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The ‘edge’ Finlay Christie has over All Blacks teammate Cam Roigard
On the eve of the All Blacks’ biggest Test in four years, coach Ian Foster has explained the surprising omission of Cam Roigard from the team to play France on Friday.
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When the All Blacks open Rugby World Cup opener, Cam Roigard will watch from the sidelines of Stade de France.
The All Blacks revealed their team take on the tournament hosts on Wednesday, and Roigard’s name was nowhere to be found. Aaron Smith was named to start with Finlay Christie on the bench.
It was a fairly surprising decision.
Roigard was a shining light for the All Blacks during an otherwise dark night at Twickenham a fortnight ago. New Zealand were lost for answers as the world champion Springboks ran riot.
The All Blacks were beaten, badly, as they fell to their worst-ever defeat by a margin of 35-7. But Roigard offered a glimmer of hope.
Fans wanted more, but they’ll have to wait a bit more to see Roigard in the black jersey again. Coach Foster said Christie has “a lot bit more of an edge” over his All Blacks teammate.
“Just based on the work they’ve done. We’re really confident in all three of our nines,” Foster told reporters on Thursday.
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“Fin’s got probably a little bit more experience at this level than what Cam has but Cam’s doing everything right.
“Fin’s probably a strong defensive player in that space and maybe there’s a little bit more of an edge in that space in terms of experience there.
“Pretty happy with our nines at the moment.”
While there’s no room in the matchday 23 for Roigard, the All Blacks have named a near full-strength side to take on Les Bleus in Paris.
Aaron Smith will start alongside Richie Mo’unga in the halves, while Finlay Christie is among the three backs looking to provide impact off the bench.
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The All Blacks won their first four Tests this year, but everything came crashing down in Twickenham.
They have an opportunity to right some wrongs against “one of the clear tournament favourites.”
“It’s a privilege to play in the opening game of Rugby World Cup 2023,” Foster said in a statement.
“What makes it extra special is playing the host nation who are a very proud and in-form tea.
“World Cups are different. The initial goal is to qualify for the quarterfinals and to do that we must build out game through the pool stage.
“That starts in game one, where we have an opportunity to compete against one of the clear tournament favourites.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Interesting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
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