The selection of Blackadder is clearly so we can have an injury to get Mounga in
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.
In a surprise move, Ardie Savea linking up with an American sevens exhibition team on a two week deal.
Squad breakdown including province and super franchises:
Hookers
Asafo Aumua (29 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 22)
Codie Taylor (35 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 109)
Samisoni Taukei’aho (28 / Chiefs / Waikato / 44)
George Bell (24 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 4)
Props
Ethan De Groot (27 / Highlanders / Southland / 43)
George Bower (34 / Crusaders / Otago / 26)
Xavier Numia (27 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 2)
Ollie Norris (26 / Chiefs / Waikato / 3)
Tyrel Lomax (30 / Hurricanes / Ta$man / 51)
Fletcher Newell (26 / Crusaders / Canterbury / 37)
Pasilio Tosi (27 / Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty / 17)
Siale Lauaki * (23 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 0)
Locks
Tupou Vaa’i (26 / Chiefs / Taranaki / 47)
Patrick Tuipulotu (33 / Blues / Auckland / 57)
Josh Lord (25 / Chiefs / Taranaki / 15)
Sam Darry (26 / Blues / Canterbury / 10)
Fabian Holland (23 / Highlanders / Otago / 12)
Loose Forwards
Peter Lakai (23 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 10)
Simon Parker (26 / Chiefs / Northland / 8
Ethan Blackadder (31 / Crusaders / Ta$man / 14)
Luke Jacobson (29 / Chiefs / Waikato / 27)
Anton Segner (25 / Blues / Auckland / 2)
Ardie Savea (32 / Moana Pasifika / Wellington / 109) (Captain)
Wallace Sititi (23 / Chiefs / North Harbour / 21)
Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa * (22 / Moana Pasifika / Southland / 0)
Backs (19)
Halfbacks
Cameron Roigard (25 / Hurricanes / Counties Manukau / 20)
Cortez Ratima (25 / Chiefs / Waikato / 24)
Kyle Preston (26 / Crusaders / Wellington / 1)
First Five-Eighths
Ruben Love (25 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 8
Beauden Barrett (35 / Blues / Taranaki / 144)
Damian McKenzie (31 / Chiefs / Waikato / 77)
Josh Jacomb * (25 / Chiefs / Taranaki / 0)
Midfielders
Jordie Barrett (29 / Hurricanes / Taranaki / 81)
Quinn Tupaea (27 / Chiefs / Waikato / 26)
Billy Proctor (27 / Hurricanes / Wellington / 13)
Anton Lienert-Brown (31 / Chiefs / Waikato / 90)
Timoci Tavatavanawai (28 / Highlanders / Ta$man / 2)
Outside Backs
Caleb Clarke (27 / Blues / Auckland / 35)
Fehi Fineanganofo (23 / Hurricanes / Bay of Plenty / 1)
Leroy Carter (27 / Chiefs / Bay of Plenty / 7)
Josh Moorby (28 / Hurricanes / Waikato / 2)
Will Jordan (28 / Crusaders / Ta$man / 57)
Rieko Ioane (29 / Blues / Auckland / 88)
Emoni Narawa (27 / Chiefs / Bay of Plenty / 4)
@borderjb said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
With Jacomb called in, are they looking at BB for Fullback??
Quite possibly. They might want the second-string team to mirror the top team as closely as possible.
Only real surprise for me is Big Jim. But given he is a good leader, I think that counts for a long tour like this.
Looking forward to that first 23 being selected for the first provincial game. I’m picking Beaudie as captain.
Im glad the original 34 were retained too.
Just from a cohesion/Hokey Cokey point of view.
Some lads didnt know where they stood under Fozzie and Razor.
Morale should be good.
@kiwimurph maybe I'm mis-remembering, but I thought he was better this year than last year 
@jet said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@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.
I've been as scathing of Blackadder as anyone, but he actually had his best season last year and had clearly worked on his physical impact winning the collisions and putting in dominant tackles. I believe there were stats that indicated he was leading the way in that regard or close to it. I actually picked him in my original squad.
Looking at our front row, it’s an interesting age demographic. Only 25% (3 of the 12) are 30yo+. Average age overall is 28.
I think from a development and experience perspective that’s a pretty good position.
@no-quarter said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@jet said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@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.
I've been as scathing of Blackadder as anyone, but he actually had his best season last year and had clearly worked on his physical impact winning the collisions and putting in dominant tackles. I believe there were stats that indicated he was leading the way in that regard or close to it. I actually picked him in my original squad.
Yes. SR had him well up the rankings for those defining moments. Given his engine and form, I've absolutely no issues with him getting in over another midget.
Stoked to see they've put Tavatavanawai there, the man is just so talented, would back these coaches to get the best out of him at test level
@no-quarter said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@jet said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@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.
I've been as scathing of Blackadder as anyone, but he actually had his best season last year and had clearly worked on his physical impact winning the collisions and putting in dominant tackles. I believe there were stats that indicated he was leading the way in that regard or close to it. I actually picked him in my original squad.
There were some stats suggesting he’d improved in terms of effectiveness, which was the main criticism of him. I can't remember exactly what the stats were but it was someting like a much higher rate of dominant tackles and greater effectiveness at the ruck, rather than just tackles completed and rucks ‘attended’.
@shaquilleoatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@no-quarter said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@jet said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@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.
I've been as scathing of Blackadder as anyone, but he actually had his best season last year and had clearly worked on his physical impact winning the collisions and putting in dominant tackles. I believe there were stats that indicated he was leading the way in that regard or close to it. I actually picked him in my original squad.
There were some stats suggesting he’d improved in terms of effectiveness, which was the main criticism of him. I can't remember exactly what the stats were but it was someting like a much higher rate of dominant tackles and greater effectiveness at the ruck, rather than just tackles completed and rucks ‘attended’.
Now I want to see him knocking saffa fluffybunnies to the ground
Also great to see Rieko there, Rennie made the comment that he was still up in Ireland when the initial squad was selected (even though he could have picked him). Felt like Rieko was always in Rennie's plans, they just wanted a close look at Proctor and Tupaea at 13. If we are going to have either of those guys starting at 13 (like Tupaea), then we really need Rieko in the 23 as insurance.
