October 17, 2025 • 8 mins
The All Blacks XV are headed to Europe to play two matches against England's A team and the Barbarians.
They will also be facing Uruguay on the 16th of November, with the venue yet to be announced.
All Blacks XV Head Coach Jamie Joseph joins Jason Pine to discusses selection process and preview the Europe games next month.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
AB Eight capped test players and a group of rising
young stars have been included in the thirty man All
Blacks fifteen squad for three games in Europe next month.
They will play the Barbarians in Brentford on Sunday November two,
New Zealand Time England a at Bath on Sunday November nine,
and then Uruguay at a venue to be confirmed on Sunday,
(00:35):
the sixteenth of November. All Blacks fifteen head coaches Jamie
Joseph who joins us now. Jamie, thanks for your time
this afternoon. Tell us about the process you went through.
How did you go about selecting your All Blacks fifteen squad.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
Well, let's start at the EPC.
Speaker 4 (00:51):
We had a big list of players that was given
to us from the All Black coaches. They obviously here's
you know and gets successful plans around the All Black team,
and then of course of the NPS see when we
as a taching team start of tracking that list plus
others in the games within the in can see and
(01:13):
then along the way we take on teaching up and
have them set around you know, who's informed, who's injured
that their original list to the to the final list.
I would say, you know, over half to teachings remains consistent.
So the tea players with regards to ziem footing and
in what a Black Coats see as you know, potential
(01:34):
all blacks. And then there's a group of guys that
has signed some form or some some Thomas that we'd
identified in the.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
Much that we've made up the team.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
When you're selecting younger guys with no international experience, Jamie,
what are you looking for to give you confidence that
they are ready and able to take that next step.
Speaker 5 (01:56):
There's a number of things, I guess and this coaches
everyone values different things in the player. For me, really
has to have the potential mentally yea and physically and
I can't identify what I see as being integral at
that level of the game.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
So you know things like resilience.
Speaker 5 (02:15):
You know, it's more than having a work ethic and
it needs to be more instinctive and they can't be coached.
It's kind of those kind of two attributes to the
sort of things that I have. And then you have
the technical technical things you know that that players they
need to have the ability to pick up things really
quickly as a key one, but you don't know that
(02:35):
to your coaching And I guess the last.
Speaker 4 (02:38):
One is when you're watching maybe players, since those players
that really anticipate the game really well tend to tend
to be the ones that can improve quickly.
Speaker 3 (02:47):
And look, we've got a really sharp tour.
Speaker 5 (02:50):
We don't have a lot of time to come together,
so that balance is really key.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
At the other end of the scale, and you talk
about that balance, how important is it to have some
experienced all blacks in the side, like David HARVILLI like
Dalton Papali there in the squad as well.
Speaker 5 (03:04):
Yeah, you know, like we over there and soon you
shoul put a black juice young expectations that you win
that can that can be a real incentive for some
players and some other players.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
So it's just a border pressure.
Speaker 5 (03:17):
So having fellas that have been in those situations multiple
times is crucial.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
And and you, I mean you've met you mentioned a.
Speaker 5 (03:25):
Couple, but there's been a spec of those boys in
our team that have had had some experience.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
At this level. So that's the exciting part. I guess
as a coaching team.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
There's been a lot of clamor for Otago half back
Dylan Pledger. A lot of people thought he should have
been included in your squad. Can you just talk us
through the reasons why Dylan Pledger hasn't been included.
Speaker 3 (03:45):
Yeah, I look, I look at I look at Dylan
and go, well, what a player.
Speaker 5 (03:51):
He's just turned twenty, he's head his first NPC season
and I guess if the conversation is just about Dylan
and his rugby and his opportunity, then he should be
in the team. But when when you put him alongside
the guys that were selecting, who's compared with and Fukatava,
Preston and Rowe and then the boys from the All Blacks,
(04:12):
I think it's a it's a different context, you know.
And so he's got plenty of time, he's got a
whole career in front of him, and these other boys
have been playing very well as well.
Speaker 3 (04:23):
So it's just a it's just a tough competition in
that position.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
Just picking up Ontava, a guy you know well, of
course from coaching him at super level at the Highlanders.
Does Fatava still have All Blacks ambitions despite now being
eligible eligible rather to play for Tonga.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
Oh absolutely.
