Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

‘A number of players’ pushing for All Blacks selection, says Ian Foster

By Finn Morton
(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

With this year’s Rugby World Cup in France just over four months away, All Blacks coach Ian Foster has said that “a number of players” are pushing for selection.

ADVERTISEMENT

Late last month, Foster namedropped two high-flying outside backs as potential bolters ahead of the Rugby Championship and World Cup.

The Chiefs couldn’t have started the Super Rugby Pacific season any better – they’ve won all nine of their matches, and currently sit in first place on the ladder.

Video Spacer

Video Spacer

Playmaker Damian McKenzie has been sensational, but a couple of his teammates may be playing themselves into an All Blacks callup.

Ian Foster recently revealed that selectors were “really interested” in outside backs, and highlighted Chiefs duo Shaun Stevenson and Emoni Narawa as contenders for an All Blacks callup.

Following the Chiefs’ hard-fought win over the Crusaders in round 10, Foster insisted that both players were still in the hunt – but they aren’t the only ones.

“I’ve mentioned those two myself in the last week… they’ve deserved that because they really are putting their hand up,” Foster said on SENZ The Run Home.

ADVERTISEMENT

“There have been a number of players who have put their hand up, but I guess in the case of Shaun and Emoni, they’ve probably been the ones in bright lights, haven’t they?

“They’ve taken their opportunity, they’re playing regularly and really doing a good job for their franchise and making us have a look at that.

“The fact that you’ve got Sevu Reece, who’s out of contention… it does mean that we are putting the spotlight on that space.

“So it’s a good time to be playing well as an outside back, that’s all I’d say.”

Chiefs flyer Shaun Stevenson has been one of the form players of Super Rugby Pacific this season. The Maori All Blacks representative has been scoring tries for fun from either fullback or wing.

ADVERTISEMENT

Stevenson, who starred for the All Blacks XV last year against Ireland A, has scored the most tries out of any player in the competition with nine.

As for Narawa, he’s been sublime on the right edge for the Chiefs. The winger was especially impressive during the round four win over the Rebels – having run for more than 100 metres.

But across the competition, there are a lot of players putting their hands up for higher honours.

“Right now as a group of selectors and coaches, we’ve got a pretty clear idea where we’re going,” he added.

“We’re studying each week, we’re looking at it but we’ve also got to make sure we’ve got a really solid plan for the next tier of players.

“Overall there’s some strong positions but we are seeing some players… you look at nines, some nines are really putting their hand up and showing growth in their game which is putting pressure on the guys that have been in the All Blacks.

“That’s exactly what we want.

“We’ve got two squads to pock before the World Cup, we’ve got the Rugby Championship squad of maybe 36 players instead of 33 for the World Cup, and we’ve also got an All Blacks XV who have two games in Japan.

“There’s plenty to play for.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

T
Trevor 1 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

21 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 5 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Super Rugby takes: All Blacks' next enforcer, New Zealand's goal kicking woes Super Rugby takes: All Blacks' next enforcer
Search