All Blacks 2026
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@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:
@Chris said in All Blacks 2026:
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:
@jimmyb said in All Blacks 2026:
To make it very clear, Robertson needed to go. But, there is no way in hell this team is suddenly going to turn it around in 12 months. No way. Don’t have the cattle, don’t have the skills. After all, beating the ABs last year was literally down to kicking contestable kicks. At the end of the year we could likely be looking at:
- First loss at our fancy new Stadium to what will be a 1st string French team
- First loss at Eden park in how every many years (against Ireland)
- Potentially the Bledisloe gone (least likely)
- How much are Scotland fancying their chances on that first Nh game?
Strap yourself in guys. This could get seriously ugly
One thing I just don't buy is that we don't have the cattle. We do. It's about finding ways to get the best out of this cattle.
It's acceptable to say a side like the Highlanders don't have the cattle, but I don't accept for one second that this AB side doesn't have the cattle. It's a cop out.
The skills? Under the previous regime, yes, some of the skills in certain areas were lacking, but I do put some of that down to the coaching team.
And some down to players reclining form some due to miles on the clock.
Yup I can accept that. I also alluded to a lot of them falling into bad habits towards the end of last year, essentially doing what they want. But lack of cattle? Absolutely not, don't agree with that at all.
I guess the results will prove wether we have the cattle or not.
The next 2 years are going to be interesting, -
@Kiwiwomble said in All Blacks 2026:
i want a coach the firmly believe in the idiom a champion team will always beat a team of champions
too long we've picked the best individual players and then slotted people in around them rather than the best combinations
i would have no problem with a whole front row being picked form the same super team even if they were the second and fouth best probs individually....as long as theyre the best front row...same with loose forward trio, centre pairing and probably 9/10
agreed - also a coach that is able to pick players, bolters even, and they actually perform better and improve in the All Blacks environment (better tactics, coaching etc). Its been a while since we've had that. Nonu is the best example - had some average Super Rugby campaigns - but was always a super star for the ABs.
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I’ll say this:
Tony Brown and Jamie Joseph definitely had coffee in public. That’s a concious decision that they wanted to be seen together - or else they’d have just gone to one another’s properties.
The next working day they then brief the EXACT SAME THING.
These guys aren’t stupid… Brown says he doesn’t have a get out clause, but that also doesn’t mean he can’t get out.
This is all part of the games and negotiation. Joseph is clearly the preferred candidate, and he will play hardball - as he should.
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I like the theory very much, but it could just be really fucking good coffee.
I think Brown's points are pretty fair, at this stage NZRU probably needs to go talk with 2-3 people then quietly choose one.
The whole public showdown between candidates is something I'm sure candidates hate as well. It's unnecessary.
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@kiwiinmelb said in All Blacks 2026:
@Chris said in All Blacks 2026:
@kiwiinmelb said in All Blacks 2026:
@Chris said in All Blacks 2026:
@george33 said in All Blacks 2026:
@Chris find that hard to believe.
NZR will have there next group lined up if not signed up who ever it maybe.
Time is running out fast.I think Brown would know, all these reported sightings of Joseph and Brown together I am sure they would talked about it
Why would he say that if he didn't think it..Here in Australia, in afl and nrl , when players and coaches are questioned on contracts, you take their answers with a grain of salt .
They are like politicians.Yes best to say nothing but he has said a fair bit.which he didn't need to but knowing Brown he is an honest person.
The problem is , even if he’s going to take the job , he can’t say that yet,
But the fact he mentioned he is contracted probably indicates he can’t take it even if he wanted to .
I suspect there is fibs no one has spoken to him though , find that part hard to believe.I don't think anyone will run around talking to assistant coaches as a priority.
I not panic stricked about if we have JJ or anyone without Brown as assistant. -
@gt12 said in All Blacks 2026:
I like the theory very much, but it could just be really fucking good coffee.
I think Brown's points are pretty fair, at this stage NZRU probably needs to go talk with 2-3 people then quietly choose one.
The whole public showdown between candidates is something I'm sure candidates hate as well. It's unnecessary.
or they thought it would be a good laugh to wind up the press
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@gt12 said in All Blacks 2026:
The whole public showdown between candidates is something I'm sure candidates hate as well. It's unnecessary.
that is largely media driven (and here) even if NZR are conducting themselves 100% professionally, speculation will be rife.
People want/need things sorted today, not tomorrow.
