All Black Leicester Fainga’anuku set to return to New Zealand in 2026

Just give this article a pass?

As Rassie identified, the breakdown was a big part of the two springbok tests against NZ. The pumas also won the breakdown battle in Wellington. Ireland's dark arts were also on display in the springbok - Irish tests.

On the attack side, you see teams willing to play more open rugby and play a bit more freely on defense. In particular, England and Springboks have looked a lot more attack orientated than before.

If I were to compare it, 2017-2023 were like 2003-2009, when a much tighter and physical game was trending, The way teams are playing at the moment is a bit like the end of 2009 going into 2010, with south africa still dominating through their physicality but teams starting to open up again and run the ball more.

Until Rassie put his tutorial video up on YouTube during the last Lions series.

Undid decades of goodwill.

Steve never stood a chance.

Maybe he knows there is a chance he may not be in charge for the 2027 RWC.

That's allot of respect they are showing to a tier 2 team.

I think it's also significant that the shunt to 10, awkward as it is, started after he suffered a potential career ending injury. Maybe they are trying to protect him?

He's a Ferrari but they're using him as a lawnmower.

Albornoz is a Ferrari. Just flat out. Argentina have started slowly in all 3 of their wins and he was the catalyst for all of those comeback wins.

Like ABs of old, Argentina are regularly turning over 10-0 and 17-0 handicaps. It's all Albornoz. He's developing in the role and playing super while Mckenzie is being developed in the role and not playing super. Just how I see it.

We have 3 of the RC teams in Dublin this Nov. With respect to the others, it's only Argentina I'm nervous about. Although I can't wait to see this lad in person.

They could weight Aussies wins as being double points like a WC knockout match, and an loss would just have a small rating drop as if playing a normal game against the #1 ranked side! That would be close to fair I reckon🤣

But yeah nar, seriously, it will have to be after these EOYTs. Given that it is a yearly thing? Or has the "season" really started with TRC, and should end with the 6N next year? Or maybe they will "freeze" the rankings during July and the rest of 2025 will count? It would be bugger all change if they just took the ranking up till this EOYT!! We know what WR are like, I think were in for another debacle here!

Godfrey is going to be really good but could be too small. Rico Simpson debuting for Auckland at 18...hard to ignore. Cam Miller has shown a lot of class already and seems to be expanding his game for Otago.

I'm yet to see much i like about Kemara but he's super young and haven't watched any of Spencer or Cashmore to be honest, they're expected to be good players which is why I threw them in there.

The All Blacks have a starting lineup that boasts 917 Caps, while the Wallabies starting XV have only a total of 374 Caps, plus scrum weight and possibly technique advantage unless Jasons mentor Mike Cron has other plans. Boring in, like they did in last weekends game.

Anyways, all going well, the weather forecast is looking good for an open running game of rugby with on field official Nika Amashukeli in charge.

Go the All Blacks...the stats are heavily stacked in your favour...stay on the good side of Nika and don't be flippant and produce a Betty Crocker...OK 👌..