All Blacks 2025
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@Darren said in All Blacks 2025:
I'd love to know what he really is like as a coach, from the clips I have seen at training, he just seems to oversee things without being too directly involved, but I could and probably am totally incorrect.
From Sam Whitelock's book.....
Without doubt Razor sees things differently. Here’s a story from our first year working together that sums him up perfectly. I had played massive minutes for the Crusaders and the All Blacks over the past few years, and my body was screaming at me.
A niggly Achilles would plague me for the rest of my career. Razor got me into his office and showed me a photo..... of a rooster leading a group of hens across a bridge. He pointed at the rooster and said, ‘This is you.’
‘Okay,’ I said. ‘Where are you going with this one, Ray?’
‘If there’s something that needs doing, you’re the first one to do it. If there’s a drill that needs demonstrating, you’re first up and doing it. But I need this …’ Then he showed me another photo, and I saw a dog with three sheep in a little mob.
What Razor was showing me, in his inimitable style, was that he needed me to bark from behind.
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@Darren said in All Blacks 2025:
I'd love to know what he really is like as a coach, from the clips I have seen at training, he just seems to oversee things without being too directly involved, but I could and probably am totally incorrect.
From Sam Whitelock's book.....
Without doubt Razor sees things differently. Here’s a story from our first year working together that sums him up perfectly. I had played massive minutes for the Crusaders and the All Blacks over the past few years, and my body was screaming at me.
A niggly Achilles would plague me for the rest of my career. Razor got me into his office and showed me a photo..... of a rooster leading a group of hens across a bridge. He pointed at the rooster and said, ‘This is you.’
‘Okay,’ I said. ‘Where are you going with this one, Ray?’
‘If there’s something that needs doing, you’re the first one to do it. If there’s a drill that needs demonstrating, you’re first up and doing it. But I need this …’ Then he showed me another photo, and I saw a dog with three sheep in a little mob.
What Razor was showing me, in his inimitable style, was that he needed me to bark from behind.
Hopefully Scott Barrett did a lot of barking practice growing up in rural Taranaki. If not we’re in trouble.
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@Darren said in All Blacks 2025:
I'd love to know what he really is like as a coach, from the clips I have seen at training, he just seems to oversee things without being too directly involved, but I could and probably am totally incorrect.
From Sam Whitelock's book.....
Without doubt Razor sees things differently. Here’s a story from our first year working together that sums him up perfectly. I had played massive minutes for the Crusaders and the All Blacks over the past few years, and my body was screaming at me.
A niggly Achilles would plague me for the rest of my career. Razor got me into his office and showed me a photo..... of a rooster leading a group of hens across a bridge. He pointed at the rooster and said, ‘This is you.’
‘Okay,’ I said. ‘Where are you going with this one, Ray?’
‘If there’s something that needs doing, you’re the first one to do it. If there’s a drill that needs demonstrating, you’re first up and doing it. But I need this …’ Then he showed me another photo, and I saw a dog with three sheep in a little mob.
What Razor was showing me, in his inimitable style, was that he needed me to bark from behind.
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@Darren said in All Blacks 2025:
I'd love to know what he really is like as a coach, from the clips I have seen at training, he just seems to oversee things without being too directly involved, but I could and probably am totally incorrect.
From Sam Whitelock's book.....
Without doubt Razor sees things differently. Here’s a story from our first year working together that sums him up perfectly. I had played massive minutes for the Crusaders and the All Blacks over the past few years, and my body was screaming at me.
A niggly Achilles would plague me for the rest of my career. Razor got me into his office and showed me a photo..... of a rooster leading a group of hens across a bridge. He pointed at the rooster and said, ‘This is you.’
‘Okay,’ I said. ‘Where are you going with this one, Ray?’
‘If there’s something that needs doing, you’re the first one to do it. If there’s a drill that needs demonstrating, you’re first up and doing it. But I need this …’ Then he showed me another photo, and I saw a dog with three sheep in a little mob.
What Razor was showing me, in his inimitable style, was that he needed me to bark from behind.
I can see that sort of thing working with someone of profoundly low intelligence but anyone with half a brain would surely double over with cringe.
