@game_film said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Are the refs confirmed yet? Guessing it’s Gus, Pearce and then roll the dice with some frog again.
I don't know who Gus is, generally side with Referees, but after watching the Argie-Pom game, I want Gardner on another continent.
@BerniesCorner that's alot of exaggeration from 3 games. Compared to the 2023 final, front row is the same, only hooker change is Auma for Coles. Lock is good in squad selection but we had worlds best pair with support from SB.
9 and 10 could be but love is settling into the role nicely but a way to go before having the best in a decade tag and wings are still Jordan and Clarke or moorby compared to telea who played some great rugby
The coach certainly has shown enough to be the best choice in the decade but let him and the team perform more before announcing them as the best
@Frank said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Which of our games against them counts towards the Nation's championship or do none of them?
Nations Champ is Northern (Euro) Pool v Southern (Rest of the World) Pool.
We don't play each other.
Not hearing a lot so far this week.
Still waiting to hear anything about Ruben Loves scans. Leads me to assume nothing major which is good.
There is a bit of chat around Semisi Tupou Ta’eilo. Could be the name to watch for next Monday.
UPDATE: Just had a message saying scans came back fine on Love and nothing to worry about. Great result.
@southernmann Mid Canterbury by 5….
Will be good to see the big man back in action.
CLW a possible squad spot, although if the noise about Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa has legs, he’s a similar yet younger type of player.
The players released to their franchises, meanwhile, will also have an opportunity to face the All Blacks in their respective midweek games if they are selected, which will be invaluable for them once we decide on the final squad for RGR, so we see this as a win-win situation for the team and players.”
Players released to play for their franchises in RGR:
Forwards: Ntuthuko Mchunu, Evan Roos, Andre-Hugo Venter (all DHL Stormers).
Backs: Jaco Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Embrose Papier (Vodacom Bulls).
Standby: Ruben van Heerden (Montpellier).
@landers92 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
UPDATE: Just had a message saying scans came back fine on Love and nothing to worry about. Great result.
I guess they'll have to find another way to sneak Mo'unga in. Maybe one of those halfbacks they don't use will slip getting off the plane.
@shaquilleoatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@landers92 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
UPDATE: Just had a message saying scans came back fine on Love and nothing to worry about. Great result.
I guess they'll have to find another way to sneak Mo'unga in. Maybe one of those halfbacks they don't use will slip getting off the plane.
Could just select Parker
@shaquilleoatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@landers92 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
UPDATE: Just had a message saying scans came back fine on Love and nothing to worry about. Great result.
I guess they'll have to find another way to sneak Mo'unga in. Maybe one of those halfbacks they don't use will slip getting off the plane.
I was pretty sure I heard Rennie say they could only do it if a 10 was injured, and mentioned Love,BB and Dmac as examples.
Regardless of who it is, I would be pissed if someone was just thrown out to get RMo in.
You either have rules or you don't
@shaquilleoatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@landers92 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
UPDATE: Just had a message saying scans came back fine on Love and nothing to worry about. Great result.
I guess they'll have to find another way to sneak Mo'unga in. Maybe one of those halfbacks they don't use will slip getting off the plane.
Imagine having to find ways to get around our own ridiculous, self-imposed restrictions. NZR have done a lot of good things this year, but this isn't one of them.
@bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@shaquilleoatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@landers92 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
UPDATE: Just had a message saying scans came back fine on Love and nothing to worry about. Great result.
I guess they'll have to find another way to sneak Mo'unga in. Maybe one of those halfbacks they don't use will slip getting off the plane.
Could just select Parker
You mean Ethan Blackadder
@dan54 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@shaquilleoatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@landers92 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
UPDATE: Just had a message saying scans came back fine on Love and nothing to worry about. Great result.
I guess they'll have to find another way to sneak Mo'unga in. Maybe one of those halfbacks they don't use will slip getting off the plane.
I was pretty sure I heard Rennie say they could only do it if a 10 was injured, and mentioned Love,BB and Dmac as examples.
Regardless of who it is, I would be pissed if someone was just thrown out to get RMo in.
You either have rules or you don't
How’d you feel about the Narawa/Blackadder situation at the World Cup?
@dan54 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@shaquilleoatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@landers92 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
UPDATE: Just had a message saying scans came back fine on Love and nothing to worry about. Great result.
