All Blacks 2026
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@brodean said in All Blacks 2026:
@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:
@sparky Itâs disappointing he didnât stick around through 2027 to see how things unfold.
Points towards a breakdown in his relationship with NZR, not just with Razor
I bet this was on before he knew Razor was going.
Points to someone not willing to fight to earn his spot to me.Not about fight. Putting his actions together with the rumours, Dalton is turning his back on NZR because he feels like he was not supported
OK, I suppose you can say that about any player that head overseas.
I just assume they going because they can get more cash than they will if they not picked.
I make no 2 ways about it, I don't know why these players are all seemingly starting to need support etc. I guess it just way is now .
And I not just saying rugby players, but all sports seem to be having problems with athletes needing looking after.He made it pretty clear that it was about earning for his family. I dont have any issues with that. The reality is the lure of the All Blacks jersey isnt what it once was.
A signed contract offers more certainty for players who are out of favour.
Couldn't agree more .That exactly what I was saying, he's not going because of lak of support , or for the rumour etc, he going because the certainty of the money is what he wants.
I in no way have a problem with him for that.@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
Couldn't agree more .That exactly what I was saying, he's not going because of lak of support , or for the rumour etc, he going because the certainty of the money is what he wants.
I in no way have a problem with him for that.He's not exactly going to come out and talk about these reasons publicly - at least not yet
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@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
Couldn't agree more .That exactly what I was saying, he's not going because of lak of support , or for the rumour etc, he going because the certainty of the money is what he wants.
I in no way have a problem with him for that.He's not exactly going to come out and talk about these reasons publicly - at least not yet
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2026:
@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
Couldn't agree more .That exactly what I was saying, he's not going because of lak of support , or for the rumour etc, he going because the certainty of the money is what he wants.
I in no way have a problem with him for that.He's not exactly going to come out and talk about these reasons publicly - at least not yet
Young people these days. Not hard like the men of the 70s. They just got on and did what was needed!
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@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2026:
@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
Couldn't agree more .That exactly what I was saying, he's not going because of lak of support , or for the rumour etc, he going because the certainty of the money is what he wants.
I in no way have a problem with him for that.He's not exactly going to come out and talk about these reasons publicly - at least not yet
Young people these days. Not hard like the men of the 70s. They just got on and did what was needed!
@SouthernMann said in All Blacks 2026:
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2026:
@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
Couldn't agree more .That exactly what I was saying, he's not going because of lak of support , or for the rumour etc, he going because the certainty of the money is what he wants.
I in no way have a problem with him for that.He's not exactly going to come out and talk about these reasons publicly - at least not yet
Young people these days. Not hard like the men of the 70s. They just got on and did what was needed!
The 70s.... a famously successful period of All Black rugby....
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@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
Couldn't agree more .That exactly what I was saying, he's not going because of lak of support , or for the rumour etc, he going because the certainty of the money is what he wants.
I in no way have a problem with him for that.He's not exactly going to come out and talk about these reasons publicly - at least not yet
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2026:
@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
Couldn't agree more .That exactly what I was saying, he's not going because of lak of support , or for the rumour etc, he going because the certainty of the money is what he wants.
I in no way have a problem with him for that.He's not exactly going to come out and talk about these reasons publicly - at least not yet
He has talked about reasons. The money is important and fair enough. He probably feels hard done by and could believe he good enough to be an AB, so has headed off. Same as Nick Evans etc.
Do I think he should of been picked? I probably would of picked him, but not sure enough he would of been first choice. But if the players I would of picked always were, we may not have the success we have had over the years.
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It is bullshit to say he chose money over 'the jersey'.
He chose money. The jersey was not available.
The coach contracted from 2024 through to 2027 fucked him around. As a result NZR is paying the consequences.
@SouthernMann said in All Blacks 2026:
It is bullshit to say he chose money over 'the jersey'.
He chose money. The jersey was not available.
The coach contracted from 2024 through to 2027 fucked him around. As a result NZR is paying the consequences.
Yep exactly, he felt the jersey wasn't available so he took the money. That's fair enough, I still would of liked him to stick around and prove Razor was wrong if he believed it. He would of been in my squad anyway.
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@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2026:
@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
Couldn't agree more .That exactly what I was saying, he's not going because of lak of support , or for the rumour etc, he going because the certainty of the money is what he wants.
I in no way have a problem with him for that.He's not exactly going to come out and talk about these reasons publicly - at least not yet
He has talked about reasons. The money is important and fair enough. He probably feels hard done by and could believe he good enough to be an AB, so has headed off. Same as Nick Evans etc.
