.

I think I've said on here that I did some work on Maori players in Oz during the U20s Toyota Cup days when there was more money involved and the numbers going over from rugby then was really high. (Sadly most of the guys I interviewed never made it to the majors).

Although, if you mean a structured U20 for Super then I'd be fully on board for that. Although, we can't overlook that the pathway for rugby is the NPC, and we see lots of guys now who are the equivalent of league U20s and reserve grade coming up through NPC to Super.

There's also the fact we're never going to be able to keep them all. but we're losing more to NH rugby than league.

Sorry mods for the off topic.

Expecting an announcement on that. He is playing Npc. Love has a bit of an injury, not sure if it is enough to earn him a spot as injury cover.

@Chris-B. said in All Blacks 2026:

@booboo said in All Blacks 2026:

@Chris-B. said in All Blacks 2026:

Tamaiti Williams, Holland, Big Leicester, Narawa, Tangitau

@Chris-B. said in All Blacks 2026:

Norris, Bell, Ahio, Hannah, Kirifi, Lio Willie, Hotham, Kemara, Ioane, Harkin

Personally not sure about Kirifi. Just think his size is a disqualifier. Not sure who is next in line though.

Ahio has announced he's leaving, so does that disqualify him? What state is Ofa in?

Jim the difference get a look in?

Does Harkin cover 10?

Would love to see Hutchinson.

I too think Kirifi is a bit small, but I seem to recall Rennie name-checked him as unlucky.

Didn't know that about Ahio - a pity. Probably does rule him out.

They pretty clearly like people with fullback skills - Love, Jordie, Jordan, Moorby and DMac all in last night's team.

hopefully that means Hutchinson goes to SA.

@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:

I don't like Vaa'i playing 6 then going into lock particularly.

Neither do I. Have to be knackering going from 6 then back into the engine room

@restofit I wonder if he is back from his injury ?

@BerniesCorner we could have Darry on the bench and Vaai stays on at 6 and Segner comes on at 7 for Jacobson.

@Rugbyman said in All Blacks 2026:

@BerniesCorner we could have Darry on the bench and Vaai stays on at 6 and Segner comes on at 7 for Jacobson.

We need to use Lakai.
Savea's playing well but I hope Rennie uses all the talented forwards. Team effort. Savea doesn't have to go 80 every game

@BerniesCorner said in All Blacks 2026:

@Rugbyman said in All Blacks 2026:

@BerniesCorner we could have Darry on the bench and Vaai stays on at 6 and Segner comes on at 7 for Jacobson.

We need to use Lakai.
Savea's playing well but I hope Rennie uses all the talented forwards. Team effort. Savea doesn't have to go 80 every game

Lakai can cover all three positions the best IMO so he has to be in the 23. If we go two loosies you could either have Sititi and Lakai which might prove to be a game changer late in the game on those hard grounds, or Lakai and Segner.

If our attacking shape continues to trend upward, what are we going to do with Blair when Brown comes in? He's too good to let go. Signing Brown so early may have been a mistake.

Can the two of them work together?

@Canes4life The bench mix and how it complements the starting lineup isn’t quite perfect at the moment and not just for the loose forwards. They still need to decide what combinations they want, how that fits with their bench strategy and what risks they’re prepared to take around injury coverage.

Lakai probably deserves a place in the 23 on merit and his ability to cover all three loose forward positions is valuable but that versatility doesn’t necessarily make him essential given the other loose forwards in the team. It’s probably preferable not to move Jacobson or Savea around during a match but they could, for example, still cover an injury to any starting loose forward with a specialist number eight on the bench.

If they go with a 6:2 split or decide they don’t need a specialist lock on the bench - I think they should, even with Vaa’i starting at blindside - they could potentially carry two specialist loose forwards rather than relying on a utility option. Again, Lakai could still be one of those players though.

The loose forwards remain the least settled area of the team. Ideally, they’d have a group of high-quality specialists to choose from but there isn't. At the moment, it looks like they’re sticking with the philosophy that jersey numbers don’t necessarily define a player’s role.

@akan004 said in All Blacks 2026:

If our attacking shape continues to trend upward, what are we going to do with Blair when Brown comes in? He's too good to let go. Signing Brown so early may have been a mistake.