I guess they'll have to find another way to sneak Mo'unga in. Maybe one of those halfbacks they don't use will slip getting off the plane.
I was pretty sure I heard Rennie say they could only do it if a 10 was injured, and mentioned Love,BB and Dmac as examples.
Regardless of who it is, I would be pissed if someone was just thrown out to get RMo in.
You either have rules or you don't
I cant believe that would be the case Dan. That is far too restrictive and a case of admin overstepping their reach in team selection. What you are describing goes beyond eligibility and dictates team selection policy
@dagrubster pretty sure the rules are similar for Super in that for them to go outside the squad you need to have specific positional injuries or a number of them...seems daft I know, but it isnt a new rule.
@dagrubster said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@dan54 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@shaquilleoatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@landers92 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
UPDATE: Just had a message saying scans came back fine on Love and nothing to worry about. Great result.
I guess they'll have to find another way to sneak Mo'unga in. Maybe one of those halfbacks they don't use will slip getting off the plane.
I was pretty sure I heard Rennie say they could only do it if a 10 was injured, and mentioned Love,BB and Dmac as examples.
Regardless of who it is, I would be pissed if someone was just thrown out to get RMo in.
You either have rules or you don't
I cant believe that would be the case Dan. That is far too restrictive and a case of admin overstepping their reach in team selection. What you are describing goes beyond eligibility and dictates team selection policy
That's what he said at media conference last week I don't think anyone overstepping anything, the rules are the rules, and RMo had every chance to get around them by signing long er than just for WC next year. He chose not to. It is just eligibility and I would be pissed with trying to get around them by making other players sacrificial lambs.
Mind you could be just how Rennie and co are taking it too, which is good.
@shaquilleoatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@dan54 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@shaquilleoatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@landers92 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
UPDATE: Just had a message saying scans came back fine on Love and nothing to worry about. Great result.
I guess they'll have to find another way to sneak Mo'unga in. Maybe one of those halfbacks they don't use will slip getting off the plane.
I was pretty sure I heard Rennie say they could only do it if a 10 was injured, and mentioned Love,BB and Dmac as examples.
Regardless of who it is, I would be pissed if someone was just thrown out to get RMo in.
You either have rules or you don't
How’d you feel about the Narawa/Blackadder situation at the World Cup?
I not sure what you talking about mate, I not aware of Blackadder or Nawara playing overseas before any WC?
@akan004 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@shaquilleoatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@landers92 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
UPDATE: Just had a message saying scans came back fine on Love and nothing to worry about. Great result.
I guess they'll have to find another way to sneak Mo'unga in. Maybe one of those halfbacks they don't use will slip getting off the plane.
Imagine having to find ways to get around our own ridiculous, self-imposed restrictions. NZR have done a lot of good things this year, but this isn't one of them.
Well as it been a rule for a long time, I not sure why you think it only this year.
@dan54 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@shaquilleoatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@dan54 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@shaquilleoatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@landers92 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
UPDATE: Just had a message saying scans came back fine on Love and nothing to worry about. Great result.
I guess they'll have to find another way to sneak Mo'unga in. Maybe one of those halfbacks they don't use will slip getting off the plane.
I was pretty sure I heard Rennie say they could only do it if a 10 was injured, and mentioned Love,BB and Dmac as examples.
Regardless of who it is, I would be pissed if someone was just thrown out to get RMo in.
You either have rules or you don't
How’d you feel about the Narawa/Blackadder situation at the World Cup?
I not sure what you talking about mate, I not aware of Blackadder or Nawara playing overseas before any WC?
Narawa was named in the squad for the World Cup despite carrying an injury that had already ruled him out of the warm-up match against South Africa. Shortly after the tournament began, he was ruled out and replaced by Blackadder. An outside back replaced with a loose forward and some suspicion around selecting an injured player to be used for this very purpose.
I'm not fussed about Mo'unga going on tour but I don't think this is as big a deal as you're making out. Mo'unga has to play NPC to become eligible but the squad will be named before he's able to do that. If someone gets injured, a spot opens up to fill however they choose. I don't think there are, or should be, rules requiring a like-for-like replacement. It's not a tournament with the same rules for all teams and Rennie can name the squad in whatever balance he sees fit.
@dan54 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@shaquilleoatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@landers92 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
UPDATE: Just had a message saying scans came back fine on Love and nothing to worry about. Great result.
