The All Blacks have locked in three Tests against Ireland before the Rugby Championship this year and coach Ian Foster has admitted he’s facing some big selection calls ahead of that series in July.
Foster told The Breakdown that the toughest calls would come in three main areas – the midfield, loose forwards and front row.
Foster made particular note of the number of serious contenders in the ABs loose forward ranks.
“Clearly, the last two years, we’ve had a lot of opportunities for a number of new players to come in and put their hand up, and many of them have actually played really, really well,” Foster said.
“You look at some of our loose forwards and some of the versatility we’ve got – the Ethan Blackadders, Akira [Ioane] who’s coming back, the rise of Dalton [Papalii] – has all added a little bit of complexity, but that’s exciting for us.”
Foster added that he is anticipating on naming a 36-man squad for the Ireland series, the same-sized squad that was named for last year’s mid-year tests against Tonga and Fiji.
The Roar Rugby Podcasts experts Brett McKay and Harry Jones – as well as The Wrap writer Geoff Parkes – went through their current All Blacks XVs after the opening round of the trans Tasman battles in Super Rugby.
Stream the latest edition of The Roar Rugby Podcast here or on your preferred podcast app. And give us a review!
Harry approached the task with a clear theme in mind.
“You’ve got to make the All Blacks scary again. They weren’t scary last year. The Irish and French losses, All Blacks fans were saying there’s no swagger.”
Harry’s team: 15-1 – Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith, Ardie Savea, Dalton Papalii, Luke Jacobson, Tupou Vaa’i, Brodie Rettalick, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot.
Explaining the choice of Jordan over Jordie Barrett at No. 15 stuck to his scary theme.
“An All Blacks 15 needs to scare you when you kick the ball to them and Jordie Barrett, I don’t think he scares you, he’s not a Christian Cullen,” said Harry.
He opted for Reece and Clarke in midfield because they needed to size up in that area.
He said he opted for a loose trio of Savea, Papalii and Jacobson and left out Ethan Blackadder because “I don’t think he’s scary enough” and Sam Cane because “he’s the slowest flanker in world rugby”.
Tupou Vaa’i of New Zealand. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Harry said that while he loves Sam Whitelock he’s “running into Alun Wyn Jones territory” and so he’s opted for Tupou Vaa’i, to partner Rettalick at lock.
“That’s a scary team, very quick very powerful,” he concluded.
Brett had few changes but said “I think I’m going to make an argument for Ethan Blackadder at 6.
“I just think you need a proper workhorse back-rower. That’s not to say Dylan Papalii and Ardie Savea aren’t but they’re different sorts of players – they’re going to be the game breakers.
“Ethan Blackadder is just going to make 15 hit ups and just going to make 20 tackles and that’s actually really, really good.”
Parkes, meanwhile, said that because of the way the game is played now he opted for 23 not a XV.
“The tricky thing around ABs selection this year is whether Ian Foster is going to go all in for the World Cup with ageing players like Moody and Whitelock, or bite the bullet now, so he gets a full 18 months of Test rugby into his emerging players,” Parkes said.
“With that caveat around the unknown, here’s how the AB’s might line up for the first Test against Ireland.”
George Bower
Codie Taylor
Nepo Laulala
Brodie Retallick
Sam Whitelock
Ethan Blackadder
Sam Cane (c)
Ardie Savea
Aaron Smith
Beauden Barrett
Caleb Clarke
Jack Goodhue
Rieko Ioane
Will Jordan
Jordie Barrett
Samisoni Taukeiaho
Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Fletcher Newell
Tupou Vaa’i
Dalton Papalii
Finlay Christie
Richie Mo’unga
Quinn Tupaea.
Meanwhile the pod hosted veteran commentator Greg Clark, who has been calling Fijian Drua’s Super Rugby games this season.
He gives a fascinating insight into his 25 years as a caller at Fox Sports having started as a rugby league caller early in his career.
