All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026

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

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

I don't know if its true because I've watched every minute of his 87 minutes and its still not enough to form opinion

You keep talking about stats as a single source of truth when in reality its a substitute for thinking

That is untrue. Ive already commented that on a per 80 minute basis Eli Oudenryn is statistically the best hooker in Super Rugby.

If I thought stats were a single source of truth then I would have no doubts that he should be in the ABs but as it stands I've said I'm uncertain and that I don't know if he's better than George Bell. It means I'm not 100% confident in stats.

If I thought stats were a single source of truth wouldn't I be certain that he should be involved?

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

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

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

SRP is still a step up and Lucas Casey as an example showed glimpses of his ability but he didn't have close to the same impact as he did at NPC level.

NPC ain't Super Rugby but 'glimpses'?

View embedded content

There is a massive difference between Super Rugby and NPC. Casey showed had some mostly solid performances and 1 outstanding game against the Chiefs. So yes he showed glimpses of his potential at Super Rugby level. His season wasn't close to Lakai's for instance.

Lakai's first Super Rugby campaign was similar to Casey this year - to be expected from Lucas in his first Super season

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

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

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

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

SRP is still a step up and Lucas Casey as an example showed glimpses of his ability but he didn't have close to the same impact as he did at NPC level.

NPC ain't Super Rugby but 'glimpses'?

View embedded content

There is a massive difference between Super Rugby and NPC. Casey showed had some mostly solid performances and 1 outstanding game against the Chiefs. So yes he showed glimpses of his potential at Super Rugby level. His season wasn't close to Lakai's for instance.

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

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

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

SRP is still a step up and Lucas Casey as an example showed glimpses of his ability but he didn't have close to the same impact as he did at NPC level.

NPC ain't Super Rugby but 'glimpses'?

View embedded content

There is a massive difference between Super Rugby and NPC. Casey showed had some mostly solid performances and 1 outstanding game against the Chiefs. So yes he showed glimpses of his potential at Super Rugby level. His season wasn't close to Lakai's for instance.

Lakai's first Super Rugby campaign was similar to Casey this year - to be expected from Lucas in his first Super season

I'm not questioning Casey's talent. That is undoubted as is Oudenryns. There has been plenty of talented players over the years that didn't amount to much as ABs or even get selected as ABs for a variety of reasons.

On the one hand I'm mindful of players like Love and Plummer who play for years at SRP and get minimum chances until their mid 20's. ( Too long )

On the other hand I'm also mindful of talented players like Toeava who get chucked in early with little Super experience and can struggle to find themselves. ( Too early )

A tour of South Africa is a baptism of fire even against the mid week teams. I'll support Oudenryn if he's chosen I just personally haven't seen enough of him to know if he's ready.

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

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

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

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

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

SRP is still a step up and Lucas Casey as an example showed glimpses of his ability but he didn't have close to the same impact as he did at NPC level.

NPC ain't Super Rugby but 'glimpses'?

View embedded content

There is a massive difference between Super Rugby and NPC. Casey showed had some mostly solid performances and 1 outstanding game against the Chiefs. So yes he showed glimpses of his potential at Super Rugby level. His season wasn't close to Lakai's for instance.

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

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

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

SRP is still a step up and Lucas Casey as an example showed glimpses of his ability but he didn't have close to the same impact as he did at NPC level.

NPC ain't Super Rugby but 'glimpses'?

View embedded content

There is a massive difference between Super Rugby and NPC. Casey showed had some mostly solid performances and 1 outstanding game against the Chiefs. So yes he showed glimpses of his potential at Super Rugby level. His season wasn't close to Lakai's for instance.

Lakai's first Super Rugby campaign was similar to Casey this year - to be expected from Lucas in his first Super season

I'm not questioning Casey's talent. That is undoubted as is Oudenryns. There has been plenty of talented players over the years that didn't amount to much as ABs or even get selected as ABs for a variety of reasons.

On the one hand I'm mindful of players like Love and Plummer who play for years at SRP and get minimum chances until their mid 20's. ( Too long )

On the other hand I'm also mindful of talented players like Toeava who get chucked in early with little Super experience and can struggle to find themselves. ( Too early )

Yeah there's a sweet spot in the middle

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

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

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

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

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

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

@jimmyb I suppose we lack big loosies since Flanders and Finau have gone. I don't think Frizell's form has been very good in Japan but he has experience and he has done it before. He is 1 of the few 6 foot 5, 115kgs loosies we have to combat the Bok monsters.

Frizell is close to 190cm than 196cm

Frizell is around 195cm no where near 190cm he is quite a big unit.

