Sorry Ireland, AB fans were told for decades that it doesn't matter what you do between RWC's, if you choke at the big dance. Boks are Number 1 and current RWC champions, that makes them the best in the world.

This is the best rugby show from NZ. Much respect for your rugby knowledge, insight, and honesty. Springboks fan from the USA.

What a weekend ENG v NZ and IRE v SA. England fan here, and it's a strange feeling not having any idea what NZ will realistically bring. Makes me worried, but super excited about the game. Plus this new rivalry of SA and IRE make it a tasty game to watch!

Quality program without hype and egos...thankyou

Important to note: the South African players have been playing 12-month seasons for the last three years now, so I don’t buy that excuse from the Northern Hemisphere.

We're finally here ready for test season, looking forward to watching Scooter go about his captaincy role.

England team has just been announced: 1. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 94 caps) - vice-captain 2. Jamie George (Saracens, 91 caps) - captain 3. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 39 caps) 4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 82 caps) - vice-captain 5. George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 13 caps) 6. Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 5 caps) 7. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 36 caps) 8. Ben Earl (Saracens, 31 caps) - vice-captain 9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 16 caps) 10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 33 caps) 11. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 9 caps) 12. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 25 caps) 13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 63 caps) - vice-captain 14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, 4 caps) 15. George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 10 caps) Reserves 16. Theo Dan (Saracens, 13 caps) 17. Fin Baxter (Harlequins, uncapped) 18. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 113 caps) 19. Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 5 caps) 20. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 51 caps) 21. Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby, 5 caps) 22. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, 3 caps) 23. Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints, uncapped)

A much more accurate assessment of this current England side than that offered by Kirwan and Wilson. Glad no one is talking about Feyi-Waboso. I have a feeling the ABs will be on Sunday!

Given that Kirwan and Wilson are legends of our game, the commentary here is so much better here. Well done guys.

Top teams perform under pressure - Ireland cannot be considered nr1 until they can perform in knockout games. SA,NZ,Ireland,France,Engand is my current top5 order with Scotland a close 6

On wing: Clarke is a terrible positional defender. Might as well have Telea and you lose nothing in power and attack. I would go with Narawa because of his connection with DMac. Loosies: Ardie at 8. Sampeni at 6 and Blackadder at 7.

Hands down the best rugby show in New Zealand. Thanks for the insights chaps, keep up the good work.

Hi Ross. It would be helpful to see Bryn's and James picks listed on the screen for comparison. Thanks guys! Darrell.

When is tony brown going to be the ABs attack coach? Surely we can see the obvious talent!

I can only hope the ABs show England truth and reality.

Coming from a Kiwi, England do have a lot of attacking threats: Smith, Lawrence, Earl, feyi-waboso.

As an Englishman I believe that NH rugby was too far stuck in tradition that strangled innovation. We are starting to see that barrier removed now, and we are seeing the fruit of it. Now the struggle is the lack of experience in consistent winning positions, this will also evolve more as the next few WRC happen. No one likes Woodward, but he was revolutionary different for English rugby in his day in the way he prepared the team.

Enjoyed watching this show 💯 just an All Blacks 🖤 fan watching from Fiji 🇫🇯 cant wait for this test match against England

Here’s my question to anyone reading this, feel free to share your thoughts! With the All Blacks experiencing major changes this year, including a new coaching staff and potentially a new playing style, *what are your expectations for their performance in the 2024 season?* *How do you think these changes will affect their strategy and overall success throughout the 14-game schedule?* *Additionally, what would you define as a successful campaign for the All Blacks this year, and what would you consider to be less successful?* For me personally, a successful campaign results-wise would include a 2-0 victory over England at home, retaining both the Bledisloe Cup and the Rugby Championship, and defeating both Ireland and France at the end of the year. While I would love to see a perfect record this season, realistically, losing a couple of games (no more than three) wouldn't be detrimental as long as the team learns and adapts from those losses. Furthermore, I would consider it a success if we make significant progress in closing the gap with Ireland, South Africa, and France, laying the groundwork to lead the way again. Increased discipline and fewer cards would also be markers of success. Feel free to share your thoughts! Looking forward to reading them and I can’t wait for kick off!

