@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@W32 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
As an aside, why does Rennie refer to South Africa as just Africa? If New Zealand were referred to as “the islands” by oppo coaches, wouldn’t that seem a bit lame? Or is it intended as some sort of boys own adventure into darkest Africa…?
Is he referring to the team as Africa or saying, 'We're going to Africa'?
He says while we are in Africa.
Paul Cully pushing for STT to make the touring squad. I want to see him within a NZ franchise (preferably mine) and have another barnsotming season. Ideally as a 2028 debut.
So all eyes are now on which 10 players they add.
The balance of this remains up in there.
The leftovers last night were:
That’s 11 gaps for 9 spots (assuming they take the current 34 + Ioane.)
I think you can then shave off one outside back, and potentially a midfielder.
The possible add-ons: Norris, T Mafileo, G Bell, Hannah, Holland, Kirifi, Lio-Willie, Hotham… and the last one has me stumped.
If DMac is their top pick at fullback, then they may want another 10 to be in the mix for the midweek games… would this be Josh Jacomb?
I see them stacking this squad with forwards, because I don’t think they will want their forwards to backup… and they may even consider a 6-2 split I wouldn’t be surprised.
They will also presumably take cover for Codie Taylor. I think this will be Brodie McAllister
Harkin played well during SR. CN play 15 and 10. I'd take Oudenryn if they take another hooker on top of Taylor, Samisoni, or Aumua
Most are expecting a 7:3 split for the extra 10 players. I think that BB will be playing 1st 5 in the midweek games, so Harkin probably makes sense as 10 cover but playing at fullback. Some test players will need to be in the reserves at least for the provincial games.
@canefan said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Has Rennie ruled out selecting outgoing players like Flanders?
He hasn't, but presumably he would've selected them for the home Tests too to maximise the time with them.
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@canefan said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Has Rennie ruled out selecting outgoing players like Flanders?
He hasn't, but presumably he would've selected them for the home Tests too to maximise the time with them.
My reasoning would be to pad the squad with players who can help us win midweek matches, as opposed to picking development players
It will be interesting if they carry any injured players from the get go (e.g. Fehi or Carter).
I think Ioane is locked in to tour, so that’s one of the back additions.
@bovidae I reckon a 6:4 split
Backs - halfback, 10/15, midfielder, utility
Fatties - hooker, 2 props, 3 others made up of locks and loosies (largely depend on what they want to do with Vaa’i on tour).
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
It will be interesting if they carry any injured players from the get go (e.g. Fehi or Carter).
I think Ioane is locked in to tour, so that’s one of the back additions.
@bovidae I reckon a 6:4 split
Backs - halfback, 10/15, midfielder, utility
Fatties - hooker, 2 props, 3 others made up of locks and loosies (largely depend on what they want to do with Vaa’i on tour).
Hotham, Harkin, Ioane, Hutchinson.
Bell, Norris, Mafileo, Holland, Hannah, Barnes.
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
It will be interesting if they carry any injured players from the get go (e.g. Fehi or Carter).
I think Ioane is locked in to tour, so that’s one of the back additions.
@bovidae I reckon a 6:4 split
Backs - halfback, 10/15, midfielder, utility
Fatties - hooker, 2 props, 3 others made up of locks and loosies (largely depend on what they want to do with Vaa’i on tour).Hotham, Harkin, Ioane, Hutchinson.
Bell, Norris, Mafileo, Holland, Hannah, Barnes.
Must be close to this group
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@Mr-Fish will they take Fainga’anuku?
He had a good SR. I'd expect him to go so they can work out how to use him
When the initial AB squad the following were listed. I’d imagine if any of them are fit they will go.
Unavailable due to injury: Tamaiti Williams; Scott Barrett; Fabian Holland; Leicester Fainga’anuku.
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
When the initial AB squad the following were listed. I’d imagine if any of them are fit they will go.
Unavailable due to injury: Tamaiti Williams; Scott Barrett; Fabian Holland; Leicester Fainga’anuku.
Rennie has already ruled out S Barrett and Tamaiti
Fainga'anuku was going to be out for 10-12 weeks so don't think he'll be available (otherwise he'd be there for sure).
@canefan said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Harkin played well during SR. CN play 15 and 10. I'd take Oudenryn if they take another hooker on top of Taylor, Samisoni, or Aumua
Way too soon for Oudenryn. This would be placing him fourth in the pecking order, and with Taylor's current calf injury that would have him one injury away from playing.
Front row forwards haven't tended to be effective in test matches until 24 at the absolute youngest... his time will come - but that time is not now.
@frugby said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@canefan said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Harkin played well during SR. CN play 15 and 10. I'd take Oudenryn if they take another hooker on top of Taylor, Samisoni, or Aumua
Way too soon for Oudenryn. This would be placing him fourth in the pecking order, and with Taylor's current calf injury that would have him one injury away from playing.
Front row forwards haven't tended to be effective in test matches until 24 at the absolute youngest... his time will come - but that time is not now.
Oudenryn looks a promising one for the future but haven't seen anything from him yet that confirms he's anything other than a great late game runner.
Curious if they persist with Parker. If not, someone like Delaney or NAK might be worth a shout.
@Bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Curious if they persist with Parker. If not, someone like Delaney or NAK might be worth a shout.
