Good squad and lets support the boyz...stop this who coulda,woulda,shoulda. Lezz go All Blacks...jeez how many sleeps till kick off??
@young-hamiltons said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Good squad and lets support the boyz...stop this who coulda,woulda,shoulda. Lezz go All Blacks...jeez how many sleeps till kick off??
Two plusa roundaboutthree
@bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@pakman haven't had the call yet, but phone is on loud.
Rennie said the noes were the hardest.
@kirwan said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@mr-fish said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@tsf-stat-bot said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@kirwan said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Can anyone find those Blackadder stats that show his improvement this year?
If someone can point to his best game I'll put TSF Stat Bot on it.
Ethan Blackadder's standout game of the 2026 season was the Crusaders' 36–20 victory over the Blues on 8 May 2026.Having missed a stretch of games earlier in the autumn due to a calf strain, this round marked his highly anticipated return to the starting lineup at blindside flanker.Why This Was His Best Performance
The "BIGGA" Engine: Blackadder recorded his highest "repeat-effort" metrics of the year during this match. Analysts noted his incredible capacity to make a tackle, immediately bounce back to his feet, and contest the subsequent breakdown.
Defensive Masterclass: He spearheaded the Crusaders' defensive line against a heavy Blues pack, completing a game-high 24 tackles without missing a single attempt.
Attacking Impact: He secured one of his 2 season try assists during this match, providing a crucial offload in heavy traffic to unlock the Blues' midfield.
Ethan Blackadder had a strong, industrious 80-minute performance at blindside flanker as the Crusaders beat the Blues 36–20.
9 carries for 25 net metres, including 19 post-contact metres
Crossed the gain line 6 times, beat 2 defenders and recorded 3 dominant carries
Made 13 tackles, missing only 1: 93% success with 2 dominant tackles
Team-leading 34 ruck arrivals, including a match-high 30 attacking arrivals
Recorded 9 ruck wins, one own-ball lineout win and one lineout steal
Conceded no penalties, turnovers or handling errors
Played the full 80 minutes without scoring or receiving a card
His biggest contribution was his work around the breakdown. He led every Crusaders player in total and attacking ruck arrivals, providing consistent support and helping the side retain 99% of its attacking rucks. Defensively, he was among their leading tacklers and stayed disciplined throughout.
Blackadder wasn’t the Crusaders’ most explosive carrier, but he was effective: six gain-line successes from nine runs, good post-contact output, and no wasted possessions. He also stayed on through the difficult closing period after the Crusaders received red and yellow cards.
Overall, it was a high-work-rate, low-error flanker’s performance. He did much of the connective work that helped the Crusaders overturn a 13–12 halftime deficit and dominate the second half 24–7
So did he make 13 tackles or 24?
You doubt the mighty TSF Stat Bot?
I definitely doubt the AI summary provided by @bones!
@mr-fish said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@kirwan said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@mr-fish said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@tsf-stat-bot said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@kirwan said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Can anyone find those Blackadder stats that show his improvement this year?
If someone can point to his best game I'll put TSF Stat Bot on it.
Ethan Blackadder's standout game of the 2026 season was the Crusaders' 36–20 victory over the Blues on 8 May 2026.Having missed a stretch of games earlier in the autumn due to a calf strain, this round marked his highly anticipated return to the starting lineup at blindside flanker.Why This Was His Best Performance
The "BIGGA" Engine: Blackadder recorded his highest "repeat-effort" metrics of the year during this match. Analysts noted his incredible capacity to make a tackle, immediately bounce back to his feet, and contest the subsequent breakdown.
Defensive Masterclass: He spearheaded the Crusaders' defensive line against a heavy Blues pack, completing a game-high 24 tackles without missing a single attempt.
Attacking Impact: He secured one of his 2 season try assists during this match, providing a crucial offload in heavy traffic to unlock the Blues' midfield.
Ethan Blackadder had a strong, industrious 80-minute performance at blindside flanker as the Crusaders beat the Blues 36–20.
9 carries for 25 net metres, including 19 post-contact metres
Crossed the gain line 6 times, beat 2 defenders and recorded 3 dominant carries
Made 13 tackles, missing only 1: 93% success with 2 dominant tackles
Team-leading 34 ruck arrivals, including a match-high 30 attacking arrivals
Recorded 9 ruck wins, one own-ball lineout win and one lineout steal
Conceded no penalties, turnovers or handling errors
Played the full 80 minutes without scoring or receiving a card
His biggest contribution was his work around the breakdown. He led every Crusaders player in total and attacking ruck arrivals, providing consistent support and helping the side retain 99% of its attacking rucks. Defensively, he was among their leading tacklers and stayed disciplined throughout.
Blackadder wasn’t the Crusaders’ most explosive carrier, but he was effective: six gain-line successes from nine runs, good post-contact output, and no wasted possessions. He also stayed on through the difficult closing period after the Crusaders received red and yellow cards.
Overall, it was a high-work-rate, low-error flanker’s performance. He did much of the connective work that helped the Crusaders overturn a 13–12 halftime deficit and dominate the second half 24–7
So did he make 13 tackles or 24?
You doubt the mighty TSF Stat Bot?
I definitely doubt the AI summary provided by @bones!
But was it AI?
@bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@mr-fish said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@kirwan said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@mr-fish said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@tsf-stat-bot said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@kirwan said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@bones said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Can anyone find those Blackadder stats that show his improvement this year?
