All Blacks 2026
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@Nepia said in All Blacks 2026:
So a little side discussion, who thinks this should be the end of Razor's AB career and who's willing to give him another shot?
If he goes away, coaches some other teams successfully, maybe some lower tier teams, obviously outside of the Cantab bubble, then I'd be happy to see him given another shot in the future, he's still a young guy. For reference I've never wanted to see Mitchell anywhere near NZ rugby.
Never say never, but that would be "lazarus with a triple bypass" type resurrection.
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On Wayne Smith, I do have some concerns that he appears to be a bit stuck in the past, it's been quite a long time since his philosophy has worked in the men's game. His last success was with the women, but that was largely due to the fact that they were going to be overpowered by England, so their only option was to try and throw caution to the wind with a more helter skelter style. To their credit they pulled it off, but that just won't work in the men's game today unless WR makes some drastic changes to speed the game up which isn't going to happen. His influence on Razor's team was either non-existent, or what he suggested didn't work. As much as I love the guy, I'd prefer he wasn't involved in the next AB coaching setup.
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Unfortunately the tide went out on Razor and he wasn’t wearing any pants. I would think he’ll have to go away and prove himself overseas if he wants to coach at a high level in NZ again.
Joseph, Rennie or Schmidt would all provide stability moving forward, a I would be happy with either/or, but people are dreaming if they think this team is suddenly going to become world-beaters. If we can get some consistency, that would be a great start.
And for all those blowing smoke up Papali’i’s ass as if he’s top-class AB’s material, what are you smoking? The guy is the epitome of ‘mid’.
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This saga has also reminded me what a knob Gregor Paul is.
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@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2026:
I just read this on the reddit redo of the Gregor Paul article 'Gregor Paul: The day I knew Razor would be exiting the All Blacks':
"The Herald has been told that Mo’unga – one of the game’s most genuine and likeable characters – independently rang McKenzie and Barrett to assure them he was not agitating for either an early release from his Toshiba contract or a change in eligibility laws, and he was uncomfortable he was some kind of shadow narrative to the All Blacks’ season."Can anyone here confirm this?
So we all should have taken more notice when Mounga walked just as Razor got the top gig.
Was he only sticking around previously to play AB rugby and then decided that wasn't going to be a bearable option once Scott stepped up?
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@Darth-Sader said in All Blacks 2026:
This saga has also reminded me what a knob Gregor Paul is.
I didn't mind his writing at first but his articles seem increasingly a little depressed or pissed off to me. Does he regret living in NZ or maybe the NZ sport journalist's salary?
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@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2026:
@Darth-Sader said in All Blacks 2026:
This saga has also reminded me what a knob Gregor Paul is.
I didn't mind his writing at first but his articles seem increasingly a little depressed or pissed off to me. Does he regret living in NZ or maybe the NZ sport journalist's salary?
I think ‘ghost writing’ Foster’s book has definitely tainted his views on the current/recent NZR set up.
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@Bovidae said in All Blacks 2026:
AFAIK Wayne Smith has moved to the GC so isn't even based in NZ anymore.
Not that far from a 2027RWC host city.
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@Bones guess we have to wait for his book...but you have mentioned that before.
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@Darth-Sader said in All Blacks 2026:
I think ‘ghost writing’ Foster’s book has definitely tainted his views on the current/recent NZR set up.
I see Gregor Paul wasn't really a fan of the coaches:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks-v-argentina-forget-rankings-scott-robertsons-side-are-clearly-not-world-no-1-side-gregor-paul/HFWEVQGBSZENFDX6VH7NU72NRU/
"All Blacks v Argentina: Scott Robertson’s side have become the dumbest and dirtiest team in world rugby – Gregor Paul" -
@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2026:
@Bones guess we have to wait for his book...but you have mentioned that before.
Nah I think I've probably said he probably thought with dad in charge he could have his cake and eat it. Get out for a jolly in Japan earning shitloads and still play a world cup.
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@Darth-Sader said in All Blacks 2026:
I think ‘ghost writing’ Foster’s book has definitely tainted his views on the current/recent NZR set up.
Here's an idea: just to show his impartiality, Gregor Paul could ghostwrite or cowrite a book with Razor!
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@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2026:
@Darth-Sader said in All Blacks 2026:
I think ‘ghost writing’ Foster’s book has definitely tainted his views on the current/recent NZR set up.
Here's an idea: just to show his impartiality, Gregor Paul could ghostwrite or cowrite a book with Razor!
Or a comic
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@Bones said in All Blacks 2026:
@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2026:
I just read this on the reddit redo of the Gregor Paul article 'Gregor Paul: The day I knew Razor would be exiting the All Blacks':
"The Herald has been told that Mo’unga – one of the game’s most genuine and likeable characters – independently rang McKenzie and Barrett to assure them he was not agitating for either an early release from his Toshiba contract or a change in eligibility laws, and he was uncomfortable he was some kind of shadow narrative to the All Blacks’ season."Can anyone here confirm this?
So we all should have taken more notice when Mounga walked just as Razor got the top gig.
Was he only sticking around previously to play AB rugby and then decided that wasn't going to be a bearable option once Scott stepped up?
I recall Mounga being quite a strong advocate for Foz - at least publicly
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@hikastags said in All Blacks 2026:
Head Coach: Jamie Joseph
Attack Coach: Tony Brown
Defence Coach: Dave Rennie
Forwards/Set Piece: Vern Cotter
Technical/Game Management Advisor: Joe SchmidtThat's the ideal set-up IMO. Will probably need a skills & scrum coach also.
And a good mental skills coach seeing how fragile some are.
Yes, re the mental skills coaching - a balance of individual mental skills development and as a team - potentially a two person approach e.g., someone with proven expertise in strengthening individual athletes and the other from a military background e.g., Navy Seals with a couple of Hell Week camps included in prep for the RWC.
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You lot are so demanding. Skills in passing, kicking, tackling and maybe the ability to change tactics after halftime if they aren't working would be good initial baby steps.
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@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2026:
You lot are so demanding. Skills in passing, kicking, tackling and maybe the ability to change tactics after halftime if they aren't working would be good initial baby steps.
All secondary to the ability to bear crawl while wearing a helmet and carrying a backpack and a rifle.
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Well, personally I’m advocating for a Fozzie/Gregor Paul coaching ticket. With Ardie riding them around like ponies.
