Jacomb makes a great deal of sense, in that 10 remains a problem position, and we have a heap of capped fullback options.
If Love were to break his leg, we are back to Barrett, McKenzie and Mo'unga.
You can debate his form this year, but he is still the best of the rest.
So that would be a 6:4 split for the extra 10 players. This could be a missed opportunity to include a couple more debutants.
@nogusta said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@pakman said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@mr-fish said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@upthelanders said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@mr-fish The whole squad or just the extra 10?
Haven't heard but would imagine the whole squad.
Lauaki, STT, Jacomb.
plus - Ollie Norris, George Bell, Fabian Holland, Ethan Blackadder, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Rieko Ioane and Emoni Narawa.
There's your 10. Peston is the 3rd halfback.
Kirifi omission is the talking point here
Blackadder and Bell real head scratchers. Is Blackadder going to be a midweek captain maybe?
@akan004 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Am a fan of Rennie's coaching style and his assistants. Not a fan of his conservative selections.
I don’t think he’s been conservative at all. There are some statements being made. Taking 3 9’s is really pushing home that statement I posted yesterday regarding the halfbacks.
@kirwan said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Blackadder and Bell real head scratchers. Is Blackadder going to be a midweek captain maybe?
“The franchise games will provide an opportunity for other leaders in the group to step in as Captain, before Ardie Savea arrives in South Africa ahead of the first Test match. Ardie has carried a massive workload in the last couple of years and we think it is best for him to have an extended break so he can come back ready to lead us into the Test series. We have a number of excellent leaders in our squad who will embrace the chance to captain the side.”
@landers92 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@akan004 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Am a fan of Rennie's coaching style and his assistants. Not a fan of his conservative selections.
I don’t think he’s been conservative at all. There are some statements being made. Taking 3 9’s is really pushing home that statement I posted yesterday regarding the halfbacks.
Possibly partly true, although it may also be they don't feel a fourth halfback is actually needed. Roigard likely to play the majority of the test minutes.
Also hammers home that they feel there is a massive gap between #1 and #2.
@youngwill89 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@kirwan in what world is Bell a head scratcher
In the world where throwing to a lineout is an important skill for a hooker.
There isnt really an obvious alternative to Bell. Taylor also struggles with lineouts and Oudenryn is extremely green. I'm not sure of Moananu's availability.
@kirwan said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Blackadder and Bell real head scratchers. Is Blackadder going to be a midweek captain maybe?
Zero surprise with either for me.
Blackadder is the closest player to Jacobson, and regardless of what you think of his selection it would be hard to argue that he doesn't fit the Rennie work ethic criteria.
Bell's throwing is much improved, and he's very good around the park - I reckon he's clearly 4th.
McAlister being named as the Canterbury captain also pointed to him not being the fourth hooker.
And surely BB is the likely non-test captain if he plays.
@landers92 is it though?
@akan004 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Am a fan of Rennie's coaching style and his assistants. Not a fan of his conservative selections.
Conservative? Who would you have picked different?
@reprobate said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@kirwan said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Blackadder and Bell real head scratchers. Is Blackadder going to be a midweek captain maybe?
Zero surprise with either for me.
Blackadder is the closest player to Jacobson, and regardless of what you think of his selection it would be hard to argue that he doesn't fit the Rennie work ethic criteria.
Bell's throwing is much improved, and he's very good around the park - I reckon he's clearly 4th.
There has been a Blackadder shaped hole in the squad for a long time.
I welcome the return of the Ruck Leper. Limbs everywhere.
Onya Ethan. Rip in.
Only remaining question is whether we will see additional players as cover for likes of A Savea and C Taylor.
Considering how Rennie turned Messam's game around as a 6, to the point where he filled in adequately for an absent Kaino for a season, I have some faith he can turn Blackadders busyness into a more effective busyness.
Here we go folks: Lauaki, Bell, Norris, Holland, Blackadder, Tupou Ta'eiloa, Jacomb, Tavatavanawai, Ioane and Narawa come in.
@youngwill89 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@kirwan Bell threw at 85.2% to Aumua's 84.3% this year. Is Aumua a head scratcher?
Nope, he's great around the park and is improving the throwing.
My impression of Bell is he shits the bed on important throws, when under pressure. Not sure if that shows up just purely on stats. Happy to be proven wrong, I just prefer we move on from players that aren't up to it.
@frank said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Happy for Narawa.
I had said to not forget him. Needs to avoid injuries.
@nepia said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Considering how Rennie turned Messam's game around as a 6, to the point where he filled in adequately for an absent Kaino for a season, I have some faith he can turn Blackadders busyness into a more effective busyness.
That's super optimistic of you, but that's a good comaprison. If he can make him effective instead of the headless chicken that doesn't actually affect much that will be a huge surprise. How many other coaches have tried and failed now?
Background info:
I wonder if Kirifi has an outclause in his contract that if he didn't get selected in the ABs for this tour, he can freely sign overseas? He couldn't have played any better in Super, but clearly the coaches don't see him in their plans. In cases like this, I feel NZ Rugby and the Canes should free him up to go.
Interesting, they listed Ioane as an outside back, Barrett as a first five and, to a lesser extent, Vaa'i as a lock. I can see all three getting no time in those positions.
@ghost678 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Seriously, what else other than not being a lineout option and only playing 7 is Dupes not in?
Theres a certain thing called size. It’s a little bit important at test level. You also said it, only plays 7.
@ghost678 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Seriously, what else other than not being a lineout option and only playing 7 is Dupes not in?
He's tiny, did nothing in black last year and was not as good in Super this year as he was last year
@frugby said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Only remaining question is whether we will see additional players as cover for likes of A Savea and C Taylor.
They’ve picked a thousand players already, surely they don’t need any more.
The likes of Lakai and Parker can start at 8 for the provincial games. ST or AA to start those games with Bell on the bench.
@landers92 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@ghost678 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Seriously, what else other than not being a lineout option and only playing 7 is Dupes not in?
Theres a certain thing called size. It’s a little bit important at test level. You also said it, only plays 7.
Yep size is the only reason Dupes misses out for me. If only he ate more weet-bix growing up.
