Silence before the storm: ABs send message by not waging war in headlines

PremiumOpinionOpinion byGregor PaulRugby analyst·NZ Herald·2 Sep, 2026 02:05 AM6 mins to readRugby analyst and feature writer‌All Blacks coach Dave Rennie is focusing on the third test match this week. Photo / SmartFrameAll Blacks coach Dave Rennie is focusing on the third test match this week. Photo / SmartFrame

It feels like this is set up to be a week for Dave Rennie to go full Winston Churchill. A blood-and-thunder “we shall fight on the beaches” sort of carry-on where he goads the Springboks before the third test and steels the nerves of a nation with a spine-tingling speech