All Blacks 2026
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@Godder said in All Blacks 2026:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2026:
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2026:
have to think someone like Mealamu who is obviously fairly close to things still would be well aware if one or two players are gettign too big for themselves and pull them back into line or be equally as keen to push them out the door if they are contributing to a toxic environment.
PLenty of these older players will be hurting from the past 5 or 6 years, regardless of Marshall being a twat, the issues he has had in the public eye with Akira stem from his love of the jersey and seeing it devalued, and probably like most, frustrated that someone as talented as Akira never quite turned that final corner and realised the immense talent he possessed.
Marshall was quite adamant that Razor was doing an ok job as coach, wasn't he?
I seem to recall Marshall becoming increasingly critical of the way the ABs were performing. But he drew the line at criticising Razor. Goldie and to a lesser extent Mils were also increasingly vocal. I suppose they weren't overly surprised when he got the chop, although they acted like they were. Maybe because no one had ever been fired mid cycle before?
I think you've nailed it with the last sentence. Decades of cautious Boards, and then suddenly they
axeand the coach mutually agree to end the coach's contract - was clearly quite surprising to all pundits once rumours started swirling that it might actually happen.Another of Razor's unwanted firsts for the ABs
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@nostrildamus 4 deep as a concept is fine.
But it should be based on knowing your top 15-23 first, ensuring they play enough together to have a rock solid team dynamic and then, and only then deepening the pool.
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@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:
Left field thought after reading this post: if we wanted someone in the camp who has been exceptional in recent memory, a heap of mana, high standards to set an example for others, no nonsense to keep people in line... I wonder how much coaching Ma'a has been getting done between his playing appearances?
Probably not as much as he had intended!
But if you could extend that to potential manager, Thorn, Mealamu etc might be worth a look. -
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2026:
I'm happy with his legacy as the best ever AB 12 with extraordinary longevity.
He joined them as a trainee coach I thought, he wanted that pathway...
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@nzzp said in All Blacks 2026:
@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2026:
I think our selection and development could be improved. The 4 deep a position promise didn't seem to happen in 2 years, I wonder if it is practical.
Aiming for players to be test level in two positions seemed really ambitious when we coulnd't get most to test level in one!
Actually that might be a good one to aim for and three for some positions (7, 10) for example..
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The four players deep in each position idea was nonsense and probably just Robertson saying whatever came into his head at that particular moment in time. There’s no way you can have that many players with significant and recent test experience. It’s just not possible. And ten minutes off the bench against Japan four years before they get the call up again doesn’t cut it.
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@george33 said in All Blacks 2026:
Let's be clear Hansen and Ryan will be shown the door only contract wise they aren't sacked yet that day is coming.
Would they be for sure. Jamie Joseph has worked with Hansen at Japan, though chances are he will go. Vern cotter and Joseph are both forward type coaches , so maybe Ryan at risk? I would like say head coach and 1 assistant, then under that whatever skill coaches etc they need. Just wonder if part of problem is too many messages, but that from well outside and not know exactly how it works. Just think 2 in dressing room before game should be enough, actually from Captains run onwards just two giving messages should be enough?
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@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2026:
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2026:
have to think someone like Mealamu who is obviously fairly close to things still would be well aware if one or two players are gettign too big for themselves and pull them back into line or be equally as keen to push them out the door if they are contributing to a toxic environment.
PLenty of these older players will be hurting from the past 5 or 6 years, regardless of Marshall being a twat, the issues he has had in the public eye with Akira stem from his love of the jersey and seeing it devalued, and probably like most, frustrated that someone as talented as Akira never quite turned that final corner and realised the immense talent he possessed.
Marshall was quite adamant that Razor was doing an ok job as coach, wasn't he?
I seem to recall Marshall becoming increasingly critical of the way the ABs were performing. But he drew the line at criticising Razor. Goldie and to a lesser extent Mils were also increasingly vocal. I suppose they weren't overly surprised when he got the chop, although they acted like they were. Maybe because no one had ever been fired mid cycle before?
