All Blacks 2026
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@JA said in All Blacks 2026:
It's probably a good time to review the strength and conditioning role, and the actual goals of the program. Being fitter than everyone is not the trump card it was, particularly among the forwards There is a clear meta towards to a power game.
6-2 & 7-1 benches compound this, then TMO reviews, injuries, ambling towards scrums and lineouts slow the game down massively. One of the reasons the ultra-fast style Robertson was apparently trying to go for was years too late. It’s too reliant on the opposition wanting to play quick as well - SA or England can slow the game down at will with forwards having an apparent injury at almost every stoppage.
Then the meta of the power game is almost the opposite of the Super Rugby comp strengths.
We wanted to play fast but didn't seem to have any idea how to play with control or dictate pace of play. No wonder we faded in the second half of games so much
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@JA said in All Blacks 2026:
It's probably a good time to review the strength and conditioning role, and the actual goals of the program. Being fitter than everyone is not the trump card it was, particularly among the forwards There is a clear meta towards to a power game.
6-2 & 7-1 benches compound this, then TMO reviews, injuries, ambling towards scrums and lineouts slow the game down massively. One of the reasons the ultra-fast style Robertson was apparently trying to go for was years too late. It’s too reliant on the opposition wanting to play quick as well - SA or England can slow the game down at will with forwards having an apparent injury at almost every stoppage.
Then the meta of the power game is almost the opposite of the Super Rugby comp strengths.
They can certainly slow the game down if we kick the ball back to them every time we get it.
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On the chat about people wanting or not wanting to be the All Blacks coach at this stage in a cycle, given the player situation and depth etc.
I suspect the All Blacks role is a bit like the rare chances to become a Prime Minister or leader of the opposition.
An individual's planning or preference might be "not now, because reasons in the cycle". But when the window opens, it might be now or never as your one big chance in a career. If that's a role what you really want in the end.
Waiting might be for a second chance that never arrives, or when it does, someone else is in the spotlight.
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@Donsteppa said in All Blacks 2026:
On the chat about people wanting or not wanting to be the All Blacks coach at this stage in a cycle, given the player situation and depth etc.
I suspect the All Blacks role is a bit like the rare chances to become a Prime Minister or leader of the opposition.
An individual's planning or preference might be "not now, because reasons in the cycle". But when the window opens, it might be now or never as your one big chance in a career. If that's a role what you really want in the end.
Yeah that's where I'm sitting too - especially for the older candidates.
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@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
@JA said in All Blacks 2026:
It's probably a good time to review the strength and conditioning role, and the actual goals of the program. Being fitter than everyone is not the trump card it was, particularly among the forwards There is a clear meta towards to a power game.
6-2 & 7-1 benches compound this, then TMO reviews, injuries, ambling towards scrums and lineouts slow the game down massively. One of the reasons the ultra-fast style Robertson was apparently trying to go for was years too late. It’s too reliant on the opposition wanting to play quick as well - SA or England can slow the game down at will with forwards having an apparent injury at almost every stoppage.
Then the meta of the power game is almost the opposite of the Super Rugby comp strengths.
We wanted to play fast but didn't seem to have any idea how to play with control or dictate pace of play. No wonder we faded in the second half of games so much
We seemed to burn ourselves out after 25 mins in most tests. Definitely agree on dictating pace of play.
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@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:
@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.Seems he lacked knowledge of cultures outside of Christchurch and Summer
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@kidcalder said in All Blacks 2026:
@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 timeyes that could be the thinking it would make sense if they went that way.
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@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:
@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.After this experience, I certainly buy into the international experience. How the hell do you know what you're getting into after learning 1 style of play your whole coaching career?
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@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2026:
@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:
@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.Seems he lacked knowledge of cultures outside of Christchurch and Summer
A bit harsh considering he played and coached in France and played in Japan.
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@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:
@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:
@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.After this experience, I certainly buy into the international experience. How the hell do you know what you're getting into after learning 1 style of play your whole coaching career?
Preparation is completely different as well it is not a structured comp with a pre season.
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@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:
@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:
@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.After this experience, I certainly buy into the international experience. How the hell do you know what you're getting into after learning 1 style of play your whole coaching career?
So Jamie Joseph's time coaching Japan - what he learned from the Japanese style of rugby - is what is going to make a difference?
Robertson played overseas too, is that not exposure to a different style? -
@Chris said in All Blacks 2026:
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:
@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:
@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.After this experience, I certainly buy into the international experience. How the hell do you know what you're getting into after learning 1 style of play your whole coaching career?
Preparation is completely different as well it is not a structured comp with a pre season.
This bit I do agree with - the season structure is completely different - but then Hansen had that experience with Japan?
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@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
@JA said in All Blacks 2026:
It's probably a good time to review the strength and conditioning role, and the actual goals of the program. Being fitter than everyone is not the trump card it was, particularly among the forwards There is a clear meta towards to a power game.
