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Mark Telea returns as All Blacks name team for World Cup semi-final
After missing last weekend’s win over Ireland due to disciplinary reasons, wing Mark Telea has been named in the All Blacks’ team to take on Argentina in Friday’s World Cup semi-final at Stade de France.
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Telea replaces Leicester Fainga’anuku in the No. 11 shirt as one of two changes to the starting side that bested the Irish, with Brodie Retallick making way for 151-Test veteran Sam Whitelock.
“Rugby World Cup playoffs are a series of finals,” coach Ian Foster said in a statement. “We know that the intensity only increases as you progress through the knockout stages and we are preparing accordingly.
“We have received amazing support from our country and fans. The atmosphere at our games has been tremendous and we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been a part of that.
Knockout
11 - 12
Final
6 - 44
SF1
15 - 16
SF2
17 - 29
QF1
24 - 28
QF2
30 - 24
QF3
28 - 29
QF4
“The team is determined to give it everything in this special occasion against Argentina who are a quality team with a proven record in Rugby World Cup playoff games. We are very respectful of that.”
Props Ethan de Groot and Tyrel Lomax have been named in the starting front-row for the second consecutive Test, while young duo Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell will come off the pine.
While Rugby World Cup winner Codie Taylor has retained his spot in the No. 2 jersey, All Blacks selectors have made a change on the bench. Samisoni Taukei’aho comes into the matchday squad as the backup hooker ahead of veteran Dane Coles.
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Other than the change at lock, the rest of the forward pack remains the same. Shannon Frizell, captain Sam Cane and Ardie Savea will form their formidable backrow trio again against Los Pumas.
Halves Aaron Smith and Richie Mo’unga will look to provide quality ball to a star-studded backline which included the midfield combo of Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane. Out of the backs, Jordie Barrett was especially impressive during the win over Ireland last weekend.
As for the outside backs, Mark Telea will line up on the left wing while Will Jordan will take his place on the right. Playmaker Beauden Barrett has retained his spot out the back ahead of Damian McKenzie.
Along with halfback Finlay Christie, McKenzie was an unused sub during the quarter-final triumph over Ireland. Both players will look to impress if given the opportunity to play against Argentina.
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All Blacks team to take on Argentina
- Ethan de Groot
- Codie Taylor
- Tyrel Lomax
- Scott Barrett
- Sam Whitelock
- Shannon Frizell
- Sam Cane (c)
- Ardie Savea
- Aaron Smith
- Richie Mo’unga
- Mark Telea
- Jordie Barrett
- Rieko Ioane
- Will Jordan
- Beauden Barrett
Replacements
- Samisoni Taukei’aho
- Tamaiti Williams
- Fletcher Newell
- Brodie Retallick
- Dalton Papali’i
- Finlay Christie
- Damian McKenzie
- Anton Lienert-Brown
Comments on RugbyPass
Utter grub, hope he gets his leg broken. Shocking he is still playing after intentionally breaking quinn tupaeas knee
2 Go to commentsGreat to see NZ 7s teams finally coming into form and playing at the level that is expected of them.
2 Go to commentsChief Cheapshot on the market again.
2 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.
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