Can both of them work together?

They could theoretically work together or have separate roles that don't get in each other's way. Blair could own the attacking framework, developing the core shapes, systems and execution, while Brown could focus more on attacking strategy, set-piece innovation and finding ways to unlock defences.

@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:

@akan004 said in All Blacks 2026:

If our attacking shape continues to trend upward, what are we going to do with Blair when Brown comes in? He's too good to let go. Signing Brown so early may have been a mistake.

Can both of them work together?

They could theoretically work together or have separate roles that don't get in each other's way. Blair could own the attacking framework, developing the core shapes, systems and execution, while Brown could focus more on attacking strategy, set-piece innovation and finding ways to unlock defences.

To think NZR and some of the players wanted Scott Hansen retained. I'm so glad Rennie chose Mike Blair instead.

@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:

@Canes4life The bench mix and how it complements the starting lineup isn’t quite perfect at the moment and not just for the loose forwards. They still need to decide what combinations they want, how that fits with their bench strategy and what risks they’re prepared to take around injury coverage.

Lakai probably deserves a place in the 23 on merit and his ability to cover all three loose forward positions is valuable but that versatility doesn’t necessarily make him essential given the other loose forwards in the team. It’s probably preferable not to move Jacobson or Savea around during a match but they could, for example, still cover an injury to any starting loose forward with a specialist number eight on the bench.

If they go with a 6:2 split or decide they don’t need a specialist lock on the bench - I think they should, even with Vaa’i starting at blindside - they could potentially carry two specialist loose forwards rather than relying on a utility option. Again, Lakai could still be one of those players though.

The loose forwards remain the least settled area of the team. Ideally, they’d have a group of high-quality specialists to choose from but there isn't. At the moment, it looks like they’re sticking with the philosophy that jersey numbers don’t necessarily define a player’s role.

Unless SA go with a 7:1 split on the bench I just don't think we need four locks in the 23 personally. I'd rather us have two loosies on the bench with the goal of running the Springboks off their feet in the last 30 odd mins, versus bringing another lock on the park late in the game. I'm sure we'll see a variety of options on this tour, and I think whatever works against the Springboks might be completely different to someone else we play moving forward. I.e. for someone like Australia, I don't really think we need Va'ai playing six, we could get away with playing more up tempo by having Sititi or Lakai in that jersey.

Good problems to have though and it's great to see we are building good depth in most positions. Halfback is still the biggest concern for me.

@akan004 said in All Blacks 2026:

If our attacking shape continues to trend upward, what are we going to do with Blair when Brown comes in? He's too good to let go. Signing Brown so early may have been a mistake.

Can the two of them work together?

No reason why they can't.

But also as it stands, we have no idea if Blair (or Rennie, for that matter) even wants to stay beyond 2027.

@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2026:

@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:

@Canes4life The bench mix and how it complements the starting lineup isn’t quite perfect at the moment and not just for the loose forwards. They still need to decide what combinations they want, how that fits with their bench strategy and what risks they’re prepared to take around injury coverage.

Lakai probably deserves a place in the 23 on merit and his ability to cover all three loose forward positions is valuable but that versatility doesn’t necessarily make him essential given the other loose forwards in the team. It’s probably preferable not to move Jacobson or Savea around during a match but they could, for example, still cover an injury to any starting loose forward with a specialist number eight on the bench.

If they go with a 6:2 split or decide they don’t need a specialist lock on the bench - I think they should, even with Vaa’i starting at blindside - they could potentially carry two specialist loose forwards rather than relying on a utility option. Again, Lakai could still be one of those players though.

The loose forwards remain the least settled area of the team. Ideally, they’d have a group of high-quality specialists to choose from but there isn't. At the moment, it looks like they’re sticking with the philosophy that jersey numbers don’t necessarily define a player’s role.

Unless SA go with a 7:1 split on the bench I just don't think we need four locks in the 23 personally. I'd rather us have two loosies on the bench with the goal of running the Springboks off their feet in the last 30 odd mins, versus bringing another lock on the park late in the game. I'm sure we'll see a variety of options on this tour, and I think whatever works against the Springboks might be completely different to someone else we play moving forward. I.e. for someone like Australia, I don't really think we need Va'ai playing six, we could get away with playing more up tempo by having Sititi or Lakai in that jersey.

