All Blacks 2026
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The All Blacks have been in a significant decline for some time now. By international standards, they are average at the breakdown and poor in defence and they don't have great pace out wide. They have a few world class players, but even they rarely go 80 minutes without making big mistakes. They lack on-field leadership. Add to that a lack of attention to detail and a poor and unclear game plan from the PR-obsessed coaching group, it's little surprise they are a long way off being world beaters. South Africa are the dominant side in world Rugby in the 2020s.
I think that pattern will continue in 2026. South Africa, France and England being better coached and having more talent than the ABs. Scotland, Argentina, Ireland and Australia are about the same standard as the ABs, but don't have the same depth to cope with injuries, fatigue and suspensions. With the ABs having to wait for games against Wales or Italy to score big, convincing wins.
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@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
We went through this with a lot of people when Lomu played, there were some thought he was a highlight package player, because he didn't play as they though wingers should.
I blame the coaches for that.
I don't think he was ever employed as effectively as he might have been by the AB coaches.
Too much coming off the wing for some midfield crash ball.
Any big boofhead can do that.
And I think the opposing coaches were happy with that too.
Much better than seeing him outwide in a one-on-one, or a none-on-one.The coaches were working with his size, when they should have been working on utilising his speed.
Mega speed and mega size . . . in the one player; that is what made Lomu unique.Not enough effort put in to trying to get him in space.
"Normal" wing play.
With his speed, plus the size, he'd be under the posts everytime if he got into space.
That did happen, but should have happened a lot more.On the side . . . he'd be completely shite dropping back to get under to-days high ball.
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@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
I definitely think (or bloody hope) he learning on the jab as he goes.
Haha.
I certainly f'n hope so, or we got no chance!
I don't think any "New Zealand only" coaches have the correct formula for Test match rugby ATM.
Not just Razor.
Or at any level of international rugby for that matter . . . guys/girls/juniors/15s/7s.
We just gettin by on individual skills. -
@chchfanatic said in All Blacks 2026:
I think Razor was always up against it , no matter how well he did. The nth island journos hammer him on everything. Which is par for the course and something I’m sure he expected.
I don't know who are from N or S Island (unless they write for NZ Herald I guess) but is there a marked N v S island distinction in the press regards Razor coverage/opinion pieces?
I believe (don’t know) that he never got the coaching group he wanted at the start.
Apart from Brown, I wonder who he wanted.
He put forward the group that NZ rugby would want to see , to win the job. If you know what I’m trying to say. I think we may see ROG or Andrew Goodman at some stage.
I thought ROG was in a secure role overseas?
I think he thought his theming and culture from the crusaders would work and it hasn’t. From what I’ve heard Ardie has been quite hard to deal with.
Any more details on where/why Ardie was allegedly difficult?
Did the All Blacks actually have that bad a year.?
Looking back, average. Looking forwards, worrying.
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Ardie allegedly difficult? So why did they not drop him? Hoskins allegedly lazy, then he won SR and was player of the year, so why didn't they try him? Dalton allegedly won't play for the ABs while Razor is coach. Panadol and Holland both leave, Leon allegedly had difficulties with the coaching setup. Where there's smoke surely there's fire right?
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@Nepia said in All Blacks 2026:
@chchfanatic said in All Blacks 2026:
I think Razor was always up against it , no matter how well he did. The nth island journos hammer him on everything.
I know @Duluth refuted this point already but it bears repeating, this is fucking nonsense. The media kissed him on the dick constantly and even now he's got a team of journos running defence for him.
Also, when you did spend time here, you would have noticed that Razor had pretty much broad support from all the posters of here who think too highly of ourselves when he was first chosen to be the coach.
I thought he was the Messiah when we gave him the gig.
He has well and truly fluffed his lines though.
All I want is whats best for the Allblacks.
And Razor aint it.
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Current player rankings at January 1.
AB25 and SR26 player rankings.
Rankings are by starts in 25.
The SR26 players are ranked by NPC25 selections.
Unavailable thru injury drops a player down the rankings.
No SR26 WTG players are included.
The stand-out observation is at the No. 7 position, which is quite topical.
Assuming all NPC squads run two 7s in their squads (28 players); only one of them actually made it onto an SR roster.
This must be a policy decision by the selectors.
In SR26 the 7 position is going to be filled by 6s and 8s.
Remembering also, that the national team No. 7 does not play for an NZ SR team, and does not play the position in what most ferners would consider the "proper" way. -
Actually while not quite understanding how the or who rated the player above , I always wondered how Segner would go at 7 at top level. I first saw him playing for NZ schools team against Aus in Brisbane a few years back, and thought then he had the makings. I like how he's played for Blues and Auckland, but seems he never caught selectors eye.
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@sparky said in All Blacks 2026:
The All Blacks have been in a significant decline for some time now. By international standards, they are average at the breakdown and poor in defence and they don't have great pace out wide. They have a few world class players, but even they rarely go 80 minutes without making big mistakes. They lack on-field leadership. Add to that a lack of attention to detail and a poor and unclear game plan from the PR-obsessed coaching group, it's little surprise they are a long way off being world beaters. South Africa are the dominant side in world Rugby in the 2020s.