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@Darren said in All Blacks 2025:
I'd love to know what he really is like as a coach, from the clips I have seen at training, he just seems to oversee things without being too directly involved, but I could and probably am totally incorrect.
From Sam Whitelock's book.....
Without doubt Razor sees things differently. Here’s a story from our first year working together that sums him up perfectly. I had played massive minutes for the Crusaders and the All Blacks over the past few years, and my body was screaming at me.
A niggly Achilles would plague me for the rest of my career. Razor got me into his office and showed me a photo..... of a rooster leading a group of hens across a bridge. He pointed at the rooster and said, ‘This is you.’
‘Okay,’ I said. ‘Where are you going with this one, Ray?’
‘If there’s something that needs doing, you’re the first one to do it. If there’s a drill that needs demonstrating, you’re first up and doing it. But I need this …’ Then he showed me another photo, and I saw a dog with three sheep in a little mob.
What Razor was showing me, in his inimitable style, was that he needed me to bark from behind.
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@Darren said in All Blacks 2025:
I'd love to know what he really is like as a coach, from the clips I have seen at training, he just seems to oversee things without being too directly involved, but I could and probably am totally incorrect.
From Sam Whitelock's book.....
Without doubt Razor sees things differently. Here’s a story from our first year working together that sums him up perfectly. I had played massive minutes for the Crusaders and the All Blacks over the past few years, and my body was screaming at me.
A niggly Achilles would plague me for the rest of my career. Razor got me into his office and showed me a photo..... of a rooster leading a group of hens across a bridge. He pointed at the rooster and said, ‘This is you.’
‘Okay,’ I said. ‘Where are you going with this one, Ray?’
‘If there’s something that needs doing, you’re the first one to do it. If there’s a drill that needs demonstrating, you’re first up and doing it. But I need this …’ Then he showed me another photo, and I saw a dog with three sheep in a little mob.
What Razor was showing me, in his inimitable style, was that he needed me to bark from behind.
Did anyone else hear David Brent's voice while reading that?
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@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@Darren said in All Blacks 2025:
I'd love to know what he really is like as a coach, from the clips I have seen at training, he just seems to oversee things without being too directly involved, but I could and probably am totally incorrect.
From Sam Whitelock's book.....
Without doubt Razor sees things differently. Here’s a story from our first year working together that sums him up perfectly. I had played massive minutes for the Crusaders and the All Blacks over the past few years, and my body was screaming at me.
A niggly Achilles would plague me for the rest of my career. Razor got me into his office and showed me a photo..... of a rooster leading a group of hens across a bridge. He pointed at the rooster and said, ‘This is you.’
‘Okay,’ I said. ‘Where are you going with this one, Ray?’
‘If there’s something that needs doing, you’re the first one to do it. If there’s a drill that needs demonstrating, you’re first up and doing it. But I need this …’ Then he showed me another photo, and I saw a dog with three sheep in a little mob.
What Razor was showing me, in his inimitable style, was that he needed me to bark from behind.
I can see that sort of thing working with someone of profoundly low intelligence but anyone with half a brain would surely double over with cringe.
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@Darren said in All Blacks 2025:
I'd love to know what he really is like as a coach, from the clips I have seen at training, he just seems to oversee things without being too directly involved, but I could and probably am totally incorrect.
From Sam Whitelock's book.....
Without doubt Razor sees things differently. Here’s a story from our first year working together that sums him up perfectly. I had played massive minutes for the Crusaders and the All Blacks over the past few years, and my body was screaming at me.
A niggly Achilles would plague me for the rest of my career. Razor got me into his office and showed me a photo..... of a rooster leading a group of hens across a bridge. He pointed at the rooster and said, ‘This is you.’
‘Okay,’ I said. ‘Where are you going with this one, Ray?’
‘If there’s something that needs doing, you’re the first one to do it. If there’s a drill that needs demonstrating, you’re first up and doing it. But I need this …’ Then he showed me another photo, and I saw a dog with three sheep in a little mob.
What Razor was showing me, in his inimitable style, was that he needed me to bark from behind.
I can see that sort of thing working with someone of profoundly low intelligence but anyone with half a brain would surely double over with cringe.
