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Former Wallaby snubs Barretts, Taukei'aho in combined ANZAC XV
Wallabies legend Tim Horan has sensationally snubbed the Barrett brothers and world-class hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho from his hypothetical ANZAC XV to take on the British and Irish Lions.
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Australia and New Zealand haven’t combined forces on the rugby field since the Lions’ 1989 tour Down Under, when the best players in the world went head-to head in Brisbane.
Wallabies legend Nick Farr-Jones captained the side, which included fellow greats David Campese, Michael Lynagh and All Black Steve McDowall.
But the Lions emerged victorious, having won the historic encounter 19-15 in front of a vibrant crowd at Ballymore.
It was revealed late last year that Rugby Australia Chairman Hamish McLennan had “talked to the Kiwis” about fielding an ANZAC team in 2025.
While the match is yet to be confirmed, it’s clearly a popular concept.
Two-time Rugby World Cup winning Wallaby Tim Horan said he’d “love to see” an ANZAC team take on the Lions in a couple of years time.
“I’d love to see it work,” Horan said on Stan Sport’s Rugby Heaven.
“It happened in 1989 when the Lions came out. It was sort of the unofficial fourth Test.
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“The hard thing about it is where you schedule the game and I think Rugby Australia are talking to the Kiwis at the moment about this potential game.
“How can you fit it in? I don’t think you should play it after the third Test because after the third Test, the moment’s gone.”
Horan has selected a selected an even split in his hypothetical ANZAC XV – well, as even as you can get when you pick 15 players from two nations.
The former Wallaby selected seven Australian players in his starting side – including four forwards – and eight All Blacks.
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But some of the best players in New Zealand have been omitted from the line-up.
All three Barrett brothers have been left out of the side – although Beauden is set to head overseas to Japan next year, so he could potentially be ineligible.
However, the same rules would then apply to Japan-bound Ardie Savea Richie Mo’unga, who Horan named at openside flanker and first five.
Hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho has also been left out of the starting side, with Hurricanes No. 2 Asafo Aumua getting the nod.
Horan has selected Wallabies Angus Bell and Taniela Tupou in the front row alongside Aumua, and included one player from either nation in the second row.
Brumbies lock Nick Frost has been selected ahead of Crusaders captain Scott Barrett, who recently signed through until the end of 2025, and would pack down alongside Tupou Vaa’i in this side.
As for the backrow, Ethan Blackadder would start at blindside flanker in Horan’s team, which is interesting considering he’s yet to nail down his place in the All Blacks’ starting side. Ardie Savea and Rob Valetini have also been included.
Tate McDermott and Richie Mo’unga would partner each other in the halves, while Samu Kerevi and Rieko Ioane would make up the midfield.
Wallaby Marika Koroibete would line up in the No. 11 jersey alongside Caleb Clarke and Will Jordan in the back three.
Tim Horan’s ANZAC XV
15. Will Jordan (All Blacks)
14. Caleb Clarke (All Blacks)
13. Rieko Ioane (All Blacks)
12. Samu Kerevi (Wallabies)
11. Marika Koroibete (Wallabies)
10. Richie Mo’unga (All Blacks)
9. Tate McDermott (Wallabies)
1. Angus Bell (Wallabies)
2. Asafo Aumua (All Blacks)
3. Taniela Tupou (Wallabies)
4. Nick Frost (Wallabies)
5. Tupou Vaa’i (All Blacks)
6. Ethan Blackadder (All Blacks)
7. Ardie Savea (All Blacks)
8. Rob Valetini (Wallabies)
Comments on RugbyPass
I really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
4 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
7 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
7 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
4 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
7 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
4 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
4 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
12 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
12 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
12 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
12 Go to comments