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All Blacks trio injury doubts for Super Rugby Pacific playoffs and Ireland series
Three All Blacks stars are in doubt for the remainder of the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs, as well as next month’s test series against Ireland.
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In a matter of hours, Highlanders captain Aaron Smith, Blues skipper Dalton Papalii and Crusaders flanker Ethan Blackadder were all reported to have sustained injuries on Friday.
Blackadder, who was in fine form for the Crusaders as they toppled the Reds to clinch a semi-final berth in Christchurch, left the field during the second half of the 37-15 quarter-final win at Orangetheory Stadium with a shoulder injury.
Wincing in pain as he departed the field, Crusaders boss Scott Robertson revealed post-match that the nine-test international is unlikely to feature for his side again this year.
“It’s a shoulder, not great,” Robertson said in an early indication that his All Blacks selection prospects don’t look flash.
“He’s unlikely to be involved for the rest of the season for us, and hopefully it’s not (requiring) an operation.”
Blackadder will have scans to confirm the severity of the injury, which could sideline him for months if the 27-year-old is forced to undergo surgery to repair a shoulder dislocation.
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The sight of Blackadder’s painful exit from that match came shortly after reports that Smith and Papalii will both be unavailable for the quarter-final clash between the Blues and Highlanders at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.
The Highlanders confirmed to Stuff on Friday that Smith, the incumbent All Blacks halfback, was “in doubt” for the do-or-die clash due to a groin injury.
While the nature of Smith’s injury appears far less serious than that of Blackadder’s, Stuff suggested the 101-test star may require two-to-three weeks to recover in time for the All Blacks series.
That would be a significant blow for the Highlanders, who would be without their talismanic leader for the entirety of the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs should they shock the competition and progress past the Blues this weekend.
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In Smith’s absence, the Highlanders will likely start Folau Fakatava and promote Kayne Hammington onto the bench.
The Blues also face the likelihood of some alterations to their match day team as well, as per the New Zealand Herald, which reports that Papalii won’t feature against the Highlanders.
According to the Herald, Papalii could be gone for the rest of the Super Rugby Pacific campaign due to “a medical issue” which leaves him “in doubt” for the three-test series against Ireland.
The Blues declined to provide comment on the situation, but it’s believed Adrian Choat will replace Papalii at openside flanker, with German star Anton Segner also unavailable after suffering an ankle injury last week.
The loss of Papalii would be a major casualty for the Blues as the 12-test loose forward has been one of the form players in Super Rugby Pacific this season.
An instrumental figure in his side’s record-breaking 13-match unbeaten streak, Papalii would also be a significant loss for the All Blacks, with whom the 24-year-old is expected to play a prominent role for against Ireland.
Losing Papalii and Blackadder to injury would thin New Zealand’s frontline flanker stocks for All Blacks head coach Ian Foster to pick from, and would leave captain Sam Cane as the outright favourite to start at openside flanker.
Without Papalii, other options to fill the No 7 jersey include Hurricanes powerhouse Ardie Savea, although he is likely to start at No 8, and versatile Chiefs back rower Luke Jacobson.
Jacobson’s chances – and those of others such as Blues loose forward Akira Ioane and Highlanders injury returnee Shannon Frizell – of starting at blindside flanker may also receive a boost if Blackadder is out for a substantial period.
Foster is already without the services of Chiefs midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown (dislocated shoulder) and Crusaders prop Joe Moody (ruptured ACL) for the rest of the year.
The All Blacks squad, expected to be made up of about 36 players, for the Ireland series will be named on June 13.
Comments on RugbyPass
SBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
6 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
11 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
11 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
6 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
11 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
11 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
11 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
11 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
11 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
11 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
11 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
11 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to comments