15.PEROFETA 14.TELEA 13.IOANE 12.Jordie 11.CLARKE 10.McKenzie 9.CHRISTIE. AB's backline could be mostly in-form Blues players

15-BB,14-Telea,13-Ioane,12-JB,11-Clarke,10-Mckenzie,9-Finlay,8-Ardie,7-Dalton,6-Samipeni,5-Barrett,4-Patrick,3-Ofa,2-Taylor,1-Tyrell

squad depth is so important when it comes to year around rugby The boks have built incedible depth and game tiem management is a science

im with Brins loose forward trio. even tho i still think savea is a 7 , for me robertsons has missed a trick, hurricanes number 8 is clearly the fastest and has great impact, savea at 7 is better. 6 finau has yet to impress me and papallili plays like a 6 and blackadder is definitely a 6.

4 RWC's. 1995, 2007, 2019, 2023. There is no disputing who the best team is......Ireland are like Jean Van De Velde on the 18th.....

I can't wait for this weekend. Some good games to look forward to. As a saffa I can't make a prediction on the All Blacks vs England. It will be easier once the teams have been announced. My only concern for the All Blacks is their lineouts. With only one player who is two meters tall they might struggle come lineouts. Retallic was the best defensive jumper in the world in my opinion and he is going to be a big loss. Razor has a good record but only three of his titles game when the SA and Argentinians were playing SR. We will have to see how he perform at internasional level. One thing is for sure, the All Blacks in New Zealand don't lose many games nevermind a test series. The All Blacks should win.

im hating tony brown being involved with rassie thats a smart coaching duo and can only help a very robotic mentally springbok side that when does open up a bit isnt quite as natural but can play very attacking rugby, they have always had the best attributes in size strength and now speed( depending on who their wingers are)

So excited and nervous for the ABs first game! England are a powerhouse with depth and can beat any team on the day. Our ABs will need to dig deep.

Just goes to show how uncertain we all are about who the run on team for the all blacks will be...quite refreshing to not be predictable.

If your focus is the RWC and building depth then your performances between RWC's won't be as impressive as choosing the same 23 week after week?

Why wouldn't the All Blacks want to play like the Crusaders??? One of the best club sides ever! Playing a style of rugby that can suite any conditions and can win against any other style of rugby.

I would go with clarke what he adds to the forwards hitting lineouts and rucks close to goal line he is like another forward so he might not rome as much but man does he help the forwards ontop of his own job

Funny how Bryn said he would go with blackadder for 45 or 50 or so, you have really got the option of him going 80 his body doesnt hold up for that long

There's a difference between being World Champions and being the best team in the world. The year you win a World Cup, you are the best team in the world. Obviously that can change the next year and so on. Still World Champions but the best in the world can of course change.

Since when do they call it CODE on shows?

England know pretty much the plays of the Six Nation Teams but against the AB's it will be a different game. If DMac is playing 1st 5 then England need to be prepared for the unknown. I'm picking the AB's to win by 12plus..

Grant Batty used to throw the lineout.

Rugby pod is so much better than listening to the non stop negativity from the Breakdown. Love your show guys

The u20s and Maori Abz already showed Crusader resolve in their wins ... im liking what I see😊

Jesus I thought it was Christmas at the start 😂

Who exactly are the kicking options in the ABs? Beaudy and Mackenzie? Seems likely there will be a lot of English lineouts in the AB's half.

