All Blacks No.8 Ardie Savea and prop Nepo Laulala are on paternity leave and will miss the third Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia next weekend, coach Ian Foster has said.
Both players were absent when the squad boarded their flight across the Tasman Sea on Sunday but Joe Moody was in the party and Foster was upbeat about the experienced prop being fit to take the field at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium next Sunday.
“Ardie’s baby boy has arrived, so he’ll be joining us late this week,” Foster told reporters at Auckland Airport.
“Nep’s baby hasn’t been born yet, so we’ll let that happen first and then we’ll plan accordingly.
“But at this stage, the plan is that they’re both ready and available for the second (Bledisloe Test) over there.”
New Zealand could secure the Bledisloe Cup for the 18th straight year if they can avoid defeat in Sydney next weekend after a 16-16 draw in Wellington two weeks ago and last Sunday’s 27-7 victory in Auckland.
Hoskins Sotutu is the most obvious candidate to replace Savea for what doubles as the Rugby Championship opener, after coming off the bench in the two previous Tests.
But Foster said Akira Ioane and uncapped 20-year-old Cullen Grace were also in the frame.
“(Sotutu) has done the job that we’ve given him really, really well,” Foster said.
“So I guess now we’ve just got to go back and have a look and say ‘Well do we keep him in that role or do we change a few things around?’.”
Tighthead Laulala also came off the bench at Eden Park, but Foster’s main front row concern will be at loosehead after the experienced Moody suffered a concussion last week.
“We haven’t actually been able to put him through any rugby training yet but the signs are really positive,” Foster said.
“Today when we get over there and tomorrow he’ll go through his normal return-to-play protocols but the signs today are he’s looking pretty good.”
Gun Dog
Roar Rookie
Good points..I just hate watching JB on the wing..I would prefer Jordan..so if Mounga is at 10 then JB on the bench as a utility..cheers
Panana split
Roar Rookie
Would love to see this backline and bench.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Ahh, got it. I agree with a lot of your movements. I prefer RM at 10, and BB at 15, maybe moving to 10 late in the game, with Jordan coming in off the bench for a few games to get use to international. We are crowded in the midfield, I haven’t settled on a mod field pairing - sadly I don’t think Foster has either. As for JB, this is where my penchant for RM at 10 becomes difficult. He can cover 13, 14, 15, so is a great bench option. But how do you put the best FB (as a Cantab that hurts), from SRAot onto the bench? Maybe have him at 14 and have him play a 14/15 role with BB doing the same, the ABs like to have a wing/FB floating - think Dagg. Clarke without question starting 11. Really though, I dunno, I don’t have a full back line figured out, it’s above my pay grade. As for the first question. I think RM is too specialised for the bench. Yes, he could come in off the bench and slot at 10, but then that pushes BB back to 15, which pushes the 15 to the wing or midfield - it just shuffles too many people around and completely negates putting BB in over RM.
Gun Dog
Roar Rookie
I am opting for the Hotel if he can't be on the bench..I think that he is a fine player..I just want BB to play 1/5 There are so many grt players to choose from..but I think that it would be good to look at different combinations . Will Jordan is a star.He should be given a run...if they are going to persevere with Mounga at 10 and BB at 15 then how about JB at 12 and let Goodhue..ALB and U-J fight it out for 13 with one of them on the bench to cover 12 and 13..if Ennor was fit I would pick him at 13..Clarke and Jordan on the wings..After the Eng game I want pace and power in the backs as well as the loose fowards..I think that we have the players..i am not sure that Foster can use them effectively. However he is far more qualified than me..early days. :stoked:
timber
Guest
'Playing dual opensides will not work against England and SA' I'm not so sure, Cane and Savea went well against the Boks in the opening RWC game and of course Cane didn't start against England which was probably a mistake. I agree with regards to Frizell, to passive in contact, doesn't dominate in defense and you don't see him fighting for that extra yard in the carry.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Taxi
Paulo
Roar Rookie
They are on a budget, it’s just a little one… wait, are you correcting my punctuation or saying Mo’unga to stay back and not start? I’m confused now… Those pesky one word comments are always confusing.
Gun Dog
Roar Rookie
Hotel
Gun Dog
Roar Rookie
Yes.. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Lara
Guest
I thought Cheika was the mole.....you just have to purge every Waratah players out of the Wallabies.
Obes
Guest
Irrelevant ! Hooper is still in the wallabies. He is an AB plant.
Lara
Guest
The beauty n luxury of having Mo’unga on the bench is your tactics can change completely . The 10 backline players give the ABs enough variation n cover.....in that way Mo’unga is a must.
Ill vote he stays in the hotel if thats the only options...But there is enough versatility in the rest for him to have a bench spot if you allow him to Paulo!
CUW
Roar Rookie
playing for Hurricanes JB cannot be a 12 as long as Laumape is there.
CUW
Roar Rookie
so how will ur BLUES line up next season ? Akira and Papailii and Robinson for 6 Hoskins at 8 Gibson Hunt Harmon and lamborn fighting for 7 also 4 all black props with laulala joining !!!
CUW
Roar Rookie
Jordie is slow for a wing - but Aussy have so far not taken much advantage of that. Daugunu maybe quicker but he was against Bridge and Clarke - both quick wings. its amazing the number of pacy backs in NZ of simillar age . most will end up abroad as they may not get a chance in tests in addition to Bridge Clarke Reece and maybe Jordan there are guys like Mark Telia , AJ Lam, Salesi Rayasi , Regan Ware, Emoni narawa , Josh mcCay , Ngarohi McGarvey-Black , Shaun Steevenson , Leicester Fainga'anuku , Beaudein Waaka , Etene Nanai-Seturo , Scott Gregory , Vilimoni Koroi , Jona Nareki , Freedom Vahaakolo , Amanaki Nicole , Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens , Sean Wainui ..... some are from the 7S team but there are others who will be real threats if they can maintain the form.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Compare Frizelle with Papalii for No 6. When Dalton Papalii tackles a player, they stay tackled.. I think he is well suited to No 6 even though his preferred position is Open side. Papalii is also an 80 minute player but Foster has got to play him so he can achieve match fitness.
BackInBlack
Guest
Why can’t they go with 9. Smith 10. BB 11. Clark 12. ALB 13. Goodhue 14. Jordan 15. Jordie B 21. Perenara 22. Moanga 23. Ioane If Razor was at the helm o doubt it would be far off this
Paulo
Roar Rookie
No, you give up a bench spot for a specialist 10. Mo’unga either starts or stays in the hotel (my vote is he starts).
Double Agent
Guest
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: "I don’t think I would like you." There's always a first! :laughing: