Samisoni Taukei'aho's All Blacks absence should raise some eyebrows
The All Blacks have made a handful of changes to their starting line-up for Saturday’s do-or-die clash with Ireland but it’s a change in the reserves that has perhaps caused the most furrowed brows around New Zealand.
After spending the opening two matches in the No 16 jersey for the All Blacks, Chiefs hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho has been omitted from the 23 altogether with experienced campaigner Dane Coles taking his spot on the bench.
Taukei’aho was a surprise package for the All Blacks last year. Although he initially missed selection, he received a call-up to the national squad due during NZ’s July tests with Tonga and Fiji after Coles was sidelined due to injury. Taukei’aho went from strength to strength throughout the year, earning eight appearances off the bench and one start, and had many convinced by season’s end that he was the best hooking option NZ had to offer. That belief was partly fuelled by a drop in form from first-choice rake Codie Taylor.
Although Taylor bounced back to have a strong season with the Crusaders during this year’s Super Rugby Pacific competition, Taukei’aho has maintained a high standard over the past 18 months and many were picking the 24-year-old to take a firm grasp of the New Zealand No 2 jersey heading into the test season.
The reality has been somewhat different, however.
Taylor, with 68 tests to his name, has been named as the starting hooker in all three matches throughout the July series with Ireland and now, with the series on the line in Wellington, Taukei’aho has been dropped from the 23 altogether to make way for 35-year-old Coles.
“He’s chomping at the bit, he’s a competitive beast and we’ve got a lot of faith in him,” Foster said of his new reserve hooker. “Well, we’ve got a lot of faith in the three hookers we’ve got.
“We just felt that set-piece has been going really well and Codie’s in a really good spot there. We wanted to play all three hookers in this series and it’s that sort of competitive game we think Colesy is up for.”
While it makes sense for the All Blacks to try utilise all three hookers throughout July, it’s questionable whether handing Taylor three starts was the right means of doing so. While the 31-year-old had a sharp game in the opening test, he had one of his worst performances in a black jersey in the return match and another performance of a similar standard won’t help the All Blacks’ cause as they chase a series victory in Wellington.
Still, it’s important to ease Coles back into proceedings and senior lock Sam Whitelock is confident that he’ll come out firing when he is called onto the park.
“Colesy has been Colesy. That’s the easiest way to sum up,” Whitelock said this week. “Anyone that knows him pretty well knows that he’s not mixing his words.
“If anything, he’s smart enough to know we just need to go out there and train really well. He’s done that over the last couple of days; he’s done his lineout homework and prep so I’m sure he’ll get an opportunity out there as he normally does and he’ll go well, like he always does.”
The All Blacks will take on Ireland at 7:05pm on Saturday evening at Sky Stadium in Wellington.
Comments on RugbyPass
I do think the media in NZ treated him badly. Sam is a legend. He is humble, a great rugby mind and leader. What happened in the final could happen to anyone. The margins is so fine these days. I lay blame at the feet of the coaching staff and NZ rugby. The stats tell’s all. The AB’s was the worst disciplined side in the WC with more red and yellow cards than anyone else. Problem is NZ rugby is not training their players to play safer. And thats the danger a fast game brings. More yellow and red cards. But Sam Cane in my eye was and still is a great ambassador for the game, that just had a stroke of bad luck.
2 Go to commentsI hope Jim and co. Add this to their list of icebreaker questions they can ask all their guests going forward. So we can eventually hear what everyone thinks about this subject. “What do you think Ireland meant…”
120 Go to commentsHe’s a dominant personality. That might be both a good and bad thing in team dynamics. Certainly it ruined Smith’s first crack at 10 with Owen at 12. BTW, Bristol flatter to deceive. When things really matter, they tend to deliver less rather than more. Farrell would have been good for them
35 Go to commentsGot a lot of over the top abuse from Crusader fans, in particular, who thought every 7 they had was miles better. Now we will see if anyone is better? Laid his body on the line every game so finishing early makes sense. A lot of life left after rugby.
