PremiumOpinionOpinion byPhil GiffordContributing Sports Writer·NZ Herald·20 Jul, 2026 12:03 AM5 mins to readPhil Gifford is a Contributing Sports Writer for NZME. He is one of the most-respected voices in New Zealand sports journalism. The 40-21 defeat of Ireland at Eden Park was certainly proof that the new version of the All Blacks thoroughly deserve their current ranking as world No 2 ahead of the Irish.
What’s fascinating now, after the Springboks’ 43-0 whipping of Wales in Durban, is that next up is an
