All Blacks 2IC on big shift coaches are making with 2026 squad

The new All Blacks coaching regime is looking to reverse a trend it has identified in the country’s style of play, with Monday’s squad selection key to that reversal.

The team’s 2IC, Neil Barnes, says there will be a renewed focus on tackle evasion and on using skill sets in the All Blacks’ attack, rather than an over-dedication to winning collisions, which he says detracts from New Zealand’s traditional strengths.

Barnes joined Dave Rennie’s coaching ticket three months prior to the first All Blacks squad announcement of 2026, with the head coach winning his position, in large part, thanks to what he described as a clear vision for how he wants the team to play. That clarity gave selectors – Rennie, Barnes, and Sir Graham Henry – the bulk of the Super Rugby Pacific season to find the best players to bring that vision to life.

“We got together as a group of coaches way, way back, and we decided how we’re going to play the game,” Barnes told Sport Nation‘s Scotty Stevenson and Israel Dagg. “Rens is pretty strong on work ethic, and a game that you’re taking as many opportunities as you can to play, so the players have to be fit and need to be relentless in their work rate.

“We still want to be physical; we still want to be dominant. All the things you need, the basics of the game have to be done, but we’re looking for a player with skill sets that can play.”

Team Form

Last 5 Games

26 - 52

33 - 19

17 - 25

13 - 26

14 - 28

48 - 46

50 - 40

33 - 8

12 - 54

36 - 14

4

Wins

4

1

Streak

1

21

Tries Scored

30

47

Points Difference

81

4/5

First Try

4/5

3/5

First Points

4/5

4/5

Race To 10 Points

5/5

Barnes says the emphasis on collision over evasion has been a regression rather than a progression, and he hopes to inspire fans by returning to the style of play that New Zealanders love to watch.

“The game in this country has gone back to being very much collision-based rather than what we’ve been used to working with; pace and skill-sets, and trying to find space to play. And for that, you need to have a defence that’s a little bit disorganised, and so you’re looking for those situations or trying to create them. 

“It’s not rocket science, but look, at the end of the day, we’re talking about the legacy of an All Blacks jersey and what makes this country proud, and I think this country would rather see us trying to play that style of rugby than just being conservative and hoping that we get a result.”

Barnes, a well-travelled forwards coach, stressed the fact that he still recognises the need for physicality, with some true giants among the athletes in the Test arena.

“You’ve still got to be able to handle that,” he said. “Let’s not hide away from that. Our forwards, particularly, and the boys through the middle of the field, you’re still going to be able to handle the South Africas and Frances of the world that are going to come straight at you, and if you can’t, you’re going to get found out.

“And to be fair, mate, people like Jason Ryan have been awesome for me, because he’s been in this mix at this level and understands it. So he’s had to strike me up a few times when I get out of line.”

Barnes went on to further illustrate how the coaches have been working together and challenging each other to find the best 34-man squad for the inaugural Nations Championship Test window, highlighting Sir Graham Henry, aka ‘Ted’, as a powerful contributor to the discussions.

“At the end of the day, you get excited about a player because you see a few skill sets. That’s the way I’m built, and that goes for Ted as well.

“There might be three of us as selectors, but we have been running these things across the other coaches the whole time, what their opinions are on players, so all these decisions have come about through a lot of discussions with a lot of people, and then going back and looking again and challenging yourself.

“So, yeah, it’s probably one of the most thorough processes I’ve been involved with, and if I’m allowed to say, Ted’s been pretty wicked, too. He does bloody awesome for his age, he works frigging hard and has strong opinions. But to be fair, we’ve been pretty aligned, which gives you confidence that you’re not too far off the pace.”