It’s a strange one. If he isn’t hitting the targets Rennie wants and he’s not capable of getting there, they’d have to move on to other options. He’ll probably go on tour but may not even be in consideration for the test matches.
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@Bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Curious if they persist with Parker. If not, someone like Delaney or NAK might be worth a shout.
It’s a strange one. If he isn’t hitting the targets Rennie wants and he’s not capable of getting there, they’d have to move on to other options. He’ll probably go on tour but may not even be in consideration for the test matches.
To be fair, at this stage we don't know why he's not been selected. Any suggestions he's not hitting his targets is purely speculation unless someone has some oil.
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@Bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Curious if they persist with Parker. If not, someone like Delaney or NAK might be worth a shout.
It’s a strange one. If he isn’t hitting the targets Rennie wants and he’s not capable of getting there, they’d have to move on to other options. He’ll probably go on tour but may not even be in consideration for the test matches.
To be fair, at this stage we don't know why he's not been selected. Any suggestions he's not hitting his targets is purely speculation unless someone has some oil.
Ohhhh....ye olde dry powder eh.
@Bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@Bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Curious if they persist with Parker. If not, someone like Delaney or NAK might be worth a shout.
It’s a strange one. If he isn’t hitting the targets Rennie wants and he’s not capable of getting there, they’d have to move on to other options. He’ll probably go on tour but may not even be in consideration for the test matches.
To be fair, at this stage we don't know why he's not been selected. Any suggestions he's not hitting his targets is purely speculation unless someone has some oil.
Ohhhh....ye olde dry powder eh.
I mean I don't think he's holding him back as a secret weapon or anything. I just mean that he might simply be the sixth choice loose forward and was always unlikely to get minutes given the other guys needed to be tested in Rennie's system. In the same way that I don't think Barrett or Preston are failing some secret metrics, they're just not good compared to the alternatives in the squad.
My 23 for the Stormers would be:
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@Bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Curious if they persist with Parker. If not, someone like Delaney or NAK might be worth a shout.
It’s a strange one. If he isn’t hitting the targets Rennie wants and he’s not capable of getting there, they’d have to move on to other options. He’ll probably go on tour but may not even be in consideration for the test matches.
To be fair, at this stage we don't know why he's not been selected. Any suggestions he's not hitting his targets is purely speculation unless someone has some oil.
There were some comments from Rennie suggesting some players weren't there yet, i.e. hitting the targets he wanted. That might not be the case with Parker but it seemed at the time that's who he was alluding to.
@Canes4life I would expect them to go a lot stronger than that.
@ShaquilleOatmeal Preston also didn't appear to be in tip top shape in SR.
Rennie said that all players will get a game in the first two matches (Stormers, Sharks), so it could be more a mix of test and non-test players in those tour games.
The good thing is that the Bulls game is a week before the 1st test so you could play a shadow test 23 in that game.
The more fun game is to predict what the 23 for the first test will be
The biggest question mark is what they will do with the locks and loose forwards. I think if Holland can prove fitness he will be in there, and I think Vaa'i can be pencilled in at lock. Given it is at altitude I can see the 6-2 split - I am not sure these home tests have called for it, but I don't think they see Jacobson going the distance, and I think being able to take off both locks, with Tuipulotu to provide punch off the bench has real merit and I could see them going that route.
@frugby said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@Canes4life I would expect them to go a lot stronger than that.
If it’s a mix of the top 23 then hard to say. I wouldn’t start Taylor though that’s for sure.
@frugby said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
The more fun game is to predict what the 23 for the first test will be
- de Groot
- Taukei'aho
- Lomax
- Lord
- Holland
- Vaa'i
- Jacobson
- Savea
- Roigard
- Love
- Clarke
- J Barrett
- Tupaea
- Jordan
- McKenzie
- Aumua
- Numia
- Newell
- Tuipulotu
- Segner
- Lakai
- Ratima
- ALB
The biggest question mark is what they will do with the locks and loose forwards. I think if Holland can prove fitness he will be in there, and I think Vaa'i can be pencilled in at lock. Given it is at altitude I can see the 6-2 split - I am not sure these home tests have called for it, but I don't think they see Jacobson going the distance, and I think being able to take off both locks, with Tuipulotu to provide punch off the bench has real merit and I could see them going that route.
Close but you don’t need an extra lock on the bench with three starting IMO. Moorby starts for me based on last night and Clarke off the bench.
So essentially Holland replaces Tuipolotu from the 23 and that’s about it…
@Canes4life I’d be tempted to have a reserve lock and not ask two of the three starting to play the full game. And for me, if Vaa’i is a blindside, that’s all he should be unless there’s an emergency.
@SBW1 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Wonder if the games against the domestic sides on tour have full strength sides.
Some games will likely feature a near full-strength side, others a complete B team and maybe something Inbetween at times. It’ll depend on the timing around test matches.
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@SBW1 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Wonder if the games against the domestic sides on tour have full strength sides.
Some games will likely feature a near full-strength side, others a complete B team and maybe something Inbetween at times. It’ll depend on the timing around test matches.
50/50
Or maybe 33/33/33
@SBW1 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Wonder if the games against the domestic sides on tour have full strength sides.
Maybe the ones early on. I’m sure it will be similar to a Lions tour.
@Frank said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Squad for Africa named Monday, 27 July.
Very, very offensive.
