All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026

@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?

@nepia Yeah.. I think Rennie said he would be 'able to make the argument' because of some players versatility

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

Super gay?

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.

I described a situation where an injured player was replaced by someone who plays a different position in somewhat dodgy circumstances, which you seemed to have a problem with. If your only issue is that the "rules are being broken", they aren't. Mo'unga has to play NPC (there is no minimum number of games or minutes) before he's eligible, but he can't do that until after the squad is named, so the only way he can join the squad is as an injury replacement. I'm not sure what you're upset about.

@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?

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

Super gay?

Super super

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.

Don’t get the big push to get Richie Mo’unga in the All Blacks early – he knew the regulations when he came back It was his decision to basically sign up for just the world cup year (my understanding is if he signed a longer contract he’d be in). I don’t want to go down route of friendlies and the only tests that count are the world cup ones. Mo’unga is certainly indicating that’s the only tests he is interested in. He is not even a generational player I mean if we were talking about a Carter, McCaw or Nonu maybe I’d be a bit more of a yeah we need him lets bend the rules.

I was trying to get in to post yesterday but wasn’t able to then forgot to post last night. It has now been mentioned on news outlets etc but I have been told that all 10 players have already been decided on. Out of that 10 there is ‘1’ genuine bolter.

@landers92 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

Out of that 10 there is ‘1’ genuine bolter.

Interesting to put '1' in quotes.. Fusitua?

@garyv2 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

Don’t get the big push to get Richie Mo’unga in the All Blacks early – he knew the regulations when he came back It was his decision to basically sign up for just the world cup year (my understanding is if he signed a longer contract he’d be in). I don’t want to go down route of friendlies and the only tests that count are the world cup ones. Mo’unga is certainly indicating that’s the only tests he is interested in. He is not even a generational player I mean if we were talking about a Carter, McCaw or Nonu maybe I’d be a bit more of a yeah we need him lets bend the rules.

We already have our quota of hasbeen 10s according to the Fern consensus, no need to add him IMO

@landers92 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

I was trying to get in to post yesterday but wasn’t able to then forgot to post last night. It has now been mentioned on news outlets etc but I have been told that all 10 players have already been decided on. Out of that 10 there is ‘1’ genuine bolter.

Think Rennie may have said prior to the Ireland Test that they'd already decided on their squad for South Africa?

I was hoping Casey or Hutchinson

Is Hutchinson over his injury?

Am I missing something on Hutchinson? I thought he was okay, but didn’t think he was a standout.

Paul Cully is very confident the bolter is STT.

@southernmann

It would be nice to have a loosie with that point of difference. I can see why they would want to have a look at him.

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

@landers92 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

Out of that 10 there is ‘1’ genuine bolter.

Interesting to put '1' in quotes.. Fusitua?

Was no hidden message haha I just quoted it as that’s what Was said yesterday. Apologies if that caused confusion

@no-quarter said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

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.

They'll have to manage him, not getting younger, takes a lot of knocks and it's not like they bring him on to play tiddliwinks.

@garyv2 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

Don’t get the big push to get Richie Mo’unga in the All Blacks early – he knew the regulations when he came back It was his decision to basically sign up for just the world cup year (my understanding is if he signed a longer contract he’d be in). I don’t want to go down route of friendlies and the only tests that count are the world cup ones. Mo’unga is certainly indicating that’s the only tests he is interested in. He is not even a generational player I mean if we were talking about a Carter, McCaw or Nonu maybe I’d be a bit more of a yeah we need him lets bend the rules.

Wasn't there post saying that he's about to sign till 2029?

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

I am most intrigued to see if the ABs can disarm the Bok defensive line speed.

Things that do this are the quick pick and goes around the ruck that I really love. They seem to be getting people with very different speeds in the backline - that allows you to show up defenders who commit too hard and bite on a player.

My memory is that we wrecked teh rush in Lions 1 2015 by slashing runs near the ruck - attacking the connection between backs and forwards.

The other way of course is play an up tempo game and ask if the fatties can still rush afer 60 minutes (well, 30 minutes for the Bokke).

I don't think it's a coincidence that Roigard ran so much against Ireland who are well known for their rush defense. I think that's going to be a tactic against SA as well to hold their defenders in closer.

@no-quarter yeah the threat from 9, pick and goes and the man 1 wider as well, off quick ball all help keep the d line in check.

That Irish rush defence is no where as disciplined as it was when they were at their peak several years back, was amazing watching them all come up in such a straight line, which meant if one was off they all were, but much harder for the ref to see, whereas they were quite obviously off alot the other week.

@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:

@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 described a situation where an injured player was replaced by someone who plays a different position in somewhat dodgy circumstances, which you seemed to have a problem with. If your only issue is that the "rules are being broken", they aren't. Mo'unga has to play NPC (there is no minimum number of games or minutes) before he's eligible, but he can't do that until after the squad is named, so the only way he can join the squad is as an injury replacement. I'm not sure what you're upset about.

I not upset about anything, and don't care if he does go as an injury cover, so long as he has played NPC game or 2 before. And by the way it is Dave Rennie who said it had to be someone from similar position, so it's him you need to tell he is wrong.

Still the case you have mentioned is different as all players concerned were under contract to NZR from start.

@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:

@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 described a situation where an injured player was replaced by someone who plays a different position in somewhat dodgy circumstances, which you seemed to have a problem with. If your only issue is that the "rules are being broken", they aren't. Mo'unga has to play NPC (there is no minimum number of games or minutes) before he's eligible, but he can't do that until after the squad is named, so the only way he can join the squad is as an injury replacement. I'm not sure what you're upset about.

I not upset about anything, and don't care if he does go as an injury cover, so long as he has played NPC game or 2 before. And by the way it is Dave Rennie who said it had to be someone from similar position, so it's him you need to tell he is wrong.

Still the case you have mentioned is different as all players concerned were under contract to NZR from start.

Did Rennie say he absolutely has to replace like-for-like, or did he just casually mention that Mo'unga can be selected if another first five goes down? In all likelihood, I don't see Rennie bringing in another first five if one of the props goes down, so it probably won't matter anyway.

And Mo'unga will be under contract and will have played NPC if he goes on tour, so it’s essentially the exact same situation.

@akan004 Not great preparation for the test matches or to assess players and combinations.

Staffy on Sports Nation just said that Christian Lio- Willie was a late withdrawal from the Ta$man side playing Canterbury in pre-season and it's not injury related so read into that what you will.

@1kiwi said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

Staffy on Sports Nation just said that Christian Lio- Willie was a late withdrawal from the Ta$man side playing Canterbury in pre-season and it's not injury related so read into that what you will.

From the Otago side.

@1kiwi if you're looking for a like-for-like replacement for how Savea is playing, he does fit the bill.

Torian Barnes was in early AB camp.

Not saying he's going to be included.

@george33 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

Torian Barnes was in early AB camp.

Not saying he's going to be included.

A lot of guys were in the earlier camp.