The hunt for the next All Blacks coach continues, but one thing is already clear: the incoming leader must urgently rebuild the team’s attack. Scott Robertson’s departure has exposed deep cracks in the All Blacks’ attacking identity during 2025 — a problem that became impossible to ignore after several high-profile losses. Whoever takes over as All Blacks 2026 coach will be judged first on whether they can restore the team’s famous flair and scoring power.
The Attack Crisis Under Robertson
Despite a respectable overall win rate, the 2025 All Blacks struggled to break down top opposition consistently. Key issues included:
- Over-reliance on structured set-piece and kicking rather than multi-phase continuity
- Decline in offloading and support play compared to peak Crusaders-era Robertson teams
- Significant drop in points scored per game against tier-one nations
- Visible tension between Robertson’s attacking vision and how assistants implemented it
These problems were highlighted in the heavy losses to South Africa and Argentina, where the All Blacks failed to create enough clean line breaks or exploit space effectively.
What the New All Blacks Coach Needs to Deliver in 2026
The 2026 season will be the ultimate test. With 13 Tests — including three home blocks against France, Italy, Ireland and Australia, plus four brutal Tests in South Africa — the new All Blacks 2026 coach must deliver an identity that works against elite defences. Priorities should include:
- Reinstating dynamic, multi-phase attacking rugby
- Maximising the talents of players like Will Jordan, Jordie Barrett, Damian McKenzie and Cortez Ratima
- Creating clearer roles for outside backs and midfielders to exploit broken-field opportunities
- Balancing risk and structure so the team can score from anywhere on the field
2026 Fixtures That Will Define the New Era
The schedule leaves little room for slow starts. Critical early blocks:
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Kick-off (NZST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 July 2026 | France | One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch | 7:10pm |
| 11 July 2026 | Italy | Sky Stadium, Wellington | 5:10pm |
| 18 July 2026 | Ireland | Eden Park, Auckland | TBC |
| 10 October 2026 | Australia (Bledisloe Cup) | Eden Park, Auckland | 7:10pm |
Full fixture list and live updates available on our All Blacks 2026 schedule page.
Tickets & Fan Expectations
Home Tests are expected to sell out quickly — especially the Christchurch opener at the new stadium and the Bledisloe Cup clash. Pre-sale registration is already open. Get all the details and official links on our All Blacks 2026 tickets guide.
Stay Updated on the Coaching Search & 2026 Build-Up
Who do you think should be the next All Blacks coach? Share your thoughts below. Follow the latest developments, candidate updates and squad news in our news section.
Official announcements and more at allblacks.com and nzrugby.co.nz.