Good problems to have though and it's great to see we are building good depth in most positions. Halfback is still the biggest concern for me.

The issue I have with having no lock on the bench - taking last weekend's team as an example - is that you're asking Vaa'i to shift positions mid-game, which isn't ideal and/or you're asking two of Vaa'i, Tuipulotu and Lord to play a full 80 minutes regardless of the circumstances.

@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:

@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2026:

@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:

@Canes4life The bench mix and how it complements the starting lineup isn’t quite perfect at the moment and not just for the loose forwards. They still need to decide what combinations they want, how that fits with their bench strategy and what risks they’re prepared to take around injury coverage.

Lakai probably deserves a place in the 23 on merit and his ability to cover all three loose forward positions is valuable but that versatility doesn’t necessarily make him essential given the other loose forwards in the team. It’s probably preferable not to move Jacobson or Savea around during a match but they could, for example, still cover an injury to any starting loose forward with a specialist number eight on the bench.

If they go with a 6:2 split or decide they don’t need a specialist lock on the bench - I think they should, even with Vaa’i starting at blindside - they could potentially carry two specialist loose forwards rather than relying on a utility option. Again, Lakai could still be one of those players though.

The loose forwards remain the least settled area of the team. Ideally, they’d have a group of high-quality specialists to choose from but there isn't. At the moment, it looks like they’re sticking with the philosophy that jersey numbers don’t necessarily define a player’s role.

Unless SA go with a 7:1 split on the bench I just don't think we need four locks in the 23 personally. I'd rather us have two loosies on the bench with the goal of running the Springboks off their feet in the last 30 odd mins, versus bringing another lock on the park late in the game. I'm sure we'll see a variety of options on this tour, and I think whatever works against the Springboks might be completely different to someone else we play moving forward. I.e. for someone like Australia, I don't really think we need Va'ai playing six, we could get away with playing more up tempo by having Sititi or Lakai in that jersey.

Good problems to have though and it's great to see we are building good depth in most positions. Halfback is still the biggest concern for me.

The issue I have with having no lock on the bench - taking last weekend's team as an example - is that you're asking Vaa'i to shift positions mid-game, which isn't ideal and/or you're asking two of Vaa'i, Tuipulotu and Lord to play a full 80 minutes regardless of the circumstances.

I guess it all comes down to what the strategy is for the Boks. If it’s to run them off the park you’re then probably going to have to deploy a 6-2 split, one lock, two loosies on the bench. DMac to cover 10, and then probably Ratima and one other as those back reserves. Ardie can play in the backs if we get more than one injury in the backs.

Faianga’nuku would be my 23 man if he was fit and available because he can cover midfield and both wings.

Can we really expect to run other tier 1 teams off the park. It still seems too easy to slow the game down when needed.

@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2026:

@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:

@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2026:

@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:

@Canes4life The bench mix and how it complements the starting lineup isn’t quite perfect at the moment and not just for the loose forwards. They still need to decide what combinations they want, how that fits with their bench strategy and what risks they’re prepared to take around injury coverage.

Lakai probably deserves a place in the 23 on merit and his ability to cover all three loose forward positions is valuable but that versatility doesn’t necessarily make him essential given the other loose forwards in the team. It’s probably preferable not to move Jacobson or Savea around during a match but they could, for example, still cover an injury to any starting loose forward with a specialist number eight on the bench.

If they go with a 6:2 split or decide they don’t need a specialist lock on the bench - I think they should, even with Vaa’i starting at blindside - they could potentially carry two specialist loose forwards rather than relying on a utility option. Again, Lakai could still be one of those players though.

The loose forwards remain the least settled area of the team. Ideally, they’d have a group of high-quality specialists to choose from but there isn't. At the moment, it looks like they’re sticking with the philosophy that jersey numbers don’t necessarily define a player’s role.

