All Blacks 2026
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A lot of coaches I think will be standing back and looking at the shedule for 2026.
The sacking of the previous coach etc and maybe deciding the timing is not right, I will make my run at it after the WC.
If Joseph,Rennie,Cotter all say not yet and Rennie also thinks it maybe a poison chalice ATM, Schmidt because family and the same reasons could also opt out and he is contracted to the Wallabies until July.It might be easier to have a clean out of players after the WC if you wanted to start afresh.
Where are we with a coach.
All of this is possible, if I was a Rugby coach in line for this, I would step back and wait it may make your position even stronger if the next 2 years do not go well.
Everyone assumes all these coaches are champing at the bit to get this job right now.
Maybe they are not just yet. -
@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
It still feels like Schmidt's most likely role would be a high performance director as opposed to HC based on his family situation
Schmidt's situation, plus Cotter had been talking about retirement (hadn't he?) gives a bit of extra life to that 'dream team' type scenario, where people would be prepared to be part of it in some role that isn't HC and just want the best for the ABs.
To try to give a more positive spin than @Chris ...
In fact your idea could play into it too though mate, e.g. if a HC candidate thought it might well go tits-up, and then think perhaps an assistant role - involvement without the ultimate responsibility - might be the better option for a couple of years? -
@reprobate said in All Blacks 2026:
@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
It still feels like Schmidt's most likely role would be a high performance director as opposed to HC based on his family situation
Schmidt's situation, plus Cotter had been talking about retirement (hadn't he?) gives a bit of extra life to that 'dream team' type scenario, where people would be prepared to be part of it in some role that isn't HC and just want the best for the ABs.
To try to give a more positive spin than @Chris ...
In fact your idea could play into it too though mate, e.g. if a HC candidate thought it might well go tits-up, and then think perhaps an assistant role - involvement without the ultimate responsibility - might be the better option for a couple of years?Taking a coaching role you are looking at 2 situations most of the time.
1.The team is starting to move upwards or you see the potential for immediate success and you can add to that and take it to the next level.
2.The team is not in a good spot so you need to change structures and attitudes, which normally means a clean out of players as some players don't react well to change and fight it, you need everyone on board they have to go,or those players do not fit your vision.
this to me doesn't look like a year to achieve that so you may have to tread water dangerous for you coaching rep. -
While the situation with Razor is not ideal, hopefully the candidates can take more confidence in things sans Robinson and should therefore be more professional.
But it does put the ball firmly in the court of the applicants
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I think/hope there are some maybes on the edge of selection who might excite potential candidates. But I agree the tour list is a bit daunting. I think Joe for one with his family needs would hate it..
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@Jimmy-Jimmy said in All Blacks 2026:
@allblackfan2 Nope, not what I said.
A robot cannot possibly understand a battle scarred and passionate AB fan.
I read stuff in other places but there is nothing else that I have found that even comes close to this joint.
Long live the Fern.
I agree re ‘ long live the fern’ , and whilst a robot doesnt inherently embody the same passion and experiences as human sports fans (notably AB fans) they can produce data sourced from multiple sources - both shit and quality sources and everything in between. I have my perspective on the use of AI and you have yours - that’s the beauty of places like TSF. -
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@Chris said in All Blacks 2026:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2026:
@Chris flip side is the players could be gagging for something that actually works and isn't toxic. Those that aren't, are easily replaced.
That is possible too.
Strike while the iron is hot eh, the players will be hurting too and will have a point to prove, coaches would look forward to harnessing that energy.
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@taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2026:
While the situation with Razor is not ideal, hopefully the candidates can take more confidence in things sans Robinson and should therefore be more professional.
But it does put the ball firmly in the court of the applicants
It also puts the ball firmly in the NZR Board's court. Looks like a new page has been turned with Kirk and you'd assume potential coaches would recognise that.
No reason NZR can't allay potential coaches fears and assure they'll be treated professionally from now on
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@Bones said in All Blacks 2026:
@Chris said in All Blacks 2026:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2026:
@Chris flip side is the players could be gagging for something that actually works and isn't toxic. Those that aren't, are easily replaced.
That is possible too.
Strike while the iron is hot eh, the players will be hurting too and will have a point to prove, coaches would look forward to harnessing that energy.
Maybe but you still look as a coach at the schedule, the players you have,The culture,
And do you have the tools given to you to succeed, no restrictions on what you need to do,
On the reverse side of your comment are there bitter players,or players who want more control than they should, is the camp divided.
Are you setting yourself up for a major fail, could hurt you IP as a coach massively. -
@Chris said in All Blacks 2026:
On the reverse side of your comment are there bitter players,or players who want more control than they should, is the camp divided.
I'd suggest that's often the case, regardless of the situation. Coaches should be expecting it and have methodology to deal with it, or even better, cut out the poison.
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@Chris said in All Blacks 2026:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2026:
or even better, cut out the poison.
This is the key for the next coach,great results will come after this is done I believe.
I hope the NZR empowers the coach to be able to do this.The next coach will need to be courageous, especially if the path upward includes culling some older leaders, or downgrading players' roles
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@canefan said in All Blacks 2026:
@Chris said in All Blacks 2026:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2026:
or even better, cut out the poison.
This is the key for the next coach,great results will come after this is done I believe.
I hope the NZR empowers the coach to be able to do this.The next coach will need to be courageous, especially if the path upward includes culling some older leaders, or downgrading players' roles
Yep we need a tough bugger as coach to make the tough decisions.
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@Chris said in All Blacks 2026:
@Bones said in All Blacks 2026:
or even better, cut out the poison.
This is the key for the next coach,great results will come after this is done I believe.
I hope the NZR empowers the coach to be able to do this.Depends where the poison lies - or laid. Key thing is everyone working to a single goal with clear leadership and roles. Read somewhere that Shag had to apologise for being late to a meeting.
No reason you can't have disagreements or arguments provided they are handled in a mature respectful way by all concerned. Seems that's been lacking if what we hear about Robertson dismissing players concerns is true
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@lak said in All Blacks 2026:
I think we need someone to take a hammer to the poisonous environment we find ourselves in, smash the tick tock if you will.
Have zero problems with boot colour, hair-style or social media presence. While we don't want dickheads, we don't want a team of robots, either.
