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BREAKING: Bundee Aki among four uncapped players in Ireland squad

Bundee Aki
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The Ireland coaching group has named a 38 player squad that includes four uncapped players for the Guinness Series 2017 which sees Ireland take on South Africa, Fiji and Argentina in the Aviva Stadium in November.

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Ireland face the Springboks for the first time since the 2015 Summer Tour where they recorded a first ever victory on South African soil at Newlands but ultimately lost the series decider.

Earlier this month the Springboks came within a point of beating the All Blacks in their final game of this year’s Rugby Championship having twice drawn with Australia and recorded victories home and away against the Pumas.

The Bok squad will be led by the 63 time capped lock Eben Etzebeth with their full European tour travelling party set to be named after the Currie Cup final.

Fiji come to Ireland as the reigning Pacific Nations Cup champions and have secured qualification for Rugby World Cup 2019 by virtue of being the top team in the region over the course of the past two seasons.

There are a number of familiar names within their squad such as Newcastle Falcons’ Vereniki Goneva, Racing 92’s Leone Nakarawa and Toulon’s Josua Tuisova while Montpellier’s Nemani Nadolo could also feature for the Flying Fijians.

The final game of the Guinness Series sees Ireland square off against Argentina. The two sides have not met since the Rugby World Cup quarter-final in Cardiff in October 2015.

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The Pumas have recently added Mario Ledesma to their backroom team. The hooker who was capped 84 times for his country joins from the Wallabies backroom team and played under Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt at Clermont Auvergne.

Ireland Head Coach, Joe Schmidt, commented, “In what we anticipate will be an incredibly physical Guinness Series plenty will be demanded of the squad.

We have retained a core of experienced players but have also included a number of promising players that we hope will acquit themselves well.”

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Comments on RugbyPass

B
B 6 minutes ago
What to do with Beauden Barrett as Blues hit post-championship free fall

Jason Holland is a man manager and will have already started looking at the Blues player exodus and probable player recruits to fill the gaps prior to taking over from Vern..

IMO, I feel his time is up and it would be good to see Beauden step up into coaching with Jason, similar to Cory Jane for the ‘Canes with AB’s XV, 3 from 3 exposure and currently doing really well in getting the job done…



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2 Go to comments
P
POHM 57 minutes ago
South Africa's Junior Boks well placed to continue their dominance on the world stage

And you are to arrogant and ignorant, how do you know it’s not performance enhancing, your a mouth with no substance.

13 Go to comments
K
KwAussie 1 hour ago
Aussie Super Rugby takes: Tahs’ flyhalf options grow, Force rise built on defence

There’s no doubt n my mind that the Reds lost because they made so many changes that, as you say,changed the way they played. The main trouble with the Reds is that they lack depth at lock and 6 so they can’t really compensate for players away. Brumbies have been disappointing with their performances that also speaks to a lack of depth and cohesion. The real question though is “Will the Tahs go back to the failed performances of their stars, or stick with the good performances of their newbies?”

2 Go to comments
S
SS 1 hour ago
Blues vs Hurricanes takes: A clear number one, Beauden-ball hurting Blues

I was really worried when Roigard got injured but Enari has really shown how good he is. Thought he played a great game on Saturday, fast and accurate

50 Go to comments
u
unknown 1 hour ago
What to do with Beauden Barrett as Blues hit post-championship free fall

Absolutely agree, the Blues have plenty of talent coming through the ranks, just not in the positions mentioned, the halves specifically, which kinda makes the rest pointless. Not saying he's the answer, but couldn't figure out why they let Cashmore go, very similar to Plummer, that backline just needs a competent facilitator. Some better depth at hooker would be nice too, I don't count any of the current options as none of them can be relied on at line out time

2 Go to comments
S
Spew_81 1 hour ago
Jeff Wilson: 'He will change the way the All Blacks play'

McKenzie is not a good enough traditional 10 to be a successful test 10. At best McKenzie is the 15 in a 10/15 dual playmaker set up (unsure if he’s even up to test level as a starting test 15 – probably best as a utility). McKenzie has been given many opportunities at 10, especially in 2024. But he couldn’t quite adjust his game enough.

 



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1 Go to comments
M
Mike 2 hours ago
'He’s putting his hand up to grab that starting No.8 jersey for England'

A retrograde step, if true. Alex Dombrandt brings great skills and go forward when he has some space and the game opens up, which it certainly did on Saturday. Sadly, he has been found wanting at international level already, because test footie is rarely “loose” and is more likely to be the proverbial arm wrestle. One of the (several) issues for England in the 6N was the lack of a big ball carrier in the tight exchanges, in the absence of Tom Willis, and if anybody thinks AD is a like for like replacement, then I have a bridge to sell you. The apparent return to form and fitness of George Martin at tight head lock, and Ollie Chessum probably moving to 6, might change the equation, but I still think there are better options than AD to create a balanced back row to the England scrum. Sorry Alex.

