@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 āthe islandsā by oppo coaches, wouldnāt that seem a bit lame? Or is it intended as some sort of boys own adventure into darkest Africaā¦?
@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 āthe islandsā by oppo coaches, wouldnāt that seem a bit lame? Or is it intended as some sort of boys own adventure into darkest Africaā¦?
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 āthe islandsā by oppo coaches, wouldnāt that seem a bit lame? Or is it intended as some sort of boys own adventure into darkest Africaā¦?
Is he referring to the team as Africa or saying, 'We're going to Africa'?
āIn Africaā
@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 āthe islandsā by oppo coaches, wouldnāt that seem a bit lame? Or is it intended as some sort of boys own adventure into darkest Africaā¦?
Is he referring to the team as Africa or saying, 'We're going to Africa'?
āIn Africaā
Thatās not so bad, I guess. Itās kind of like saying āin Europeā when going to play France. Referring to the South African team as āAfricaā would simply be incorrect.
@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
Did he give a little smirk and a wink when he answered the question!?
@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 āthe islandsā by oppo coaches, wouldnāt that seem a bit lame? Or is it intended as some sort of boys own adventure into darkest Africaā¦?
Dr Livingstone i presume?
@Chris-B. said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@W32 Realistically, is there anyone in Africa outside South Africa who would be good enough to make the Springboks?
Probably, but they would generally play for France or England. There's been a number of very good rugby players from places like Morocco (Abdelatif Benazzi for example) and lots of Nigerian origin who would qualify to play for Nigeria (Maro Itoje, Martin Offiah).
@DaGrubster 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
Did he give a little smirk and a wink when he answered the question!?
No mate, and he actually backed it up by saying it had to be 10 who got injured ie Love ,DMac or BB of the squad at moment.
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@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 āthe islandsā by oppo coaches, wouldnāt that seem a bit lame? Or is it intended as some sort of boys own adventure into darkest Africaā¦?
Is he referring to the team as Africa or saying, 'We're going to Africa'?
āIn Africaā
Thatās not so bad, I guess. Itās kind of like saying āin Europeā when going to play France. Referring to the South African team as āAfricaā would simply be incorrect.
Yep it's like saying America instead of USA which a lot do. It's not right or wrong really.
@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 āthe islandsā by oppo coaches, wouldnāt that seem a bit lame? Or is it intended as some sort of boys own adventure into darkest Africaā¦?
Is he referring to the team as Africa or saying, 'We're going to Africa'?
He says while we are in Africa.
Paul Cully pushing for STT to make the touring squad. I want to see him within a NZ franchise (preferably mine) and have another barnsotming season. Ideally as a 2028 debut.
So all eyes are now on which 10 players they add.
The balance of this remains up in there.
The leftovers last night were:
Thatās 11 gaps for 9 spots (assuming they take the current 34 + Ioane.)
I think you can then shave off one outside back, and potentially a midfielder.
The possible add-ons: Norris, T Mafileo, G Bell, Hannah, Holland, Kirifi, Lio-Willie, Hothamā¦ and the last one has me stumped.
If DMac is their top pick at fullback, then they may want another 10 to be in the mix for the midweek gamesā¦ would this be Josh Jacomb?
I see them stacking this squad with forwards, because I donāt think they will want their forwards to backupā¦ and they may even consider a 6-2 split I wouldnāt be surprised.
They will also presumably take cover for Codie Taylor. I think this will be Brodie McAllister
Harkin played well during SR. CN play 15 and 10. I'd take Oudenryn if they take another hooker on top of Taylor, Samisoni, or Aumua
Most are expecting a 7:3 split for the extra 10 players. I think that BB will be playing 1st 5 in the midweek games, so Harkin probably makes sense as 10 cover but playing at fullback. Some test players will need to be in the reserves at least for the provincial games.
@canefan said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Has Rennie ruled out selecting outgoing players like Flanders?
He hasn't, but presumably he would've selected them for the home Tests too to maximise the time with them.
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@canefan said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Has Rennie ruled out selecting outgoing players like Flanders?
He hasn't, but presumably he would've selected them for the home Tests too to maximise the time with them.
My reasoning would be to pad the squad with players who can help us win midweek matches, as opposed to picking development players
It will be interesting if they carry any injured players from the get go (e.g. Fehi or Carter).
I think Ioane is locked in to tour, so thatās one of the back additions.
@bovidae I reckon a 6:4 split
Backs - halfback, 10/15, midfielder, utility
Fatties - hooker, 2 props, 3 others made up of locks and loosies (largely depend on what they want to do with Vaaāi on tour).
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
It will be interesting if they carry any injured players from the get go (e.g. Fehi or Carter).
I think Ioane is locked in to tour, so thatās one of the back additions.
@bovidae I reckon a 6:4 split
Backs - halfback, 10/15, midfielder, utility
Fatties - hooker, 2 props, 3 others made up of locks and loosies (largely depend on what they want to do with Vaaāi on tour).
Hotham, Harkin, Ioane, Hutchinson.
Bell, Norris, Mafileo, Holland, Hannah, Barnes.
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
It will be interesting if they carry any injured players from the get go (e.g. Fehi or Carter).
I think Ioane is locked in to tour, so thatās one of the back additions.
@bovidae I reckon a 6:4 split
Backs - halfback, 10/15, midfielder, utility
Fatties - hooker, 2 props, 3 others made up of locks and loosies (largely depend on what they want to do with Vaaāi on tour).Hotham, Harkin, Ioane, Hutchinson.
Bell, Norris, Mafileo, Holland, Hannah, Barnes.
Must be close to this group
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@Mr-Fish will they take Faingaāanuku?
He had a good SR. I'd expect him to go so they can work out how to use him
When the initial AB squad the following were listed. Iād imagine if any of them are fit they will go.
Unavailable due to injury: Tamaiti Williams; Scott Barrett; Fabian Holland; Leicester Faingaāanuku.
@ACT-Crusader said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
When the initial AB squad the following were listed. Iād imagine if any of them are fit they will go.
Unavailable due to injury: Tamaiti Williams; Scott Barrett; Fabian Holland; Leicester Faingaāanuku.
Rennie has already ruled out S Barrett and Tamaiti
Fainga'anuku was going to be out for 10-12 weeks so don't think he'll be available (otherwise he'd be there for sure).
@canefan said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Harkin played well during SR. CN play 15 and 10. I'd take Oudenryn if they take another hooker on top of Taylor, Samisoni, or Aumua
Way too soon for Oudenryn. This would be placing him fourth in the pecking order, and with Taylor's current calf injury that would have him one injury away from playing.
Front row forwards haven't tended to be effective in test matches until 24 at the absolute youngest... his time will come - but that time is not now.
@frugby said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
@canefan said in All Blacks Tour of South Africa 2026:
Harkin played well during SR. CN play 15 and 10. I'd take Oudenryn if they take another hooker on top of Taylor, Samisoni, or Aumua
Way too soon for Oudenryn. This would be placing him fourth in the pecking order, and with Taylor's current calf injury that would have him one injury away from playing.
Front row forwards haven't tended to be effective in test matches until 24 at the absolute youngest... his time will come - but that time is not now.
Oudenryn looks a promising one for the future but haven't seen anything from him yet that confirms he's anything other than a great late game runner.