I thought that too although then remembered Wayne Smith got replaced by John Mitchell mid WC cycle in 2001. Although in that case Smith may have only been on a two year contract (?) although it was expected he would be reappointed.
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@Biorealism said in All Blacks 2026:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2026:
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2026:
have to think someone like Mealamu who is obviously fairly close to things still would be well aware if one or two players are gettign too big for themselves and pull them back into line or be equally as keen to push them out the door if they are contributing to a toxic environment.
PLenty of these older players will be hurting from the past 5 or 6 years, regardless of Marshall being a twat, the issues he has had in the public eye with Akira stem from his love of the jersey and seeing it devalued, and probably like most, frustrated that someone as talented as Akira never quite turned that final corner and realised the immense talent he possessed.
Marshall was quite adamant that Razor was doing an ok job as coach, wasn't he?
I seem to recall Marshall becoming increasingly critical of the way the ABs were performing. But he drew the line at criticising Razor. Goldie and to a lesser extent Mils were also increasingly vocal. I suppose they weren't overly surprised when he got the chop, although they acted like they were. Maybe because no one had ever been fired mid cycle before?
I thought that too although then remembered Wayne Smith got replaced by John Mitchell mid WC cycle in 2001. Although in that case Smith may have only been on a two year contract (?) although it was expected he would be reappointed.
IIRC Smith went into his offseason review and basically questioned whether he was the right man for the job. The board read that as he was not the guy they wanted to run the ship and picked Mitchell
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@Biorealism said in All Blacks 2026:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2026:
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2026:
have to think someone like Mealamu who is obviously fairly close to things still would be well aware if one or two players are gettign too big for themselves and pull them back into line or be equally as keen to push them out the door if they are contributing to a toxic environment.
PLenty of these older players will be hurting from the past 5 or 6 years, regardless of Marshall being a twat, the issues he has had in the public eye with Akira stem from his love of the jersey and seeing it devalued, and probably like most, frustrated that someone as talented as Akira never quite turned that final corner and realised the immense talent he possessed.
Marshall was quite adamant that Razor was doing an ok job as coach, wasn't he?
I seem to recall Marshall becoming increasingly critical of the way the ABs were performing. But he drew the line at criticising Razor. Goldie and to a lesser extent Mils were also increasingly vocal. I suppose they weren't overly surprised when he got the chop, although they acted like they were. Maybe because no one had ever been fired mid cycle before?
I thought that too although then remembered Wayne Smith got replaced by John Mitchell mid WC cycle in 2001. Although in that case Smith may have only been on a two year contract (?) although it was expected he would be reappointed.
Wikipedia says Smith reapplied but Mitchell was appointed instead so I think you're right about the contract expiring rather than being terminated partway through the term.
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@Biorealism said in All Blacks 2026:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2026:
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2026:
have to think someone like Mealamu who is obviously fairly close to things still would be well aware if one or two players are gettign too big for themselves and pull them back into line or be equally as keen to push them out the door if they are contributing to a toxic environment.
PLenty of these older players will be hurting from the past 5 or 6 years, regardless of Marshall being a twat, the issues he has had in the public eye with Akira stem from his love of the jersey and seeing it devalued, and probably like most, frustrated that someone as talented as Akira never quite turned that final corner and realised the immense talent he possessed.
Marshall was quite adamant that Razor was doing an ok job as coach, wasn't he?
I seem to recall Marshall becoming increasingly critical of the way the ABs were performing. But he drew the line at criticising Razor. Goldie and to a lesser extent Mils were also increasingly vocal. I suppose they weren't overly surprised when he got the chop, although they acted like they were. Maybe because no one had ever been fired mid cycle before?
I thought that too although then remembered Wayne Smith got replaced by John Mitchell mid WC cycle in 2001. Although in that case Smith may have only been on a two year contract (?) although it was expected he would be reappointed.
Definitely on a two year contract. He wasn't fired
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@Godder said in All Blacks 2026:
Wikipedia says Smith reapplied but Mitchell was appointed instead so I think you're right about the contract expiring rather than being terminated partway through the term.
