All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026

ShaquilleOatmeal
ShaquilleOatmeal8 days ago
#121

@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.

frugby
frugby8 days ago
#122

@Canes4life I would expect them to go a lot stronger than that.

Bovidae
Bovidae8 days ago
#124

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.

frugby
frugby8 days ago
#125

The more fun game is to predict what the 23 for the first test will be

  1. de Groot
  2. Taukei'aho
  3. Lomax
  4. Lord
  5. Holland
  6. Vaa'i
  7. Jacobson
  8. Savea
  9. Roigard
  10. Love
  11. Clarke
  12. J Barrett
  13. Tupaea
  14. Jordan
  15. McKenzie
  16. Aumua
  17. Numia
  18. Newell
  19. Tuipulotu
  20. Segner
  21. Lakai
  22. Ratima
  23. 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.

Canes4life
Canes4life8 days ago
#127

@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

  1. de Groot
  2. Taukei'aho
  3. Lomax
  4. Lord
  5. Holland
  6. Vaa'i
  7. Jacobson
  8. Savea
  9. Roigard
  10. Love
  11. Clarke
  12. J Barrett
  13. Tupaea
  14. Jordan
  15. McKenzie
  16. Aumua
  17. Numia
  18. Newell
  19. Tuipulotu
  20. Segner
  21. Lakai
  22. Ratima
  23. 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…

ShaquilleOatmeal
ShaquilleOatmeal8 days ago
#128

@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.

SBW18 days ago
#129

Wonder if the games against the domestic sides on tour have full strength sides.

ShaquilleOatmeal
ShaquilleOatmeal8 days ago
#130

@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.

Frank
Frank8 days ago
#133

Squad for Africa named Monday, 27 July.

MN5
MN58 days ago
#136

@Canes4life said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@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

  1. de Groot
  2. Taukei'aho
  3. Lomax
  4. Lord
  5. Holland
  6. Vaa'i
  7. Jacobson
  8. Savea
  9. Roigard
  10. Love
  11. Clarke
  12. J Barrett
  13. Tupaea
  14. Jordan
  15. McKenzie
  16. Aumua
  17. Numia
  18. Newell
  19. Tuipulotu
  20. Segner
  21. Lakai
  22. Ratima
  23. 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…

Not sure he just walks straight back in after PTs efforts last night.

Canes4life
Canes4life8 days ago
#137

@MN5 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@Canes4life said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@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

  1. de Groot
  2. Taukei'aho
  3. Lomax
  4. Lord
  5. Holland
  6. Vaa'i
  7. Jacobson
  8. Savea
  9. Roigard
  10. Love
  11. Clarke
  12. J Barrett
  13. Tupaea
  14. Jordan
  15. McKenzie
  16. Aumua
  17. Numia
  18. Newell
  19. Tuipulotu
  20. Segner
  21. Lakai
  22. Ratima
  23. 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…

Not sure he just walks straight back in after PTs efforts last night.

Yeah he will have to play very well to get into that first test team.

Canes4life
Canes4life8 days ago
#138

So Aumua was interviewed after the game last night and admitted that he returned for pre season this year at 124kg. He said he’s now 116kg. Massive for a hooker.

Frank
Frank8 days ago
#139

I actually think Patty T might be one of Rennie's top three preferred locks purely because of his power game.

zinnyzinzin8 days ago
#140

@Frank yep - Holland to replace Lord for me

ACT Crusader
ACT Crusader8 days ago
#141

@zinnyzinzin said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@Frank yep - Holland to replace Lord for me

I don’t think they start Holland and Patty together. If Vaa’i is persisted with at blindside then Lord will start as one lock. Then it becomes a question of Holland (if up to fitness) and Patty.

Frank
Frank8 days ago
#142

The surplus of good locks increases the odds that Vaa'i will start at 6.

reprobate8 days ago
#143

Lord looked gassed toward the end of that game, hands on knees multiple times. Think both Darry and Holland are more likely 80 minute options.

ploughboy8 days ago
#144

lord always stands with his hands on knees. noticed it in chiefs games. right from the start of games

ShaquilleOatmeal
ShaquilleOatmeal8 days ago
#145

Whether Holland is available or not, I still see Tuipulotu as the best bench option, rather than a starter. He’ll need to do more than play well in one start to prove otherwise.

canefan
canefan8 days ago
#146

@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

Whether Holland is available or not, I still see Tuipulotu as the best bench option, rather than a starter. He’ll need to do more than play well in one start to prove otherwise.

Nice to have this problem though.

No Quarter
No Quarter8 days ago
#147

The loosie situation is interesting after they played Vaa'i at 6 against Ireland. Seems they have their two smaller, more mobile 6s in Lakai and Sititi, and their two bigger bodies in Vaa'i and Parker. Could be horses for courses at 6 with LJ and Ardie locked in.

I wonder with Parker if they have set him some pretty challenging targets to get his running game closer to what Vaa'i can produce given that's been a weakness of his, I'm going to be really interested in how he plays when he gets his shot.

No Quarter
No Quarter8 days ago
#148

On Pat T, he is an absolute lock for the 23 against SA, we can't afford to not have him IMO. Whether that's starting or off the bench he has a huge role to play for us.

canefan
canefan8 days ago
#149

Last year I was looking forward to this tour with a sense of dread. It felt like we were not improving, wasting time. With the new coaching team in place I feel much more optimistic that we can foot it in SA. We may not win all games, but I feel like we are tracking much better now

Bones
Bones8 days ago
#150

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@zinnyzinzin said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@Frank yep - Holland to replace Lord for me

I don’t think they start Holland and Patty together. If Vaa’i is persisted with at blindside then Lord will start as one lock. Then it becomes a question of Holland (if up to fitness) and Patty.

I'd like to see how the FH/PT combo would go. Holland has some pretty sweet handling skills so could play the wider lock role.

pakman7 days ago
#153

I'm guessing the set in stone positions are, together with candidates
LH Fusitua/Lauaki/Norris
Hooker McAlister/Bell/Jack Taylor
TH Mafileo/Dyer
A lock Holland
A small loosie Kirifi
A Big loosie???
A halfback Hotham/Christie
A midfielder/wing Rieko
Another back who can play 15

In some positions there is one obvious candidate, so expect Holland, Kirifi, Hotham and Rieko to be inked in.

In front row scrummaging is key, especially with Codie injured, so I imagine Fusitua, McAlster and Mafileo will get the gig.

Turning to the big loosie it could be a battering ram such as STT or a big 6, in which case Finau or Howden would fit the bill.

A utility back who can play 15 would be made for Narawa if he's fit, but Havili would also work.

The last spot is up in the air.

Either another lock in which case Hannah has the inside running, or a bolter back -- lots of possibilities.

Rugbyman7 days ago
#154

Extra 10 players: Norris, Bell, Mafileo, Holland, Ah Koi, Lio willie, Kirifi, Hotham, Ioane, Harkin.