1 Go to comments
u
unknown 2 hours ago
Aussie Super Rugby takes: Tahs’ flyhalf options grow, Force rise built on defence

It doesn’t matter for Australian sides , the Reds and the Brumbies are looking to finish fourth .

The Reds will then play the Blues . One they could win or lose and get a second chance .



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J
JW 2 hours ago
Wallace Sititi acknowledges ‘tough’ 18 months after statement Chiefs win

I guess it shows just how much better South Africa were in 2024 as well, they had a fairly poor 2025.

28 Go to comments
M
MM 2 hours ago
South Africa's Junior Boks well placed to continue their dominance on the world stage

Good luck to the Junior Boks. Don’t forget to pack those drugs boys…………..

13 Go to comments
G
GL 2 hours ago
'We don't do that': NZR rule out buying out Fehi Fineanganofo's contract

NZR is still living in the 1960s…wake TF up

20 Go to comments
J
JW 3 hours ago
Vern Cotter on Blues rookie: 'I think Dave Rennie was probably looking at him'

Yea man, NZR have often said they do not want to rush kids, they want to give them the opportunities in life that you often hear pro athletes saying they never got a chance to experience (doing normal young adult stuff), but I think they can still do that better. Find a better balance.

The education is an important aspect imo, and I’ve said it a lot on here, they should partner with the Universities. Give kids a good reason to stay in school first if they consider a pro career, and allow them to follow that path while going to uni (so many gifted players have to make a choice between rugby and being a doctor etc). I think you’ll practically double the amount of school leavers playing rugby (I know they have club sides already, but I’m talking an all Uni league of u23s etc), and with the kind of strategy I mention above with Baz, you can now have two pathways to pro rugby. Plus the Uni’s invest a lot of money in facilities and coachs already. Look how many Graham Henry’s there are today, practically no coach is coming from the Headmaster side of things. I think the US model is pretty crazy at times, but it would also be really good to have a academic person also able to follow that path from teacher and rugby coach through to lecturers.



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J
JW 3 hours ago
Vern Cotter on Blues rookie: 'I think Dave Rennie was probably looking at him'

Me too man. It’s tough to not try and hold onto tradition, and it’s tough to want clubs and their communities to depart from tradtion at the same time.First

First I’d like to see what this development level the SR teams have is like. Then I’d like something that takes a SR regions clubs out of their normal league (while also still having some participation in it) and requires them to step up a little (like how you describe), take in more youngsters like the SR teams have on their rosters.



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14 Go to comments
T
The Answer 3 hours ago
Ex-All Black captain Read takes aim at NZR over Mo'unga situation

If I weren’t a fan of the AB v Bok rivalry, I wouldn’t comment on it, unlike you. 14.8k comments and still clueless. Wow.

61 Go to comments
B
BM 3 hours ago
Ex-All Black captain Read takes aim at NZR over Mo'unga situation

Where has Commonsence gone. Without Commonsense you cannot be a Leader.

61 Go to comments
s
smartalec 3 hours ago
'We don't do that': NZR rule out buying out Fehi Fineanganofo's contract

While I don’t think they have ever bought out a players contract, they have done it for coaches. NZR bought out Brad Mooars contract with Scarlets in 2019. So there is a little bit of a precendent for that.

20 Go to comments
J
JW 3 hours ago
SA Rugby address rumours of European exit in statement

Yes, and SA already do that too. So if theyre talking about doing something else, logically it would have to different to what you’re describing.

For instance, they would send the semi pro Currie Cup teams to play in steed of the URC squad?



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17 Go to comments
J
JW 4 hours ago
Ex-All Black captain Read takes aim at NZR over Mo'unga situation

2027.

Same. I’m OK with him returning immediately and being used in the easier July games. But this warped idea that he needs to go to SA is stupid. We can throw him in against a rough France, and if he goes somewhat OK probably still be able to use him to beat Ireland etc, and then he might be getting upto speed enough to even play against South Africa and actually add something.



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61 Go to comments
T
The Answer 4 hours ago
The four All Blacks at risk of not making the cut in 2026

Out of the four, Parker probably has the most upside, but he hasn’t done this Super season enough to earn a starting spot. Realistically, all of these positions are still up for grabs. I’d roll with Aride, Lakai and Kirifi. Blackadder, if healthy, and Parker off the bench.

I’d bring Rieko back. Jordie’s role at the Hurricanes has evolved, and he now looks far more focused on creating opportunities for the centre outside him. Under Foster and Razor, Jordie was too often used as a straight-line battering ram, which achieved little beyond compressing the field and limiting everyone outside him.



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126 Go to comments
T
TM 4 hours ago
SA Rugby confirm 2026 Toyota Challenge with 4 nations represented

Where can one purchase the tickets?

3 Go to comments
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