With Taukei'aho and Aumua both pushing hard after strong Super Rugby Pacific campaigns, the All Blacks' hooker selection for the Ellis Park opener is generating real debate in New Zealand. On Sky Sport NZ's Breakdown, former hooker James Parsons shut it down quickly — Taylor starts, full stop. His reasoning: 109 Tests, Rennie's explicit trust (backed by three consecutive starting berths in the Nations Championship), and the particular pressure-cooker nature of a Joburg Test. Parsons and Jeff Wilson both point to 2022 at Ellis Park as evidence that Taylor has already shown he can handle that environment when everything is on the line. The more interesting wrinkle is where Aumua fits — Parsons actually thinks the impact role suits him better, which would leave Taukei'aho as the injury cover rather than a genuine starter. For Springbok fans, the piece is a useful read on which All Blacks front-row combinations Rennie is likely to run across the series.
Former All Black makes the case for Taylor to start at hooker against the Boks
New Zealand rugby pundits back Codie Taylor to start at hooker for the Ellis Park Test despite stiff competition, with James Parsons calling it a 'no-brainer' given Taylor's experience and Rennie's clear preference — and suggesting Aumua is actually better deployed off the bench.
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.