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.

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.

Eight games in five and a half weeks, including four tests against the world champions, and they're only taking three halfbacks? Can they build a Robo Roigard with spare parts from the best of those left behind?

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

Also great to see Rieko there, Rennie made the comment that we 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.

Ioane being used with his outside break instead of a crash it up option and this game plan should pretty pretty great.

Evidently Dupes didn't endear himself to the Chiefs' All Blacks with some of his 'banter' during the second half of the Super Rugby Final

@his-bobness I'd expect he won't play many minutes in the non-Test games.

Happy with the squad, 5 locks suggests plenty of game time for those players. I hope Holland is well and truly ready to go.

@his-bobness said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

Eight games in five and a half weeks, including four tests against the world champions, and they're only taking three halfbacks? Can they build a Robo Roigard with spare parts from the best of those left behind?

I see Roigard starting one provincial game and on the bench for one other.

The other two will get big starting minutes in the those games.

Also think Carter might be a backup option too. Hey we’re in Stb Africa, wingers and halfbacks are the same thing…..

@his-bobness said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

Eight games in five and a half weeks, including four tests against the world champions, and they're only taking three halfbacks? Can they build a Robo Roigard with spare parts from the best of those left behind?

Carter also covers as the fourth as well I guess, be find as a bench option in the non-test games and a good way to see if that's an option for the bench in the future.

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

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

Also great to see Rieko there, Rennie made the comment that we 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.

Ioane being used with his outside break instead of a crash it up option and this game plan should pretty pretty great.

Oh man I would LOVE to see what he could do with the attacking shape we had in Rennie's first three tests that was giving our centres more space. We saw in the footage up North if you give him even a 2on2 with a bit of space he's still lethal. Now that he's got the Razor disaster behind him and got some form back under professional coaches up north I am really excited to see what he can do in black again.

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

@his-bobness I'd expect he won't play many minutes in the non-Test games.

It'll be interesting to see what they do there. Rennie indicated everyone would play a part in the first two games, so perhaps Roigard starts one and only plays at most the first half, with Ratima getting 40-odd minutes in both games.

@act-crusader said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

Also think Carter might be a backup option too.

Especially with the provincial game they intend to use a 6:2 bench.

I'll be interested to see if the test XV plays in either the Sharks or Bulls games.

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

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

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

Also great to see Rieko there, Rennie made the comment that we 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.

Ioane being used with his outside break instead of a crash it up option and this game plan should pretty pretty great.

Oh man I would LOVE to see what he could do with the attacking shape we had in Rennie's first three tests that was giving our centres more space. We saw in the footage up North if you give him even a 2on2 with a bit of space he's still lethal. Now that he's got the Razor disaster behind him and got some form back under professional coaches up north I am really excited to see what he can do in black again.

I hope you are right. To me he looks washed.

@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.

I like the consistency here - we have three guys to play 7 who are all workers and personally I think Blackadder is the best like for like replacement of Jacobson at 7.

I'd like to know the plan for 6 and what is going on with Parker. Still a question mark and I wonder whether he is a placeholder for Frizell.

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

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

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

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

Also great to see Rieko there, Rennie made the comment that we 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.

Ioane being used with his outside break instead of a crash it up option and this game plan should pretty pretty great.

Oh man I would LOVE to see what he could do with the attacking shape we had in Rennie's first three tests that was giving our centres more space. We saw in the footage up North if you give him even a 2on2 with a bit of space he's still lethal. Now that he's got the Razor disaster behind him and got some form back under professional coaches up north I am really excited to see what he can do in black again.

I hope you are right. To me he looks washed.

He looked great up north, and was good for the Blues.

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

@act-crusader said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

Also think Carter might be a backup option too.

Especially with the provincial game they intend to use a 6:2 bench.

I'll be interested to see if the test XV plays in either the Sharks or Bulls games.

We need @oompb @billy-webb @w32 or our resident Saffas to give us an proper insight beyond W/L records of the provincial teams.

I’ve watched a little bit of the NH games and not sure where these teams lie without their Springbok players.

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

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

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

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

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

Also great to see Rieko there, Rennie made the comment that we 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.

Ioane being used with his outside break instead of a crash it up option and this game plan should pretty pretty great.

Oh man I would LOVE to see what he could do with the attacking shape we had in Rennie's first three tests that was giving our centres more space. We saw in the footage up North if you give him even a 2on2 with a bit of space he's still lethal. Now that he's got the Razor disaster behind him and got some form back under professional coaches up north I am really excited to see what he can do in black again.

I hope you are right. To me he looks washed.

He looked great up north, and was good for the Blues.

He was not good for the Blues in 2025.

Rieko has been picked as an outside back - that hardly indicates he is a legit option for 13 beyond tour cover at this stage

@gt12 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.

