All Blacks 2026
-
Interesting article by Gregor Paul on coach selection
Points out that last two coaches were chasing assistants - some at the same time - and it ended up like playground team-picking. Thinks it will be different this time with NZR choosing the HC and then the assistants, the latter with the new HC's input.
-
@Mr-Fish said in All Blacks 2026:
@restofit said in All Blacks 2026:
Thoughts? Why on earth wasn't Wayne Smith (NZR's director of high-performance) consulted before the decision was made?
First of all, love that this is an article about an article about an article.
Second, the whole Wayne Smith is a little bit perplexing.
Know Smith struggled a little bit working with Robertson so wouldn't expect him to have jumped to Razor's defence (and laud his competence). Suppose it's possible to not gel with someone but still think they deserve time in the saddle but it's a little odd.
My speculation is that Smith seems to be emotional in a very good way. I can see him relating this situation to some of the shit that happened to him more than 20 years ago. So, maybe he considers that with a bit more time Razor may have been able to turn the corner.
-
@Victor-Meldrew
I like the point Paul makes at the end.
The head coach is not bigger than the ABs, and must be prepared to work with others and be challenged.Razor just appointed the Canterbury mates club.
Couldn't take his "vision" being challenged it seems. -
@Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2026:
Interesting article by Gregor Paul on coach selection
Points out that last two coaches were chasing assistants - some at the same time - and it ended up like playground team-picking. Thinks it will be different this time with NZR choosing the HC and then the assistants, the latter with the new HC's input.
Which as we've discussed a lot here, is the way it should be. It's true that HC candidates should have some idea of who they want, and due diligence by the selection committee would be to sound out those mentioned to see whether they'll take the job (if they are considered crucial to the chances of the HC) but it is fucking dumb to need to have your team assembled to apply.
-
@gt12 said in All Blacks 2026:
My speculation is that Smith seems to be emotional in a very good way. I can see him relating this situation to some of the shit that happened to him more than 20 years ago. So, maybe he considers that with a bit more time Razor may have been able to turn the corner.
Exactly.
I think all coaches would say something like what Smith said if asked for a comment.
No way that they'll slag each other off in public.
They've all been in that situation sometime or other. -
-
Dave Rennie is off-contract in June. Cully states that NZR needs a Director of Rugby to oversee all NZ rep coaches.
- Rennie has 3-2 winning rate against Rassie Erasmus and ability to connect with players and staff.
- Coach didn’t contest job after Steve Hansen’s exit as overseas-based coaches lost faith in NZ Rugby.
- NZ Rugby unlikely to rush new appointment before start of Super Rugby.
-
@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2026:
Dave Rennie is off-contract in June. Cully states that NZR needs a Director of Rugby to oversee all NZ rep coaches.
- Rennie has 3-2 winning rate against Rassie Erasmus and ability to connect with players and staff.
- Coach didn’t contest job after Steve Hansen’s exit as overseas-based coaches lost faith in NZ Rugby.
- NZ Rugby unlikely to rush new appointment before start of Super Rugby.
Previous rant and embarrassing amnesia aside, Rennie/Schmidt combo seems like the best option. Have decent SH and NH overseas experience but understand NZ rugby. Rennie’s Chiefs were probably one of the best super rugby sides in the past 15 years. They were brutal and played incredible attacking rugby. Plus he seems like he understands a good team culture and the training sessions were brutal. Kinda what this ABs teams needs rn
-
@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2026:
Cully states that NZR needs a Director of Rugby to oversee all NZ rep coaches
agree with that, I think post 2015ish has been a real disconnect from top to bottom with NZR's gaze on grass roots and NPC lessening each year.
Despite the article posted by @MiketheSnow that has Eddie talking about a talent issue, which I think is incorrect, we still have the talent, our pathways to develop and nurture them is fractured, and some key skills seem to be lacking as well.
I think for a period, NZR needs to adopt a broader 'one way same way' type methodology to upskill in certain areas (kicking and game management are the 2 main issues for me)
-
@mohikamo said in All Blacks 2026:
they probably already knew what they were guna do at this point
I still strongly disagree with this. All the review and discussions with players did was provide information about issues to be resolved.
If Razor addressed those issues effectively and articulated a credible plan to improve he'd still have a job. I think what you're seeing is proper governance at NZR for the first time in a long time. That will be Kirk. He's not going to let the board muck around with tough decisions. I really hope he'll soon get a plan in place for making Super and NPC relevant in their own ways - and rebuilding a southern hemisphere alliance to rebuild domination.
Remember in 2015 the SH dominated RWC. All four sides in the semis were SH teams. NH went away and got better - now we have to do the same. We've gone backwards relative to the north and it needs a reset. We can absolutely do this, but it needs good leadership
-
@nzzp said in All Blacks 2026:
@mohikamo said in All Blacks 2026:
they probably already knew what they were guna do at this point
I still strongly disagree with this. All the review and discussions with players did was provide information about issues to be resolved.
If Razor addressed those issues effectively and articulated a credible plan to improve he'd still have a job. I think what you're seeing is proper governance at NZR for the first time in a long time. That will be Kirk. He's not going to let the board muck around with tough decisions. I really hope he'll soon get a plan in place for making Super and NPC relevant in their own ways - and rebuilding a southern hemisphere alliance to rebuild domination.
Remember in 2015 the SH dominated RWC. All four sides in the semis were SH teams. NH went away and got better - now we have to do the same. We've gone backwards relative to the north and it needs a reset. We can absolutely do this, but it needs good leadership
Due to the South Africans leaving SR I think it might be helpful to pivot away from thinking in terms of SH and NH in terms of alignments and think in terms of European and Pacific.
-
@nzzp said in All Blacks 2026:
Remember in 2015 the SH dominated RWC. All four sides in the semis were SH teams. NH went away and got better
I think the perception of post 2019 NH success is overstated:
- 3 of 8 semi finalists
- 1 of 4 finalists
- 0 of 2 winners
