All Blacks 2026
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@chchfanatic said in All Blacks 2026:
@Nepia here you are. You’re right. You’re always right. Keep telling yourself that.
Great retort, you've convinced me with your liberal use of facts to illustrate your point.
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@MacDazzler said in All Blacks 2026:
Foster got far more criticism from the media.
Yep and Foster had many more years of poor performance to earn it (could even go back to his time with the Chiefs, if the point really needed to be driven home).
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@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2026:
@African-Monkey for years Ardies game.has unbalanced our loose trio, not so much because he isnt able to play the way required, we have had many coaches let him play how.he plays and try to fit people around him.
This has lead us to current Ardie who is undroppable, despite doing probably less work than previous years, and still affecting our loose trio.
Hopefully the lighter load in Japan will see him refreshed and hungry for some real work when he gets back...
Don't get that, how does his game unbalance the loose forward trio? At 8 , he mightn't be same as 8s before him, that is part teams/play developing. It's happened since I have followed the game. Same as 6, 7s and almost every position in the team.
The whole balance and unbalance stuff is made a bit more of than needs be. You get best players to play and adjust your style to make it balance. I just don't want players to play a certain way because that's what we think they should.
But I understand some think you should play a certain way etc, I'm a fan of something different.
We went through this with a lot of people when Lomu played, there were some thought he was a highlight package player, because he didn't play as they though wingers should. -
@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:
@Nepia said in All Blacks 2026:
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2026:
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2026:
@Nepia said in All Blacks 2026:
@Yeetyaah said in All Blacks 2026:
Robert Van Rooyen circle jerk for ya
Crusaders circle jerk with Knowler there alongside him although Knowler was playing the (only) slightly more balanced role in the exchange.
Takeaways:
- Mo'unga was finally coming right after 50 tests when he took the Yen and ran.
- Everything was BB's fault.
- The assistant coaches are all good because they once made the Crusaders backline "hiss".
- Barrett is fine despite the fact he needs to play better and tidy up his discipline which has been shit all career.
- Razor doesn't have the cattle but also the team makes too many unforced errors and they'd threaten the Boks without those (so wait we do have the cattle?)
- The most important thing it the ABs are peaking in 2027 (fuck off, we're not a RWC only team).
They've done that with the ABs backline too in that they hiss while they're deflating.
You'd think these 2 fanboy 'journos' would have gotten the message that Super Rugby and Test Rigby are worlds apart by now.
Regular Show is wonderful, used to enjoy watching it with my boys.
But to address your point, Ardie Savea made quite a number of World Teams of the year so that should tell you all you need to know.
A great highlights reel player.
Has someone put together a highlights reel for him for 2025?
Has someone put together a lowlights reel of him walking on defence, refusing to hit rucks and being miles away from where he’s required? I’m only semi-joking here - it’d be interesting to see the reaction from fans who only watch highlights.
They'd just call it fake news
'He's allowed a break after carrying the team on his own for all these years'
I just don't get the Ardie hate that goes on in here. He was absolutely worn out at end of this year, but bet he be one first named in team going forward. Well he would be in my team, Hiw man problem year just gone was coaches running him into ground, and that started with Tana in super.
You also think James Parsons is a good analyst and claim to have seen much worse performing All Blacks teams.
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@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:
@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:
@Nepia said in All Blacks 2026:
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2026:
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2026:
@Nepia said in All Blacks 2026:
@Yeetyaah said in All Blacks 2026:
Robert Van Rooyen circle jerk for ya
Crusaders circle jerk with Knowler there alongside him although Knowler was playing the (only) slightly more balanced role in the exchange.
Takeaways:
- Mo'unga was finally coming right after 50 tests when he took the Yen and ran.
- Everything was BB's fault.
- The assistant coaches are all good because they once made the Crusaders backline "hiss".
- Barrett is fine despite the fact he needs to play better and tidy up his discipline which has been shit all career.
- Razor doesn't have the cattle but also the team makes too many unforced errors and they'd threaten the Boks without those (so wait we do have the cattle?)
- The most important thing it the ABs are peaking in 2027 (fuck off, we're not a RWC only team).
They've done that with the ABs backline too in that they hiss while they're deflating.
You'd think these 2 fanboy 'journos' would have gotten the message that Super Rugby and Test Rigby are worlds apart by now.