Speaker 5 (04:42):
I haven't talked specifically to Flow recently about his ambitions,
but I know the boy well obviously, and there's no
doubt in my mind that he wants to play at
the top of the game for you know, one of
the bit of teams in the world. So all Blacks
would be his priority for sure.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
It's a short, sharp tour, just a three games. So
how will you ensure everyone gets a decent opportunit reready
on this tour.
Speaker 5 (05:07):
Yeah, there's no guaranteessen like my man data is to
go out there, and you know, as we've sleep to
the group of players that we think can go over
in a short amount of time and perform, there's no
mandate that everyone has to get a certain amount of
game time. I mean, we're talking about the second best
team of the country.
Speaker 3 (05:28):
But we're possible.
Speaker 5 (05:29):
And you mentioned earlier on around the potential four Blecks
to drop down late in the week and so.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
Those are the kinds of those are the kinds of
things that.
Speaker 5 (05:40):
We've got a juggle works as New Zealand fifteen coaches.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
You haven't named your captain yet. When will you do
that and how will you decide who your captain.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Is there's a few contenders.
Speaker 5 (05:52):
I think there's a there's a couple of guys that
are that are keptaining their provincial sides and so they've got,
you know, confidence that they can lead. I guess that
the big one is who's going to who's going to
play all the games, and who's got the experience to
bring the team together quickly.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
Then there's a couple of guys that you mentioned earlier.
Speaker 5 (06:09):
On around around Balton and David Avelli that I've got
oodles of experience to be able to do that. I'm
also mindful a lot of those guys have come off
some pretty big years. You know, they generally if their
leaders and super rugby teams or NPC size then and
then this tour might be one where they just really
focus on, you know, three big games of footy.
Speaker 3 (06:30):
So I'll make that decision when I meet them. I
haven't met all those players.
Speaker 5 (06:34):
It's my first season back last year, so and we're
coming together next week, so shortly after that, I'd say, and.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
What about for you, Jamie, in terms of being asked
to head coach the side for this year and again
next year? How easy are yes?
Speaker 3 (06:51):
Was that for you? I had to tell you a
bit of thinking.
Speaker 5 (06:55):
Because I've got a I've got a big responsibility around,
you know, coaching.
Speaker 3 (07:00):
The Highlanders, and that's so and that's a big job.
Speaker 5 (07:05):
And so yeah, it wasn't It wasn't a straightforward opportunity
because I'd already committed to another team and then this
this tour now was you know, we come back and
we played and where we were straight into a pre
season for the Highlanders. And unlike a lot of the
other clubs like the Chiefs and the Crusaders, the Hurricanes
and the Blues, We've only got two current All Blacks,
so we're those clubs are the majority of their players
(07:28):
on leave.
Speaker 3 (07:29):
My players are all here and beheading ready to go.
So that took a bit of time.
Speaker 5 (07:33):
I want to make sure that I can do the
job justice, I felt after a few talks with some
key people for me and my boss here at Thehighlanders
as they were really supportive. So yeah, it wasn't straightforward
all right.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
And just on the Highlanders, Otago turning heads everywhere. I
know it's the MPC side as a post of the
Super rugby side, but a lot of those Otago guys
feed into your Highlanders side. So has Otago's excellent NPC
been helpful to you as you plan twenty twenty six
with the Highlanders.
Speaker 3 (08:01):
Oh no, it's awesome.
Speaker 5 (08:02):
Yeah, I'm going to Taga man played for Tago South
South the Shield.
Speaker 3 (08:07):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 5 (08:08):
You get a lot of feel good you know from
the younger players, Like last year our team was ever
jaj to twenty two.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
A lot of those players, you know, the Togo.
Speaker 5 (08:17):
Boys and the cellphone boys, and so for them to
get some to win some games, you know, and get
a smile on their face, and to get confidence that
what they're actually doing is paying a bit of hearing
a bit of fruit is it's good.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
For us in the long term. So you know it's
a good thing doin here, that's for sure.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
Absolutely all right. Jamie Hey, thanks for joining us, mate,
all the best on this All Blacks fifteen tour up North.
