@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.