View image

Here he is recently next to old man Blackadder who has probably shrunk a bit compared to his playing days of 193cm. I'm giving Frizell 192cm. I've noticed in many photos a difference between him and players listed as 195 and 196.

Here’s a stat, the internet has four different heights for Todd Blackadder.

Make that five: He's 182cm tall.

The greatest lineout forward in AB history at 5’11

@ACT-Crusader 6' sir!

@Bones 182.2cm…..

In terms of possible additions for the AB squad, Kemara could be a smokey to make the squad. I think he is a better 1st 5 than Harkin, but Harmon does have that versatility.

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

Harmon

This obsession with Canterbury is getting out of control.

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@Bones 182.2cm…..

In terms of possible additions for the AB squad, Kemara could be a smokey to make the squad. I think he is a better 1st 5 than Harkin, but Harmon does have that versatility.

Trouble with picking Kemara is would ( if Richie is somehow available) top heavy with tens. Maybe if injuries
Love
Dmac
BB
Moguna

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

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@Bones 182.2cm…..

In terms of possible additions for the AB squad, Kemara could be a smokey to make the squad. I think he is a better 1st 5 than Harkin, but Harmon does have that versatility.

Trouble with picking Kemara is would ( if Richie is somehow available) top heavy with tens. Maybe if injuries
Love
Dmac
BB
Moguna

At this stage Mo'unga isnt eligible for South African tour

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

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

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@Bones 182.2cm…..

In terms of possible additions for the AB squad, Kemara could be a smokey to make the squad. I think he is a better 1st 5 than Harkin, but Harmon does have that versatility.

Trouble with picking Kemara is would ( if Richie is somehow available) top heavy with tens. Maybe if injuries
Love
Dmac
BB
Moguna

At this stage Mo'unga isnt eligible for South African tour

One injury to anyone and he in just like leciester last season

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

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

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@Bones 182.2cm…..

In terms of possible additions for the AB squad, Kemara could be a smokey to make the squad. I think he is a better 1st 5 than Harkin, but Harmon does have that versatility.

Trouble with picking Kemara is would ( if Richie is somehow available) top heavy with tens. Maybe if injuries
Love
Dmac
BB
Moguna

At this stage Mo'unga isnt eligible for South African tour

Maybe Moguna is though

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

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@Bones 182.2cm…..

In terms of possible additions for the AB squad, Kemara could be a smokey to make the squad. I think he is a better 1st 5 than Harkin, but Harmon does have that versatility.

Trouble with picking Kemara is would ( if Richie is somehow available) top heavy with tens. Maybe if injuries
Love
Dmac
BB
Moguna

That's 2 tens & 2 x 15s

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

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

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@Bones 182.2cm…..

In terms of possible additions for the AB squad, Kemara could be a smokey to make the squad. I think he is a better 1st 5 than Harkin, but Harmon does have that versatility.

Trouble with picking Kemara is would ( if Richie is somehow available) top heavy with tens. Maybe if injuries
Love
Dmac
BB
Moguna

At this stage Mo'unga isnt eligible for South African tour

That's why he said he'd pick Moguna.

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

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

@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

@Bones 182.2cm…..

In terms of possible additions for the AB squad, Kemara could be a smokey to make the squad. I think he is a better 1st 5 than Harkin, but Harmon does have that versatility.

Trouble with picking Kemara is would ( if Richie is somehow available) top heavy with tens. Maybe if injuries
Love
Dmac
BB
Moguna

That's 2 tens & 2 x 15s

Or 3 who play 10 and 15 .....

Only just reading this thread now, and who the fuck cares about what height the Tongan flake is? 196, 195, 193 doesn't matter, he's shit, and I'm starting the campaign for Dave's axing the moment he gets selected in the ABs.

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

Only just reading this thread now, and who the fuck cares about what height the Tongan flake is? 196, 195, 193 doesn't matter, he's shit, and I'm starting the campaign for Dave's axing the moment he gets selected in the ABs.

No doubt, physical size is all very good and well, but if you have a pea sized heart and play small it doesn't really work

I don't really like the current white collar. Not sure I like the black collar on that jersey either. Some people are just hard to please

It’s fine…just a bit polo shirt with the floppy collar

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

It’s fine…just a bit polo shirt with the floppy collar

My thoughts exactly. It's probably my least worse option compared to the current jersey. Adidas used the same collar on the French football jersey and it looks out of place there too

Interesting to hear Rennie say he's already picked his first 23 for Africa tour games 1 and 2 . thinking that's not good.

Rennie has just said Mounga can only join the SA tour squad as injury cover. As predicted by many, a nice loop hole

@Landers92 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

Rennie has just said Mounga can only join the SA tour squad as injury cover. As predicted by many, a nice loop hole

Time for Beaudy to get a tight hammy after landing.