I like the consistency here - we have three guys to play 7 who are all workers and personally I think Blackadder is the best like for like replacement of Jacobson at 7.

I'd like to know the plan for 6 and what is going on with Parker. Still a question mark and I wonder whether he is a placeholder for Frizell.

You can look through the squad and see the second-string team almost mirrors the first-string team. The one area where that isn't quite so clear is if Vaa'i is the first-choice blindside and whether there’s an obvious like-for-like option in the second-string team.

@kiwimurph I watched some of his games and quite a few highlights and what struck me is many of the good plays he was making were winger type plays with a 13 on his back, rather than more traditional centre/midfield stuff.

Our two vulnerabilities are our inferior scrum to the Boks and over reliance on Roigard.

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

@gt12 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.

I like the consistency here - we have three guys to play 7 who are all workers and personally I think Blackadder is the best like for like replacement of Jacobson at 7.

I'd like to know the plan for 6 and what is going on with Parker. Still a question mark and I wonder whether he is a placeholder for Frizell.

You can look through the squad and see the second-string team almost mirrors the first-string team. The one area where that isn't quite so clear is if Vaa'i is the first-choice blindside and whether there’s an obvious like-for-like option in the second-string team.

Parker

The only way three halfbacks makes sense is with Carter playing there. I think some selections are definitely with a look at the midweek teams. Jacomb is a dirt-tracker and Richie will be called on to play tests if any of the other potential 10 gets injured.

@act-crusader said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@kiwimurph I watched some of his games and quite a few highlights and what struck me is many of the good plays he was making were winger type plays with a 13 on his back, rather than more traditional centre/midfield stuff.

Yep. Add in that he has definitely lost speed/explosiveness and it's a tough road back.

@gt12 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.

I like the consistency here - we have three guys to play 7 who are all workers and personally I think Blackadder is the best like for like replacement of Jacobson at 7.

I'd like to know the plan for 6 and what is going on with Parker. Still a question mark and I wonder whether he is a placeholder for Frizell.

Well what we do know is Parker will be well rested for this tour….

Surely Frizell is out of the equation completely.

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

Our two vulnerabilities are our inferior scrum to the Boks and over reliance on Roigard.

Rewatched the EP and Welly tests from last year a couple of weeks ago and other than a couple of dominant scrums in the Welly test, I don’t think it was too bad.

We will be looking for quick ball from the scrum like we saw against France and Ireland.

@act-crusader said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

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.

I agree, but maybe they have some interesting tactics to try out midweek with Big Jim, fingers crossed

@his-bobness said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

Eight games in five and a half weeks, including four tests against the world champions, and they're only taking three halfbacks? Can they build a Robo Roigard with spare parts from the best of those left behind?

Are they thinking Carter is an emergency 9?

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

@his-bobness said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

Eight games in five and a half weeks, including four tests against the world champions, and they're only taking three halfbacks? Can they build a Robo Roigard with spare parts from the best of those left behind?

Are they thinking Carter is an emergency 9?

Damian McKenzie at a pinch?

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

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

@his-bobness said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

Eight games in five and a half weeks, including four tests against the world champions, and they're only taking three halfbacks? Can they build a Robo Roigard with spare parts from the best of those left behind?

Are they thinking Carter is an emergency 9?

Damian McKenzie at a pinch?

Possibly. Quite brave there. Shame we don't have a 9/10 like France etc...

My fear is some Saffa brute takes out Roigard and we are screwed

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

@act-crusader said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@kiwimurph I watched some of his games and quite a few highlights and what struck me is many of the good plays he was making were winger type plays with a 13 on his back, rather than more traditional centre/midfield stuff.

Yep. Add in that he has definitely lost speed/explosiveness and it's a tough road back.

Seems very odd that they've named him as an outside back rather than a midfielder. I thought he looked cooked as a test wing last year - and they've effectively named seven wings (assuming DMac will start at fullback in the tests). I'd hope (and expect?) to only see him at centre.

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

Our two vulnerabilities are our inferior scrum to the Boks and over reliance on Roigard.

Our midfield could also be tested, the coherence of our loosies, power in the tackle, throwing, and having a smaller 15.

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

@booboo well yeah, no Kirifi clearly is a talking point lol

I'll rephrase.

Should it be?

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

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

@booboo well yeah, no Kirifi clearly is a talking point lol

I'll rephrase.

Should it be?

Depends where you live and what team you support

What was that? Oh the sounds of glass smashing around me....

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

My fear is some Saffa brute takes out Roigard and we are screwed

I’m more worried about Love getting knocked out and us reverting to one of the old guard at 10.

I have a little more faith in Preston doing the job if required.