Do I think he should of been picked? I probably would of picked him, but not sure enough he would of been first choice. But if the players I would of picked always were, we may not have the success we have had over the years.@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
He has talked about reasons. The money is important and fair enough. He probably feels hard done by and could believe he good enough to be an AB, so has headed off. Same as Nick Evans etc.
Do I think he should of been picked? I probably would of picked him, but not sure enough he would of been first choice. But if the players I would of picked always were, we may not have the success we have had over the years.I thought my point was fairly clear - just because he hasnt talked about other reasons - doesnt mean those other reasons dont exist.
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@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
He has talked about reasons. The money is important and fair enough. He probably feels hard done by and could believe he good enough to be an AB, so has headed off. Same as Nick Evans etc.
Do I think he should of been picked? I probably would of picked him, but not sure enough he would of been first choice. But if the players I would of picked always were, we may not have the success we have had over the years.I thought my point was fairly clear - just because he hasnt talked about other reasons - doesnt mean those other reasons dont exist.
@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2026:
@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
He has talked about reasons. The money is important and fair enough. He probably feels hard done by and could believe he good enough to be an AB, so has headed off. Same as Nick Evans etc.
Do I think he should of been picked? I probably would of picked him, but not sure enough he would of been first choice. But if the players I would of picked always were, we may not have the success we have had over the years.I thought my point was fairly clear - just because he hasnt talked about other reasons - doesnt mean those other reasons dont exist.
OK, well I just took him as a man who told truth mate, same as I don't think he the type of man that would be involved in these other so called things.
Also add as I said would of been in my squad.
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@Kiwiwomble yeah it seems in recent years (back to c 2018) we have a game plan, but have either used the wrong players or havent had the players to execute it.
Like your example, we selected Goodhue asking him to play like Laumape.
Similarly our back-row for the past 4 or 5 years just hasnt been set up for the way we have tried to play.
The team selection and game plan needs to be more in sync.
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2026:
Similarly our back-row for the past 4 or 5 years just hasnt been set up for the way we have tried to play.
Absolutely no sarcasm intended, but we've tried to play in a coherent way at 6/7/8?
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@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:
@sparky Itâs disappointing he didnât stick around through 2027 to see how things unfold.
Points towards a breakdown in his relationship with NZR, not just with Razor
I bet this was on before he knew Razor was going.
Points to someone not willing to fight to earn his spot to me.Not about fight. Putting his actions together with the rumours, Dalton is turning his back on NZR because he feels like he was not supported
@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
Not about fight. Putting his actions together with the rumours, Dalton is turning his back on NZR because he feels like he was not supported
Not about fight. Putting his actions together with the rumours, Dalton is turning his back on NZR because he feels like he was not supported
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@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2026:
@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
He has talked about reasons. The money is important and fair enough. He probably feels hard done by and could believe he good enough to be an AB, so has headed off. Same as Nick Evans etc.
Do I think he should of been picked? I probably would of picked him, but not sure enough he would of been first choice. But if the players I would of picked always were, we may not have the success we have had over the years.I thought my point was fairly clear - just because he hasnt talked about other reasons - doesnt mean those other reasons dont exist.
OK, well I just took him as a man who told truth mate, same as I don't think he the type of man that would be involved in these other so called things.
Also add as I said would of been in my squad.
@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
OK, well I just took him as a man who told truth mate, same as I don't think he the type of man that would be involved in these other so called things.
I'm not sure how either of these comments apply in this situation but it's a bit pointless as we are going around in circles.
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@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
Not about fight. Putting his actions together with the rumours, Dalton is turning his back on NZR because he feels like he was not supported
Not about fight. Putting his actions together with the rumours, Dalton is turning his back on NZR because he feels like he was not supported
@restofit said in All Blacks 2026:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
Not about fight. Putting his actions together with the rumours, Dalton is turning his back on NZR because he feels like he was not supported
Not about fight. Putting his actions together with the rumours, Dalton is turning his back on NZR because he feels like he was not supported
Is there an echo in the room?
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The thinking around Casey should be part of the evolution of how we view players. As a hybrid player, he is probably best suited to the no20 jersey.
May start in Super. His future in international footy can be split across the 7/8 role as an 25/30 minute impact player.
@SouthernMann said in All Blacks 2026:
The thinking around Casey should be part of the evolution of how we view players. As a hybrid player, he is probably best suited to the no20 jersey.
May start in Super. His future in international footy can be split across the 7/8 role as an 25/30 minute impact player.
Neat. Another one. We have far too many of these at the moment, we need really fucking good specialists.
Edit. I see @taniwharugby got to this well ahead of me. There must be a name for this.
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@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:
@sparky Itâs disappointing he didnât stick around through 2027 to see how things unfold.
Points towards a breakdown in his relationship with NZR, not just with Razor
I bet this was on before he knew Razor was going.