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

@Landers92 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

Rennie has just said Mounga can only join the SA tour squad as injury cover. As predicted by many, a nice loop hole

Time for Beaudy to get a tight hammy after landing.

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

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

@Landers92 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

Rennie has just said Mounga can only join the SA tour squad as injury cover. As predicted by many, a nice loop hole

Time for Beaudy to get a tight hammy after landing.

 image url)

Disagree

“When Rennie was asked about players that hadn’t featured in the Nations Championship, he was fairly tight lipped on the likes of Barrett (Beauden) and Parker. But footage has emerged of Parker and plans leaked to the Herald to unleash him on the upcoming South African tour”

@george33 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

Interesting to hear Rennie say he's already picked his first 23 for Africa tour games 1 and 2 . thinking that's not good.

He said they have picked the squads for the first 4 games (game 4 is the 1st test), and that all players will get a run in the first two games. The coaches also want to use a 6:2 split in one of the provincial games.

As an aside, why does Rennie refer to South Africa as just Africa? If New Zealand were referred to as “the islands” by oppo coaches, wouldn’t that seem a bit lame? Or is it intended as some sort of boys own adventure into darkest Africa…?

@W32 im not sure its quite equitable as "africa" is at least in there...but i imagine just the common approach to shorten things....more akin of calling Australia Aussie...or Ireland Ireland rather the the Republic of Ireland or calling America America rather than the United States of America

I dont believe he would say they were playing "Africa" if they were playing Kenya for example

@george33 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

Interesting to hear Rennie say he's already picked his first 23 for Africa tour games 1 and 2 . thinking that's not good.

Didn't you think Rennie had locked in his 23 for the France test six weeks prior?

@W32 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

As an aside, why does Rennie refer to South Africa as just Africa? If New Zealand were referred to as “the islands” by oppo coaches, wouldn’t that seem a bit lame? Or is it intended as some sort of boys own adventure into darkest Africa…?

Is he referring to the team as Africa or saying, 'We're going to Africa'?

@ShaquilleOatmeal it's like when the B & I Lions called us NZ, cos they was scared of the All Blacks....mind games

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

Only just reading this thread now, and who the fuck cares about what height the Tongan flake is? 196, 195, 193 doesn't matter, he's shit, and I'm starting the campaign for Dave's axing the moment he gets selected in the ABs.

So, a month ago you were accusing me of trolling with Frizell and now you're thinking about pamphlet designs?

@Chris-B. said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

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

Only just reading this thread now, and who the fuck cares about what height the Tongan flake is? 196, 195, 193 doesn't matter, he's shit, and I'm starting the campaign for Dave's axing the moment he gets selected in the ABs.

So, a month ago you were accusing me of trolling with Frizell and now you're thinking about pamphlet designs?

Pamphlets? Sheesh, I knew time went slow in Ta$man-ia, but I at least thought you'd be in the digital campaign era.

@george33 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

Interesting to hear Rennie say he's already picked his first 23 for Africa tour games 1 and 2 . thinking that's not good.

Why exactly is that not good?

He's going to give all 44 players a run across the first 2 games (pending injury and say Ardie if he's a late arrival).

Forward planning makes total sense to me

@Nepia Just trying to tailor it for Hawkes Bay.

The Frizz isn't eligible for the initial squad, but he'll likely be on a plane with the first loose forward injury.

Much as I hate to make a cheap Ethan Blackadder joke, Dave may be keen enough to expedite Shannon that he'll play the Narawa at RWC 2023 card.

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

@W32 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

As an aside, why does Rennie refer to South Africa as just Africa? If New Zealand were referred to as “the islands” by oppo coaches, wouldn’t that seem a bit lame? Or is it intended as some sort of boys own adventure into darkest Africa…?

Is he referring to the team as Africa or saying, 'We're going to Africa'?

“In Africa”

@W32 Realistically, is there anyone in Africa outside South Africa who would be good enough to make the Springboks?

If not, Dave might as well try to beat the continent as the country!

No idea about his phrasing really.

@W32 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

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

@W32 said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:

As an aside, why does Rennie refer to South Africa as just Africa? If New Zealand were referred to as “the islands” by oppo coaches, wouldn’t that seem a bit lame? Or is it intended as some sort of boys own adventure into darkest Africa…?

Is he referring to the team as Africa or saying, 'We're going to Africa'?

“In Africa”

That’s not so bad, I guess. It’s kind of like saying ‘in Europe’ when going to play France. Referring to the South African team as ‘Africa’ would simply be incorrect.