The All Blacks have named six newcomers in their 36-man squad, including Folau Fakatava and NRL convert Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, to prepare for the three-Test Ireland series next month.
Coach Ian Foster said the halfback position was hotly contested with five candidates as TJ Perenara and Brad Weber missed the cut. Stephen Perofeta, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Aidan Ross and Pita Gus Sowakula are the other new faces in the squad.
“We want to congratulate the six new caps in what will be a very special day for them and their families who I’m sure will be extremely proud of their achievements. We have a new group of exciting players who will be keen to make a difference in the All Black jersey,” Foster said.
“We would also like to congratulate Sam Cane on resuming his role as All Black captain after injuries kept him sidelined for much of last year.
“It’s also great to see Jack Goodhue back after his knee injury in 2020.
“We also know there’s disappointment for those players not selected and we feel for them at this time.
“You can often judge the strength of the All Blacks by the quality of the men who have missed out.”
Tuivasa-Sheck has had a rollercoaster season since joining rugby from the Warriors and Foster said he still had areas of improvement needed before he becomes a sure starter.
“Roger has been in the mix in the light of his progress in the last five or six weeks so it’s a chance to have a look at him. Whilst he’s earnt his spot there he’s got a lot to learn from now,” said Foster.
Fellow selector Grant Fox added: All Blacks selector Grant Fox on Roger Tuivasa-Sheck: “He’s a big powerful man and he’s got great feet … he’s still a project for us but someone who we want to develop in the All Blacks environment.”
He said while there were new faces there was also “a bit of pragmatism with a couple of selections with making sure we’ve got the equipment we need to play well against Ireland.
“We spent a lot of time on the front row and nines and some of those hard decisions are still to come breaking this down into the 23. There have been a couple of good names, particularly TJ and Brad that have missed out.
”We’ve got five nines playing really well. With Folau and Finlay we feel they offer something a little bit different.”
He said he still saw Jordie Barrett as a No.15 despite his Super Rugby success as a No.12. “He’s an outstanding fullback, we think he plays well in that space, and we’ve got some other midfield options, but what it does do is maybe change the way we select our 23.”
Forwards
Hookers:
Dane Coles (Hurricanes, Wellington)
Codie Taylor (Crusaders, Canterbury)
Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs, Waikato)
Props:
Aidan Ross* (Chiefs, Bay of Plenty)
George Bower (Crusaders, Otago)
Nepo Laulala (Blues, Counties Manukau)
Ofa Tuungafasi (Blues, Northland)
Karl Tu’inukuafe (Blues, North Harbour)
Angus Ta’avao (Chiefs, Auckland)
Locks:
Samuel Whitelock (Crusaders, Canterbury)
Brodie Retallick (Chiefs, Hawkes Bay)
Scott Barrett (Crusaders, Taranaki)
Josh Lord (Chiefs, Taranaki)
Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs, Taranaki)
Loose Forwards:
Pita Gus Sowakula* (Chiefs, Taranaki)
Sam Cane – Captain (Chiefs, Bay of Plenty)
Dalton Papalii (Blues, Counties Manukau)
Ardie Savea (Hurricanes, Wellington)
Akira Ioane (Blues, Auckland)
Hoskins Sotutu (Blues, Counties Manukau)
Backs
Halfbacks:
Folau Fakatava* (Highlanders, Hawkes Bay)
Aaron Smith (Highlanders, Manawatu)
Finlay Christie (Blues, Tasman)
First five-eighths:
Stephen Perofeta* (Blues, Taranaki)
Beauden Barrett (Blues, Taranaki)
Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders, Canterbury)
Midfielders:
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck* (Blues, Auckland)
Quinn Tupaea (Chiefs, Waikato)
Jack Goodhue (Crusaders, Northland)
Rieko Ioane (Blues, Auckland)
David Havili (Crusaders, Tasman)
Outside backs:
Leicester Fainga’anuku* (Crusaders, Tasman)
Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes, Taranaki)
Will Jordan (Crusaders, Tasman)
Caleb Clarke (Blues, Auckland)
Sevu Reece (Crusaders, Tasman)
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
True T/man, as IMO Hansen did appear to go ' off the boil', towards the end of his tenure.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
El Flash, by my calculations (often dodgy in my case) I believe the average age of the forwards to be 28.5yrs, with the experience (age) being predominantly in the tight five. My assumption would be that this is probably on par with most international sides. Having said that as a Highlanders fan I am a little shocked at De Groot's omission, as well as that of Marino Mikaele-Tu'u
taylorman
Roar Guru
Agree Muzzo, for me Foster appears to have that ‘the team will look after itself, they’re the All Blacks’ going through the motions feel about him, when nothing could be less true. They’re a bunch of young players that need to be consistently challenged and improved to standards they’ve never known before, and Foster’s most important role is to be key to that happening. I just dont see that passion. I dont see the pain from the losses we’ve had and I dont see feel the inspiration from Foster whenever he fronts. I felt the same when Hansen started and slowly warmed to his efforts but I can’t see it now and its been three years…
:laughing:
adam smith
Roar Rookie
Hey West, thanks for the reply! Agree about Havili & RTS. Roger is certainly not lacking in the physical department. I just think sometimes courage is not a substitute for “size”. But, that is my only concern. By all reports he’s an extremely dedicated trainer & student of the game & he does have prior (albeit, junior) experience. I do hope he develops well. Agreed with Lord. I’m hoping he fills out like his father, a mountain of a man. He may be a late bloomer (size-wise) like him. I do hope Akira can develop some “mongrel “, frightening prospect if he can…how much longer do we give him?!?! Or do we do what we did to Kaino, drop him & until the assertiveness/aggression becomes “natural”?!?! I will endeavour to get back to you about Papalii, I’m hoping you are right…I do like the kid. Jordy’s definitely a conundrum. I like him in both those positions for the positives you have listed. I love his huge boot too. But, is it that much further & as accurate as say Will Jordan’s?! I’m genuinely not sure. Can we “make-do”, if the next “cab-off-the-rank’s” kick length, is only marginally shorter?!?!
