@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!
@Rugbyman said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Extra 10 players: Norris, Bell, Mafileo, Holland, Ah Koi, Lio willie, Kirifi, Hotham, Ioane, Harkin.
Ah Khoi a good call. Lio Wille too small for RSA.
@pakman said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@Rugbyman said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Extra 10 players: Norris, Bell, Mafileo, Holland, Ah Koi, Lio willie, Kirifi, Hotham, Ioane, Harkin.
Ah Khoi a good call. Lio Wille too small for RSA.
TBH I think Ardie has stepped up to do the work CLW does, just with a bit more oomph.
@Bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@ShaquilleOatmeal Preston also didn't appear to be in tip top shape in SR.
Preston is such a weird selection. Converted to 80 minute games:
Super 2025 - 5.5
NPC 2025 - 3.5
Super 2026 3.
12 games over 2 years.
On the loosies, if they want a smaller Ardie then that's Kirifi. If they want a Jacobson ruck and tackle guy it might be Blackadder. They don't know themselves what they want at 6, but Casey and Barnes fit the work rate plus love of contact.
I wouldn't pick Harkin. We already have Love, McKenzie, Jordan, Moorby, Beauden, Jordie who can play fullback - admittedly too many of them might be in the top side, but Proctor has played there too as emergency cover. I'd rather they picked a 10 in Kemara and had BB play 15 midweek - that gives a more similar feel to what they are trying to achieve with the top side to me, and the midweek team needs to play the same style if we want players to step up smoothly.
@reprobate said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@Bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@ShaquilleOatmeal Preston also didn't appear to be in tip top shape in SR.
Preston is such a weird selection. Converted to 80 minute games:
Super 2025 - 5.5
NPC 2025 - 3.5
Super 2026 3.12 games over 2 years.
They might have seen something useful, brought him into camp and found out he wasn’t quite what they were looking for.
@reprobate said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
On the loosies, if they want a smaller Ardie then that's Kirifi. If they want a Jacobson ruck and tackle guy it might be Blackadder. They don't know themselves what they want at 6, but Casey and Barnes fit the work rate plus love of contact.
I wouldn't pick Harkin. We already have Love, McKenzie, Jordan, Moorby, Beauden, Jordie who can play fullback - admittedly too many of them might be in the top side, but Proctor has played there too as emergency cover. I'd rather they picked a 10 in Kemara and had BB play 15 midweek - that gives a more similar feel to what they are trying to achieve with the top side to me, and the midweek team needs to play the same style if we want players to step up smoothly.
I'd have Harkin. His preferred position is 1st 5 and he seems to have the mental attributes to go to the next level.
To me he has more potential upside over the the next 12 months than Kemara.
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@reprobate said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@Bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@ShaquilleOatmeal Preston also didn't appear to be in tip top shape in SR.
Preston is such a weird selection. Converted to 80 minute games:
Super 2025 - 5.5
NPC 2025 - 3.5
Super 2026 3.12 games over 2 years.
They might have seen something useful, brought him into camp and found out he wasn’t quite what they were looking for.
Yeah being a (part-time) Crusader they would have had him in camp the weeks before the squad announcement too though eh? Guess the cupboard just is a bit bare.
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@reprobate said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@Bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@ShaquilleOatmeal Preston also didn't appear to be in tip top shape in SR.
Preston is such a weird selection. Converted to 80 minute games:
Super 2025 - 5.5
NPC 2025 - 3.5
Super 2026 3.12 games over 2 years.
They might have seen something useful, brought him into camp and found out he wasn’t quite what they were looking for.
He was originally brought in as injury cover because the Canes preferred Enari and Viljoen.
He was always behind Hotham (arguably so) and that explains a lot of it.
@Jnr said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@reprobate said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
On the loosies, if they want a smaller Ardie then that's Kirifi. If they want a Jacobson ruck and tackle guy it might be Blackadder. They don't know themselves what they want at 6, but Casey and Barnes fit the work rate plus love of contact.
I wouldn't pick Harkin. We already have Love, McKenzie, Jordan, Moorby, Beauden, Jordie who can play fullback - admittedly too many of them might be in the top side, but Proctor has played there too as emergency cover. I'd rather they picked a 10 in Kemara and had BB play 15 midweek - that gives a more similar feel to what they are trying to achieve with the top side to me, and the midweek team needs to play the same style if we want players to step up smoothly.
I'd have Harkin. His preferred position is 1st 5 and he seems to have the mental attributes to go to the next level.
To me he has more potential upside over the the next 12 months than Kemara.
How many games did he start there this year, other than the Drua debacle?
I don't mind him, and you may well be right over the next 12 months - but he's 27, and when we have Love, McKenzie, Barrett, Mo'unga... I think we have the luxury of the next guy selected being younger i.e. looking beyond the next 12 months.
@reprobate said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@Jnr said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@reprobate said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
On the loosies, if they want a smaller Ardie then that's Kirifi. If they want a Jacobson ruck and tackle guy it might be Blackadder. They don't know themselves what they want at 6, but Casey and Barnes fit the work rate plus love of contact.
I wouldn't pick Harkin. We already have Love, McKenzie, Jordan, Moorby, Beauden, Jordie who can play fullback - admittedly too many of them might be in the top side, but Proctor has played there too as emergency cover. I'd rather they picked a 10 in Kemara and had BB play 15 midweek - that gives a more similar feel to what they are trying to achieve with the top side to me, and the midweek team needs to play the same style if we want players to step up smoothly.
I'd have Harkin. His preferred position is 1st 5 and he seems to have the mental attributes to go to the next level.
To me he has more potential upside over the the next 12 months than Kemara.
How many games did he start there this year, other than the Drua debacle?
I don't mind him, and you may well be right over the next 12 months - but he's 27, and when we have Love, McKenzie, Barrett, Mo'unga... I think we have the luxury of the next guy selected being younger i.e. looking beyond the next 12 months.
27 is not old. I would pick him if he's not going overseas.
@akan004 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@reprobate said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@Jnr said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@reprobate said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
On the loosies, if they want a smaller Ardie then that's Kirifi. If they want a Jacobson ruck and tackle guy it might be Blackadder. They don't know themselves what they want at 6, but Casey and Barnes fit the work rate plus love of contact.
I wouldn't pick Harkin. We already have Love, McKenzie, Jordan, Moorby, Beauden, Jordie who can play fullback - admittedly too many of them might be in the top side, but Proctor has played there too as emergency cover. I'd rather they picked a 10 in Kemara and had BB play 15 midweek - that gives a more similar feel to what they are trying to achieve with the top side to me, and the midweek team needs to play the same style if we want players to step up smoothly.
I'd have Harkin. His preferred position is 1st 5 and he seems to have the mental attributes to go to the next level.
To me he has more potential upside over the the next 12 months than Kemara.
How many games did he start there this year, other than the Drua debacle?
I don't mind him, and you may well be right over the next 12 months - but he's 27, and when we have Love, McKenzie, Barrett, Mo'unga... I think we have the luxury of the next guy selected being younger i.e. looking beyond the next 12 months.27 is not old. I would pick him if he's not going overseas.
No, it's not. But it is old for a debut when there are 4 test experienced guys ahead of you in the squad.
It would be like having Taylor, Aumua, Taukeiaho, Bell - then choosing Brad Slater instead of a Jack Taylor or Oudenryn as your 5th hooker.