Appreciate you taking the time.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
Awesome, Jason, thanks very much.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
No, thank you, Jamie, Jamie Joseph. They're All Blacks fifteen
head coach, not just this year but next year as well.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to news Talks. It'd be Weekends from midday or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
AB Eight capped test players and a group of rising
young stars have been included in the thirty man All
Blacks fifteen squad for three games in Europe next month.
They will play the Barbarians in Brentford on Sunday November two,
New Zealand Time England a at Bath on Sunday November nine,
and then Uruguay at a venue to be confirmed on Sunday,
(00:35):
the sixteenth of November. All Blacks fifteen head coaches Jamie
Joseph who joins us now. Jamie, thanks for your time
this afternoon. Tell us about the process you went through.
How did you go about selecting your All Blacks fifteen squad.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
Well, let's start at the EPC.
Speaker 4 (00:51):
We had a big list of players that was given
to us from the All Black coaches. They obviously here's
you know and gets successful plans around the All Black team,
and then of course of the NPS see when we
as a taching team start of tracking that list plus
others in the games within the in can see and
(01:13):
then along the way we take on teaching up and
have them set around you know, who's informed, who's injured
that their original list to the to the final list.
I would say, you know, over half to teachings remains consistent.
So the tea players with regards to ziem footing and
in what a Black Coats see as you know, potential
(01:34):
all blacks. And then there's a group of guys that
has signed some form or some some Thomas that we'd
identified in the.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
Much that we've made up the team.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
When you're selecting younger guys with no international experience, Jamie,
what are you looking for to give you confidence that
they are ready and able to take that next step.
Speaker 5 (01:56):
There's a number of things, I guess and this coaches
everyone values different things in the player. For me, really
has to have the potential mentally yea and physically and
I can't identify what I see as being integral at
that level of the game.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
So you know things like resilience.
Speaker 5 (02:15):
You know, it's more than having a work ethic and
it needs to be more instinctive and they can't be coached.
It's kind of those kind of two attributes to the
sort of things that I have. And then you have
the technical technical things you know that that players they
need to have the ability to pick up things really
quickly as a key one, but you don't know that
(02:35):
to your coaching And I guess the last.
Speaker 4 (02:38):
One is when you're watching maybe players, since those players
that really anticipate the game really well tend to tend
to be the ones that can improve quickly.
Speaker 3 (02:47):
And look, we've got a really sharp tour.
Speaker 5 (02:50):
We don't have a lot of time to come together,
so that balance is really key.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
At the other end of the scale, and you talk
about that balance, how important is it to have some
experienced all blacks in the side, like David HARVILLI like
Dalton Papali there in the squad as well.
Speaker 5 (03:04):
Yeah, you know, like we over there and soon you
shoul put a black juice young expectations that you win
that can that can be a real incentive for some
players and some other players.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
So it's just a border pressure.
Speaker 5 (03:17):
So having fellas that have been in those situations multiple
times is crucial.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
And and you, I mean you've met you mentioned a.
Speaker 5 (03:25):
Couple, but there's been a spec of those boys in
our team that have had had some experience.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
At this level. So that's the exciting part. I guess
as a coaching team.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
There's been a lot of clamor for Otago half back
Dylan Pledger. A lot of people thought he should have
been included in your squad. Can you just talk us
through the reasons why Dylan Pledger hasn't been included.
Speaker 3 (03:45):
Yeah, I look, I look at I look at Dylan
and go, well, what a player.
Speaker 5 (03:51):
He's just turned twenty, he's head his first NPC season
and I guess if the conversation is just about Dylan
and his rugby and his opportunity, then he should be
in the team. But when when you put him alongside
the guys that were selecting, who's compared with and Fukatava,
Preston and Rowe and then the boys from the All Blacks,
(04:12):
I think it's a it's a different context, you know.
And so he's got plenty of time, he's got a
whole career in front of him, and these other boys
have been playing very well as well.
Speaker 3 (04:23):
So it's just a it's just a tough competition in
that position.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
Just picking up Ontava, a guy you know well, of
course from coaching him at super level at the Highlanders.
Does Fatava still have All Blacks ambitions despite now being
eligible eligible rather to play for Tonga.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
Oh absolutely.
Speaker 5 (04:42):
I haven't talked specifically to Flow recently about his ambitions,
but I know the boy well obviously, and there's no
doubt in my mind that he wants to play at
the top of the game for you know, one of
the bit of teams in the world. So all Blacks
would be his priority for sure.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
It's a short, sharp tour, just a three games. So
how will you ensure everyone gets a decent opportunit reready
on this tour.
