1
'That wasn't his finest hour': Why Foster has plumped for Taylor over Taukei'aho
There were a few points of discussion to come out of the All Blacks‘ squad for this weekend’s Bledisloe Cup clash with the Wallabies at Eden Park, including the selection of Jordie Barrett in the midfield and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck being named on the bench.
ADVERTISEMENT
The most curious selection, however, is undoubtedly Codie Taylor, who has been named in the No 2 jersey for the first time since the third Test of New Zealand’s July series with Ireland.
In the games since, youngster Samisoni Taukei’aho has well and truly established himself as the country’s first-choice rake, turning in strong performances after strong performances, culminating in him being named as the man of the match following last week’s narrow victory over the Wallabies in Melbourne.
Taukei’aho was at his barnstorming best at Marvel Stadium, chalking up 26 metres with the ball in hand, nailing his lineout deliveries, helping to force one turnover and – perhaps most importantly – dotting down for two tries.
Still, Foster has seen fit to bench the 25-year-old, promoting Taylor in his steed.
“[This is the] last test of a pretty big block. Soni’s had an outstanding series and so it’s a chance [for Taylor],” Foster said when asked to explain the change.
“Codie’s been working hard behind the scenes and we really believe he’s in a good space now and it’s a chance to inject Soni in the second half of the game, to have a slightly different impact role than what he’s had as a starting role. But we’re pretty excited about that one-two punch for this particular game, particularly at the end of the Championship when maybe energy levels are down a little bit to change the picture a little bit.”
While Taukei’aho has gone from strength to strength this year, Taylor’s form has left much to be desired. The 31-year-old was once one of the pre-eminent hookers in the world game but time appears to have caught up to the 71-Test rake. His work around the park hasn’t quite been up to scratch for the All Blacks in the matches he’s featured in so far this season while his inaccuracy off the bench against Argentina last month proved costly, with New Zealand suffering their first-ever home loss to the Pumas.
ADVERTISEMENT
Foster believes that Taylor can deliver for the All Blacks on Saturday, however.
“He’s been preparing well. He’d be the first to admit that wasn’t his finest hour but he’s a quality person, quality player and I know he’s really keen to play well for us.”
With Taylor coming straight into the starting side and Taukei’aho dropping to the bench, Dane Coles has seen himself miss out on the 23 altogether after two reliable performances in Hamilton and Melbourne.
Following this weekend’s potentially Rugby Championship-deciding rematch with the Wallabies, the All Blacks will play four further Tests to round out the season while an All Blacks XV will also take on four different opponents in the coming months.
ADVERTISEMENT
Saturday’s match is due to kick off at 7:05pm NZT, with the All Blacks defending a 22-game undefeated streak against Australia at the Auckland stadium.
Comments on RugbyPass
Firstly the foul on Bongi was a planned move just like the NZ master plan with Bryce Lawrence you kiwis are filthy fux perhaps try to play a cleaner game next time I doubt that’s possible tho but don’t worry world rugby is on yr side they trying to take away all the BOKS strengths to help all you weakling as Jeremy Clarkson would say LA OO ZA ERR..🤣
99 Go to commentsAbsolutely spot on Ben. I certainly wouldn't gloat over a win like that. Frustrating as it is it's done and dusted and history will forever show the result.
99 Go to commentsHo hum.
99 Go to commentsNo question they were the better team. But that is the beauty of sport isn’t it!
99 Go to commentsEveryone is into Hurling in Ireland according to Porter, but only 11 of Ireland's 32 counties enter a team into the national competition. Same old blarney.
1 Go to commentsLet’s be honest. The draw and scheduling in the World Cup was a joke but South Africa found a way after having to go the hard (nearly impossible) way to the Cup Final via France and England. NZ had a hard game against France (lost) and had 5 weeks to prepare for the Quarter, 3 weeks knowing it was Ireland. NZ theerfore had to win one big game against an Irish team who played SA and then Scotland 7 days before. They won and it was de facto a semi final because they were playing a relatively weak Argentina team and it was a walk over. In the final a very rested NZ team was playing a very tired SA team and still lost. They couldn’t score more than 11 points. Put another way SA had to find a way to win while tired and they achieved that. NZ should thank their lucky stars that they fixed the scheduling in 2015 otherwise they would be dealing with a Bok treble.