I think it did expire, that wasn't the main story though.
He did an interview on radio where he got asked if he wanted to continue/thought he was up to it. He responded with something like "I don't know". He then clarified a few days later that he did want the job
He basically quit by accident, changed his mind and reapplied.
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@Duluth said in All Blacks 2026:
He basically quit by accident, changed his mind and reapplied.
I thought the board asked him if he was the best person to be head coach, and he answered effectively saying if there's someone better then no. He's very honest, but that got read as he didn't rate himself. Not sure if I've explained that and I can't even remember where I read it, possible an autobiography?
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@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
@Biorealism said in All Blacks 2026:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2026:
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2026:
have to think someone like Mealamu who is obviously fairly close to things still would be well aware if one or two players are gettign too big for themselves and pull them back into line or be equally as keen to push them out the door if they are contributing to a toxic environment.
PLenty of these older players will be hurting from the past 5 or 6 years, regardless of Marshall being a twat, the issues he has had in the public eye with Akira stem from his love of the jersey and seeing it devalued, and probably like most, frustrated that someone as talented as Akira never quite turned that final corner and realised the immense talent he possessed.
Marshall was quite adamant that Razor was doing an ok job as coach, wasn't he?
I seem to recall Marshall becoming increasingly critical of the way the ABs were performing. But he drew the line at criticising Razor. Goldie and to a lesser extent Mils were also increasingly vocal. I suppose they weren't overly surprised when he got the chop, although they acted like they were. Maybe because no one had ever been fired mid cycle before?
I thought that too although then remembered Wayne Smith got replaced by John Mitchell mid WC cycle in 2001. Although in that case Smith may have only been on a two year contract (?) although it was expected he would be reappointed.
IIRC Smith went into his offseason review and basically questioned whether he was the right man for the job. The board read that as he was not the guy they wanted to run the ship and picked Mitchell
Pretty much how I remember it, although I think he it may have been he did a real Smith like thing in that he wanted the board to confirm their confidence in him. (Subtly different, and am not sure which is correct. )
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You guys are going to get told off for bringing old news up.
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@booboo said in All Blacks 2026:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
@Biorealism said in All Blacks 2026:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2026:
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2026:
have to think someone like Mealamu who is obviously fairly close to things still would be well aware if one or two players are gettign too big for themselves and pull them back into line or be equally as keen to push them out the door if they are contributing to a toxic environment.
PLenty of these older players will be hurting from the past 5 or 6 years, regardless of Marshall being a twat, the issues he has had in the public eye with Akira stem from his love of the jersey and seeing it devalued, and probably like most, frustrated that someone as talented as Akira never quite turned that final corner and realised the immense talent he possessed.
Marshall was quite adamant that Razor was doing an ok job as coach, wasn't he?
I seem to recall Marshall becoming increasingly critical of the way the ABs were performing. But he drew the line at criticising Razor. Goldie and to a lesser extent Mils were also increasingly vocal. I suppose they weren't overly surprised when he got the chop, although they acted like they were. Maybe because no one had ever been fired mid cycle before?
I thought that too although then remembered Wayne Smith got replaced by John Mitchell mid WC cycle in 2001. Although in that case Smith may have only been on a two year contract (?) although it was expected he would be reappointed.
IIRC Smith went into his offseason review and basically questioned whether he was the right man for the job. The board read that as he was not the guy they wanted to run the ship and picked Mitchell
Pretty much how I remember it, although I think he it may have been he did a real Smith like thing in that he wanted the board to confirm their confidence in him. (Subtly different, and am not sure which is correct. )
Either way, he basically gave himself a no confidence vote, committing coaching Hari Kari
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@sparky said in All Blacks 2026:
It's hardly news that a number of All Blacks over the years have enjoyed having a few roots away from home on a tour.
And I've met pious, religious types who turn out to be into crazy stuff nocturnally.
The bit about a player being a Machiavellian genius and manipulating twenty other people against the coach is the part I find significantly harder to believe.
That would also imply that Ardie's kava sessions are more open and inclusive than has been suggested.
