All Blacks spring playmaking surprise for Canada clash
All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has sprung a surprise in his side to face Canada in Oita on Wednesday, with both Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett retained at No. 10 and 15 for the side’s second clash of the World Cup.
It had previously been speculated that youngster Jordie Barrett would take the playmaking reins as many had thought that Hansen wouldn’t want to risk injuring his only two premier playmakers against a minnow such as Canada, especially with their fixture against Namibia coming just four days later.
However, both Mo’unga and the older Barrett have been named, with the younger Barrett brother coming into the team on the right wing in place of Sevu Reece as one of 11 changes from the side that dispatched South Africa in Yokohama nine days ago.
He accompanies Rieko Ioane as the two wingers, with both 22-year-olds set to make their World Cup debuts alongside midfielder Jack Goodhue.
Ioane’s inclusion comes after the youngster was omitted from the All Blacks’ last three tests following the All Blacks’ Bledisloe Cup defeat to the Wallabies in Perth last month, and has struggled to find a way back into the side due to the ultra-hot form of George Bridge.
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His naming on the left wing for this match, though, provides the 26-test star with a springboard to help rediscover the sort of form that made him a World Player of the Year nominee in 2017 and 2018.
Goodhue, meanwhile, will make his first outing in a black jersey since that defeat in Western Australia, with the midfielder forced from the field early in that clash with a hamstring niggle.
He will join forces with veteran second-five Sonny Bill Williams in the middle of the backline, with Ryan Crotty set to provide cover from the bench, while TJ Perenara’s addition at halfback in place of Aaron Smith presents the only other change between 9-15.
Brad Weber will be the reserve halfback in just his third test, and Ben Smith will provide valuable experience from the No. 23 jersey.
Sonny Bill Williams and Jack Goodhue lift the lid on what it's like to miss out on the All Blacks ?https://t.co/Yn62ebmv87
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 29, 2019
In the forward pack, captain Kieran Read and Scott Barrett are the only players who have survived from the 23-13 victory over the Springboks.
There is an entirely new front row, with Atu Moli and Liam Coltman set to earn their first test starts at loosehead prop and hooker.
Angus Ta’avao comes in at tighthead, demoting Nepo Laulala to the bench alongside Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Codie Taylor.
Lock Patrick Tuipulotu, blindside flanker Shannon Frizell and openside Matt Todd will also enjoy rare starts as they push first-choice stars Sam Whitelock and Ardie Savea into the reserves.
In naming the team, All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen said: “Our aim is to win the next two pool matches against Canada and Namibia, as well as continuing to grow our game and manage the workload across the group.
“With two games four days apart, it’s obvious that we need to use our whole squad.
“Whilst there’s a huge amount of energy and excitement amongst the whole team about what lies ahead, this week there has been a real focus on ourselves and our own standards.
Samu Kerevi has revealed he may have to look at a code switch after playing a key role in yet another tackling controversy at this @rugbyworldcup. #RWC2019 #AUSvWAL https://t.co/GplV31Ku70
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 29, 2019
“We’ve been working hard. We know we have to keep growing our game. We’ve always been demanding of ourselves when it comes to continued improvement, and that will never change. By doing so, it allows us to have the right attitude, intent and execution.
“When it comes to our preparation, it should never be about who we are playing, but how we are preparing individually and as a team, both mentally and physically. By doing this, it means you always respect your opponent and the jersey.”
Hansen added: “We are looking forward to the contest with Canada. We know they’re a proud nation who are led by Tyler Ardron, a player who we respect and know very well from his time in New Zealand with the Chiefs.
“We are sure his attitude of not taking a backward step will be reflected throughout the whole team. That means we need to impose ourselves on the game from the very start.”
The match day 23 is as follows (with test caps in brackets):
1: Atu Moli (2)
2: Liam Coltman (6)
3: Angus Ta’avao (9)
4: Patrick Tuipulotu (26)
5: Scott Barrett (32)
6: Shannon Frizell (6)
7:Matt Todd (21)
8: Kieran Read – captain (123)
9: TJ Perenara (60)
10: Richie Mo’unga (13)
11: Rieko Ioane (26)
12: Sonny Bill Williams (54)
13: Jack Goodhue (9)
14: Jordie Barrett (12)
15: Beauden Barrett (79)
16: Codie Taylor (46)
17: Ofa Tuungafasi (31)
18: Nepo Laulala (21)
19: Samuel Whitelock (113)
20: Ardie Savea (40)
21: Brad Weber (2)
22: Ryan Crotty (46)
23: Ben Smith (81)
– Additional comments from New Zealand Rugby
On the ground before Wales vs Australia:
Comments on RugbyPass
I’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.
4 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 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.
22 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
4 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.
7 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…??? 🤑🤑🤑
13 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
13 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
4 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to comments