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'It still stings': Roigard says All Blacks must learn from South African setback
Jaxin Daniels • October 6th, 2026 2:06 pm
All Blacks scrum-half Cam Roigard | Photo: AP
All Blacks halfback Cam Roigard says the team is determined to learn from the discipline and accuracy issues that cost them in South Africa as they prepare for a Bledisloe Cup Test at Eden Park.
The 25-year-old said the frustration had lingered when the problems surfaced across the tour.
“When it came down to the small margins, when we needed to be accurate, we weren’t, and things like discipline let us down for more than one game,” he told Sport Nation's Scotty and Izzy.
“Those things sort of sting a little bit more when you’re not learning or adapting as fast as what you need to at that level."
After a few weeks away, Roigard said the squad had returned to camp with energy and a clear focus on the challenge ahead.
“It has been good to have a couple weeks off, mentally refresh after obviously a massive campaign,” he said. “There’s lots of energy in camp.”
Eden Park brings its own pressure, Roigard acknowledged, with the All Blacks mindful of their unbeaten record at the venue.
“You don't want to be that team that loses at Eden Park when there's been such a legacy and such a great record there already,” he said.
Cam Roigard crashes over for one of his two tries at Eden Park | Photo: Brett Phibbs/Photosport
Former All Black and Sport Nation host Israel Dagg offered a different perspective, saying he had never viewed the Eden Park record as a factor for the team.
He suggested that confidence in the streak may even have bordered on arrogance.
"Whether it's the arrogance we had with the team we had," Dagg said. "We didn't talk about it as much as people do these days."
Roigard also shared the All Blacks were focused on building a strong week of preparation, which he believes can help manage the pressure.
“If you have a good week and you do everything you can to make sure that you're as ready as possible, then I feel like the job's done before you're even out there.”
Opponents have also worked to limit Roigard’s running threat, but he is focused on taking opportunities when they arise without forcing the play.
“If I am gonna run, I'm gonna back myself, but also at the same time, not forcing it,” he said.
Who's up if Cam Roigard goes down? | The Rugby Run
The coaching staff have also encouraged the players to adapt during matches, shifting between different approaches while still playing to their strengths.
“Being able to swap into plan B and plan C on the fly and pretty quickly is something that we're trying to do and trying to get better at,” Roigard said.
He expects an open contest against Australia, who he says play a similar style to the All Blacks.
“Hopefully, the ball in play can get up nice and high,” he said. “So yeah, it's going to be hard, but it's going to be exciting for sure.”
Listen to the full interview below:
