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FWC on Sport Nation guide'Some great players in front of him': Assistant coach Blair on Kirifi's All Blacks omission
Sport Nation • June 23rd, 2026 3:16 pm
Du'Plessis Kirifi | Photo: Photosport
New attack coach Mike Blair has outlined his vision for the All Blacks ahead of the start of their inaugural Nations Championship campaign.
On Monday, head coach Dave Rennie - alongside his fellow selectors, including Blair - announced his first All Blacks squad ahead of their opener against France.
It represents another step in the new All Blacks administration, who will now look to craft their 34-strong group into a cohesive unit to execute their outlook.
As to what that vision may look like on the field, Blair says he wants to strike a balance between structure and freedom with ball in hand.
Lashes' verdict on Dave Rennie's first All Blacks squad | Millsy & Guy
"I believe you need a framework of attack because that allows you to have multi option, and if you have multi-option, then that gives you the best opportunity to break a line through your decision-making," Blair told Sport Nation's Millsy & Guy.
"But you don't want to play so structured that you have to play to a certain place of the pitch. You play somewhere because you see triggers to go there, you see opportunity.
"So there's a real fine line for me between having structure or a framework, but players having the ability to express themselves within that."
The former Scottish international also elaborated on the surprise omission of Hurricanes captain Du'Plessis Kirifi, who he said was simply a victim of the amount of depth at the loose forward position.
He'll likely be part of the extended squad to head to South Africa, Blair added.
"He’s [Kirifi] a quality player, isn’t he? He’s played well, and he’s led really well for Hurricanes,” Blair said.
"But in saying that, there’s some pretty impressive players in front of him, so there will be more guys who do go to South Africa, an extra 10 guys or so.
“So the option to bring him in certainly isn’t closed, but you know, there’s some great players in front of him, he’s unfortunate.”
Listen to the full interview below:
