New All Blacks coach Ian Foster has started his rebuild for the 2023 Rugby World Cup with seven new faces in his first squad although the team has yet to have any matches confirmed for this year.
Loose forwards Hoskins Sotutu and Cullen Grace, locks Quinten Strange and Tupou Vaa’i, prop Alex Hodgman and outside backs Caleb Clarke and Will Jordan were named on Sunday in the squad.
Prop Karl Tu’inukuafe and outside back Damian McKenzie have also earned recalls after battling with injury last year, while uncapped loose forward Akira Ioane and hooker Asafo Aumua have also forced their way back into the squad.
Both Ioane and Aumua have played non-Test matches.
Flyhalf Josh Ioane, who made his Test debut off the bench last year, was not included with McKenzie expected to cover the position if Beauden Barrett or Richie Mo’unga get injured, All Blacks selector Grant Fox said.
The All Blacks are tentatively scheduled to play Australia in Test matches next month and possibly the southern hemisphere’s Rugby Championship, also involving South Africa and Argentina, in a November-December window.
A resurgence of the novel coronavirus in both Australia and New Zealand and cases of COVID-19 in the Pumas squad, however, have put the matches under a shadow.
ALL BLACKS SQUAD:
Forwards: Asafo Aumua, Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Alex Hodgman, Nepo Laulala, Tyrel Lomax, Joe Moody, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi, Quinten Strange, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa’i, Samuel Whitelock, Sam Cane (c), Shannon Frizell, Cullen Grace, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Ardie Savea, Hoskins Sotutu
Backs: TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Brad Weber, Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo’unga, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan, Damian McKenzie, Sevu Reece
Diesel 2.0
Roar Rookie
Well said and you've nailed it on the head. Union is very much like league nowadays so the contest would be more prevalent under league rules but not so much under union.
chucked
Guest
I totally agree we were out played in every facet, but would anyone care to suggest the same thing in a rematch? its not doom and gloom. We beat Ireland by 40 pts, thrashed Wales by 40pts (you know the wales barely beaten by S.A). Its just one of those things, if we were in another pool, we may have faced Japan (beaten a moth earlier by 70pts). Win some, lose some, except AB'S WIN 87 %
chucked
Guest
Same England that got ragged in record score by S.A? Swings and Roundabuts, our tactics were poor
Panana split
Roar Rookie
Tuilagi had one outstanding performance against the AB's many moons ago, i cant remember him featuring much in the other tests hes play against NZ. You definitely have some unique perspectives Terry, and optimism for the Wallabies is admirable.
Danny McGowan
Roar Rookie
Funny with grace, first game he played for Crusaders he had me as a fan, and funnily enough because of his lineout work more than anything. A kid that is jumping anywhere from No 2 to 6 in lineout and pinching opposition ball is worth looking at, I then started watching rest of his game, and reckon in a couple of years we could have a log jam of players at 6-8.
rebel
Roar Guru
It is also the only side SA lost to at the WC
Carlin
Roar Rookie
I am a big fan of Josh McKay. Is an exciting player. Was good when the Highlanders finally gave him regular game time. Him and Will Jordan were in the same 1st XV. Imagine the carnage they would have caused.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
That would be very interesting to see whether the All Blacks use a 6-2 split. As you say it is very un-New Zealand. Caleb Clarke played centre at school and looking at his frame he might end up there later on at the top level.
Ben
Guest
Ok. So now for your squad.....
Lara
Guest
That is a mighty good ABs team. England made them look silly on the day. Hopefully the players n coaches learnt some lessons . One would be their ego got the better of them. The Irish press really gave the ABs the stick when the Irish won . The ABs wanted to shut them up ,but it cost them n they got “ rag dolled”....did I get the term right. Mighty England won n got to the final. This AB squad does have some familiar faces, but I do see some new blood....hopefully, they can keep the old players grounded n focused on the task at hand.
Terry Tavita
Roar Pro
i think the saders backs are not all that good..it's mounga's brilliant play that make them look good..
