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All Blacks back-ups dropping like flies in Mitre 10 Cup

By Tom Vinicombe
Nathan Harris' World Cup chances have taken a big hit. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

When the World Cup rolls around in a few weeks there will inevitably be injuries.

Already players such as Damian McKenzie, Gareth Anscombe and Marcel Coetzee have been invalided from the competition, but once the stakes get higher and the hits get harder there’ll be other internationals who find their tournament cut short.

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As such, coaches worldwide have been quick to tell the players close to selection that even if they don’t make their nation’s World Cup squad, it’s imperative that they stay fit and match-ready – just in case they get the call-up later in the tournament.

For New Zealand players, the Mitre 10 Cup is well underway and will continue to run until halfway through the World Cup. That means the potential back-ups won’t struggle for match fitness if they suddenly get the call from Steve Hansen – but it also means that injuries could curtail some player’s chances.

Vaea Fifita’s World Cup is already in jeopardy after a knee injury sustained at training in the lead up to Wellington’s match against Canterbury. Fifita is on the edge of the All Blacks‘ World Cup squad and will still be holding out hope that his name is read out on Wednesday but this latest injury could stymy his chances.

Karl Tu’inukuafe also suffered a leg injury in recent weeks, during North Harbour’s match against Counties Manukau. The affable prop was recently cut from the All Blacks squad, ostensibly because his work around the field wasn’t quite up to standard. If history is anything to go by, then there’s still a good chance that Tu’inukuafe could suit up for the All Blacks. In 2015, both Joe Moody and Pauliasi Manu were whistled up late to the World Cup squad and Moody started in the semi-final and grand final.

Thankfully, Tu’inukuafe will make his return for Harbour today.

The latest New Zealand player to go down is Bay of Plenty hooker Nathan Harris.

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Harris missed out on 2019’s initial 39-man All Blacks squad which included four hookers: Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Liam Coltman and Asafo Aumua. His omission was arguably the biggest surprise given that he’d been firmly entrenched as the third-in-line for a number of years.

The latest squad saw Aumua culled – but Harris is still likely the fifth cab off the ranks. It’s difficult to know whether New Zealand will take two or three hookers to the World Cup but either way, it would still take a few injuries for Harris to get the call-up. Coltman has a few issues at lineout time and his two most recent matches, for the All Blacks in Argentina and Otago against Hawke’s Bay, wouldn’t have done much alleviate those fears.

Whatever the case, a leg injury could now take Harris out of the selection equation. Harris was pulled early in the second half but there’s no available prognosis for the rake just yet.

Hansen and his fellow All Blacks selectors will be keeping a close eye on the Mitre 10 Cup just in case they need to bring in a few extra players later in the World Cup – but they won’t be happy with various injuries that keep striking down their potential back-ups.

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There’s still seven rounds of New Zealand’s provincial competition to go – plus two rounds of sudden death – which means there’s plenty of time for players to stake a claim for selection, but also plenty of time for players to suffer season-ending injuries. Hansen be hopeful to see a lot of the former and no more of the latter.

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Trevor 2 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.

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Bull Shark 6 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.

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