Regular Show is wonderful, used to enjoy watching it with my boys.
But to address your point, Ardie Savea made quite a number of World Teams of the year so that should tell you all you need to know.
A great highlights reel player.
Has someone put together a highlights reel for him for 2025?
Has someone put together a lowlights reel of him walking on defence, refusing to hit rucks and being miles away from where he’s required? I’m only semi-joking here - it’d be interesting to see the reaction from fans who only watch highlights.
They'd just call it fake news
'He's allowed a break after carrying the team on his own for all these years'
I just don't get the Ardie hate that goes on in here. He was absolutely worn out at end of this year, but bet he be one first named in team going forward. Well he would be in my team, Hiw man problem year just gone was coaches running him into ground, and that started with Tana in super.
You also think James Parsons is a good analyst and claim to have seen much worse performing All Blacks teams.
Yep ! And your point is? Are you upset because I see things differently than you?
I also don't believe I have seen as much strength of test teams around world. -
@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:
@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:
@Nepia said in All Blacks 2026:
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2026:
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2026:
@Nepia said in All Blacks 2026:
@Yeetyaah said in All Blacks 2026:
Robert Van Rooyen circle jerk for ya
Crusaders circle jerk with Knowler there alongside him although Knowler was playing the (only) slightly more balanced role in the exchange.
Takeaways:
- Mo'unga was finally coming right after 50 tests when he took the Yen and ran.
- Everything was BB's fault.
- The assistant coaches are all good because they once made the Crusaders backline "hiss".
- Barrett is fine despite the fact he needs to play better and tidy up his discipline which has been shit all career.
- Razor doesn't have the cattle but also the team makes too many unforced errors and they'd threaten the Boks without those (so wait we do have the cattle?)
- The most important thing it the ABs are peaking in 2027 (fuck off, we're not a RWC only team).
They've done that with the ABs backline too in that they hiss while they're deflating.
You'd think these 2 fanboy 'journos' would have gotten the message that Super Rugby and Test Rigby are worlds apart by now.
Regular Show is wonderful, used to enjoy watching it with my boys.
But to address your point, Ardie Savea made quite a number of World Teams of the year so that should tell you all you need to know.
A great highlights reel player.
Has someone put together a highlights reel for him for 2025?
Has someone put together a lowlights reel of him walking on defence, refusing to hit rucks and being miles away from where he’s required? I’m only semi-joking here - it’d be interesting to see the reaction from fans who only watch highlights.
They'd just call it fake news
'He's allowed a break after carrying the team on his own for all these years'
I just don't get the Ardie hate that goes on in here. He was absolutely worn out at end of this year, but bet he be one first named in team going forward. Well he would be in my team, Hiw man problem year just gone was coaches running him into ground, and that started with Tana in super.
You also think James Parsons is a good analyst and claim to have seen much worse performing All Blacks teams.
Yep ! And your point is? Are you upset because I see things differently than you?
I also don't believe I have seen as much strength of test teams around world.Not upset at all. Just pointing out you seem to be well off the mark fairly often and are very accepting of mediocrity from the team. How exactly do you think it’s okay for an openside flanker to not bother hitting rucks? How is it okay for any player to walk on defence? How does that not place more burden on the other players? How is it okay for any player others look up to to and follow to phone it in the way Savea does?
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@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:
@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:
@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2026:
@Nepia said in All Blacks 2026:
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2026:
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:
@MN5 said in All Blacks 2026:
@Nepia said in All Blacks 2026:
@Yeetyaah said in All Blacks 2026:
Robert Van Rooyen circle jerk for ya
Crusaders circle jerk with Knowler there alongside him although Knowler was playing the (only) slightly more balanced role in the exchange.
Takeaways:
- Mo'unga was finally coming right after 50 tests when he took the Yen and ran.
- Everything was BB's fault.
- The assistant coaches are all good because they once made the Crusaders backline "hiss".
- Barrett is fine despite the fact he needs to play better and tidy up his discipline which has been shit all career.
- Razor doesn't have the cattle but also the team makes too many unforced errors and they'd threaten the Boks without those (so wait we do have the cattle?)
- The most important thing it the ABs are peaking in 2027 (fuck off, we're not a RWC only team).
They've done that with the ABs backline too in that they hiss while they're deflating.
