All Blacks 2026
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@taniwharugby Very much
I really want Proctor to remind us why so many of us were keen to see him given a go at test level.
A 10 that involves him in the attack will be a start and not just employed as a dummy runner.
Get his confidence back.
To me big seasons ahead for
Dmac
Proctor
Jordie Barrett (whatever position they need but also as a leader)
Roigard (hopefully injury free) & Favatava as a bench impact
A new exciting winger to invigorate the attack
A forward pack that scares teams..... -
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:
One of the things about the omission of Sotutu was his inability to play on both sides of the ball, yet for the whole 2025, that's all Sititi did.
As I said about Parker, the way Sititi played in the ABs was different to how he played in the Chiefs. Even allowing for form, that must come down to the AB coaches and their tactics. Indicative of the ineffectiveness of the AB loose forwards.
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https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360929565/man-who-brought-down-scott-robertson
I have a small amount of sympathy for the argument that Robertson was not exactly spoiled for obvious captains when he took over. But either Savea or Dalton Papali’i would have been a more cohesive and inspirational choice. Whether Savea is still now electable after supposedly blindsiding his coach is debatable. Indeed, it is currently being debated in South Africa amongst other places.
And what of Papali’i? The former Blues captain was mysteriously jettisoned as Robertson seemed to alienate half the Blues squad that had won Super Rugby just a year earlier. Mark Telea and Hoskins Sotutu went overseas, Rieko Ioane was progressively demoted and Papali’i was thrown into exile. It was very odd.
So when the review came it was not surprising that a number of players said that Robertson was too remote, that he didn’t connect or engage. That was enough for NZR chairman David Kirk. The sacking was ruthless, but Kirk is a businessman. If he was going to fail with the All Blacks, then he would fail on his own terms.
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@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2026:
Super rugby will be interesting with these much maligned players and how they respond and play there (Sititi, Parker, BB, Proctor, SB et a) in thier more comfortable environment.
Remember Scott Barrett has a non playing sabbatical this SR season.
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@Frank said in All Blacks 2026:
@Tim said in All Blacks 2026:
So when the review came it was not surprising that a number of players said that Robertson was too remote, that he didn’t connect or engage.
Funny coz that was meant to be his strong suit
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@Tim said in All Blacks 2026:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360929565/man-who-brought-down-scott-robertson
I have a small amount of sympathy for the argument that Robertson was not exactly spoiled for obvious captains when he took over. But either Savea or Dalton Papali’i would have been a more cohesive and inspirational choice. Whether Savea is still now electable after supposedly blindsiding his coach is debatable. Indeed, it is currently being debated in South Africa amongst other places.
And what of Papali’i? The former Blues captain was mysteriously jettisoned as Robertson seemed to alienate half the Blues squad that had won Super Rugby just a year earlier. Mark Telea and Hoskins Sotutu went overseas, Rieko Ioane was progressively demoted and Papali’i was thrown into exile. It was very odd.
So when the review came it was not surprising that a number of players said that Robertson was too remote, that he didn’t connect or engage. That was enough for NZR chairman David Kirk. The sacking was ruthless, but Kirk is a businessman. If he was going to fail with the All Blacks, then he would fail on his own terms.
I feel far more confident that Kirk will follow due process and make reasonable decisions compared to Robinson
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@Duluth said in All Blacks 2026:
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2026:
Super rugby will be interesting with these much maligned players and how they respond and play there (Sititi, Parker, BB, Proctor, SB et a) in thier more comfortable environment.
Remember Scott Barrett has a non playing sabbatical this SR season.
no playing? i didn't realise
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@Kiwiwomble said in All Blacks 2026:
@Duluth said in All Blacks 2026:
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2026:
Super rugby will be interesting with these much maligned players and how they respond and play there (Sititi, Parker, BB, Proctor, SB et a) in thier more comfortable environment.
Remember Scott Barrett has a non playing sabbatical this SR season.
no playing? i didn't realise
I presume it's to rest his back. He's had back issues over the last couple of years
I wonder if he'll cut the break short like Codie Taylor did in 2024
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@Kiwiwomble said in All Blacks 2026:
@Duluth said in All Blacks 2026:
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2026:
Super rugby will be interesting with these much maligned players and how they respond and play there (Sititi, Parker, BB, Proctor, SB et a) in thier more comfortable environment.
Remember Scott Barrett has a non playing sabbatical this SR season.
no playing? i didn't realise
So much like 2025 with the ABs then...
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@Duluth could make or break his career i guess.
Comes back refreshed and energised, or, realises that his body doesnt like the grind...I know I have mentioned it before, but with him not playing, Ardie in Japan, is even less reason for the next captain to be announced until the squad is assembled.
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@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2026:
@Duluth could make or break his career i guess.
Comes back refreshed and energised, or, realises that his body doesnt like the grind...I know I have mentioned it before, but with him not playing, Ardie in Japan, is even less reason for the next captain to be announced until the squad is assembled.
Premediation is fine when picking the captain, as long as the guy is an undisputable pick (which SB was not IMHO). Razor fell into the Taine Randell trap
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@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2026:
@Duluth could make or break his career i guess.
Comes back refreshed and energised, or, realises that his body doesnt like the grind...I know I have mentioned it before, but with him not playing, Ardie in Japan, is even less reason for the next captain to be announced until the squad is assembled.
Don't think either Foster or Robertson named their captain until the squads were announced so would be very surprising if the next coach bucked the trend.
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@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2026:
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2026:
@Duluth could make or break his career i guess.
Comes back refreshed and energised, or, realises that his body doesnt like the grind...I know I have mentioned it before, but with him not playing, Ardie in Japan, is even less reason for the next captain to be announced until the squad is assembled.
Don't think either Foster or Robertson named their captain until the squads were announced so would be very surprising if the next coach bucked the trend.
Funny. I recall different.
Happy to be proven wrong though.
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Cane was announced during the COVID lockdowns in rather bizarre circumstances when they didn’t have any games scheduled
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Ah yes was wrong on the Cane front but extenuating circumstances...
Foster said at the time: “We wanted to confirm Sam now because he’ll play a key role helping us plan for whatever the future looks like and will be working behind the scenes with the other leaders."
And yes, Barrett was announced alongside the first squad of the year in 2024.