Sweet, we should be fine then!
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The similarities are quite striking in terms of their management speak and also how they like to celebrate victories.
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The similarities are quite striking in terms of their management speak and also how they like to celebrate victories.
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
The similarities are quite striking in terms of their management speak and also how they like to celebrate victories.
Lol
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The similarities are quite striking in terms of their management speak and also how they like to celebrate victories.
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@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@Darren said in All Blacks 2025:
I'd love to know what he really is like as a coach, from the clips I have seen at training, he just seems to oversee things without being too directly involved, but I could and probably am totally incorrect.
From Sam Whitelock's book.....
Without doubt Razor sees things differently. Here’s a story from our first year working together that sums him up perfectly. I had played massive minutes for the Crusaders and the All Blacks over the past few years, and my body was screaming at me.
A niggly Achilles would plague me for the rest of my career. Razor got me into his office and showed me a photo..... of a rooster leading a group of hens across a bridge. He pointed at the rooster and said, ‘This is you.’
‘Okay,’ I said. ‘Where are you going with this one, Ray?’
‘If there’s something that needs doing, you’re the first one to do it. If there’s a drill that needs demonstrating, you’re first up and doing it. But I need this …’ Then he showed me another photo, and I saw a dog with three sheep in a little mob.
What Razor was showing me, in his inimitable style, was that he needed me to bark from behind.
I can see that sort of thing working with someone of profoundly low intelligence but anyone with half a brain would surely double over with cringe.
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2025:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@Darren said in All Blacks 2025:
I'd love to know what he really is like as a coach, from the clips I have seen at training, he just seems to oversee things without being too directly involved, but I could and probably am totally incorrect.
From Sam Whitelock's book.....
Without doubt Razor sees things differently. Here’s a story from our first year working together that sums him up perfectly. I had played massive minutes for the Crusaders and the All Blacks over the past few years, and my body was screaming at me.
A niggly Achilles would plague me for the rest of my career. Razor got me into his office and showed me a photo..... of a rooster leading a group of hens across a bridge. He pointed at the rooster and said, ‘This is you.’
‘Okay,’ I said. ‘Where are you going with this one, Ray?’
‘If there’s something that needs doing, you’re the first one to do it. If there’s a drill that needs demonstrating, you’re first up and doing it. But I need this …’ Then he showed me another photo, and I saw a dog with three sheep in a little mob.
What Razor was showing me, in his inimitable style, was that he needed me to bark from behind.
I can see that sort of thing working with someone of profoundly low intelligence but anyone with half a brain would surely double over with cringe.
I can't quite figure out if Whitelock, who's clearly a very smart dude, was beIng ironic or not.
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@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:
@Darren said in All Blacks 2025:
I'd love to know what he really is like as a coach, from the clips I have seen at training, he just seems to oversee things without being too directly involved, but I could and probably am totally incorrect.
From Sam Whitelock's book.....
Without doubt Razor sees things differently. Here’s a story from our first year working together that sums him up perfectly. I had played massive minutes for the Crusaders and the All Blacks over the past few years, and my body was screaming at me.
A niggly Achilles would plague me for the rest of my career. Razor got me into his office and showed me a photo..... of a rooster leading a group of hens across a bridge. He pointed at the rooster and said, ‘This is you.’
‘Okay,’ I said. ‘Where are you going with this one, Ray?’
‘If there’s something that needs doing, you’re the first one to do it. If there’s a drill that needs demonstrating, you’re first up and doing it. But I need this …’ Then he showed me another photo, and I saw a dog with three sheep in a little mob.
What Razor was showing me, in his inimitable style, was that he needed me to bark from behind.
I can see that sort of thing working with someone of profoundly low intelligence but anyone with half a brain would surely double over with cringe.
@ShaquilleOatmeal so all the Crusaders he worked with over those successive championships were dummies
From here, it does seem an odd approach, but if it works, who cares...time is running out for Razor, and you'd have to think his coaching future with the ABs surely hinges on a successful tour north?
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LOL that's insane if my manager did that I'd think he's mad and start job hunting
@No-Quarter said in All Blacks 2025:
LOL that's insane if my manager did that I'd think he's mad and start job hunting
The sheep were probably thinking "We walk together..."