I think that pattern will continue in 2026. South Africa, France and England being better coached and having more talent than the ABs. Scotland, Argentina, Ireland and Australia are about the same standard as the ABs, but don't have the same depth to cope with injuries, fatigue and suspensions. With the ABs having to wait for games against Wales or Italy to score big, convincing wins.
I think this more or less get's the point. We had years where we had best ever players , and now we in somewhat of a depression. As I have said, I have seen it before, I think it show even more now because the rest of world just have top players.
We along with probably Ireland may just still be considered punching above weight, and we may need to see some players coming through younger ranks., which we seem to be struggling with at moment.
On South Africa, France and England they are finally showing the strength they should with size of population and player numbers. That's not an excuse it's realism, we have always had that fact, and have been fortunate that these places took so long to take advantage of what they had going for them. SA I believe have after 30 odd years of being held back by apartheid (and only having a small amount of population etc in game) have got to where they will be hard to knock off for a while. I recall in early 90s when game was leaning looking at going pro, many saying NZ would be struggling to stay competitive within 10-20 years. Of course coaching etc makes a difference, and we still have a few (in my opinion) good ones, but I genuinely think we still got a few more years of not being number 1 (much as dislike thinking it).
I wish I was smart enough to have answers.(mind you if I did I would be back on rugby union boards and trying to get ideas through), but I don't. -
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2026:
@Snowy said in All Blacks 2026:
@MacDazzler said in All Blacks 2026:
Foster got far more criticism from the media.
Yep and Foster had many more years of poor performance to earn it (could even go back to his time with the Chiefs, if the point really needed to be driven home).
We should judge and critique AB coaches on their performance as AB coaches. - not on their performance in SR or their work with Hamner Springs 3rd's or whatever.
Same goes for the media - though I suspect having invested so much capital in extolling Robertson's genius, that's a pretty hard emotional wrench.
Which is why the SR comment was in brackets. It has some relevance though as they get the job in the first place based on their previous experience and results. A person's expertise in a field is generally judged on their whole body of work and Foster's was not great before, or during, his AB time (as a head coach, difficult to know too much when he was assistant). We all know how you feel about Ian so I'm not going to labour the point that he (deservedly IMO) got a tough time in the press. Robertson will end up there as well if the results continue to be poor for a s long as Foster's were.
I do agree that Robertson was over hyped to start with, and a more measured approach would have meant that a change of opinion (for some) wouldn't be quite such a loss of "face".
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@Snowy said in All Blacks 2026:
We all know how you feel about Ian so I'm not going to labour the point that he (deservedly IMO) got a tough time in the press.
I thought NZR should have got rid of Foster after the Ireland series. I just didn't fall for the theory that all the AB's problems were down to one bloke, thought there were way deeper problems and the Coach Messiah theory was bollocks. They missed an opportunity to dig deep, find and fix things.
Robertson will end up there as well if the results continue to be poor for a s long as Foster's were.
It'll be worse, probably. Let's hope the rumours which came out post-EOYT are overblown and the review actually identifies and fixes things - otherwise it could get really ugly. Hell hath no fury like a conned press.
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@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2026:
@Snowy said in All Blacks 2026:
We all know how you feel about Ian so I'm not going to labour the point that he (deservedly IMO) got a tough time in the press.
I thought NZR should have got rid of Foster after the Ireland series. I just didn't fall for the theory that all the AB's problems were down to one bloke, thought there were way deeper problems and the Coach Messiah theory was bollocks. They missed an opportunity to dig deep, find and fix things.
Robertson will end up there as well if the results continue to be poor for a s long as Foster's were.
It'll be worse, probably. Let's hope the rumours which came out post-EOYT are overblown and the review actually identifies and fixes things - otherwise it could get really ugly. Hell hath no fury like a conned press.
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NZR didn't, and completely lost the plot after that, falling into a
I'm looking forward to the next part of your post, do I need to subscribe ?
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Marc Hinton is finally questioning BB's selection, and that of SB.
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@MN5 said in All Blacks 2026:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2026:
@Snowy said in All Blacks 2026:
We all know how you feel about Ian so I'm not going to labour the point that he (deservedly IMO) got a tough time in the press.
I thought NZR should have got rid of Foster after the Ireland series. I just didn't fall for the theory that all the AB's problems were down to one bloke, thought there were way deeper problems and the Coach Messiah theory was bollocks. They missed an opportunity to dig deep, find and fix things.
Robertson will end up there as well if the results continue to be poor for a s long as Foster's were.
It'll be worse, probably. Let's hope the rumours which came out post-EOYT are overblown and the review actually identifies and fixes things - otherwise it could get really ugly. Hell hath no fury like a conned press.
.
NZR didn't, and completely lost the plot after that, falling into a
I'm looking forward to the next part of your post, do I need to subscribe ?
Stick to OnlyFans - You couldn't afford my subscription.
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2026:
Marc Hinton is finally questioning BB's selection, and that of SB.
