The Silver Fern

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Another quote from the article @tim linked to

But Robertson’s vision was never for him to undertake the tasks that most would agree constitute the role of head coach – setting the overall playing vision for the team and then overseeing the delivery of that plan.

Instead, Robertson pitched himself as a culture coach, responsible for theming campaigns, communicating one-on-one with players to manage their expectations and career progression.

As Robertson confirmed to the Herald this week in Cardiff, it is his assistant, Scott Hansen, who effectively operates in the role most would recognise as the head coach.

the question needs to be asked that if Hansen had applied to be the head coach in 2023, would he have been given the role?

SBW out? Rieko to 12!

The rumour hasn't been posted on the forum. It's in the wild elsewhere. Nothing we can do about that

Also worth noting the hypocrisy of those who complain about this rumour but endorse nasty stories about Ardie

It’s unclear if forwards coach Jason Ryan will remain

He has to go too. He's been part of the bullshit

Also 4 seasons is a decent crack. Move on.

@nostrildamus said in All Blacks 2026:

I think you have listed the most likely duos in the appropriate (descending) order for likelihood of selection

I would like all of them. Joseph (head coach), Brown, Cotter as the main coaches. Schmidt as a high performance manager who joins later working with SR sides and the ABs.

@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. Which is par for the course and something I’m sure he expected.

He’s had friendlier media than any coach before him. It’s not even close.

TSF version of Godwin’s law:

“As a thread grows longer, the probability of discussing the RWC failure or Akira Ioane approaches 1”

There's been some comments in the media that the current situation is similar to all the other Blues coaches. I thought I would check out the win percentages vs other NZ sides

Yes, the form of the NZ teams has ebbed and flowed but they are generally strong. Also, they are the one constant across the various number of teams, competition structure etc

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Umaga 6.7%

15 games 1 win

The one win was the first game vs the Highlanders (33-31)

If his team the next 5 NZ games (2 vs Crusaders, 2 vs Hurricanes, 1 vs Highlanders) he can just edge in front of Kirwan

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Kirwan 29%

24 games 7 wins
(3 Hurricanes, 2 Highlanders, 2 Crusaders)

Crap

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Lam 37.5%

24 games 9 wins
(4 Highlanders, 2 Chiefs, 2 Hurricanes, 1 Crusaders)

I think there has to be a note about the injury crisis in Lams fourth season. Crazy number of injuries, players with no NPC experience starting... locks in particular, we were starting our 7th choice lock with a loosie next to him etc

First three seasons prior to that injury crisis:
9/16 56.3%

This included the best streak since Henry: 6 in a row versus NZ teams. The streak Included all other NZ sides. That season was the last time the Blues made the playoffs

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Nucifora 50%

6/12
(2 Chiefs, 2 Highlanders, 1 Hurricanes, 1 Crusaders)

A bad first season cemented reputation then his team went ok (0-4 in that first year)

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Sloane 52.9%

9/17
(3 Crusaders, 2 Chiefs, 2 Hurricanes, 2 Highlanders)

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Various 1 season coaches all got 50%

Yes, even Jed Rowlands

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Henry 92.9%

13/14

13 in a row before losing the final in 98

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Clearly Henry belongs in his own category.

From 1999-2011 all of these coaches had a minimum of 50% success rate against NZ teams:
Rowlands 50%
Hunter 50%
Oliver 50%
Sloane 52.9%
Nucifora 50%
Lam 56.3%

Sure, thats not good enough, but they were competitive. They all got a lot of criticism in the press compared to the current coach.

Then came the injury crisis in Lam’s fourth season. I have never been convinced the right action was to sack Lam after that amount of injuries. He had very little support in the media and from the board so he had no chance.

The new normal of shittness has settled in under Kirwan/Umaga

@African-Monkey said in All Blacks vs Wallabies Bledisloe I:

Clear as day. I don't know who (Duluth would know, but wouldn't be allowed to share), but there will be plenty of players, coaches and media who read on here.

What I know is mostly word of mouth stuff

Always loads of journalists lurking. In recent years there's been SR players, a SR assistant coach and loads of family members posting. I'm sure there's plenty I don't know about

Going way way back my favourite example was when a current AB Lock was criticising the AB Hooker and saying he couldn't throw. Somebody corrected him about his lack of lineout knowledge "actually it's a lot more complicated than fans think.."

There was an OKish SR player a few years ago who kept suggesting himself as an AB bolter

At the moment the only punishment is some public humiliation and going to whatever anger management course his lawyer enlists him in.

I would like to see him removed from the current AB squad. At least then there would be a financial penalty. It also serves as a warning to others

We have a perfectly good squad replacement in Robinson. He should've made the original squad IMO

After that I don't really care. It sounds like a low level incident - he can come back later if he's good enough (..and based on his efforts at Test level so far, he is not good enough)

@Chris-B said in Exodus:

I think he'd be 33 at the next RWC - not too old but high milage.

Good pickup for Tonga

Plus NZ streets will be a little safer. Good news all around

@Victor-Meldrew

Also it's not just the top job (culture coach), I'm astounded that NZR got into a situation where the 3 selectors are all from the same franchise. In previous appointments there was an effort to have a variety of backgrounds. It's unthinkable that Henry could've had two Blues selectors with him etc

One of the reasons that the cartel succeeded was because they challenged each other and Henry didn't win every argument

@KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2026:

If i'm honest i'm pleased that there's people in ABs that care enough to deliver honest feedback and at NZR that are bold enough to pull the trigger.

Well done David Kirk, Keven Mealamu etc

I hope most of the details are made public too. It's in NZR's best interest to explain how bad the environment was

@frank said in Depth at 10:

Zarn Sullivan is the obvious guy to try.
Problems
-he won't get game time there because of BB playing for Auckland
-he is being used at fullback
-Fozzie is way too conservative to think outside the box and pick him

I think this is getting a bit silly. Sullivan hasn't even had a single start as a ten at NPC level

He's unlikely to get a run at ten because he's been very good for the Blues at fullback. MacDoanld (a decent fullback himself), has raved about Sullivans natural lines from fullback. Maybe his best position is actually fullback?

Maybe he becomes a ten, maybe he doesn't. But the rating he is getting in thread based on almost no adult rugby in the position is over the top

@mariner4life said in All Blacks 2025:

Bidwell might be the dumbest of all the blokes who get paid (i assume) to talk about rugby

Dumber than everyone that posts on the fern too.. and we have some absolute tards here

@nonpartizan said in All Blacks 2025:

Didn't Sotutu already turn down a call up in 2024

He was injured.

Here' what Robertson said at he time :
"We were going to bring Hoskins in, but he’s injured,” declared Robertson. “We’ve been considering it over the last couple of days, but with his knee, after scans, he won't come"

He's a player that some people like to make shit up about. A similar rumour was pushed last week