6-2 & 7-1 benches compound this, then TMO reviews, injuries, ambling towards scrums and lineouts slow the game down massively. One of the reasons the ultra-fast style Robertson was apparently trying to go for was years too late. It’s too reliant on the opposition wanting to play quick as well - SA or England can slow the game down at will with forwards having an apparent injury at almost every stoppage.
Then the meta of the power game is almost the opposite of the Super Rugby comp strengths.
We wanted to play fast but didn't seem to have any idea how to play with control or dictate pace of play. No wonder we faded in the second half of games so much
we also seemed to think everyone in the team needed to play fast, so our forwards got smaller but faster, our props seemed to do more ball handling practice than scrum practice....where i think a fast gameplan still needs guys doing the hard graft creating the space out wide
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@Chris said in All Blacks 2026:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2026:
@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:
@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.Seems he lacked knowledge of cultures outside of Christchurch and Summer
A bit harsh considering he played and coached in France and played in Japan.
He did show provincial bias at times, but in odd cases which did his standing with the squad no favours (Fihaki springs to mind, EB too although at least he was one of the better SR performers in his position). I'm not convinced that he was anti-Blues players per se. But he clearly only had his eyes on playing fast and loose, and picked lots of players trying to fit that mode (Sititi et al) without an appreciation for the grafters that do the prep work so that the show ponies can shine. And no doubt the way he dealt with guys like DP and Hoskins was unprofessional and unlikely to win over those players or others who sympathised and were suspicious of his motives
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@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:
@Chris said in All Blacks 2026:
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:
@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:
@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.After this experience, I certainly buy into the international experience. How the hell do you know what you're getting into after learning 1 style of play your whole coaching career?
Preparation is completely different as well it is not a structured comp with a pre season.
This bit I do agree with - the season structure is completely different - but then Hansen had that experience with Japan?
Yes he did under JJ and that was successful, as defence coach.
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@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
@Chris said in All Blacks 2026:
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2026:
@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:
@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.Seems he lacked knowledge of cultures outside of Christchurch and Summer
A bit harsh considering he played and coached in France and played in Japan.
He did show provincial bias at times, but in odd cases which did his standing with the squad no favours (Fihaki springs to mind, EB too although at least he was one of the better SR performers in his position). I'm not convinced that he was anti-Blues players per se. But he clearly only had his eyes on playing fast and loose, and picked lots of players trying to fit that mode (Sititi et al) without an appreciation for the grafters that do the prep work so that the show ponies can shine. And no doubt the way he dealt with guys like DP and Hoskins was unprofessional and unlikely to win over those players or others who sympathised and were suspicious of his motives
He also dropped Crusaders players Havilli,Blackadder and selected more Chiefs than any other team.
So I don't buy in to the Crusader bias, Fihaki trained as did a lot of players with the squad he never was picked in a squad. -
@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:
@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:
@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.After this experience, I certainly buy into the international experience. How the hell do you know what you're getting into after learning 1 style of play your whole coaching career?
So Jamie Joseph's time coaching Japan - what he learned from the Japanese style of rugby - is what is going to make a difference?
Robertson played overseas too, is that not exposure to a different style?Yeah, he took them to a QF, and has had exposure to facing the best international sides in the world. Sure, it's not European experience on a week to week basis, but it's more experience than the previous coach had, and the word 'cattle' has been used around here a lot, JJ, more than anyone, has coached sides throughout his career that have had a lack of cattle.
Oh come on, you cannot compare exposure overseas as a player and a coach. A player, you're focusing on your own job at hand and what you have to do. A coach is responsible for running the whole ship.
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@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:
@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:
@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.After this experience, I certainly buy into the international experience. How the hell do you know what you're getting into after learning 1 style of play your whole coaching career?
So Jamie Joseph's time coaching Japan - what he learned from the Japanese style of rugby - is what is going to make a difference?
Robertson played overseas too, is that not exposure to a different style?something im not sure gets mentioned much but i know i actually really enjoyed watching japan play, they were fun to watch even when they lost...that would be an improvement
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@Kiwiwomble said in All Blacks 2026:
something im not sure gets mentioned much but i know i actually really enjoyed watching japan play, they were fun to watch even when they lost...that would be an improvement
Yes, and NZ XV!
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@Kiwiwomble said in All Blacks 2026:
@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:
@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:
@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.After this experience, I certainly buy into the international experience. How the hell do you know what you're getting into after learning 1 style of play your whole coaching career?
So Jamie Joseph's time coaching Japan - what he learned from the Japanese style of rugby - is what is going to make a difference?
Robertson played overseas too, is that not exposure to a different style?something im not sure gets mentioned much but i know i actually really enjoyed watching japan play, they were fun to watch even when they lost...that would be an improvement
Yep, they were good fun. What I like about Joseph is that he makes sense when he speaks about rugby, he's no-nonsense, and you can generally see what he's trying to achieve. That was very much the case with the way he had Japan playing to their strengths and to minimise their weaknesses.
