The five big takeaways from the All Blacks’ July Nations Championship sweep

Wednesday, 22 July 2026

The Dave Rennie All Blacks era is away to a 3-0 start. And the formline appears to be tracking promisingly after a 40-21 signoff against the Irish at Eden Park.

It wasn’t always convincing as the New Zealanders kept pace with the Boks through phase one of the Nations Championship, but there was a lot to like about a six-try domination of the Irish to sign off on that kept the Eden Park streak alive.

So, here are our five biggest All Blacks takeaways from the first assignment under the new coaching group:

Read more:

• How the Tupou Vaa’i experiment came up a winner

• Impressive All Blacks keep Eden Park record intact

• Codie Taylor’s injury the big concern

• The rise and rise of ABs wing find Josh Moorby

Fullbacks rule in the back three

There were scratchy moments early, but by Eden Park there was a settled, comfortable feel to the All Blacks’ back three in which fullback skills/inclinations remain paramount. And Caleb Clarke’s influential turn off the bench was also notable.

There was some pushback around Rennie’s initial selections of Will Jordan on the right wing and Damian McKenzie at fullback. Isn’t Jordan best left to excel in the roving 15 role? And what about the diminutive McKenzie’s physical challenges at test level?

But Rennie picked McKenzie at 15 and Jordan at 14 in all three tests, and it was hard to argue with the end result. Jordan had six tries in July, and still found ways to roam effectively, while McKenzie signed off with a towering display at Eden Park (114m carried, 8 defenders beaten).

Then there’s Josh Moorby. There’s something about this 28-year-old rookie that exudes test readiness. He followed an outstanding debut in extended time off the pine in Wellington with another measured display in Auckland that puts him in the box seat for South Africa. As Jordan noted: “He sniffs out a support line even better than I do. He’s a busy footballer, defensively he’s been great, he pops up everywhere and has this amazing ability to link.”

A fit Fehi Fineanganofo just adds another layer for what lies ahead.

Bigger is better in the pack

Clearly with the Boks in mind, Rennie ended the championship schedule with his biggest pack and, notably, its best performance.

The combination of Tupou Vaa’i’s move to No 6 and the introduction of Paddy Tuipulotu to the second row appeared to provide an uptick in physical impact at Eden Park, and that’s a non-negotiable in the republic. It also corresponded to the team’s most complete performance of the opening phase.

Rennie still has options around loose and second-row combinations, with Fabian Holland likely back for the tour, and Peter Lakai and Wallace Sititi still looming as high-impact back-rowers. But he has talked a lot about “balance” in his pack, and the roaming trio of Ardie Savea, Luke Jacobson and Vaa’i certainly brought that. Hard to see how he veers off that track with those big Bok brutes up next.

Love is in the air, and on the ground

Clearly the new era at No 10 is upon us. At least until Richie Mo’unga enters the fold again, maybe post-SA, maybe during it, depending on circumstances.

Hurricanes star Ruben Love started all three tests at No 10 and by and large came through impressively. It’s still early days in the young man’s test career, but Rennie appears committed to him.

“The way he’s playing, you’d think he’s played closer to 50 tests,” noted McKenzie after Eden Park. “He’s had an extremely good season with the Canes and brought that confidence into the test arena. He’s combining really well with Cam [Roigard] at 9, and leading us round the park.”

Injuries could change things in a heartbeat, but for now it appears the Beauden Barrett career might be at an impasse, and it’s time to embrace Love in the ABs.

Building depth for what lies ahead

Scott Robertson, rather ambitiously, had Project Four Deep. More realistic might be two or three at every position, and Rennie appears heading in that direction.

Take centre. He has Quinn Tupaea owning the spot right now, and delivering. But Billy Proctor lurks as a viable alternative, getting just enough game-time to stay relevant. Anton Lienert-Brown hovers, too, and probably Rieko Ioane for SA.

Hooker is another spot with serious firepower, important potentially depending on what transpires with Codie Taylor’s calf injury. Powerhouse Asafo Aumua was outstanding in Auckland, and finally looks ready to deliver. And Samisoni Taukei’aho is a heck of a third option. Lock has similar depth, and the back three is awash with contenders. Halfback is probably the one spot you wouldn’t want an injury, but expect Rennie to address that soon.

It’s a strength of the Boks. No doubt. Maybe their biggest rivals too.

Do the All Blacks finally have their bomb squad?

At some stage Rennie needs to establish a consistent and equipped impact unit off the bench. The Boks, clear favourites for the RGR series, are way ahead of them here, as they are in other aspects. But there were signs in Auckland of something positive brewing.

Aumua, Xavier Numia, Anton Segner, Anton Lienert-Brown and Caleb Clarke all came in and added genuine impact over the second half. It remains a work in progress, but it’s an area of the All Blacks’ game that needs to be much better. Subs are no longer just injury replacements. They have to be game-changers who excel in winning time.