adam smith
Roar Rookie
Why do we have to come up with alternatives, Jacko?! I didn’t see that in the “terms & conditions” of The Roar. Should I demand that in order to reply, you need to respond correctly to each of my points?! Or is this a free site?! :laughing: :silly: :laughing:
chucked
Guest
First non nonsense doom and gloom comment. Certainly i would rather have Razor than Foster, but maybe we give the experts a chance. I saw a ABs team last year that lost in the last minute to S.A, were monstered by Ireland and France, through poor play. This was the same Ireland that 2 years earlier the All Blacks had destroyed - with Joe Schmidt at the helm - short memories people. World Class players let themselves down, but they have been given a lifeline, don't imagine Fozzie will give them two lifelines. Only concern I have is Ardie playing out of position, like Hooper for Australia. Bring him on with 30 to go.
Faith
Roar Rookie
Lol re: JK
Faith
Roar Rookie
Tx Highlander, I came here looking for your comment
Fox
Roar Guru
They wont start with DP at 6 IMo that leaves us short at the linout so Akira or Vai will be at 6 as Foster has already said he will be using DP and Vai there as well as Akira but also made it clear in his wording one the back three would be a clear lineout option. Akira can play 8 as well mind you with Savea a 6.
Fox
Roar Guru
Why would Ireland be given two UK ref in NZ and Peyper who no lomger refs in super rugby? That smells to me and Australia get two NZ refs...so why could NZ not get two Australian refs? That has a rotten smell about it to me when everyone know the breakdown is ruled differently up North. My gos they will win will penalties and rolling mauls. There is something rotten going on there as there are plenty of Australian ref available.
Fox
Roar Guru
You are correct Highlander as that is exactly was Foster said the reason was for the early naming
WEST
Roar Guru
Indeed, we lack some size, skills.. But worst of all attitude. The ABs of yesteryear could adapt and outmanoeuvre bigger packs with skill and tenacity.. Now we lack size and tenacity. Throw in a bland and boring coach= All Blacks generation Fozzy Bear. Waka Waka :silly:
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
Maybe not but they've not made it a secret.
OtakiCraig
Roar Rookie
I agree, it’s the game plan the players have to stick too. Plumtree is the forward man, if they put players wide then that’s what players have to do
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Well, IMO, I wouldn't feed Sotutu, as there are far better No.8's in Aotearoa, as has been proven over recent weeks, & Rieko in the midfield at 12, would be a disaster waiting to happen.
CUW
Roar Rookie
SA can play a XV with second rowers. there are guys in England and France who havent even been capped - like a very tall guy at Sale( 6' 10" i think) and of course Saints Ribbans - who is England qualified. if not for human trafficking - they could export big 2nd rowers and earn big $$$
Locke
Roar Rookie
I think you're missing the context. Very few think Ardie should be the starting no.8 to begin with, he's a bench no.7 at best given his average work rate in defense and at the breakdown. It would be far better to have a real no.8 like Grace start.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Hard for me to say . There is some consensus amongst the Kiwis here that Foster and co are not the right bunch . But it’s not unanimous and my opinions on the ABs are quite influenced by what the Kiwis themselves are saying . My own take though is a seemingly downplaying of the importance of the tight 5 . You’ve gotta have non negotiable solidity there . ABs look thinner than most ATM .
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Obviously your opinion, not mine, as most professional coaches, now, or their assistants are up for this.