You'd think these 2 fanboy 'journos' would have gotten the message that Super Rugby and Test Rigby are worlds apart by now.
Regular Show is wonderful, used to enjoy watching it with my boys.
But to address your point, Ardie Savea made quite a number of World Teams of the year so that should tell you all you need to know.
A great highlights reel player.
Has someone put together a highlights reel for him for 2025?
Has someone put together a lowlights reel of him walking on defence, refusing to hit rucks and being miles away from where he’s required? I’m only semi-joking here - it’d be interesting to see the reaction from fans who only watch highlights.
They'd just call it fake news
'He's allowed a break after carrying the team on his own for all these years'
I just don't get the Ardie hate that goes on in here. He was absolutely worn out at end of this year, but bet he be one first named in team going forward. Well he would be in my team, Hiw man problem year just gone was coaches running him into ground, and that started with Tana in super.
You also think James Parsons is a good analyst and claim to have seen much worse performing All Blacks teams.
Yep ! And your point is? Are you upset because I see things differently than you?
I also don't believe I have seen as much strength of test teams around world.Not upset at all. Just pointing out you seem to be well off the mark fairly often and are very accepting of mediocrity from the team. How exactly do you think it’s okay for an openside flanker to not bother hitting rucks? How is it okay for any player to walk on defence? How does that not place more burden on the other players? How is it okay for any player others look up to to and follow to phone it in the way Savea does?
Am I off the mark, or are you? You seem very confident you know a lot more about game than those who don't agree with you. You seemed to point out I enjoy Parson.s analilysis too? Hell I take notice of Mauss on here, I find he does work on analysing games, where as I watch them at park or on tv, and take my opinions from that. Which is ok, but very very limited.
Mate as I said it all opinions, I got mine, as I said I don't understand the hate. hey many paid pundits and coaches agree me with me obviously. Hey I not in the Will Jordan at 15 fanboi group either, but figure coaches work on having a plan for how he plays.
We had a poster/s (can't remember who) saying they couldn't see what the big deal was with Fabian Holland too. I haven't seen all this walking on defence etc, and it's actually not unusual for loosies (especially 7s) to not hit rucks, as they tend to go for steal, but often if they can't get it set up in defence, I think some loosies hit rucks because they think that's there job, but sometimes (as with Props, locks etc etc) you better to stay out of them, as Boks looked to do in Wellington at times.
Also by all means tell me where I said mediocrity is ok from All Blacks, or are you just making stuff up. I am one who argues against picking teams on what we need for WC, as I think we should try and win every game. -
@Nepia said in All Blacks 2026:
@chchfanatic said in All Blacks 2026:
I think Razor was always up against it , no matter how well he did. The nth island journos hammer him on everything.
I know @Duluth refuted this point already but it bears repeating, this is fucking nonsense. The media kissed him on the dick constantly and even now he's got a team of journos running defence for him.
Also, when you did spend time here, you would have noticed that Razor had pretty much broad support from all the posters of here who think too highly of ourselves when he was first chosen to be the coach.
There was a lot to agree with in the original post. But the idea that Razor was up against the media from day one just shows what flag is pinned to chchfanatic's mast. Pure fiction that
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@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
@Nepia said in All Blacks 2026:
@chchfanatic said in All Blacks 2026:
I think Razor was always up against it , no matter how well he did. The nth island journos hammer him on everything.
I know @Duluth refuted this point already but it bears repeating, this is fucking nonsense. The media kissed him on the dick constantly and even now he's got a team of journos running defence for him.
Also, when you did spend time here, you would have noticed that Razor had pretty much broad support from all the posters of here who think too highly of ourselves when he was first chosen to be the coach.
There was a lot to agree with in the original post. But the idea that Razor was up against the media from day one just shows what flag is pinned to chchfanatic's mast. Pure fiction that
I make no 2 ways about it, I support Razor (because he AB coach, even if not one I wanted), but I certainly agree to say Razor was up against it in media, someone read different media to me.
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@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
@Nepia said in All Blacks 2026:
@chchfanatic said in All Blacks 2026:
I think Razor was always up against it , no matter how well he did. The nth island journos hammer him on everything.
I know @Duluth refuted this point already but it bears repeating, this is fucking nonsense. The media kissed him on the dick constantly and even now he's got a team of journos running defence for him.
