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The All Blacks starting spots up for grabs in first Bledisloe test
An ex-All Black and a Super Rugby centurion have weighed into the selection dilemmas facing New Zealand boss Ian Foster ahead of the opening Bledisloe Cup test this weekend.
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The All Blacks will square off against the Wallabies for the first time this year at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday, and all eyes will be on Foster’s team when it is unveiled on Thursday.
After being granted a chance to experiment against Tonga and Fiji last month, this weekend’s clash with Australia is likely to see Foster produce his strongest-available lineup.
The closest indication we have seen to New Zealand’s top-strength team this year came in the All Blacks’ 60-13 thumping of Fiji three weeks ago, and the dominance shown in that performance could result in minimal changes being made to that side.
While Foster revealed to media on Monday that he has the makeup of his team locked in, he refused to give much away as to who exactly has cemented their places in the match day squad.
Since then, former All Blacks rake James Parsons believes there may be more selection headaches confronting Foster than meets the eye as he pinpointed various areas of the Kiwi lineup that are still up for grabs.
Speaking on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod, Parsons, who played two tests for the All Blacks between 2014 and 2016, said Richie Mo’unga is likely to retain his place in the No 10 jersey after his compelling performance in the second Fijian test.
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He believed, however, there is less certainty in the midfield, loose forwards and second row.
“I think they’ll probably stick with Richie,” Parsons told the Aotearoa Rugby Pod.
“I think Fozzie [Foster] made it pretty clear that he’s got the nudge there and I don’t think he did himself any disservice from the last Fijian performance.
“I think the spots that are up for grabs are probably that 13 spot. We spoke about Anton [Lienert-Brown] and Rieks [Rieko Ioane] and who goes there.
“The locking position… Is it Brodie [Retallick] or is it [Scott] Barrett? Is it Patty [Patrick Tuipulotu]? And what mix do they go for on the bench?
With Beauden Barrett appearing to no longer be a frontline option for the 15 shirt, you might have expected the team’s fullback to become less prominent. In fact, they’ve gone in the opposite direction. #AllBlacks
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“I still think 6, 7 and 8 is probably the biggest debate they’ll have, what make up of that, and the bench will go.
“Ardie performed really well. Dalton’s performed really well. Ethan Blackadder has performed really well.
“I think Luke Jacobson and Hoskins [Sotutu], that’s a really hard one because Hoskins did well as well and Luke’s probably had more of the minutes, so you’d probably think he’s got the inside running there.
“I think Aki [Akira Ioane] probably has the 6 jersey, at this stage, so it’s that 7, 8 – who they go for and who’s on that bench.
“Those are the three areas for me – 13, loosies and the locks – that I think will be the positions up for grabs from that last testing that ran out.”
Parsons added that Jordie Barrett is likely to start from the No. 23 jersey due to his versatility as an outside back and midfielder, as was seen in New Zealand’s season-opening clash against Tonga.
Crusaders and Maori All Blacks halfback Bryn Hall, meanwhile, noted the injury status of Will Jordan could be vital in determining how the backline lines up.
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Jordan was pulled from the field early in the first half of the second test against Fiji due to a hamstring problem, and Hall wondered whether that niggle could keep his Crusaders teammate sidelined for the upcoming Wallabies test.
Foster told media on Monday that all players in the squad – bar injured props Joe Moody and Ofa Tuungafasi – are fit and available for selection, but that didn’t stop Hall from theorising a makeshift backline if Jordan pulls up lame.
“The left winger role, as well, will be interesting,” Hall told the Aotearoa Rugby Pod.
“I think the fact that Will Jordan could be injured, he obviously had that injury in the last Fijian test match, so if he’s not available, does George [Bridge] come back and Sevu Reece comes back [to the right wing]?
“Or, does Rieko possibly play 11? Or Jordie [Barrett] as well? You think about Will, he’s had a great test series playing Fiji, the Tongans, so I’m probably thinking there might be a little difference in there, who they have in that left wing area.
“Damo [Damian McKenzie] probably at fullback and keeping Davey Havili, depending if they want to have Anton or Rieko, as well.
“I wouldn’t be surprised seeing Rieko on the wing, if Will’s injured.”
The All Blacks will announce their side to face the Wallabies at 11:30am on Thursday NZT, with kicks-off at Eden Park at 7:05pm on Saturday NZT.
Comments on RugbyPass
Some 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.
1 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
7 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.
7 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
7 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.
7 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
7 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
7 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to comments