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The Rugby Championship

Two props called into All Blacks squad after Fletcher Newell injured

Ethan de Groot of New Zealand looks on during the International Test Match between New Zealand All Blacks and England at Forsyth Barr Stadium on July 06, 2024 in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Joe Allison - RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)

The All Blacks will be without Crusaders prop Fletcher Newell for the first Bledisloe Cup match in Sydney after he suffered a calf injury.

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Newell suffered the injury in the second Test against the Springboks in Cape Town late in the game after coming on as a replacement for tighthead Tyrel Lomax.

After being given the fortnight to assess the extent of the injury, the All Blacks have decided against playing Newell against the Wallabies this week, instead calling up All Black prop George Bower and first choice loosehead Ethan de Groot, who has completed his own comeback for Southland Stags in the NPC.

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Otago prop Bower has withdrawn from this weekend’s NPC clash to join the squad.

Bower last played for the All Blacks in 2022 on the end of year tour against England, a 25-all draw at Twickenham. He played 14 games of Super Rugby Pacific with the Crusaders this season.

A further smaller group of players will travel to Sydney on Monday as cover after the completion of round six of the NPC.

 

 

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Comments on RugbyPass

P
PMcD 13 minutes ago
Will the Northampton playmaking axis return for England at the Six Nations?

I actually think the issue with Marcus is that it’s a skill overplayed (becoming a weakness).

He had an extra yard of space with Andre outside him but he’s then trying to force the running game and teams are waiting for it, which is why he keeps being flattened and then he’s left chicken-arming the ball under his arm.



...

38 Go to comments
E
ED 41 minutes ago
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Thanks, I’ve been ignorant of Nonngorr. I’ll follow his progress. Like Englands Baxter, he’s had good coaches early.

The Reds are building.



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P
PMcD 49 minutes ago
Will the Northampton playmaking axis return for England at the Six Nations?

I have just realised I replied to the wrong post. This should make more sense. 🤣🤣🤣

I think he had deeper ties to Quins (which is to be commended) but I also think he stretched that marquee contract as far as he could. Quins need to find the right coach to shape that team in the style the fans enjoy, which is why I am surprised they didn’t make a bigger play to get either Stuart Lancaster or Lee Blackett. They would both have been a good fit for Quins.



...

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unknown 1 hour ago
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I’m a welsh fan but how lrz is on there i don't know.

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MH 1 hour ago
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Hard game to watch. So many entries into Glos 22 and we fluffed our lines. A win is a win

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fl 2 hours ago
Will the Northampton playmaking axis return for England at the Six Nations?

1) what are you talking about?

2) Stuart Lancaster isn’t heavy enough to be a top level coach.



...

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D
DC 3 hours ago
'A lot of people had written us off before the game'

Not a bad result considering they were playing against Ireland + 1 All Black.

4 Go to comments
P
PMcD 3 hours ago
Will the Northampton playmaking axis return for England at the Six Nations?

NB - If you were Lee Blackett, what would you be thinking about doing differently with the attack? Where do you think the improvement from this ENG team is possible?

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S
SC 3 hours ago
The five players who can swing the Springboks tour in the All Blacks' favour

The All Black RWC winning teams of 2011 and 2015 were not more than 2 quality test players deep at most positions.

#10 was about the only position the All Blacks were 4 deep in back in 2011.



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unknown 4 hours ago
Who will be replacing Ireland's ageing golden generation if they don't make RWC 2027

Argentina are fantastic at knocking Ireland out of world cups. I’d sooner we had a SA, England, France or Australia to play. Though honestly of those I'd be most confident against SA and Australia at the moment once we get our set piece sorted.

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JPM 4 hours ago
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The writer seems more interested in ROG than his leaders absence…with four teenagers starting as highlighted in the other article (Stormers rating).

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B
BP 4 hours ago
Mick Cleary: 'We should applaud to the rafters the news that rugby on ITV is back with a bang.'

Who owns ITV these days?

4 Go to comments
P
PMcD 4 hours ago
Will the Northampton playmaking axis return for England at the Six Nations?

The left foot Ben Spencer box kick for Will Muir to attack aerially is one of the main plays Bath use as they navigate their way up the field, aerially he is the best by far at Bath, which is why I think they will favour that combination on the left and move Arundell to the right.

I am really interested to see who JvG picks in the end of year big games in the back row and the back 3.



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38 Go to comments
P
PMcD 4 hours ago
Will the Northampton playmaking axis return for England at the Six Nations?

That was pretty neat . . . and the reverse Ojomoh cross kick play, which Blackett saw coming as soon as they passed the ball from Ford. They clearly have been thinking of some creative plays which has added another layer to the attack.

It will be interesting to see if Ollie Lawrence adds back that same size and acceleration to last year. I don’t think he is there yet, which may ultimately move him towards 12 longer term.



...

38 Go to comments
P
PMcD 4 hours ago
Will the Northampton playmaking axis return for England at the Six Nations?

Wrong reply

38 Go to comments
P
PMcD 5 hours ago
Will the Northampton playmaking axis return for England at the Six Nations?

I’d agree with that, it’s fair to say it’s had a much more profound impact than I think people initially expected/assumed.

There are grumblings that World Rugby are looking at changing this but I have no idea how valid those are and I very much doubt that would be before RWC 2027.



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38 Go to comments
N
NB 5 hours ago
Will the Northampton playmaking axis return for England at the Six Nations?

Thanks P. Will Muir a better big man option than Coakin’ Joe?

38 Go to comments
N
NB 5 hours ago
Will the Northampton playmaking axis return for England at the Six Nations?

You can add Freeman to your list of 13’s too, and Lawrence to your list of 12’s!

That try England scored v the ABs when Lawrence and Dingwall swapped over, had Blackett written all over it… Give the ball to Ollie, sukcer two D’s in, release the ball to the bloke they have wrirten off as a threat [Fraser].😁



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38 Go to comments
N
NB 5 hours ago
Will the Northampton playmaking axis return for England at the Six Nations?

The element which had greatest weight was that change in the kick-chase law, and it has changed the selection priorities of a number of top sides…

38 Go to comments
N
NB 5 hours ago
Will the Northampton playmaking axis return for England at the Six Nations?



Bath were super close to signing Marcus before he decided to stay with Quins, which led to the Finn Russell recruitment. I wonder if he regrets that decision a few years down the line?

We had the same deal with him at Racing. He agreed at come to PAris and told the club, then decided to stay at Quins. I still don’t know whether he was trying to leveage a better deal or he really intended to come!



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38 Go to comments
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