2 Go to commentsA poor decision to appoint Carley as not only is Pearce a better referee but also importantly speaks French.
2 Go to commentsHe is 100 % on the mark. Malicious arrogance with a lack of respect for the other teams mostly the south. they must learn from True rugby nations like the Boks and Kiwis
120 Go to commentsThis Outiniqua boy has played sublime rugby and deserves a spot in BI LIONS team. Well played son
4 Go to commentsI don’t like to see players miss big matches but this ban looks to be tailored to allow him to compete in the final. In principle a suspension for a very dangerous tackle in a semi should warrant missing the relevant final. Done now. One the flip side having both teams with very strong squads/teams available for the final will add to the occassion hopefully.
1 Go to commentsTalent to burn and a huge engine..hope he gets a shot at higher honours
2 Go to commentsIf anything like his dad he has a bright future, Soane was the best ball carrying props ive ever seen using a combination of pace power and footwork.
1 Go to commentsThose who saw Sharks vs Clermont and Ox N'Che vs Rabah Slimani should have a good idea of the best scrumagers… May be not the best props…
2 Go to commentsIt's been an unusual era of unpopular, highly competitive, domineering, fairly big fly halves in the home nations with Farrell, Sexton and Biggar. Russell is different in personality and player I think. I'd rank Sexton first of the three because he is just as good a game controller but also has a great passing game. And his competitiveness never seems to cause problems with refs.
35 Go to commentsThank goodness he wasn't born in Scotland, he'd have been a great candidate for the Scottish Barbarians. I wouldn't put it past them to push for a “where the player was conceived” rule 😂
2 Go to commentsOwen Farrell is one of the most polarising figures in the game. His entire attitude on the field (and sometimes off of it) smacks of arrogance and he is about as brash as Donald Trump in a political debate. Yet behind that facade is a calculating, determined and powerful leader who drives any team forward with an Iron will. You are right in that he gets better in the heat of battle and in the face of overwhelming odds. He develops a narrow focus and he delivers his best in a way that few others can. He is one of Englands great performers who sacrificed alot for the team and who often bears the weight of responsibility of leadership alone on the field and in front of the media. Despite what many think of him he is a fantastic game manager with a good rugby brain. He will be sorely missed from the international stage
35 Go to commentsAlways proud of the effort, Sam. The All blacks never stop fighting, never just roll over. He didn’t get anywhere near the respect he earned, but that’s due to results, not commitment to the cause. Have fun dominating in Japan!
1 Go to commentsNot sure why Papali’i thinks Scott Robertson needs his help to select the next All Black Captain. In my view, Papali’i would be well advised to have a good hard look at his own game, and to reflect on how fortunate he is to even wear the black jersey. Rather than shouting at his team mates at every set piece, standing in the mid-field pointing and holding his arms out and flopping to the ground at the back of every second or third ruck, may I suggest he would be far better employed actually doing something on the field. Seriously, watch him for 10 minutes during a game - not much happens. When was the last time he was first to a breakdown, or actually made a turnover? If Robertson is half the Coach I think he is, Papali’i will not be anywhere near the AB’s this season.
11 Go to commentsHiding coming up for Saders.
1 Go to commentsDagg really does go down some rabbit holes doesnt he? In the name I guess.
6 Go to commentsHey Brett I’m one who is looking forward to seeing JS back on the rugby field. I was under the impression that a large portion of his contract was via a third party so RA isn’t having to foot the bill My big concern is around the Tahs and what is happening there, why are so many players bailing. Is it the program, the coaches or the culture. Joe Schmidt recently said he had been at the Tahs all week and DC is a good coach. Something doesn’t gel , 10 front row forwards in a season that’s not bad luck
16 Go to commentsIncorrect title. He hasn’t said Furlong is one of the best scrummagers. He said he is one of the best props.
2 Go to comments