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‘That’s what happens’: Ian Foster’s insight on the four returning All Blacks
When the All Blacks line up for their national anthem on Friday night in Lyon, they’ll stand brothers-in-arms alongside a returning quartet of stars who will be eager to make their mark.
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Flanker Shannon Frizell and utility Jordie Barrett will make their 2023 Rugby World Cup debuts against Italy following lengthy stints on the sideline with injuries.
Frizell, 29, took his game to an all-new level during a sensational Rugby Championship campaign – and was even compared to legend Jerome Kaino – before picking up a niggly hamstring strain.
Barrett has also been available during the entirety of the World Cup up until this point due to a knee injury. Both players have been named in a full-strength starting side.
But they’re not the only players set to return. Prop Tyrel Lomax and regular skipper Sam Cane have been named on a bench that includes record-breaking All Black Sam Whitelock.
“It’s great. They’ve been on that list for a few too many weeks but that’s what happens. We used last week really well, I thought, in terms of getting their progression to play,” coach Ian Foster said.
“I’m really confident with Shannon and Jordie, we’ve been able to get them in the starting line-up. With Tyrel, there is a good chance for him to get some time under his belt off the bench. We all know how much we rate him.
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‘With Sam, he really needed to tick a few boxes at the first two training sessions this week, which is why we gave him time to do that, by starting him off the bench.”
Last week, Shannon Frizell opened up about his “boring” stint on the sidelines as he hinted at an imminent return to international rugby.
Frizell was a force to be reckoned with earlier this year, with the loose forward making the No. 6 jersey his own during the All Blacks’ unbeaten start to their season.
But things took a turn. Frizell was struck down just before New Zealand’s clash with rivals South Africa at Twickenham, and the All Blacks’ winning streak came to a chaotic end in his absence.
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“I won’t say what we have been missing with his absence but I will talk about Shannon,” Foster added.
“Clearly, he’s been challenged on the role of six this year. He’s been there a few years and we’ve challenged him through the Rugby Championship and really been delighted.
He’s brought, in many ways, a simplicity to his game. He’s focusing on the quality of his ball carry, the quality of his tackle and his connections with the likes of Ardie (Savea) and Sam (Cane) and now Dalton (Papali’i) this week.
“He’s improved his work-rate and he’s improved his quality in those two areas, and that’s all we want out of him for Friday.”
The All Blacks have “everything to play for” at OL Stadium when they take on Italy at the Rugby World Cup. Following their loss to France earlier this month, another defeat would all but end their campaign.
Comments on RugbyPass
Good summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
1 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
8 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
8 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
5 Go to comments