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The All Blacks have announced an unchanged starting team for the second Test against Argentina in Hamilton.
Flyhalf Beauden Barrett and lock Brodie Retallick have been brought onto the bench as they make their returns from injury.
Hooker Dane Coles and loose forward Dalton Papali’i have also been introduced from the bench as the All Blacks look to bounce back after their loss in the opening match.
“We are obviously looking to build parts of our game and this week is another chance to do that,” said All Blacks head coach Ian Foster. “This year’s Rugby Championship is extremely tight and that makes this weekend’s Test an exciting opportunity.
“As a group, this has been a week of refining areas where we know we can be better. It has been a good preparation in Hamilton so far and the hard work will need to continue so that we get a performance everyone can be proud of.”
Argentina coach Michael Cheika joined Brett McKay and Harry Jones for a fascinating chat after the Pumas win in New Zealand
All Blacks match-day 23 (Test caps in brackets):
1.Ethan de Groot (7)
2.Samisoni Taukei’aho (14)
3.Tyrel Lomax (17)
4.Sam Whitelock (137)
5.Scott Barrett (53)
6.Shannon Frizell (20)
7.Sam Cane (83)
8.Ardie Savea (65)
9.Aaron Smith (108)
10.Richie Mo’unga (38)
11.Caleb Clarke (8)
12.David Havili (19)
13.Rieko Ioane (53)
14.Will Jordan (18)
15.Jordie Barrett (42)
16.Dane Coles (82)
17.George Bower (17)
18.Fletcher Newell (2)
19.Brodie Retallick (95)
20.Dalton Papali’i (15)
21.Finlay Christie (9)
22.Beauden Barrett (106)
23.Quinn Tupaea (12)
An unnamed Springboks player has apologised after he was caught urinating during a training session on school grounds ahead of this weekend’s clash with the Wallabies at Allianz Stadium.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported the incident happened during a training session at Randwick Boys’ High School.
A Springboks official said the player, walked away during training to an isolated location near trees “as it was, unfortunately, an urgent call of nature”.
“The player apologised to the school headmaster,” the official told the paper, who reported the incident was witnessed by the school’s principal, Lance Raskall, and one other adult.
“South African management was quickly alerted to the incident after a complaint was made. The tourists were told their behaviour was not appreciated given the school had been kind enough to let the reigning world champions use their facilities.”
South Africa’s Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus put doubt on the report, which was confirmed by a spokesperson for the NSW Department of Education.
There has been a lot of talk this week about rugby union coveting a league star in Joseph Suaalii, but a Wallaby has also made an impact on the NRL.
Marika Koroibete spent three seasons with Melbourne Storm between 2014 and 2016, playing 58 games before switching codes.
Against South Africa last Saturday, Koroibete set Adelaide Oval and international rugby alight when, with the Wallabies a man down, he charged like a missile 40m across the field and tackled Springboks winger Makazole Mapimpi at full tilt.
He sent Mapimpi flying over the sideline, saving a certain try.
Makazole Mapimpi of the Springboks is tackled by Marika Koroibete (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
“That was pretty much Marika – he doesn’t do anything unless it’s flat out,” Storm coach Craig Bellamy said.
The coach said Koroibete’s charge could hold up in any code as an example of what a player could achieve through pure effort.
“It was a great example to any young footy player on how you can change a game with an effort,” he said.
“Just putting effort in – he didn’t have to know too much about the rules, he didn’t have to know too much about tactics and technical – it was just about effort and then a bit of aggression at the end.
“That’s what turns footy games – you put the effort in in your games and you’ll come up with some big plays.”
The Waratahs have brought in an experienced lock and two for the future.
Taleni Seu, Zac Von Appen, and Zane Marolt were added to the squad on Thursday for the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season.
SUPER RUGBY TRANSFER CENTRE: EVERY SQUAD SO FAR FOR 2023
Seu was part of the Blues academy before moving to the Chiefs where he made his Super Rugby debut in 2016 under current Wallabies coach Dave Rennie.
The New Zealand-born lock spent four season with the Chiefs before moving to Toyota Industries Shuttles in Japan Rugby League One.
Seu, who is 201cm and 119kgs, adds significant size to Darren Coleman’s forward pack.
“I am excited to join the Waratahs for the 2023 season. After having a chat with Darren Coleman, I can see what his vision is for the group and how he wants to build on a good 2022 season. The team sounds like a tight group, and I can’t wait to get to work,” Seu said.
“After being in Japan, I’m looking forward to getting back into the competitiveness of Super Rugby, while developing my game under some quality coaches.
“My wife and I have family in Sydney, so it’s going to be a good fit and we are really looking forward to our move later in the year.”
Zac Von Appen, who joins the side on a wider training squad contract, graduated through St Augustine’s College and has been a member of Sydney University’s run to the Shute Shield Grand Final.
Von Appen comes from a high-performance background after representing Australia in rowing at the U23 World Championships, while his father Mario von Appen won an Olympic gold medal as a kayaker with Germany at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games and his mother represented Australia at the World Championships, also as a kayaker.
“It’s a real privilege for me to join the Waratahs program, and something that I don’t take for granted,” Von Appen said.
“During my time rowing, I would train twice a day, six times a week, and worked at a bottle shop to support myself.
“To be able to join the program on a full-time basis and dedicate myself to the team I’ve supported since I was a kid is incredibly special to myself and my family. I cannot wait to get stuck in.”
Zane Marolt, born and raised in Queanbeyan, is a product of St Edmonds College and currently plays his club rugby for Queanbeyan Whites.
The 22-year-old lock also joins the team on a wider training contract after spending the past four years in the Brumbies Academy.
He was in Jason Gilmore’s Australian U20 side in 2020 and featured for the Brumbies Runners against the Waratahs A side earlier this season.
“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to join the Waratahs,” Marolt said.
“The team is trending in the right direction, and I feel this is the best place for my development as a player.
“I can’t wait to get started, work hard, and push my case to hopefully make my Super Rugby debut in 2023.”
“We needed to bolster our second-row stocks in the squad, and I’m really excited with the balance we have achieved with the arrival of these three recruits”, Coleman said.
“Taleni will help us with our short-term needs with his experience, size, and physicality while with Zane and Zac, we are keeping one eye on the future as they are a couple of good long-term prospects.
“We feel all three will make a great contribution to our squad ahead of our 2023 Super Rugby campaign.”
(With AA)
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.