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'We might just see him': Shaun Stevenson tipped for All Black debut
Ex-All Black John Kirwan is tipping a debut for Chiefs fullback Shaun Stevenson as the side prepares to take on the Wallabies at the MCG in Melbourne.
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Super Rugby Pacific’s form player has not been seen in action for the All Blacks despite being called up initially as injury cover for Blues winger Mark Telea.
Telea missed the opener against Argentina along with Will Jordan, who was deliberately left at home, allowing for Emoni Narawa to debut on the right wing.
Both players returned to face South Africa on the left wing at Mt Smart in the 35-20 win.
But Kirwan believed that the All Blacks are dealing with injuries that has opened the door for Stevenson to get a run as the players in doubt are at risk of missing the World Cup.
“I’m hearing whispers down the hallway. We don’t know if it’s really true or not but that there are a couple of niggly injuries that could keep a couple of players out for six weeks,” Kirwan said.
“Shaun Stevenson is still with the All Blacks so we might just see him. You’ve got a couple of niggly injuries where you don’t know if that person is going to go to the World Cup.
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“We have to see people. Maybe it is not this week, but when are you going to see them?”
Head-to-Head
Last 5 Meetings
Wins
0
Draws
0
Wins
5
Average Points scored
20
36
First try wins
20%
Home team wins
40%
Despite starring against the Springboks, there is still uncertainty surrounding Will Jordan as he manages his way back from migraines and vertigo symptoms.
Foster disclosed that they had deliberately rested Jordan for the All Blacks’ opening Rugby Championship game against Argentina to avoid extensive overseas travel.
With the All Blacks heading overseas to Melbourne, it remains to be seen whether they will bring him or remain cautionary.
Former All Black wing Jeff Wilson believed that the Dunedin Test has been pencilled in as the time to experiment, but only if the All Blacks get the job done this week and secure the Bledisloe Cup for another year.
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“I think we see everyone in Dunedin if we win this game. We will see everybody,” he said.
“But their focus is well and truly on Melbourne.”
Another player yet to be seen is Crusaders wing Leicester Fainga’anuku, who was in devastating form during Super Rugby Pacific with 13 tries and 21 line breaks.
However the 23-year-old has already confirmed he will be departing New Zealand after he signed an 18-month deal with Toulon.
Time is running out for Fainga’anuku or Stevenson to press their World Cup claims with the two Bledisloe Tests remaining and a one-off game against the Springboks.
“If he is fit and available now, and plays the same position as Braydon Ennor, surely Leicester Fainga’anuku is the option off the bench?” Wilson asked.
“If you’ve got any faith in him as a player and trust him to turn the Super Rugby form into the black jersey, you have to see him now.
“We have to see him play this week in a pressure situation.”
Comments on RugbyPass
What a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
2 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
40 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
40 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
2 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
4 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
1 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
4 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting 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.
4 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
4 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 comments