Anyone know what time/day the All Blacks 23 is named? Can't find it anywhere online, mind you, no suprises there 🙄😒

Go the ABs..all this drivel about players etc…ugh…never known an ABs team that is easy to beat…Razor has picked a very good squad..they will do the job on Saturday 😊

I think we lack a quality 7 which is a crucial part for a good forward pack, Daltons solid but nowhere near world class and our next options especially a specialist 7 aren’t around atm

Conor Murray is a long way past his best.

Scotty Barrett great player.

I can’t see Murray starting over Casey for Ireland against the Boks. I know he has the international experience but he doesn’t even start over Casey at Munster. Murray is still a good player but he’s past his best these days.

Nz teams have been caught narrow recently !

There’s no way Murray starts he’s well past his best days now might be able for last ten minutes at best

Rekon whatever happens try not get frustrated. They like that.

The boys with their Blues and Crusaders hats on 🤣

not a clarke fan for me hes too singular, he has a terrible lack of awareness, if you compare him with a sivivatu for example sivivatu had it , only up for him is his body is in great nick, telea has to start, my other winger would be jordan but hes not available

Hilarious how little they know about Irish Rugby and Craig Casey 😂

@Trajan2401 Leaving the narky comments to one side, do you think the 2023 NZ team was exciting? Some great players but probably the most average Kiwi team for a long time. Yes they still made the final, well done but history remembers who finished 1st never second even if the other team was better, had more possession or controlled the game. The country that has the most representatives across all nations is 🇿🇦 even you great Andrew Mertins was a Durban boy. What we have to remember is we are great rivals and we both benefit from playing each other with each game being a massive battle.

Is Finau taller then Blackadder?

No Irish person thinks its to see who the best country in world. We all know the springboks are the best at the moment. And that’s that.

Seriously, Ned Flanders needs some fashion advice. I'm hardly an advocate for Abercrombie & Fitch but wow, that polo shirt would offend my grandad. 😆

A lot of the comments below are not in the spirit of rugby...

Ardie should have been captain in my view the privilege just cant see clearly tnere has been fight back for more representation in New Zealand and this may be an Achilles for teams although just 2% but that is enough

A Salman Rush D

Fact. Rwc champions springboks 4 in 8 all blacks 3 in 10 . Nothing all matters ...

My calculated guess for the 1st Test final score this weekend might be 55-13 to the All Blacks. But the score does not reflect the real effort the Poms will be dishing out to Scott Barrett & his mates. So from that platform the new Coach and Captain will be displaying the type of rugby the Crusaders used to stay on top of Super Rugby for so many years. There will also be a couple of bad injuries so some of the unselected players will have their chances to prove a point. Go All Blacks you can do it!

Savea not no8 , not big and powerful enough !

Springboks are the best 😊

Clarke doesn't have mojo. He's a one dimensional battering ram with defensive flaws.

I am a indian boy and i leave my country and want to become new zealand citizen can i come in new zealand please 😢😢

My ears are bleeding from SB’s drivel, delivered in that um, ah, yeah, sort of, stuttering monotone. 3 years of this to endure! ABs need better media training. They need to be themselves on camera. McCaw, the GOAT, was almost as bad.

Guys, I really love this you tube channell and I think the entire team adds a huge amount of value. However, its really distracting when some of the presenters are travellling!? It's always poor lighting and backgrounds, or a poor picture. I think you're better off having guest presenters in the studio. I wouldn't pay to watch this in it's current form. Thanks yál

🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦

Dear Lord, Scottie is not… uhm… like… uhm… I guess… sorta… yeah… I guess like… yeah… glib… like… yeah?

NZ will beat ENG safely, Big Runners will charge straight for Smith who is a lightweight on defence, lots of line breaks.

It shows you how far New Zealand rugby has fallen in the last nine years since the 2015 Rugby World Cup that an overrated journeyman like Scott Barrett is the captain of the All Blacks.

Weave git sum greet geems ahid plinned oover the nixt fue weeks. It’s going too bay intristin too say wit hoppins. Thear’s sim hoop four sim gud rigbie too kim. 🤪