Speaker 5 (05:07):
Yeah, there's no guaranteessen like my man data is to
go out there, and you know, as we've sleep to
the group of players that we think can go over
in a short amount of time and perform, there's no
mandate that everyone has to get a certain amount of
game time. I mean, we're talking about the second best
team of the country.
Speaker 3 (05:28):
But we're possible.
Speaker 5 (05:29):
And you mentioned earlier on around the potential four Blecks
to drop down late in the week and so.
Speaker 3 (05:38):
Those are the kinds of those are the kinds of
things that.
Speaker 5 (05:40):
We've got a juggle works as New Zealand fifteen coaches.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
You haven't named your captain yet. When will you do
that and how will you decide who your captain.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Is there's a few contenders.
Speaker 5 (05:52):
I think there's a there's a couple of guys that
are that are keptaining their provincial sides and so they've got,
you know, confidence that they can lead. I guess that
the big one is who's going to who's going to
play all the games, and who's got the experience to
bring the team together quickly.
Speaker 3 (06:07):
Then there's a couple of guys that you mentioned earlier.
Speaker 5 (06:09):
On around around Balton and David Avelli that I've got
oodles of experience to be able to do that. I'm
also mindful a lot of those guys have come off
some pretty big years. You know, they generally if their
leaders and super rugby teams or NPC size then and
then this tour might be one where they just really
focus on, you know, three big games of footy.
Speaker 3 (06:30):
So I'll make that decision when I meet them. I
haven't met all those players.
Speaker 5 (06:34):
It's my first season back last year, so and we're
coming together next week, so shortly after that, I'd say, and.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
What about for you, Jamie, in terms of being asked
to head coach the side for this year and again
next year? How easy are yes?
Speaker 3 (06:51):
Was that for you? I had to tell you a
bit of thinking.
Speaker 5 (06:55):
Because I've got a I've got a big responsibility around,
you know, coaching.
Speaker 3 (07:00):
The Highlanders, and that's so and that's a big job.
Speaker 5 (07:05):
And so yeah, it wasn't It wasn't a straightforward opportunity
because I'd already committed to another team and then this
this tour now was you know, we come back and
we played and where we were straight into a pre
season for the Highlanders. And unlike a lot of the
other clubs like the Chiefs and the Crusaders, the Hurricanes
and the Blues, We've only got two current All Blacks,
so we're those clubs are the majority of their players
(07:28):
on leave.
Speaker 3 (07:29):
My players are all here and beheading ready to go.
So that took a bit of time.
Speaker 5 (07:33):
I want to make sure that I can do the
job justice, I felt after a few talks with some
key people for me and my boss here at Thehighlanders
as they were really supportive. So yeah, it wasn't straightforward
all right.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
And just on the Highlanders, Otago turning heads everywhere. I
know it's the MPC side as a post of the
Super rugby side, but a lot of those Otago guys
feed into your Highlanders side. So has Otago's excellent NPC
been helpful to you as you plan twenty twenty six
with the Highlanders.
Speaker 3 (08:01):
Oh no, it's awesome.
Speaker 5 (08:02):
Yeah, I'm going to Taga man played for Tago South
South the Shield.
Speaker 3 (08:07):
Oh yeah.
Speaker 5 (08:08):
You get a lot of feel good you know from
the younger players, Like last year our team was ever
jaj to twenty two.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
A lot of those players, you know, the Togo.
Speaker 5 (08:17):
Boys and the cellphone boys, and so for them to
get some to win some games, you know, and get
a smile on their face, and to get confidence that
what they're actually doing is paying a bit of hearing
a bit of fruit is it's good.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
For us in the long term. So you know it's
a good thing doin here, that's for sure.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
Absolutely all right. Jamie Hey, thanks for joining us, mate,
all the best on this All Blacks fifteen tour up North.
Appreciate you taking the time.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
Awesome, Jason, thanks very much.
Speaker 2 (08:41):
No, thank you, Jamie, Jamie Joseph. They're All Blacks fifteen
head coach, not just this year but next year as well.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to news Talks. It'd be Weekends from midday or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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