All Blacks 2026
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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.
.
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.
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@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:
I also find it strange you watched the Wellington loss and didn’t see the players walking around, basically not bothering.
Whilst I see your point I tried to watch this again recently to try and see the walking everyone is alluding to.
I obviously watch rugby differently as I think I just watch the ball...so didn't really notice the walking around.
If you, or anyone else, have some time stamps on the walking that'd be appreciated.
My general impression was we remained in this and generally at par until three qaurters of the way through when we turned down a three pointer and fucked up the lineout.
However I remain seriously fucked off at the RG Snyman try. That looked liked laziness to me.
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One of the mysteries of the 2025 season has to be why Beauden came back out v England in the second half.
It is very obvious that his leg was fucked at the end of the first half and he was running pretty gingerly on it at the start of the second when the game was still in the balance. It's not like whatever treatment he got at halftime made a major difference. He was not 100% for those 15 mins in that second half.
Hence why Jordan was taking penalty kicks to touch. Razors insistence on playing BB at all costs was frankly bizarre.
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@nonpartizan Beauden Barrett didn't have a good season at all in 2025. Robertson and co's instance on picking him when he was repeatedly off his game was very stubborn and strange. We'd have been better off giving DMac more game time or developing Ruben Love or Rivez Reihana as Test First Fives.
You're right it reached utter absurdity when they threw away the England game by keeping Beauden Barrett on for 15 minutes after half time when he was clearly broken.
It was almost as if he was the only one they trusted with the amazing game plan they thought they had, but which turned out to be exactly what England were expecting.
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@sparky said in All Blacks 2026:
We'd have been better off giving DMac more game time or developing Ruben Love or Rivez Reihana as Test First Fives.
Doesn't fit with the Richie Mo'unga strategy.
Honestly, RM had better be a bloody good 10 otherwise we're going to find ourselves screwed in a key position 1 year out from the RWC.
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@Victor-Meldrew My advice to youngsters is to find yourself someone who loves you like Scott Robertson loves "his quarterback."
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@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2026:
@sparky said in All Blacks 2026:
We'd have been better off giving DMac more game time or developing Ruben Love or Rivez Reihana as Test First Fives.
Doesn't fit with the Richie Mo'unga strategy.
Honestly, RM had better be a bloody good 10 otherwise we're going to find ourselves screwed in a key position 1 year out from the RWC.
Well I won't be expecting an improvement in kicking.
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@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
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.
I was one of those people.
Instead we pretty much blitzed it for 25 years (excepting RWCs, blew a few of those).
So it's different now, we have a great pro rugby legacy, and are a bit of rugby heavy weight, which we should be able to maintain, if we (NZR) are careful.After the great run of success, It does look to me like complacency has crept into the NZR hierarchy.
Being unable to adjust to a different competitive environment.The No. 1 priority is the national team, because all NZ rugby financials are predicated on the performance of that one team.
And we have a HC of that team who (with the ok it seems from NZR) seems to have decided how he wants to have the game played; without paying much regard to what the opposition are doing; and the rules of the game, as officiated.
Which is in stark contrast to the HC of our most serious opponents.And as for our great run; sure we had great players; but I always maintained it was our style of play that had them all fucked.
But eventually they figured us out . . . so now we have to come up with something new . . . not the same old shite . . . not guna beat the good teams anymore doin it the old way.
