@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.
@Bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@Frank said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Squad for Africa named Monday, 27 July.
Very, very offensive.
Hater of everything.
@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
- 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…
Not sure he just walks straight back in after PTs efforts last night.
@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
- 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…
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.
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.
I actually think Patty T might be one of Rennie's top three preferred locks purely because of his power game.
@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.
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.
@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.
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.
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.
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
@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.
@canefan said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@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
Out till end of August.
@pakman said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@canefan said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@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
Out till end of August.
We have plenty of players putting their hands up at the moment, so it's no big deal to me
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.
@pakman said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
A small loosie Kirifi
A Big loosie???
Can we please not categorise them like that?
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@pakman said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
A small loosie Kirifi
A Big loosie???Can we please not categorise them like that?
Short, Tall, Grande and Venti?
@Bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@Frank said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Squad for Africa named Monday, 27 July.
Very, very offensive.
Looking forward to hosting the islanders
@Bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@pakman said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
A small loosie Kirifi
A Big loosie???Can we please not categorise them like that?
Short, Tall, Grande and Venti?
Tupou Venti goes alright.
@W32 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@Bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@Frank said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Squad for Africa named Monday, 27 July.
Very, very offensive.
Looking forward to hosting the islanders
Oh that continent, yeah I know the one you mean.
@Bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@W32 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@Bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@Frank said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Squad for Africa named Monday, 27 July.
Very, very offensive.
Looking forward to hosting the islanders
Oh that continent, yeah I know the one you mean.
Well done!
@W32 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@Bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@W32 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@Bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@Frank said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Squad for Africa named Monday, 27 July.
Very, very offensive.
Looking forward to hosting the islanders
Oh that continent, yeah I know the one you mean.
Well done!
I admire the effort when English is probably not even your second language.
@Bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@W32 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@Bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@W32 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@Bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@Frank said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Squad for Africa named Monday, 27 July.
Very, very offensive.
Looking forward to hosting the islanders
Oh that continent, yeah I know the one you mean.
Well done!
I admire the effort when English is probably not even your second language.
I’m admiring the long bow you’re drawing!
