'Whingeing': All Blacks accused of seeing themselves as 'the saviours of rugby'

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Author: NZ Herald,
Publish Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2026, 8:40pm

Springboks v All Blacks, 3am Sunday

A South African rugby pundit has accused the “whingeing” All Blacks of seeing themselves as “the saviours of rugby” and trying to force their international rivals to play a style of rugby that suits their game.

Writing for the Daily Maverick, Craig Ray said the All Blacks coaching staff seemed to believe “theirs is the only style worth pursuing and ... fans, administrators and most importantly, referees, should take the same view”.

“There is nothing the All Blacks would like more than for rugby to be played like it was in 2015, when they ruled the world with superior skills and superior conditioning.”

Ray said South Africa’s run of success over recent years has come as coach Rassie Erasmas has moved away from trying to match the pace of the All Blacks’ game.

“They had to find another way to beat New Zealand. Going toe-to-toe in a running battle with the All Blacks was never going to cut it,” Ray said.

“So it’s no surprise then that the narrative coming from the All Blacks camp since they arrived in South Africa nearly two weeks ago for the Greatest Rivalry tour has been to paint themselves as the saviours of rugby.”

All Blacks assistant coach Tana Umaga spoke about playing the game at pace last week.

Josh Moorby (clockwise from left) in action for the All Blacks, Rassie Erasmus and Tana Umaga. Photos / Photosport

“It’s no surprise how we want to play the game. We want to speed the game up,” Umaga said this week.

“It’s very frustrating for us when teams are visibly trying to slow it down.

“That’s something we all have to get aligned on: what kind of game we want to play, in terms of globally.”

Ray was dismissive of Umaga’s comments.

“It sounds very much like the All Blacks want everyone to emulate their style because it’s perceived to be more aesthetically pleasing,” Ray said.

“The sight of a Bok scrum putting opponents into rapid reverse, or Cheslin Kolbe and Damian Willemse ruling the air as they gobble up pinpoint aerial kicks, is actually jaw-dropping. Not all skills are the same.”

Ray cites the Springboks’ recent run of results as vindication for the side’s playing style.

“The increasing whingeing from the All Blacks is an interesting take, considering the Boks have won 31 of their last 34 tests. That includes the last 12 in a row, and they have scored an average of more than five tries per test since 2024.”

Listen to Elliott Smith’s live commentary on Newstalk ZB Sport and iHeartRadio, or join the Alternative Commentary Collective on iHeartRadio and Radio Hauraki.