All Blacks may be allowed to play in Mitre 10 Cup again, but with a catch
The New Zealand public may not have seen the last of All Blacks playing in the Mitre 10 Cup this year.
That’s the glimmer of hope provided by Canterbury co-coach Reuben Thorne for those eager to see New Zealand’s top players back in action in the country’s premier provincial competition.
There was plenty of fanfare surrounding the availability of All Blacks for the opening fortnight of the Mitre 10 Cup as players from Ian Foster’s 35-man squad were released to play for their respective provinces.
That blanket availability of players across the country led to the likes of the Barrett brothers playing a key role in Taranaki’s 23-22 Ranfurly Shield victory over a Canterbury side stacked with numerous All Blacks.
Similarly, Auckland and Wellington were brimming with All Blacks when they faced off at Eden Park on Sunday, while the likes of Damian McKenzie, Sevu Reece and Aaron Smith were standouts for Waikato, Tasman and Manawatu, respectively.
The prospect of those players returning to the Mitre 10 Cup were effectively nullified, however, when it was announced that Foster’s squad would congregate for a three-day camp in Whakatane beginning on Monday.
Another three-day camp is set to take place in Hamilton next week, before the team assembles again ahead of the All Blacks’ first test of the year, a Bledisloe Cup clash against the Wallabies in Wellington on October 11.
Foster’s side will then take on Dave Rennie’s team again a week later in Auckland before jetting off to Australia with 11 additional players for the Rugby Championship, which is due to kick-off on November 7.
Quarantine restrictions to and from Australia will mean the All Blacks will spend nine weeks away from home, which has virtually eliminated the prospect New Zealand’s top brass of talent from returning en masse to the Mitre 10 Cup.
However, Thorne revealed to Stuff that he has received word that players may become available in the lead-up to the All Blacks’ departure to Australia on a “case-by-case” basis.
“All we’ve heard is that there may be some players released on a case-by-case scenario. Exactly when we find out, I’m not sure,” Thorne said.
“We’ve got a plan to be without them, and if we get one or two drop back in at some stage, that’s a bonus.”
Without #AllBlacks playing in the #Mitre10Cup, the competition will lose plenty of its stardust over the coming weeks, and the impact of their departures will differ for each province.https://t.co/n6Nw8aeV7O
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 21, 2020
Should some All Blacks be released back to their provinces before Foster’s squad jet off across the Tasman, it is unlikely the established members of the side would be let go leading into the Bledisloe Cup series.
Consequently, it’s highly improbable that those such as Smith, Beauden Barrett and Sam Cane will return to their sides over the coming weeks.
However, those on the periphery of the squad or lacking substantial game time through injury may be among those back in provincial colours within the next month.
Those that fit that bill include Tasman lock Quinten Strange, who missed most of the Super Rugby season with a hand injury, and his Crusaders teammate Cullen Grace, who recently returned to action from a broken thumb via Canterbury.
Auckland coach Alama Ieremia also told Stuff that he would lavish the chance for star man Patrick Tuipulotu, who missed Auckland’s first two matches of the season through an Achilles injury, to suit up in the blue and white hoops this weekend.
The return of Grace would be a much-welcomed one for Thorne, who told Stuff of his disappointment at losing the Log O’ Wood after only three defences.
“At the end of the day, when we look at that game, we will reflect on a pretty average start. You can’t give a team with the quality Taranaki had a head start and expect to come back,” he said.
Canterbury will look to bounce back from the defeat when they face Championship side Hawke’s Bay in Napier on Saturday.
Comments on RugbyPass
Just such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
4 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
4 Go to comments