All Blacks trio return to camp ahead of second Irish test after Covid disruption
The three All Blacks stars who missed their side’s series-opening win over Ireland on Saturday have returned to camp ahead of this weekend’s rematch in Dunedin.
Speaking to media on Monday, All Blacks first-five Beauden Barrett confirmed that Will Jordan, Jack Goodhue and David Havili, as well as defence coach Scott McLeod, are all back with the squad after being struck down with Covid last week.
As such, all three players were unavailable for selection as the All Blacks romped to a 42-19 victory at Eden Park in Auckland two days ago.
That result sets up a tantalising encounter under the roof of Forsyth Barr Stadium this Saturday, of which Ireland must win in order to keep their hopes of a series win alive.
However, Ireland’s challenge of bouncing back to beat the All Blacks will be made tougher by the imminent returns of Jordan, Goodhue and Havili, all of whom Barrett was pleased to see back in action.
“They’re back, and it’s great to see them back. It was a tough week for those individuals, but we’re back to full-strength, almost, and it’s great to have them,” Barrett said of the Crusaders trio.
“It just means that we can have a really good training week. That’s guaranteed. Last week, we were a little bit down on numbers and had to bring people in, and obviously it brings more experience having Jack, Davey and Will back in the squad.
“It’s great for us, so it’s competitive. Who knows, when it comes to selection, who will be out there, but I know everyone’s keen as to get their opportunity.”
As Barrett alluded to, whether any one of Jordan, Goodhue or Havili are fit enough to be picked in the immediate aftermath of their Covid diagnosis remains to be seen.
Even if they are available for selection, all three players face competition from teammates who starred against Ireland last weekend.
Jordan is the likeliest to start if he is free to play, although All Blacks captain Sam Cane said last week that the 2021 World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year isn’t likely to feature until next week’s third test in Wellington.
Goodhue and Havili, meanwhile, have a tussle on their hands if they are to dislodge Quinn Tupaea and Rieko Ioane in what is a highly-competitive midfield contingent within the All Blacks squad.
All four players, as well as the uncapped Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, are in the running for game time throughout the series, but Tupaea and Ioane strengthened their cases for selection this week with a pair of impressive performances last weekend.
Tupaea’s physical approach to the game was on full show in a try-scoring appearance at second-five, while Ioane’s defensive presence at centre was reflective of his continual growth in that position since his full-time switch from wing a few years ago.
Therefore, it may be that All Blacks head coach Ian Foster opts to retain Tupaea and Ioane as his primary midfield combination.
In saying that, though, Barrett revealed that the All Blacks have identified some key shortcomings from their first-up win that will need to be addressed leading into this week’s rematch, and that could force some selection changes.
“We want to take our game to another level. We’ve already identified many areas to get better in,” Barrett said.
“Obviously there were some missed opportunities out there on the weekend. Although it was our first go at it, we’d like to improve a lot.”
While Barrett didn’t highlight which areas those improvements needed to be made, Tupaea said post-match on Saturday that the All Blacks needed to raise the bar with their ruck defence heading into the second test.
“We just need to tighten up a bit around our hard D around our rucks. That’s where they’ll get us. Their backs swing from side to side quite well and it’s pretty hard to defend at times,” Tupaea said at the time.
Only time will tell what shape the All Blacks will take this weekend with ruck defence being one of their key concerns in the wake of their victory, but, if anything is certain, it’s that Ireland won’t go down without a fight in the series-decider.
“I’d expect them to bounce back,” Barrett said when asked what to expect of Ireland this weekend.
“They’re such a proud side and they’ll raise their intent again this week because I guess it is do-or-die, the series is on the line this weekend, and we know that they’re coming and we also need to rise as well.
“There’s a lot to learn about the game itself and we’re doing that in these couple of days and getting prepared for a brutal test match.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Not sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
24 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
24 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
24 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
4 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
4 Go to comments