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All Blacks and Chiefs centre Quinn Tupaea has been given a worse-than-expected diagnosis after the injury suffered in Darcy Swain’s ugly cleanout in Bledisloe I.
Swain received a six week ban – including matches he was named for on the Australia A tour of Japan – for tackling the leg of Tupaea. He will miss three Tests on the northern hemisphere tour starting next month.
The Kiwi was initially thought to have avoided surgery and be out for three months, but the All Blacks confirmed Thursday that he would be sidelined for up to nine months with significant ACL damage.
Tupaea will miss Super Rugby Pacific and must be a doubt to get back to fitness before the Rugby World Cup next year.
Swain copped a six-week ban for the incident but he will only miss three Tests after Rugby Australia controversially named him in the Australia A squad.
The All Blacks were angry about the cleanout, while Wallabies coach Dave Rennie initially said Swain had been unlucky to receive a yellow card in the aftermath.
“We’ve got a big issue with it,” New Zealand coach Ian Foster said.
“We’ve got a player who’s putting [Tupaea] out for nine months and you’re not allowed to target legs on the side at a cleanout past the ball, so the rules are pretty clear.”
Rennie later acknowledged Swain deserved a suspension.
Leon MacDonald was on Thursday named head coach of an All Blacks XV – essentially a New Zealand B team – for their November games in Europe against Ireland A and the Barbarians.
The senior All Blacks start their tour of Japan, Wales, Scotland and England in October, and MacDonald will take a second-string New Zealand side to Europe the following month.
“It’s an honour to coach any team with the silver fern on the jersey,” MacDonald said.
The 44-year-old played 56 Tests for New Zealand and is currently head coach of the Auckland-based Blues Super Rugby team.
The All Blacks XV play Ireland A in Dublin on November 4, then an invitational Barbarians side, coached by Crusaders boss Scott Robertson, at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium nine days later.
MacDonald expects to select players on the fringe of the senior New Zealand side for what will be the first appearance of the newly branded All Blacks XV.
“I’m looking forward to coaching a strong squad for what will be two tough matches,” he added.
“This team is representing New Zealand on the world stage, particularly as the first group to wear the All Blacks XV jersey.”
The All Blacks XV had previously been called the Junior All Blacks or New Zealand A.
Olympic gold medallist Sharni Williams is urging Australians to get behind the Wallaroos or risk them falling off the pace in world rugby.
Williams will line up for her fourth Rugby World Cup next month in New Zealand, switching back to the 15-a-side program after a stellar year with the national Sevens team who secured the triple crown.
While the Sevens players, who won their own World Cup earlier this month, are well resourced, the Wallaroos are scrapping against international performers who train and compete full-time, earning as much as $50,000 a year.
Williams says the Sevens’ international success could in large part be put down to the funding and resources dedicated to turning the program professional.
But the 34-year-old believes it is impossible to expect more financial backing for the 15s without a wider cultural shift.
“We don’t want to be left behind,” Williams told AAP.
Sharni Williams. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
“Women need to be valued for what they do because we work just as hard as the men.
“Until that happens in society, you’re not going to start to see huge changes within the sport.
“We always look at the men’s (game) and we’re trying to work towards that – but we’re missing the mark in society.”
Williams said the sport needs more recognition outside of Rugby Australia and sporting bodies who are already supporting the development of the program.
People who are unaware of working and playing conditions for women – from earning part-time wages to wearing men’s jerseys – need to educate themselves, she said.
“People say, ‘Oh it’s little stuff’ but when you get your first jersey or your first boots, it makes you feel complete,” Williams said.
“For women, that’s what we want.”
Wallaroos coach Jay Tregonning agreed, saying athletes shine when they receive the recognition they deserve.
The establishment of the Super W league to provide training and playing opportunities outside international competitions for women has been a great leap forward, he said.
Tregonning said programs investing in women will bring the Wallaroos closer to success, with success and recognition important not just for the players but for the overall health of the sport.
“When young girls see success within the Wallaroos, they can see it’s a genuine pathway,” Tregonning said.
“Get behind us. Send the girls your support.
“Let them know you’re a fan and that you’re watching.
“That will mean the world to them.”
The Wallaroos will headline the World Cup opening triple-header when they take on New Zealand at Eden Park on Saturday October 8.
(With AAP, AFP)
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.