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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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JW 2 hours ago
'I feel for the players': Jamie Joseph's reflection on falling short again

Some great leadership quality from Big Jim, he facilitated for large parts then put the responsibility on himself at the end drive the team forward in the last desperate minutes. He also filled in for Withy extremely well, adding real strength to the maul.


The Force have been playing very well this year indeed, and their stars did make a couple of key players, the main factor though is definitely what I reported in the previous article “

Gotta say I’m really enjoying the Highlanders desperation in the last 10 minutes of games, maybe it’s just because theyre having to throw the kitchen sink at it again. Another massive effort to hold the opposition out just like in the Blues game. I’m sure the coach’s will be wanting a little more composure though as the play seems to far more hap hazard (really just the type of footy I like watching) than the picture they bring at the beggining of games.

Again though they don’t have the refs to thank for anything, being down a man twenty more minutes than they should have been. Most importantly they were without one of they best attackers (not counting Tangitau’s early change) for the final push, with Nareki’s bin.

Again, I can see where this team is trying to go, I hope they can get their this year as they certainly have the game to be a top four team if they click. They are munch of misfits when you look at it objectively though, they probably have the worst cohesion score of any SRP team. A few more wins, maybe a come from behind upset may be the best theey can hope to acheive this year.

“. Like Jim I thought the defence stood up strongly for large parts, but they may just have some structural issues, where it’s just not paying off. They had Lawaqa on the wing all day, allowed the Force to make a dozen linebreaks, why? Both there attack and defence look a bit too fancy for me, why? Common Joseph, the youngest team with the least cohesion/most new guys, it look overly complicated.


I hope it clicks. Manson in particular looked to be trying far too hard when he came on, what’s been said in his ear? Stick to you lane son and don’t make any mistakes, don’t lose the game for your team. Should be a comfortable win next week against Drua if they keep there heads up and come back stronger. Lasaqa might be best to come off the bench, would keep Jim at 12 but I’d like Tele’a to come back to the side, though TUJ hasn’t been bad and style might suit Drua more. Hopefully Renton or someone with some size is at 8 or 6, Lasaqa appears to be more an 8 actually, similar to Sititi and I wouldn’t mind if he was groomed behind him and Sotutu. Lennox I thought could make a good halfback but isn’t ready, I’d hope Arscott, Fakatava, or Pledger could return to the side. Other than Drua theyve got Cheifs twice, though the home game is the last of the round/season so potentially a gimme if the Chiefs repeat previous years tactics. The Crusaders and Moana at home are also very doable. Those four wins could see them crash into the top 6 still.

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