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@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
@Kiwiwomble said in All Blacks 2026:
@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2026:
I am not sure I can believe Joseph that NZR have not been talking to him. I hope they are either seeking out candidates or will have the selection process in place quickly.
i remember having this discussion i think when Fozzie got the gig.....and being surprised they just went to the market rather than approaching people directly (maybe they did informally but officially at least)....is NZR too naïve? im not sure other major sporting organisations would post it on Seek and cross their fingers
I agree that the NZRU doesn't need to make the process "open". They need to draw up a list of potential candidates and contact them asap to see if they are interested
And to see what they're interested in - which role(s) and areas - and who else they're prepared to work with. I want to see a team put together. Joseph/Rennie/Cotter with ordinary assistants would be very disappointing.
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@frugby said in All Blacks 2026:
I’ll say this:
Tony Brown and Jamie Joseph definitely had coffee in public.
And that café is?
Not stalking (checks flights)... -
Question about Wayne Smith thinking Razor needed more time. How much time? 2 more years? I think there should be some indication at the 2 year mark and I agree with Kirk the trajectory didn't look great...
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@Kiwiwomble said in All Blacks 2026:
@gt12 said in All Blacks 2026:
I like the theory very much, but it could just be really fucking good coffee.
I think Brown's points are pretty fair, at this stage NZRU probably needs to go talk with 2-3 people then quietly choose one.
The whole public showdown between candidates is something I'm sure candidates hate as well. It's unnecessary.
or they thought it would be a good laugh to wind up the press
Everything these guys do is calculated. I get the inkling that NZR knew what the outcome of the review would be… they will have their candidate lined up.
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@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2026:
Question about Wayne Smith thinking Razor needed more time. How much time? 2 more years? I think there should be some indication at the 2 year mark and I agree with Kirk the trajectory didn't look great...
I'm slightly disappointed we wont get to see whether Mo was going to be the magic sauce for Razor, after he worked so hard to get him back.
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@Chris Maybe Kirk is thinking JJ and Brown together after 27 WC and that what is needed now is older heads to guide us through this manic hard upcoming 26 season and then the WC. Appointing JJ without Brown and losing the SA series and some other tests leaves a bad taste in publics mouth and the idea of JJ staying on even when Brown becomes available.
So an older team of Schmidt - Cotter - Rennie makes more sense at this time -
@Nepia said in All Blacks 2026:
@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2026:
Question about Wayne Smith thinking Razor needed more time. How much time? 2 more years? I think there should be some indication at the 2 year mark and I agree with Kirk the trajectory didn't look great...
I'm slightly disappointed we wont get to see whether Mo was going to be the magic sauce for Razor, after he worked so hard to get him back.
I'm tired of magic solutions. Don't think I'm alone.
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@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2026:
Question about Wayne Smith thinking Razor needed more time. How much time? 2 more years? I think there should be some indication at the 2 year mark and I agree with Kirk the trajectory didn't look great...
Utter load of shit in my opinion. Needs more time? He needs more time because he improved almost nothing in 2 whole years.
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One thing has been pretty clear. Every criticism of Roberston from when he was initially appointed (lacked international experience, wasn't actually doing the hands on coaching at the Crusaders, was not detailed oriented enough, I could go on...) turned out to be 100% accurate.
He also turned out to wildly provincially biased, in both his coaching and player selections. It was a massive blindspot.
At this point we could appoint a high school rugby coach and it would be an improvement for the All Blacks.
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@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2026:
@Nepia said in All Blacks 2026:
@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2026:
Question about Wayne Smith thinking Razor needed more time. How much time? 2 more years? I think there should be some indication at the 2 year mark and I agree with Kirk the trajectory didn't look great...
I'm slightly disappointed we wont get to see whether Mo was going to be the magic sauce for Razor, after he worked so hard to get him back.
I'm tired of magic solutions. Don't think I'm alone.
Oh I agree, but essentially we've been sold this for two years, now we're not going to see whether it would have worked or not.
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@Nepia said in All Blacks 2026:
@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2026:
Question about Wayne Smith thinking Razor needed more time. How much time? 2 more years? I think there should be some indication at the 2 year mark and I agree with Kirk the trajectory didn't look great...
I'm slightly disappointed we wont get to see whether Mo was going to be the magic sauce for Razor, after he worked so hard to get him back.
If his whole game plan hinged on his return, he's not the guy we needed
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@Kirwan said in All Blacks 2026:
One thing has been pretty clear. Every criticism of Roberston from when he was initially appointed (lacked international experience, wasn't actually doing the hands on coaching at the Crusaders, was not detailed oriented enough, I could go on...) turned out to be 100% accurate.
He also turned out to wildly provincially biased, in both his coaching and player selections. It was a massive blindspot.
At this point we could appoint a high school rugby coach and it would be an improvement for the All Blacks.
He didn't pick any Blues (except the dud ones), but if anything he picked too many Chiefs, not Crusaders.
I don't really buy the international experience either.
A lack of detail though, fuck yes that was pretty obvious.
