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Assistant coach explains decision to leave key All Black in New Zealand

Patrick Tuipulotu (L) and Ardie Savea (R) of the New Zealand All Blacks during the International Test Match between New Zealand All Blacks and England at Forsyth Barr Stadium on July 06, 2024 in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

All Blacks assistant coach Leon MacDonald has explained the decision to leave Patrick Tuipulotu in New Zealand, with Blues lock Sam Darry coming into the mix to face Fiji.

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Following two bone-bruising and generally physical Test matches against England in Dunedin and Auckland, New Zealand selectors have made the decision to “look after” Tuipulotu.

Tuipulotu, 31, suffered what was initially believed to be a Super Rugby Pacific season-ending knee injury during the Blues’ quarter-final win over the Fijian Drua. But, miraculously, the lock was named in the starting side two weeks later for their shot at destiny.

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The second rower took the field at Eden Park for the Grand Final against the Chiefs, and it was a true captain’s knock from Tuipulotu who received a standing ovation and deafening cheer from the crowd midway through the second term when he was replaced.

After being named in Scott Robertson’s first All Blacks squad, Tuipulotu was named in the No. 5 jumper in both Tests against the English. But with one more match to play before The Rugby Championship next month, Tuipulotu has not flown with the team to San Diego, USA.

“Patrick Tuipolotu’s was a decision around just as fitness in terms of his, his body,” Leon MacDonald told reporters on Monday.

“You know his return into the final. With a knee, he rolled his ankle during that game, and then two massive efforts against the really physical England pack.

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“(We) just feel that we need to look after him a little bit, and Sam Darry’s coming to give him give him a bit of a break.”

The All Blacks have rewarded 23-year-old Sam Darry for a strong season with the champion Blues by including the towering lock on the plane to San Diego.

After starting the first two matches of the Super Rugby season, the lock was sidelined Darry until a round nine return against the Brumbies. The New Zealander returned to the fold and ended up starting nine matches this year, including the Grand Final.

Head-to-Head

Last 3 Meetings

Wins
3
Draws
0
Wins
0
Average Points scored
55
14
First try wins
100%
Home team wins
100%

Darry is now in line to potentially debut in the famed black jersey when New Zealand take on Mick Byrne’s Fiji at San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday afternoon (NZT).

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“He’s an immensely talented, young man. He’s had his injury issues which has sort of slowed down his game time, but he’s shown he just keeps getting better the more rugby he plays,” MacDonald explained.

“And you know, as it’s a coaching group, we’re just really impressed with Sam. He’s just thrived in the environment and just impressed us through his shared work rate and determination.

“So yeah, he’s deserved a spot here on this tour.”

Darry could potentially debut at Test level along with some other currently uncapped players. Hurricanes centre Billy Proctor has been knocking at the door all season and it seems that this weekend, the midfielder might be rewarded for his form.

“Yeah, Billy’s fantastic.

“I experienced Billy for the very 1st time with All Blacks XV as a coach, and really enjoyed the way he plays.

“But also he’s a good student of the game, and he’s got a skill set and work rate that’s as good as any midfielder.

“So yeah, he’s pushing, you know, pushing really hard and waiting for his opportunity to play.

“And you know  he’s definitely a player that I think would handle test rugby really well.”

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J
JW 1 hour ago
Razor has an about turn on All Blacks eligibility rules

Yep, another problem!


I think he would have, in the instance I mentioned, which wasn’t changing anything other than correctly applying todays eligibility quidelines. Which is an arbitrary construct, as the deal likely would have played out completely differently, but I just ‘allowed’ him to have 1 year sabbatically for his ‘loyalty’, rather than having some arbitrary number like 70 caps required.


So if Richie had a 3 year deal, and the first year he was allowed to use him still, I don’t think he’d really not transition to Dmac being his main 10, as he’s obviously the only one he can use for the following two years, therefore likely his only real option for the WC (very hard for Richie to overtake him in such a short time). Richie would purely be a security net in a situation like I proposition where there are only small changes to the eligibility.


The system is not working well enough though, as we don’t have the Rugby Championship or World Cup trophies, do we? Well on that last question, that’s all I’m really saying but I would not believe a word this author says, so it’s entirely a ‘what if’ discussion, but if the author is right and now they are actually going to be more flexible, I think that’s great yeah. Ultimately thought I think those two players were an anomaly signing their contracts and futures up so far ahead, especially of when they were performing. Both jumped at the opportunity of good contracts when their All Black prospects weren’t looking that bright.

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