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@ShaquilleOatmeal so all the Crusaders he worked with over those successive championships were dummies
From here, it does seem an odd approach, but if it works, who cares...time is running out for Razor, and you'd have to think his coaching future with the ABs surely hinges on a successful tour north?
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2025:
@ShaquilleOatmeal so all the Crusaders he worked with over those successive championships were dummies
From here, it does seem an odd approach, but if it works, who cares...time is running out for Razor, and you'd have to think his coaching future with the ABs surely hinges on a successful tour north?
I think he's nailed on until 2027. NZR have invested too much skin in him. Lose too much face if they get rid of him.
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@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2025:
@ShaquilleOatmeal so all the Crusaders he worked with over those successive championships were dummies
From here, it does seem an odd approach, but if it works, who cares...time is running out for Razor, and you'd have to think his coaching future with the ABs surely hinges on a successful tour north?
I think he's nailed on until 2027. NZR have invested too much skin in him. Lose too much face if they get rid of him.
@Victor-Meldrew probably, but the damage to the All Black brand in the past 5 or 6 years is a bigger deal, if we lose 50% of the games, there needs to be some serious change, but expect this will just be more assistants moved on, but given Razors, er, innovative style, are you going to be able to attract any quality coaches to work with him?
As an aside, I am not adverse to a non-Kiwi in the team, provided they have the right credentials.
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The similarities are quite striking in terms of their management speak and also how they like to celebrate victories.
@sparky said in All Blacks 2025:
The similarities are quite striking in terms of their management speak and also how they like to celebrate victories.
If Razor is David Brent then which All Blacks are Keith ?
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The article from the Herald (I think) mentioned that Razor saw himself as the ‘culture’ coach with NFL style sub-coaching appointments for those who do, well, I guess the actual coaching.
@gt12 And I think history suggests he is quite a good culture coach - as stupid as it sounds our issues are in attack and defence.
The forwards are going quite well individually (suggests Ryan is doing his job), but if Robertson is brave he’ll clean house with the rest at the end of the year.
My worry is though, Wayne Smith as the new attack coach and I just don’t think that is a good idea.
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I know some would get rid of Razor, but that’s just doesn’t seem likely. Given Jason Ryan won’t (and shouldn’t) go either, I’d be intrigued to know what people with more knowledge than I see as a semi-realistic dream 2026 All Blacks Management group?
Scott Roberston (Head Coach)
Jason Ryan (Assistant Coach - Forwards)
NEW (Assistant Coach - Attack)
NEW (Assistant Coach - Defence)
NEW (Assistant Coach - Backs)
NEW (Coach)
Wayne Smith (Performance Coach) -
@gt12 And I think history suggests he is quite a good culture coach - as stupid as it sounds our issues are in attack and defence.
The forwards are going quite well individually (suggests Ryan is doing his job), but if Robertson is brave he’ll clean house with the rest at the end of the year.
My worry is though, Wayne Smith as the new attack coach and I just don’t think that is a good idea.
@frugby said in All Blacks 2025:
@gt12 And I think history suggests he is quite a good culture coach - as stupid as it sounds our issues are in attack and defence.
The forwards are going quite well individually (suggests Ryan is doing his job), but if Robertson is brave he’ll clean house with the rest at the end of the year.
My worry is though, Wayne Smith as the new attack coach and I just don’t think that is a good idea.
Do the ABs need a culture-focused coach?
It seems like that was a strength for the last 12 years.
Excellent actual coaching though…. -
@gt12 And I think history suggests he is quite a good culture coach - as stupid as it sounds our issues are in attack and defence.
The forwards are going quite well individually (suggests Ryan is doing his job), but if Robertson is brave he’ll clean house with the rest at the end of the year.
My worry is though, Wayne Smith as the new attack coach and I just don’t think that is a good idea.
@frugby said in All Blacks 2025:
The forwards are going quite well individually (suggests Ryan is doing his job)
i am starting to believe this isn't going as well as we thought. the set piece is going backwards, our ruck work leaves a lot to be desired, and defensively we are soft as butter.