I guess they'll have to find another way to sneak Mo'unga in. Maybe one of those halfbacks they don't use will slip getting off the plane.
I was pretty sure I heard Rennie say they could only do it if a 10 was injured, and mentioned Love,BB and Dmac as examples.
Regardless of who it is, I would be pissed if someone was just thrown out to get RMo in.
You either have rules or you don't
That's not quite right. Can't remember his exact words but he made the point that players cover multiple positions (he used McKenzie as an example) so it doesn't haven't to be a like for like replacement necessarily.
When watching the U20 RWC I wondered if Rennie might introduce a couple of those guys into the squad this year, maybe positions we are light in.
@mr-fish said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@dan54 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@shaquilleoatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@landers92 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
UPDATE: Just had a message saying scans came back fine on Love and nothing to worry about. Great result.
I guess they'll have to find another way to sneak Mo'unga in. Maybe one of those halfbacks they don't use will slip getting off the plane.
I was pretty sure I heard Rennie say they could only do it if a 10 was injured, and mentioned Love,BB and Dmac as examples.
Regardless of who it is, I would be pissed if someone was just thrown out to get RMo in.
You either have rules or you don't
That's not quite right. Can't remember his exact words but he made the point that players cover multiple positions (he used McKenzie as an example) so it doesn't haven't to be a like for like replacement necessarily.
So if Jordan went down Mo could come in because BB and DMac are all considered fullbacks who replace wing/fullback Jordan?
Yep, there is certainly wriggle room in that way. But not for those saying let a halfback go down and we can replace him with a 10.
@shaquilleoatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@dan54 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@shaquilleoatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@dan54 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@shaquilleoatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@landers92 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
UPDATE: Just had a message saying scans came back fine on Love and nothing to worry about. Great result.
I guess they'll have to find another way to sneak Mo'unga in. Maybe one of those halfbacks they don't use will slip getting off the plane.
I was pretty sure I heard Rennie say they could only do it if a 10 was injured, and mentioned Love,BB and Dmac as examples.
Regardless of who it is, I would be pissed if someone was just thrown out to get RMo in.
You either have rules or you don't
How’d you feel about the Narawa/Blackadder situation at the World Cup?
I not sure what you talking about mate, I not aware of Blackadder or Nawara playing overseas before any WC?
Narawa was named in the squad for the World Cup despite carrying an injury that had already ruled him out of the warm-up match against South Africa. Shortly after the tournament began, he was ruled out and replaced by Blackadder. An outside back replaced with a loose forward and some suspicion around selecting an injured player to be used for this very purpose.
I'm not fussed about Mo'unga going on tour but I don't think this is as big a deal as you're making out. Mo'unga has to play NPC to become eligible but the squad will be named before he's able to do that. If someone gets injured, a spot opens up to fill however they choose. I don't think there are, or should be, rules requiring a like-for-like replacement. It's not a tournament with the same rules for all teams and Rennie can name the squad in whatever balance he sees fit.
You talking about a completely different thing mate. Blackadder was always eligible to go to WC as he was always contracted, where is RMo isn't eligible because he his terms of contract say he not eligible until after he has played NPC, and I not sure if it complete NPC comp or not.
I find it super gay that the NZRFU won't bend the rules, meanwhile Rassie does whatever the hell he wants
I find it super gay that the NZRFU won't bend the rules, meanwhile Rassie does whatever the hell he wants
@dan54 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@shaquilleoatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@dan54 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@shaquilleoatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@dan54 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@shaquilleoatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@landers92 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
UPDATE: Just had a message saying scans came back fine on Love and nothing to worry about. Great result.
I guess they'll have to find another way to sneak Mo'unga in. Maybe one of those halfbacks they don't use will slip getting off the plane.
I was pretty sure I heard Rennie say they could only do it if a 10 was injured, and mentioned Love,BB and Dmac as examples.
Regardless of who it is, I would be pissed if someone was just thrown out to get RMo in.
You either have rules or you don't
How’d you feel about the Narawa/Blackadder situation at the World Cup?
I not sure what you talking about mate, I not aware of Blackadder or Nawara playing overseas before any WC?
Narawa was named in the squad for the World Cup despite carrying an injury that had already ruled him out of the warm-up match against South Africa. Shortly after the tournament began, he was ruled out and replaced by Blackadder. An outside back replaced with a loose forward and some suspicion around selecting an injured player to be used for this very purpose.