Also, when you did spend time here, you would have noticed that Razor had pretty much broad support from all the posters of here who think too highly of ourselves when he was first chosen to be the coach.
There was a lot to agree with in the original post. But the idea that Razor was up against the media from day one just shows what flag is pinned to chchfanatic's mast. Pure fiction that
I make no 2 ways about it, I support Razor (because he AB coach, even if not one I wanted), but I certainly agree to say Razor was up against it in media, someone read different media to me.
I think you will find everyone on here wants him to succeed. But that is different from believing he's just not up to it. I'm waiting for Razor to prove me wrong
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@Canes4life said in All Blacks 2026:
The problem is I don’t actually think we have many loosies that are international standard.
I think it's more we don't have a gameplan for the loosies to work to and/or we don't don't pick the right players to implement the gameplan.
The chopping and changing at 6/7/8 is getting ridiculous.
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@Snowy said in All Blacks 2026:
@MacDazzler said in All Blacks 2026:
Foster got far more criticism from the media.
Yep and Foster had many more years of poor performance to earn it (could even go back to his time with the Chiefs, if the point really needed to be driven home).
We should judge and critique AB coaches on their performance as AB coaches. - not on their performance in SR or their work with Hamner Springs 3rd's or whatever.
Same goes for the media - though I suspect having invested so much capital in extolling Robertson's genius, that's a pretty hard emotional wrench.
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@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
@Nepia said in All Blacks 2026:
@chchfanatic said in All Blacks 2026:
I think Razor was always up against it , no matter how well he did. The nth island journos hammer him on everything.
I know @Duluth refuted this point already but it bears repeating, this is fucking nonsense. The media kissed him on the dick constantly and even now he's got a team of journos running defence for him.
Also, when you did spend time here, you would have noticed that Razor had pretty much broad support from all the posters of here who think too highly of ourselves when he was first chosen to be the coach.
There was a lot to agree with in the original post. But the idea that Razor was up against the media from day one just shows what flag is pinned to chchfanatic's mast. Pure fiction that
I make no 2 ways about it, I support Razor (because he AB coach, even if not one I wanted), but I certainly agree to say Razor was up against it in media, someone read different media to me.
I think you will find everyone on here wants him to succeed. But that is different from believing he's just not up to it. I'm waiting for Razor to prove me wrong
I definitely think (or bloody hope) he learning on the jab as he goes.
I do prefer my coaches to have a bit of wider experience I admit, but sometimes in this day and age it's as much about using press etc unfortunately. -
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2026:
@African-Monkey for years Ardies game.has unbalanced our loose trio, not so much because he isnt able to play the way required, we have had many coaches let him play how.he plays and try to fit people around him.
This has lead us to current Ardie who is undroppable, despite doing probably less work than previous years, and still affecting our loose trio.
Hopefully the lighter load in Japan will see him refreshed and hungry for some real work when he gets back...
That's also the issue I have with guys like Ardie going to Japan all the time. It's virtually touch rugby up there where he doesn't have to do any hard work and can do what he want, whilst having a holiday in the process. At least Rieko and Jordie have gone up north to challenge themselves a bit, why can't more of our players go up there for a stint?
I actually think Ardie better to have a season in Japan, than carry MP on his back for another super season. Doesn't seem to hurt the Boks players in Japan, as Malcolm Marx , Kwagga Smith etc have shown as players get older they probably help themselves to not get hammered every week , but have a few easier game to help you see out season.
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@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2026:
@African-Monkey for years Ardies game.has unbalanced our loose trio, not so much because he isnt able to play the way required, we have had many coaches let him play how.he plays and try to fit people around him.
This has lead us to current Ardie who is undroppable, despite doing probably less work than previous years, and still affecting our loose trio.
Hopefully the lighter load in Japan will see him refreshed and hungry for some real work when he gets back...
That's also the issue I have with guys like Ardie going to Japan all the time. It's virtually touch rugby up there where he doesn't have to do any hard work and can do what he want, whilst having a holiday in the process. At least Rieko and Jordie have gone up north to challenge themselves a bit, why can't more of our players go up there for a stint?
I actually think Ardie better to have a season in Japan, than carry MP on his back for another super season. Doesn't seem to hurt the Boks players in Japan, as Malcolm Marx , Kwagga Smith etc have shown as players get older they probably help themselves to not get hammered every week , but have a few easier game to help you see out season.