Points to someone not willing to fight to earn his spot to me.Not about fight. Putting his actions together with the rumours, Dalton is turning his back on NZR because he feels like he was not supported
OK, I suppose you can say that about any player that head overseas.
I just assume they going because they can get more cash than they will if they not picked.
I make no 2 ways about it, I don't know why these players are all seemingly starting to need support etc. I guess it just way is now .
And I not just saying rugby players, but all sports seem to be having problems with athletes needing looking after.I dont have much sympathy; they are putting themselves out-there.
You have a choice.
I think i'd be a really shit famous person myself, avoided all possibilities of gaining notoriety..
Know your limits.
Look at Osaka; brought all the attention onto herself; freaked out; got an "injury" and did a runner, so silly, she knows she cant handle it.With Dalton i'd say it's more about money than anything else; he got mucked around last year (or perceives that he did); he has a big fat contract put in front of him; got family commitments; no brainer really.
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https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/586480/i-ll-keep-that-to-myself-dalton-papali-i-on-razor-feedback
"I want to grow the family, and you hear a lot of people heading overseas to help their financial side out. This is home for me, where I grew up and I want to leave the jersey in a better place. I'm still weighing it up."
I imagine more money and not going away on international tours might have been a factor.
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You can't blame Papali'i for bolting. Non-selected after supposedly being told he would be, which will have had big salary implications at the time he was welcoming a baby alongside the breakdown in relationship with the coach and NZRU.
Add to that, he'll now have the next few years in the South of France, getting to enjoy more time with the family while playing in the (arguably) best local competition in the world, while cashing in and setting up his family for life.
Good on him. Should have been an AB captain but.
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I know this is not quite the right thread, but it does link with the difficulty of keeping our best players.
Have a look at the quality of restaurants in Castres. Foie gras mi-cuit for a starter then Viande Braisée ou confite du moment at La Foganha is just one of the many fucking cool places to enjoy.
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I know this is not quite the right thread, but it does link with the difficulty of keeping our best players.
Have a look at the quality of restaurants in Castres. Foie gras mi-cuit for a starter then Viande Braisée ou confite du moment at La Foganha is just one of the many fucking cool places to enjoy.
@gt12 said in All Blacks 2026:
I know this is not quite the right thread, but it does link with the difficulty of keeping our best players.
Have a look at the quality of restaurants in Castres. Foie gras mi-cuit for a starter then Viande Braisée ou confite du moment at La Foganha is just one of the many fucking cool places to enjoy.
I assume most of the ABs can earn better money with less travel and less pressure in places like France? Once you feel you are being treated less than fairly it's probably easy to take the money and run
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@gt12 said in All Blacks 2026:
I know this is not quite the right thread, but it does link with the difficulty of keeping our best players.
Have a look at the quality of restaurants in Castres. Foie gras mi-cuit for a starter then Viande Braisée ou confite du moment at La Foganha is just one of the many fucking cool places to enjoy.
I assume most of the ABs can earn better money with less travel and less pressure in places like France? Once you feel you are being treated less than fairly it's probably easy to take the money and run
@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
@gt12 said in All Blacks 2026:
I know this is not quite the right thread, but it does link with the difficulty of keeping our best players.
Have a look at the quality of restaurants in Castres. Foie gras mi-cuit for a starter then Viande Braisée ou confite du moment at La Foganha is just one of the many fucking cool places to enjoy.
I assume most of the ABs can earn better money with less travel and less pressure in places like France? Once you feel you are being treated less than fairly it's probably easy to take the money and run
100%
Plus you can have an incredible OE really enjoying the best of Europe.
In many ways, it's surprising that we can keep many of these guys for as long as we have. Looking at guys who are on the edges of selection for 2026, you'd have to say guys like Perofeta (for example) may better to bolt this year (when fewer top players are available) if it seems like AB selection is out of reach or you'll end up like Love from last year and essentially be an AB in name only. -
@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
@gt12 said in All Blacks 2026:
I know this is not quite the right thread, but it does link with the difficulty of keeping our best players.
Have a look at the quality of restaurants in Castres. Foie gras mi-cuit for a starter then Viande Braisée ou confite du moment at La Foganha is just one of the many fucking cool places to enjoy.
I assume most of the ABs can earn better money with less travel and less pressure in places like France? Once you feel you are being treated less than fairly it's probably easy to take the money and run
100%
Plus you can have an incredible OE really enjoying the best of Europe.
In many ways, it's surprising that we can keep many of these guys for as long as we have. Looking at guys who are on the edges of selection for 2026, you'd have to say guys like Perofeta (for example) may better to bolt this year (when fewer top players are available) if it seems like AB selection is out of reach or you'll end up like Love from last year and essentially be an AB in name only.