I'm not fussed about Mo'unga going on tour but I don't think this is as big a deal as you're making out. Mo'unga has to play NPC to become eligible but the squad will be named before he's able to do that. If someone gets injured, a spot opens up to fill however they choose. I don't think there are, or should be, rules requiring a like-for-like replacement. It's not a tournament with the same rules for all teams and Rennie can name the squad in whatever balance he sees fit.
You talking about a completely different thing mate. Blackadder was always eligible to go to WC as he was always contracted, where is RMo isn't eligible because he his terms of contract say he not eligible until after he has played NPC, and I not sure if it complete NPC comp or not.
No, I’m not. I’m talking about one player being replaced by another and giving an example of how that’s been done before with rules being bent. You think rules need to be broken for Mo’unga to be selected. They don’t if he’s an injury replacement.
@frank said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
I find it super gay that the NZRFU won't bend the rules, meanwhile Rassie does whatever the hell he wants
NZRFU?
I think by far the most obvious challenge the ABs will have against the Boks is handling their scrum.
@frank said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
I think by far the most obvious challenge the ABs will have against the Boks is handling their scrum.
And their high ball contests. Rassie sees the high ball as another set piece by all accounts, so either way, the ABs most obvious challenge will be handling the Bok set piece 
I am most intrigued to see if the ABs can disarm the Bok defensive line speed. It has been an Achilles heel of AB rugby for some time now, but against France, Italy and Ireland, I saw progress in this area. The Bok line speed has dropped a notch under Flannery (when compared to what it was under Nienaber), so it will be interesting to see if ramps up against ABs and how the ABs cope with it. Going up the guts is good way of countering, but going in ones will be meat and drink for the Bok pack and their pilferers Marx and now Paul DV (when he replaces Kolisi around the 45 min mark).
I would agree the 2 areas which we will be tested most is the scrum and the high ball barrage.
These 2 areas is where our game capitulated in wellington. Scrums gave them penalties which they could then get good attacking field position.
The high ball dominance over us meant they could get good field position and get the bounce of the ball going their way which their dangerous steppers like Willemse and Kolbe could then exploit.
I do not think they can run the ball from their own half as most of their team apart from 5/6 absolute ballers like Willemse, Kolbe and Sascha are not comfortable on the ball apart from boshing us from close range.
If we take these 2 weapons away we will go a long way to winning. The scrum will be the most difficult to combat because their scrum has been decimating all comers for the last 24 months. I hope Ryan is doing some extra work with our props and perhaps calling on the likes of Mike Cron or Owen Franks etc to come help with some technical stuff.
If the press are anything to go on, Lauaki, Bell (G), Holland, Hotham and Rieko are in.
LH names being talked about Norris and Ofa.
Jim the difference getting mentions.
Rennie comments suggest Kirifi also there.
Seems a loosie bolter in prospect - Casey and Tupou Ta'eiloa in the frame.
I'm assuming Richie and Brodie will be on speed dial so no need for back up 10 or lock.
That seems to leave an outside back. Depending on injury status Narawa and Hutchinson should be in the running.
Assuming Leicester unavailable for selection now, but could end up in Africa if foot heals well.
@ruggersman said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
I would agree the 2 areas which we will be tested most is the scrum and the high ball barrage.
These 2 areas is where our game capitulated in wellington. Scrums gave them penalties which they could then get good attacking field position.
The high ball dominance over us meant they could get good field position and get the bounce of the ball going their way which their dangerous steppers like Willemse and Kolbe could then exploit.
I do not think they can run the ball from their own half as most of their team apart from 5/6 absolute ballers like Willemse, Kolbe and Sascha are not comfortable on the ball apart from boshing us from close range.
If we take these 2 weapons away we will go a long way to winning. The scrum will be the most difficult to combat because their scrum has been decimating all comers for the last 24 months. I hope Ryan is doing some extra work with our props and perhaps calling on the likes of Mike Cron or Owen Franks etc to come help with some technical stuff.
The Wellington game was one where Bok scrummaging dominance myth was almost entirely down to deficient refereeing.
The one scrum which on first view saw Boks stuff ABs, on a closer view was a clear penalty to ABs. The rest were fairly indecisive, with Tamaiti having the better of Louw on a couple of occasions.
Had 'The' scrum correctly yielded a penalty to Black, no one would be taking about this.