Difference is, is they go back into the boks setup knowing they need to perform and that no spot is safe in that side. Ardie will come back from his holiday and nothing will change.
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@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
@Nepia said in All Blacks 2026:
@chchfanatic said in All Blacks 2026:
I think Razor was always up against it , no matter how well he did. The nth island journos hammer him on everything.
I know @Duluth refuted this point already but it bears repeating, this is fucking nonsense. The media kissed him on the dick constantly and even now he's got a team of journos running defence for him.
Also, when you did spend time here, you would have noticed that Razor had pretty much broad support from all the posters of here who think too highly of ourselves when he was first chosen to be the coach.
There was a lot to agree with in the original post. But the idea that Razor was up against the media from day one just shows what flag is pinned to chchfanatic's mast. Pure fiction that
I make no 2 ways about it, I support Razor (because he AB coach, even if not one I wanted), but I certainly agree to say Razor was up against it in media, someone read different media to me.
I think you will find everyone on here wants him to succeed. But that is different from believing he's just not up to it. I'm waiting for Razor to prove me wrong
Happy for him to learn in Year 1 and liked the way he stuck with people to allow them time to bed in (Proctor, Parker), but there was too many down-sides for me. Not just the losses, but the nature of the losses.
I am genuinely confused over what he actually does and brings to the party. Coaching set-up needs a reset, better leadership and roles clarified.
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@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
@African-Monkey said in All Blacks 2026:
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2026:
@African-Monkey for years Ardies game.has unbalanced our loose trio, not so much because he isnt able to play the way required, we have had many coaches let him play how.he plays and try to fit people around him.
This has lead us to current Ardie who is undroppable, despite doing probably less work than previous years, and still affecting our loose trio.
Hopefully the lighter load in Japan will see him refreshed and hungry for some real work when he gets back...
That's also the issue I have with guys like Ardie going to Japan all the time. It's virtually touch rugby up there where he doesn't have to do any hard work and can do what he want, whilst having a holiday in the process. At least Rieko and Jordie have gone up north to challenge themselves a bit, why can't more of our players go up there for a stint?
I actually think Ardie better to have a season in Japan, than carry MP on his back for another super season. Doesn't seem to hurt the Boks players in Japan, as Malcolm Marx , Kwagga Smith etc have shown as players get older they probably help themselves to not get hammered every week , but have a few easier game to help you see out season.
Don't forget he did that the year before Dan, and was underwhelming on his return, after being world player of the year before going to Japan.
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It's not just a loosies combo issue, the backs are unable to build consistently on the forwards' platform, and the second half, where the good teams regroup, our coaches/captains don't seem to have an answer. We are too predictable and too disjointed.
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The All Blacks have been in a significant decline for some time now. By international standards, they are average at the breakdown and poor in defence and they don't have great pace out wide. They have a few world class players, but even they rarely go 80 minutes without making big mistakes. They lack on-field leadership. Add to that a lack of attention to detail and a poor and unclear game plan from the PR-obsessed coaching group, it's little surprise they are a long way off being world beaters. South Africa are the dominant side in world Rugby in the 2020s.
I think that pattern will continue in 2026. South Africa, France and England being better coached and having more talent than the ABs. Scotland, Argentina, Ireland and Australia are about the same standard as the ABs, but don't have the same depth to cope with injuries, fatigue and suspensions. With the ABs having to wait for games against Wales or Italy to score big, convincing wins.
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@Dan54 said in All Blacks 2026:
We went through this with a lot of people when Lomu played, there were some thought he was a highlight package player, because he didn't play as they though wingers should.
I blame the coaches for that.
I don't think he was ever employed as effectively as he might have been by the AB coaches.
Too much coming off the wing for some midfield crash ball.
Any big boofhead can do that.
And I think the opposing coaches were happy with that too.
Much better than seeing him outwide in a one-on-one, or a none-on-one.The coaches were working with his size, when they should have been working on utilising his speed.
Mega speed and mega size . . . in the one player; that is what made Lomu unique.Not enough effort put in to trying to get him in space.
"Normal" wing play.
With his speed, plus the size, he'd be under the posts everytime if he got into space.
That did happen, but should have happened a lot more.On the side . . . he'd be completely shite dropping back to get under to-days high ball.