99 Go to commentsPerhaps if Bongi wasn’t targeted and removed from the game in the first 3 minutes it would have been quite a different game. Maybe if NZ also faced the same competition the Boks faced to their win NZ would have looked quite different. The final score shows who outplayed who.
99 Go to commentsRubbish article! Abuladze played most of Exeters matches when fit. He got injured against Glasgow a while ago and is out for the rest of the season, thats why he hasnt played for Exeter and Georgia recently. Do some proper research next time!
1 Go to commentsGotta love it when kids throw their toys out the pram and can’t hack it with the grown ups debate. Here’s looking at you turlough! 😉🤣
148 Go to commentsThey lost the game period move on
99 Go to commentsSpringboks won! Stop winging. You can change the game however much you and your rugby colonizing IRB want to and the Springboks will win you at that too. Your mind is colonized my friend get a life
99 Go to commentsBen, nobody gets fooled anymore by selective and biased data to support an hypothesis. Games are decided on such small margins these days that you win some and lose some, and dominance is a thing of the rugby past. Look at the RWC circle of fortune…. Ireland beats SA who beat France who beat NZ who beat Ireland. And so it goes on. Match officials help to eliminate real indiscretions. If they had been with us years before, no doubt results would have been different. Remember Andy Haden’s dive from a lineout in 1978 for which a match-wining penalty was awarded? Wales should have beaten the ABs that day. They took the loss like the gentlemen they were.
99 Go to commentsWith all the analysis and how good the all blacks were.The fundamental mistake with the ABs is that this is a test match and not an exhibition.There is no better team(country) in world rugby than the Boks that knows how to win a test match(we are post masters at this).We know our rules, we have the discipline, we tackle like beasts, we take our points and we never give up.I now have educated the ABs supporters(at least say thank you).Please stop “bitching” , accept what the outcome is and move along swiftly.
99 Go to commentsAnd they came from behind to win two big games before the final. No one can say what would have happened. Had the boks gone behind the game plan changes and the result may changes. Ifs and ands are irrelevant. The boks won. Neutral critics enjoyed the games they played. Its not a popularity contest. Get over it and move on.
99 Go to commentsI'm happy for the people of SA to get a second WC. And I mean that. I was very disappointed with this man's “stand on the hand” incident with Josh Van Der Flyer (Ireland). Ireland's downfall in the last WC was they did not rotate their first 15 as the head coach probably should have. That said, I'm happy for SA and genuinely hope it lifts the mood in their country. Ireland did beat them in the first match of the tournament. And before the trolls start trolling ….. please don't bother. Etzbeth said recently that the Irish players said after the match “see you in the final”…..this was actually wishing the SA team the best of luck in the rest, the Irish team were not dismissing the AB’s. This is what Etzbeth was implying. But he was wrong. I no longer live in Ireland. But I hope to see them lift that cup before I pass. Anyway, congratulations SA. 👍
12 Go to commentsMore bloody click bait. Dan Carter has said absolutely nothing. As he should do. Poor journalism again from a site that should know better
9 Go to commentsOh god please help these loosers get over it!!!! You lost. Doesn't matter how many times you dummies are gonna analyse the game, you still lost and we are still Rygby World Champions….get over it, you lost.
99 Go to commentsThe next Willie le Roux. SA are made not to use him.
3 Go to commentsDan has always been as controversial as tea with milk so we were never going to get any definitive answer. So DMac for the win.
9 Go to commentsGoodness. When are the All Blacks and New Zealand commentators going to stop complaining about how they could have won and just try to win next time 😂. In South Africa if you lose you get up and try again. Get over it.
99 Go to comments