Jason Ryan has offered a candid post-mortem on New Zealand's three-Test drubbing in the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series, conceding he's learned more in seven weeks of facing the Boks than in years of coaching. His core admission: South Africa's set-piece dominance — scrum, maul, lineout — was genuinely world-class, and the All Blacks' seven scrum penalties proved decisive momentum-shifters at critical moments. Ryan insists the All Blacks rank third globally for quality ball on their own scrum but acknowledges the opposition ball was where they were exposed. Barrett's return is flagged as significant, with Ryan crediting him as the kind of detail-obsessed senior forward who sharpens an entire pack's preparation. On the 'walking around' scrum controversy that Rennie and Neil Barnes raised during the series, Ryan simply laughed it off when a journalist cheekily asked if New Zealand would adopt the same tactic — 'We'll just be scrummaging.'
All Blacks forward coach takes scrum lessons from Boks — but won't be 'walking around'
Jason Ryan's honest debrief on the RGR series loss credits the Boks' set-piece as world-best, flags seven costly scrum penalties, and points to Barrett's return as key to an All Blacks response in the Bledisloe Cup — while wryly dismissing the 'walking around' controversy.
Boks remain top but All Blacks close gap to 2.90 points after Nations Championship opener
South Africa stay top of the World Rugby Men's Rankings at 93.94 points but New Zealand have cut the gap to 2.90 after beating France, while Scotland climb to equal their all-time high of fifth following a record 47-38 win over Argentina in Córdoba.
Hansen's Right to Back Himself — But the Boks' Five-Match Streak Tells a Different Story
Jean de Villiers acknowledges Hansen's logic but argues last year's results and performances make it hard to see the All Blacks closing the gap on the Boks — and the panel get genuinely animated over what a 2-2 series tiebreaker would even look like.
Erasmus welcomes clarity on Tony Brown's post-2027 departure: 'We've made the mistake in the past'
Tony Brown will join the All Blacks coaching staff in 2028 after his Springbok contract expires at the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with Rassie Erasmus welcoming the early clarity as SA Rugby looks to avoid the contractual uncertainty that complicated preparations for France 2023.
Tony Brown to join All Blacks backroom staff in 2028 after Springbok contract ends
NZR have confirmed Tony Brown will join the All Blacks' backroom staff in 2028 on a two-year contract, with the Springboks attack coach set to depart after the 2027 Rugby World Cup. It is the third time NZR have pursued Brown, having previously been rejected during the Foster and Robertson eras.
Keo & Zels: Stubborn All Blacks policy make Boks smile
The boys love that New Zealand keep picking their second-best, long may it continue.