Jerry Loua
Guest
Don’t overlook Stephen Perofeta The Auckland Blues fullback and his brother playing for Wellington. Sotutu the inform utility forward of the competition. The two Barrettes brothers, they are not scary anymore.
Andy J
Roar Rookie
If only we had a hard running gain line tackle breaking 12 who was developing his passing and kicking game nicely. Almost ready to peak for the 2023 World Cup…
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Agree but sadly we have Foster so thats who I have to back to get it right. he needs to set his own team not keep selecting Hansens team. Id rather see him fail trying to revamp the team than fail trying to stick solid with all the incumbants.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Henry Bro, had far more credibility than what Foster's ever had, IMO. At least Ted never lost to the Irish who in over 100 years of competing against us, never won. As it is now, Foster's record, even with Shag, is 0-3. Also being the first coach to lose to the Puma's in over 50 years of competition. Just look what he's done since he's been there, like playing players out of position, no thought into changing a game plan, plus a few other misdemeanours. We have far better coaches in Aotearoa, like Brown, Razor, & the return of Schmidt, who was the coach of the Irish. They are all top shelf Bro.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Mate Henry lost a WC quarter yet he went on to win a WC. Success isnt always instant. Foster has a terrible draw this year with NZ for some weird reason playing 2 tests in SA so if he wins the RC and the Bledisloe plus the Ireland series what more could we ask?
Carlin
Roar Rookie
I don’t sorry mate. Let’s hope it’s a small rough patch and he can get his mojo back. He has a big future.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Well if we do win, three zip, he'll possibly have slightly better credentials, but as we've all seen so far, he's been involved with many first time losses, as in Ireland & the Puma's. This IMO is through his playing of quality players in the positions they are not the best in. Also Bro, we do have a choice, in fact many, of some quality coaches we have ATM.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
I wonder how long his contract is for in regards to commentating? If they are on contracts.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
What if the Abs win and win well Muzzo? I dont like him as our coach but as Ive said a few times before he is what we have so we may as well accept it. He has to get better and we have to believe he will. We dont have another choice.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
If it did , or does, happen, it certainly will have a public outcry to get rid of Foster Bro !
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Confident or not around Foster I cant see the players being ready to give away a series loss in NZ. And I also cant see Ireland performing the same in NZ as they do against us when we are dead on our feet. Lets see them at the seasons end. I hope NZ has another mild Covid outbreak and they have to be in isolation the whole tour. Let them learn a small bit about what the ABs went thru last year. Will they send a top team or will it be club affected?
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Agree. There are a few others around who are all pretty similar too tbh.
WEST
Roar Guru
Blackadder or Papalii will be the next captain of the All Blacks
WEST
Roar Guru
Whitelock & Retallick are past their best, hence the time off under injury.. Trying to get a few more starts out of them this year will probably just end up with more time off with more injuries. Same for Sam Cane. Can’t expect a player who’s broken his neck, riddled with injuries top to bottom to continue much longer. Foster relying on these veterans is poor, going on about building depth for two years then demanding youthful revitalised energy from your oldest players and leaving out the in form players in the country doesn’t make sense? I’m not saying don’t include these guys, their experience is valuable. But faith has to go into the new breed.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Not entirely confident Jacko, as with Foster being there, anything can happen!!
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: Yes Tooly, if you say so!!! :crying: :crying: :crying:
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Bit of a worry Carlin, as it's noticeable, that young de Groot, doesn't seem to be firing on all cylinders. Even with the Landers over the last few games, he appears lacking in what he is known for!!. Know anything on that Bro??
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Well Brett, IMO, under Foster, & his now, record, of creating firsts, for AB teams, as it happened since he's been there, even under Shag, it's stands out that they won't be too scary.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Jacko, IMO, there is not that much between Jacobson & Blackadder, as when both are on top of their games, they are top workhorses!!
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
How true Tim, as now SBW is proving to be the master, of the ' Dropkick'. TBH, an utter dropkick.!!!