Overview
- The All Blacks retained the Bledisloe Cup with a two‑Test sweep that included a 43‑21 win at Accor Stadium on October 17, producing a 93‑40 aggregate across the series.
- Head coach Dave Rennie has publicly doubled down on the team’s high‑tempo, ball‑in‑play style and said he intends to use that approach at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
- Players and coaches credited rapid ruck speed, stronger front‑foot ball and the Damian McKenzie–Beauden Barrett combination for the recent scoring bursts.
- Forwards coach Jason Ryan warned the style is fatiguing and noted growing injuries even as Scott Barrett and Fabian Holland’s returns eased the second‑row selection issue.
- Pundits pointed out clear risks against physically dominant teams like South Africa, and the large Bledisloe crowds plus 1.3 million World Cup tickets sold heighten the need to resolve set‑piece and fitness questions before Australia 2027.