Unless SA go with a 7:1 split on the bench I just don't think we need four locks in the 23 personally. I'd rather us have two loosies on the bench with the goal of running the Springboks off their feet in the last 30 odd mins, versus bringing another lock on the park late in the game. I'm sure we'll see a variety of options on this tour, and I think whatever works against the Springboks might be completely different to someone else we play moving forward. I.e. for someone like Australia, I don't really think we need Va'ai playing six, we could get away with playing more up tempo by having Sititi or Lakai in that jersey.

Good problems to have though and it's great to see we are building good depth in most positions. Halfback is still the biggest concern for me.

The issue I have with having no lock on the bench - taking last weekend's team as an example - is that you're asking Vaa'i to shift positions mid-game, which isn't ideal and/or you're asking two of Vaa'i, Tuipulotu and Lord to play a full 80 minutes regardless of the circumstances.

I guess it all comes down to what the strategy is for the Boks. If it’s to run them off the park you’re then probably going to have to deploy a 6-2 split, one lock, two loosies on the bench. DMac to cover 10, and then probably Ratima and one other as those back reserves. Ardie can play in the backs if we get more than one injury in the backs.

Faianga’nuku would be my 23 man if he was fit and available because he can cover midfield and both wings.

Much as I hate to say it I'd have Rieko over Faianga'nuku if you want midfield/wing cover.

At international level he'd get carved up on defence, even more so with the new attacking trend.

@Toddy said in All Blacks 2026:

Can we really expect to run other tier 1 teams off the park. It still seems too easy to slow the game down when needed.

Well we used to, so I can’t see why we can’t strive to get there. Slowing the game down will only play into the hands of the Boks.

@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2026:

@Toddy said in All Blacks 2026:

Can we really expect to run other tier 1 teams off the park. It still seems too easy to slow the game down when needed.

Well we used to, so I can’t see why we can’t strive to get there. Slowing the game down will only play into the hands of the Boks.

Along with kicking the ball away, which Dave has cut out. Our speed of play is more focused than the headless chook stuff we had previously. So we are inflicting more damage on teams by making them move around and forcing them to make decisions more than before

Ideally, referees would be more proactive in stopping teams from deliberately wasting time, faking injuries and slowing the game down.

@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:

@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2026:

@Toddy said in All Blacks 2026:

Can we really expect to run other tier 1 teams off the park. It still seems too easy to slow the game down when needed.

Well we used to, so I can’t see why we can’t strive to get there. Slowing the game down will only play into the hands of the Boks.

Along with kicking the ball away, which Dave has cut out. Our speed of play is more focused than the headless chook stuff we had previously. So we are inflicting more damage on teams by making them move around and forcing them to make decisions more than before

As players get more comfortable in the system and we become even more clinical it's going to be interesting to see who can stay with us.

@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:

Ideally, referees would be more proactive in stopping teams from deliberately wasting time, faking injuries and slowing the game down.

So noticeable with Northern hemisphere teams who take every opportunity to slow the game down. The Northern refs also let them get away with it which is so frustrating. Massive reason why we couldn't get our flow in that Italy game.

@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:

Ideally, referees would be more proactive in stopping teams from deliberately wasting time, faking injuries and slowing the game down.

Clearly WR don't believe that pace of play is important in delivering a quality on field spectacle, otherwise they would direct all referees to stamp out time wasting

@canefan longer game means eyeballs see sponsor logos longer

#allboutdamunneeeeeee

@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2026:

@canefan longer game means eyeballs see sponsor logos longer

#allboutdamunneeeeeee

As an aside, I wouldn't mind the game being extended to 90 minutes.

Fitness becomes a bigger factor. Could reduce the incentive to make players bigger. More tactical variation with more fatigue. Less reward for time-wasting tactics. Greater importance of squad depth in tournaments.

@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2026:

@Toddy said in All Blacks 2026:

Can we really expect to run other tier 1 teams off the park. It still seems too easy to slow the game down when needed.

Well we used to, so I can’t see why we can’t strive to get there. Slowing the game down will only play into the hands of the Boks.

Will it though? They have been playing at a high pace as well. Their line speed is quick and they have several fast footed backs that excel in an uptempo style. They want to be with possession more.

Plus the way they use their bench means they have ‘fresher’ players for slightly longer periods.