Are any NZ Rugby writers able to write articles without wanking on about Richie Mounga ?
I'm generally curious.
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@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2026:
@Snowy said in All Blacks 2026:
We all know how you feel about Ian so I'm not going to labour the point that he (deservedly IMO) got a tough time in the press.
I thought NZR should have got rid of Foster after the Ireland series. I just didn't fall for the theory that all the AB's problems were down to one bloke, thought there were way deeper problems and the Coach Messiah theory was bollocks. They missed an opportunity to dig deep, find and fix things.
Robertson will end up there as well if the results continue to be poor for a s long as Foster's were.
It'll be worse, probably. Let's hope the rumours which came out post-EOYT are overblown and the review actually identifies and fixes things - otherwise it could get really ugly. Hell hath no fury like a conned press.
.
I certainly agree with all of that.
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@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:
@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:
@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:
@Nepia said in All Blacks 2026:
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2026:
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2026:
@Nepia said in All Blacks 2026:
@Yeetyaah said in All Blacks 2026:
Robert Van Rooyen circle jerk for ya
Crusaders circle jerk with Knowler there alongside him although Knowler was playing the (only) slightly more balanced role in the exchange.
Takeaways:
- Mo'unga was finally coming right after 50 tests when he took the Yen and ran.
- Everything was BB's fault.
- The assistant coaches are all good because they once made the Crusaders backline "hiss".
- Barrett is fine despite the fact he needs to play better and tidy up his discipline which has been shit all career.
- Razor doesn't have the cattle but also the team makes too many unforced errors and they'd threaten the Boks without those (so wait we do have the cattle?)
- The most important thing it the ABs are peaking in 2027 (fuck off, we're not a RWC only team).
They've done that with the ABs backline too in that they hiss while they're deflating.
You'd think these 2 fanboy 'journos' would have gotten the message that Super Rugby and Test Rigby are worlds apart by now.
Regular Show is wonderful, used to enjoy watching it with my boys.
But to address your point, Ardie Savea made quite a number of World Teams of the year so that should tell you all you need to know.
A great highlights reel player.
Has someone put together a highlights reel for him for 2025?
Has someone put together a lowlights reel of him walking on defence, refusing to hit rucks and being miles away from where he’s required? I’m only semi-joking here - it’d be interesting to see the reaction from fans who only watch highlights.
They'd just call it fake news
'He's allowed a break after carrying the team on his own for all these years'
I just don't get the Ardie hate that goes on in here. He was absolutely worn out at end of this year, but bet he be one first named in team going forward. Well he would be in my team, Hiw man problem year just gone was coaches running him into ground, and that started with Tana in super.
You also think James Parsons is a good analyst and claim to have seen much worse performing All Blacks teams.
Yep ! And your point is? Are you upset because I see things differently than you?
I also don't believe I have seen as much strength of test teams around world.Not upset at all. Just pointing out you seem to be well off the mark fairly often and are very accepting of mediocrity from the team. How exactly do you think it’s okay for an openside flanker to not bother hitting rucks? How is it okay for any player to walk on defence? How does that not place more burden on the other players? How is it okay for any player others look up to to and follow to phone it in the way Savea does?
Am I off the mark, or are you? You seem very confident you know a lot more about game than those who don't agree with you. You seemed to point out I enjoy Parson.s analilysis too? Hell I take notice of Mauss on here, I find he does work on analysing games, where as I watch them at park or on tv, and take my opinions from that. Which is ok, but very very limited.
Mate as I said it all opinions, I got mine, as I said I don't understand the hate. hey many paid pundits and coaches agree me with me obviously. Hey I not in the Will Jordan at 15 fanboi group either, but figure coaches work on having a plan for how he plays.
We had a poster/s (can't remember who) saying they couldn't see what the big deal was with Fabian Holland too. I haven't seen all this walking on defence etc, and it's actually not unusual for loosies (especially 7s) to not hit rucks, as they tend to go for steal, but often if they can't get it set up in defence, I think some loosies hit rucks because they think that's there job, but sometimes (as with Props, locks etc etc) you better to stay out of them, as Boks looked to do in Wellington at times.
Also by all means tell me where I said mediocrity is ok from All Blacks, or are you just making stuff up. I am one who argues against picking teams on what we need for WC, as I think we should try and win every game.I’ve decided to briefly respond to this by saying I’d like you to explain your options more and answer some of the questions being asked of you.
When did you see worse All Blacks teams than the 2025 lot and in which ways were they worse? I’m genuinely interested in this because I’m not old enough to remember anything earlier than the mid-90s and there are a few reasons I think the terrible 1998 run wasn’t as bad as 2025.
And what makes you say Savea performed well in 2025, other than being on the field a lot? I also find it strange you watched the Wellington loss and didn’t see the players walking around, basically not bothering.
As far as Parsons is concerned, he comes across as someone trying to come up with excuses for the All Blacks’ poor performances, scraping at the bottom of the barrel for random statistics because he’s worried about getting offside with his mates. It’s not so much that I think I know more than him. It’s that I don’t think he’s being honest.
