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All Blacks make mass changes for Bledisloe IV, name four test debutants
The All Blacks team has been named to play Australia in the Investec Tri Nations Test at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, on Saturday November 7.
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Four players have been named in a Test team for the first time. In an eagerly-awaited Test debut, loose forward Akira Ioane, who first pulled on the black jersey in a non-Test on the All Blacks’ 2017 Northern Hemisphere tour, will start in the six jersey in. Hooker Asafo Aumua, who also played two non-Tests on the same tour, is also set to make his Test debut from the bench alongside two 2020 All Blacks, 20-year-old loose forward Cullen Grace and 22-year-old outside back Will Jordan.
It will also be a special day for lock Samuel Whitelock, who will make his 100th Test start for New Zealand in his 120th Test, becoming just the fifth player to start in a century of Tests for the All Blacks.
There are also a number of other changes to the matchday 23 which claimed the Bledisloe Cup in Sydney on Saturday.
Codie Taylor starts at hooker, while Scott Barrett starts in the second row, with Patrick Tuipulotu moving to the bench. Ardie Savea returns to the number eight jersey, alongside Ioane, and Captain Sam Cane, with Grace coming in for Dalton Papalii as reserve loose forward.
In the backs, TJ Perenara starts at halfback, with Brad Weber to come off the bench in his first appearance of 2020. Beauden Barrett will start at 10 with Damian McKenzie coming onto the bench, while Ngani Laumape starts at second five-eighth.
In the outside backs, Jordie Barrett starts at fullback and Rieko Ioane starts on the left wing, with Sevu Reece also making his first start of 2020 on the right wing.
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All Blacks Head Coach Ian Foster said: “We have reset this week and our focus has been on this weekend and the Investec Tri Nations. It’s an All Blacks ? Wallabies Test and that’s special. We know how fired up they’ll be, so we have to make sure we are as well, because we don’t want to give ourselves any excuses at the end of it.”
In making a number of changes to the squad, Foster explained: “We’ve been really delighted with the whole squad, so we feel that there are some players who are really putting their hand up and deserve an opportunity.
“Secondly, it’s been a big three-week Test series to date against Australia; it’ll be another massive Test, so we’ve brought in some freshness and new energy into the group. Players are jumping out of their skins to get onto the park.”
Foster said the four players named to play their first Test had all been working hard and had earnt the opportunity.
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“We’ve been really impressed with Akira. He’s keen, he’s ready and to have his first Test start is pretty special. I know Asafo is also excited for his first Test and he’ll bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm when he comes off the bench.
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“Cullen Grace is a young man who has also been very impressive. He’s got a nice, quiet demeanour about him, but we know he’s excited. Will Jordan has also been working really hard; he’s settled in really, really well and he’s got a calmness about him. He’s been doing a great job behind the scenes and we’re delighted he’s got his opportunity.”
In a unique build-up to the Test, Covid-19 protocols for the Tournament mean the All Blacks will fly from Sydney into Brisbane several hours before the game and return to Sydney post game.
Foster said the team were ready for the unique circumstances.
“We have to change the structure of our game day preparation, but we don’t have to change the approach. It’s obviously going to be a different Test day for us, but it doesn’t mean it’s going to be disruptive. We’ve worked hard on getting a structure in place that we think is the right one for Saturday and just have to make sure that when the whistle goes, we are ready.”
All Blacks:
1. Karl Tu’inukuafe (15)
2. Codie Taylor (53)
3. Ofa Tuungafasi (38)
4. Scott Barrett (38)
5. Samuel Whitelock (119)
6. Akira Ioane *
7. Sam Cane (71) – captain
8. Ardie Savea (46)
9. TJ Perenara (67)
10. Beauden Barrett (85)
11. Rieko Ioane (31)
12. Ngani Laumape (14)
13. Anton Lienert-Brown (46)
14. Sevu Reece (7)
15. Jordie Barrett (20)
Reserves:
16. Asafo Aumua *
17. Alex Hodgman (2)
18. Tyrel Lomax (3)
19. Patrick Tuipulotu (33)
20. Cullen Grace *
21. Brad Weber (5)
22. Damian McKenzie (25)
23. Will Jordan *
– All Blacks Rugby
Comments on RugbyPass
The game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
21 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
12 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
12 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
5 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
5 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
37 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
37 Go to comments