PremiumOpinionOpinion byPhil GiffordContributing Sports Writer·NZ Herald·9 Aug, 2026 06:01 PM6 mins to readPhil Gifford is a Contributing Sports Writer for NZME. He is one of the most-respected voices in New Zealand sports journalism. While there’s a long list of “could do betters” after the All Blacks’ opening game of the South African tour, it’s worth remembering a few things.
They did win against the Stormers, 38-21. And while it’s very true that the Stormers were not match-sharp, this was the All Blacks’ midweek