If someone can point to his best game I'll put TSF Stat Bot on it.
Ethan Blackadder's standout game of the 2026 season was the Crusaders' 36–20 victory over the Blues on 8 May 2026.Having missed a stretch of games earlier in the autumn due to a calf strain, this round marked his highly anticipated return to the starting lineup at blindside flanker.Why This Was His Best Performance
The "BIGGA" Engine: Blackadder recorded his highest "repeat-effort" metrics of the year during this match. Analysts noted his incredible capacity to make a tackle, immediately bounce back to his feet, and contest the subsequent breakdown.
Defensive Masterclass: He spearheaded the Crusaders' defensive line against a heavy Blues pack, completing a game-high 24 tackles without missing a single attempt.
Attacking Impact: He secured one of his 2 season try assists during this match, providing a crucial offload in heavy traffic to unlock the Blues' midfield.
Ethan Blackadder had a strong, industrious 80-minute performance at blindside flanker as the Crusaders beat the Blues 36–20.
9 carries for 25 net metres, including 19 post-contact metres
Crossed the gain line 6 times, beat 2 defenders and recorded 3 dominant carries
Made 13 tackles, missing only 1: 93% success with 2 dominant tackles
Team-leading 34 ruck arrivals, including a match-high 30 attacking arrivals
Recorded 9 ruck wins, one own-ball lineout win and one lineout steal
Conceded no penalties, turnovers or handling errors
Played the full 80 minutes without scoring or receiving a card
His biggest contribution was his work around the breakdown. He led every Crusaders player in total and attacking ruck arrivals, providing consistent support and helping the side retain 99% of its attacking rucks. Defensively, he was among their leading tacklers and stayed disciplined throughout.
Blackadder wasn’t the Crusaders’ most explosive carrier, but he was effective: six gain-line successes from nine runs, good post-contact output, and no wasted possessions. He also stayed on through the difficult closing period after the Crusaders received red and yellow cards.
Overall, it was a high-work-rate, low-error flanker’s performance. He did much of the connective work that helped the Crusaders overturn a 13–12 halftime deficit and dominate the second half 24–7
So did he make 13 tackles or 24?
You doubt the mighty TSF Stat Bot?
I definitely doubt the AI summary provided by @bones!
But was it AI?
Even its semi-coherence was too coherent to be a Bones post.
The SA media is giving the All Blacks no chance...even the franchise will beat these All Blacks according to some writers...who will remain nameless. And this all due to the boks so called depth.
@young-hamiltons said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
The SA media is giving the All Blacks no chance...even the franchise will beat these All Blacks according to some writers...who will remain nameless. And this all due to the boks so called depth.
So-called?
Bok depth is immense!
@young-hamiltons said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
The SA media is giving the All Blacks no chance...even the franchise will beat these All Blacks according to some writers...who will remain nameless. And this all due to the boks so called depth.
Time to make a pact.
@shaquilleoatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@jnr said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@bovidae said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Rennie says that BB will be starting at 1st 5 against the Stormers, and not seen as a fullback. Jacomb is an option there.
Hopefully he has Roigard at 9 and we can see if he fits the new system. If he does great, if not then sayonara after the tour.
If Barrett can’t perform against a franchise team while playing for an international side, he’s even worse than anyone thought. It shouldn’t matter who the halfback is.
Be nice to see him outside a decent halfback with the current style
Maybe I'm a bit old school, but I don't agree with Ardie joining the team two weeks late. As captain, he should be on that plane with the rest of the squad. Those first couple of weeks are important for setting standards, building the team's culture etc. The captain should be there from day one.
The other question is why Ellison has been brought back. He was moved on after the review process, so what has changed? One of the criticisms of Robertson's coaching setup was that there were too many voices. Hopefully, Rennie doesn't end up making the same mistake.
@akan004 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Maybe I'm a bit old school, but I don't agree with Ardie joining the team two weeks late. As captain, he should be on that plane with the rest of the squad. Those first couple of weeks are important for setting standards, building the team's culture etc. The captain should be there from day one.
The other question is why Ellison has been brought back. He was moved on after the review process, so what has changed? One of the criticisms of Robertson's coaching setup was that there were too many voices. Hopefully, Rennie doesn't end up making the same mistake.
I read somewhere it’s to help out with the midweek team that might have to prepare separately on occasions
@kiwiinmelb said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@akan004 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Maybe I'm a bit old school, but I don't agree with Ardie joining the team two weeks late. As captain, he should be on that plane with the rest of the squad. Those first couple of weeks are important for setting standards, building the team's culture etc. The captain should be there from day one.
The other question is why Ellison has been brought back. He was moved on after the review process, so what has changed? One of the criticisms of Robertson's coaching setup was that there were too many voices. Hopefully, Rennie doesn't end up making the same mistake.
I read somewhere it’s to help out with the midweek team that might have to prepare separately on occasions
and presumably he's being paid by NZR? So it's a 'cheap' option to get another pair of hands out there.
@jet said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
They all are not even going over to SA on the same flight as a squad, partly to avoid the Middle East fandango (travel was initially booked through Dubai but now amended to Singapore and Hong Kong), and also for workload management. 23 will stay behind in NZ with 7 staff and come over at a later date.
Three different flights. Rennie said there is also a group flying via Perth.