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Why Beauden Barrett is starting at fullback for the All Blacks over Will Jordan
The All Blacks have been boosted by the return of Will Jordan but the form Crusaders’ fullback will start in the familiar No 14 jersey on the right wing a start at fullback remains elusive.
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Beauden Barrett has been named for the second week straight at fullback after starring in Mendoza with a try assist and a try in the 41-12 win.
Jordan has yet to start a game in the 15 jersey in his 21 Tests, making all his appearances of the wing, but head coach Ian Foster said the discussion is always had about handing Jordan a run at the back.
“Always do,” Foster told media of his consideration for Will Jordan at fullback.
“Will [Jordan] wasn’t with us last week and I was pleased with Beaudy last week. I enjoyed his control.
“Also because Will wasn’t with us this is a chance for him to come in and get a bit of a groove going on the wing.”
Foster said Jordan’s selection on the wing this week mainly came down to the short preparation window the team had after touching down in New Zealand on Monday from Argentina.
The All Blacks only had one field session on Thursday which Foster felt was not enough time for Jordan to prepare for playing No 15.
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However as the side looks to find an answer to their late game slumps, Foster hinted that Jordan would find time at fullback to finish the game.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up at fullback,” he said.
“There is a chance for us to play around with our 23 and how we finish games.
“That’s also part of the picture we are looking at.”
Caleb Clarke has been named on the bench in the No 23 jersey along side centre wing option Braydon Ennor in the No 22.
Without a back-up first five option on the bench, a merry-go-round reshuffle that would see Clarke come onto the left wing, Telea moving across onto the right wing, Jordan moving to fullback and Beauden Barrett into first five is possible.
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After recovering from a knee problem Foster is excited to see Blues winger Mark Telea back in action as part of his new look back three.
“It’s very exciting,” Foster said.
“We’ve been able to put Mark [Telea] a little bit on ice with his knee injury, but he got through a full week of training last week.
“He’s ready to go. Will wasn’t with us so he’s missed out on a little bit.
“This week has been really light for us, our first training on grass has been today.
“So we’ve eased him a bit with quite a bit of work with him today and yesterday.
“They’ve got some really good combinations going at the back so I’m sure they are looking forward to it.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Chief Cheapshot on the market again.
1 Go to commentsCrusaders went all in to buy Hotham and Kemara staight from Hamilton Boys. Then they picked up Reihana and Hohepa; all have been dropped for superstar Havili, who is a very good fullback, that’s it. Ennor and Goodhue were schoolboy stars too but went backwards at the Crusaders. Maybe they have finally decided to give another poach Levi Aumua the ball?
10 Go to commentsJoe S has some talent to pick from. The Reds loosies look the best in Super? Aus might just give Razor a headache this year. Int. experience v Cantab greenhorn:) Should be fun.
10 Go to commentsEnd to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
10 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
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