TJ
Guest
Absolutely unique and the great thing is with these massive squad turnovers my dreams of playing international rugby might not be over. How can we get Terry into a position of power?
Terry Tavita
Roar Pro
i think when they didn't pick laumape a lot of people knew the all blacks midfield will get bullied by manu tuilagi..he's done it before to a better all black mid field..
CUW
Roar Rookie
Canterbury Mitre 10 Cup squad for 2020: Harrison Allen, Finlay Brewis, George Bridge, Brodie McAlister, Fergus Burke, Brett Cameron, Tom Christie, Sam Darry, Luke Donaldson, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Mitchell Drummond, Mitchell Dunshea, Ereatara Enari, Braydon Ennor, Chay Fihaki, Cullen Grace, Billy Harmon, Oliver Jager, Shilo Klein, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Manasa Mataele, Josh McKay, Dallas McLeod, Scott Mellow, Joe Moody, Richie Mo’unga, Fletcher Newell, Andrew Knewstubb, Rameka Poihipi, Reed Prinsep, Isaiah Punivai, Ngatungane Punivai, Luke Romano, Tom Sanders, Codie Taylor, Samuel Whitelock, Tamaiti Williams. 2020 Auckland Mitre 10 Cup Squad Forwards Alex Hodgeman (Suburbs) Jarred Adams (Suburbs) Leni Apisai (Ponsonby) Mike Sosene (Marist) Soane Vikena (Ponsonby) Joe Royal (Ponsonby) Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Grammar TEC) Fatogia Paea (Pakuranga) Angus Ta’avao (Eden) Marcel Renata (University) Marco Fepulea’i (Ponsonby) James Lay (University) Scott Scrafton (Grammar TEC) Hamish Dalzell (College Rifles) Patrick Tuipulotu (Ponsonby) Jack Whetton (Grammar TEC) Liam Hallam-Eames (Grammar TEC) Sione Tuipulotu (Eden) Waimana Reidlinger-Kapa (Ponsonby) Blake Gibson (Ponsonby) Niko Jones (Waitemata) Adrian Choat (Waitemata) Hoskins Sotutu (Marist) Akira Ioane (Ponsonby) Backs Jonathan Ruru (University) Taufa Funaki (Marist) Danny Tusitala (Ponsonby) Simon Hickey (Grammar TEC) Zarn Sullivan (College Rifles) TJ Faiane (Pakuranga) Harry Plummer (Grammar TEC) Tumua Manu (College Rifles) Inga Finau (Grammar TEC) Tanielu Tele’a (Marist) Rieko Ioane (Ponsonby) Joel Cobb (Ponsonby) Caleb Clarke (Suburbs) Salesi Rayasi (Marist) AJ Lam (Grammar TEC) Jordan Trainor (Ponsonby)
Terry Tavita
Roar Pro
most of their wc players are no longer around..kepu, rodda, coleman, arnold, beale, lealiifano, genia, pocock, latu, foley, ashley-cooper, etc..i like their new talent coming through..namely lolesio, mcreight, harrison, faamausili, petaia, tupou, simone, wright, etc..
Ben
Guest
TJ...you must admit, Terry has a unique strategy though.
CUW
Roar Rookie
neat :thumbup: so he will play for Canterbury? but which number?
CUW
Roar Rookie
SAnders played 6 most at Crusaders - he got the chance when both Cullen Grace and little Blackadder were injured and out for the season. Whetukamokamo Douglas in the first choice 8 - Sanders and Blackadder cover him. Sanders plays well in the Crusaders system - hell everyone plays well in that system :D
Ben
Guest
Is that the same Wallabies youre talking about that also got ragdolled by England at the same tournament 40-16 and beaten by Wales as well?...not to mention being held to 0 the last time they played the ABs and now ranked 7th....
Highlander
Guest
Grace is back Played in the first shield challenge last week Tore the place up Something special this kid