Ian Foster drops hints at All Blacks selections for USA test
Expect All Blacks captain Sam Cane, veteran hooker Dane Coles and a slew of inexperienced figures to feature against the USA Eagles in Washington DC next week.
That’s according to All Blacks head coach Ian Foster, who revealed his returning stars and those who missed large chunks, if not all, of the Rugby Championship are set for game time at FedEx Field in eight days’ time.
Cane and Coles are two of five New Zealand-based players – along with experienced lock Sam Whitelock, loose forward Shannon Frizell and uncapped second rower Josh Lord – who have travelled to the American capital ahead of the opening test of New Zealand’s end-of-year tour.
That quintet of players will be joined by the rest of the All Blacks squad, who have remained in Australia and based themselves on the Sunshine Coast following their Rugby Championship success, on Sunday.
Speaking to media ahead of his side’s departure from Queensland, Foster said the clash against the United States presents a golden opportunity to reintegrate Cane and Coles back into test rugby following lengthy injury lay-offs.
After sustaining a pectoral injury while playing for the Chiefs in March, Cane played his first match in over six months when he took to the field in a rare Heartland Championship outing for King Country against Whanganui last weekend.
Coles, meanwhile, hasn’t played for the All Blacks since the team’s 60-13 win over Fiji in Hamilton three months ago due to a calf injury, but started for Wellington in their extra-time victory over Canterbury in the NPC last Friday.
Foster conceded he didn’t watch either player in their injury comeback matches, but he has still managed to keep tabs on their progress and said they are tracking well to play against the Eagles.
“I haven’t seen their whole games, but I’ve seen some sort of lines on our coding system of what they’ve been doing, so it looked like they got through reasonably well,” Foster said.
“I know Colesy limped off a little bit and rolled his ankle, but he’s all good to go. They’re guys that we trust a lot.
“We’ve had people watching them, we’ve got Foxy [Grant Fox, All Blacks selector] back there, and we’re pretty keen that, physically, they’re okay.
“They definitely will need some game time, though, and it’s just making sure, when you turn up, that they are ready to go, and then the likelihood of them having some good minutes under their belt in the USA is pretty high.
“Then we can assess their likelihood of when we can introduce them after that.”
All Blacks head coach Ian Foster says he isn’t a fan of the 50:22 and goal-line drop-out rules implemented at test level this year. #AllBlacks https://t.co/gPnMGaiGd8
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The addition of Cane and Coles – as well as Whitelock, Frizell and Lord – gives Foster a full complement of players to pick from as he said all 37 of his squad members will be fit and available for selection.
The only injury concern comes in the loose forwards – a final check needs to be made on the fitness of Frizell leading into the USA test – but there is otherwise no issue to report on from a medical viewpoint.
“Everyone’s 100 percent fit and available. There might be a few bruises after today, but everyone’s training well.”
That bodes well for those who have struggled for game time this season, such as Ethan de Groot, Angus Ta’avao, Tyrel Lomax, Tupou Vaa’i, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Quinn Tupaea and Braydon Ennor.
Mercurial playmaker Richie Mo’unga could also be handed a starting role after missing most of the Rugby Championship due to the arrival of his second child in New Zealand.
However, the exposure of the aforementioned players to international rugby holds particular significance to Foster, and given the minnow status of the USA, next week’s test provides the perfect platform to give them experience in the test arena.
“It’s a great opportunity for players to learn,” Foster said of those who haven’t been afforded extensive game time this season.
“I understand it’s not easy to give everyone rugby, but I think you’ve seen through the Rugby Championship, where we have taken a strategy of using this year to build some options and build some depth, so, where possible, we are cognisant of giving guys opportunities when it’s practical.”
In saying that, Foster wouldn’t be drawn into confirming whether or not Lord, a legitimate bolter in the All Blacks squad, will make his test debut against the Eagles.
The 20-year-old was plucked from obscurity to replace Scott Barrett and Patrick Tuipulotu in the national side despite having only five Super Rugby caps to his name.
BREAKING: Carlos Spencer joins @nolagoldrugby https://t.co/rD4g581mC7
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With such vast inexperience, it could be that Foster views Lord as a player not yet ready to cope with the rigours of test rugby at this early stage of his promising career.
By contrast, he might see next week’s match as a prime opportunity to equip Lord with some valuable experience at international level.
Either way, Foster refused to lift the lid on which way he was leaning towards in terms of Lord’s selection chances.
“I’ll let you know when I name the team,” he said when asked whether the youngster will face the Americans.
A handful of yet-to-be-named players will travel to the United Kingdom the day before the United States game in preparation for the following week’s test against Wales in Cardiff.
Foster said the decision to split the touring group was made purely from a practicality perspective, although it’s expected those who depart for Europe early will be made up of selection certainties for the Welsh test who aren’t in contention for the USA clash.
Nevertheless, Foster noted that while the exposure of inexperienced players is a top priority for tour-opening fixture in Washington DC, the match also gives players the chance to force their way into the selection mix against Wales.
“No doubt we’ll be putting some guys who have had limited game time into the USA game, but, without telling you, there’s probably a couple of positions that we’re putting guys in the USA game that have really got a good chance to play their way, potentially, into the Welsh selection,” Foster said.
“We’re using it [the USA test] in many ways. We’re using it to give game time to some and to grow their experience, but we’re also putting the heat on some areas of our game that we feel we need to keep growing and look at some wider options, so it’s a bit of both for us.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
The current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
1 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to commentsThose ears must give him great field awareness
1 Go to commentsFrench international centre Maelle Fillopon is death, too.
1 Go to comments