All Blacks Named To Face Australia For Second Bledisloe Cup Match

All Black coach Ian Foster has named his side to face Australia in the second Bledisloe Cup match, which is again at Auckland's Eden Park on Saturday 14th August, 7.05pm. With Anton Lienert-Brown suffering a knee injury in last weeks test, Rieko Ioane moves into centre, and Will Jordan will start on the right wing. Halfback TJ Perenara has been named on the reserves bench, along with the three Barrett brothers. 

Australia coach Dave Rennie has made four changes to his starting side from last week, with Marika Koroibete coming in after being stood down last week, and Lachlan Swinton in at blindside. Other changes have Matt To'omua in at second five and Matt Philip at lock, while Rob Valetini moves to number eight.

All Blacks: 

1-George Bower, 2-Codie Taylor, 3-Nepo Laulala, 4-Brodie Retallick, 5-Sam Whitelock (c), 6-Akira Ioane, 7-Dalton Papalii, 8-Ardie Savea, 9-Aaron Smith, 10-Richie Mo'unga, 11- Sevu Reece, 12-David Havili, 13-Rieko Ioane, 14-Will Jordan, 15-Damian McKenzie

Reserves: 

16-Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17-Karl Tu'inikuafe, 18-Angus Ta'avao, 19-Scott Barrett, 20-Luke Jacobson, 21-TJ Perenara, 22-Beauden Barrett, 23-Jordie Barrett

Australia:

Tom Banks, Andrew Kellaway, Hunter Paisami, Matt To’omua, Marika Koroibete, Noah Lolesio, Tate McDermott, Rob Valetini, Michael Hooper (c), Lachlan Swinton, Matt Philip, Darcy Swain, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper. 

Reserves: 

Jordan Uelese, Scott Sio, Taniela Tupou, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Harry Wilson, Nic White, Len Ikitau, Reece Hodge.

All Blacks Win First Bledisloe Match

The All Blacks have won the first Bledisloe Cup match against Australia 33-25 at Auckland's Eden Park. Both sides scored four tries each, but kicking was the difference, with Australian first five Noah Lolesio missing five shots at goal, and managing only one penalty and conversion. The All Blacks held a 16-8 halftime lead, and extended it to 33-8 midway through the second half before an Australian fightback saw them score three tries in the final twelve minutes.

New Zealand All Blacks: 33 

Tries: Sevu Reece, Richie Mo'unga, David Havili, Damian McKenzie, Conversions: Richie Mo'unga 2, Penalties: Mo'unga 3 

Australia: 25 

Tries: Andrew Kellaway, Tom Banks 2, Jordan Uelese, Conversion: Noah Lolesio, Penalty: Lolesio

All Blacks Named To Face Australia

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has named his side to face Australia in the first Bledisloe Cup match at Auckland's Eden Park on Saturday 7th August at 7.05pm. 

The side features Richie Mo'unga at first five, Damian McKenzie at fulback, and Aaron Smith at halfback in his 100th test. All three Barrett brothers are included in the reserves, while David Havili is named at second five-eighths to partner centre Anton Lienert-Brown, and Brodie Retallick partners captain Sam Whitelock at lock.

New Zealand All Blacks: 

Damian McKenzie, Sevu Reece, Anton Lienert-Brown, Rieko Ioane, David Havili, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Ardie Savea, Dalton Papalii, Akira Ioane, Sam Whitelock (c), Brodie Retallick, Nepo Laulala, Codie Taylor, George Bower. 

Reserves: 

Dane Coles, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Angus Ta’avao, Scott Barrett, Luke Jacobson, Brad Weber, Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett.

Australia: 

Tom Banks, Jordan Petaia, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, Andrew Kellaway, Noah Lolesio, Tate McDermott, Harry Wilson, Michael Hooper (c), Rob Valentini, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Darcy Swain, Allan Alaalatoa, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper. 

Reserves: 

Jordan Uelese, Angus Bell, Taniela Tupou, Matt Philip, Fraser McReight, Jake Gordon, Matt To’omua, Reece Hodge.

All Blacks Squad Named For 2021 Bledisloe Cup And Rugby Championship

All Black coach Ian Foster has named an update squad for the Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship in the upcoming weeks. The squad features the return of halfback TJ Perenara who is back in the country after a playing sabbatical in Japan, while Braydon Ennor has recovered from appendicitis after being out for the latest Steinlager Series. Props Joe Moody and Ofa Tuungafasi have also returned from injury, which see's Ethan De Groot dropped from the squad.

Hookers:

Asafo Aumua, Dane Coles, Codie Taylor

Props:

Nepo Laulala, Tyrel Lomax, Joe Moody, Angus Ta’avao, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi 

Locks:

Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa’i, Sam Whitelock  (c)

Loose Forwards:

Ethan Blackadder, Shannon Frizell, Akira Ioane, Luke Jacobson, Dalton Papalii, Ardie Savea, Hoskins Sotutu 

Halfbacks:

TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Brad Weber 

First-Fives:

Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo’unga 

Midfielders:

Braydon Ennor, David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Quinn Tupaea 

Outside Backs:

Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Will Jordan, Damian McKenzie, Sevu Reece

Injury cover reserves:

George Bower, Finlay Christie, Samisoni Taukei’aho 

All Blacks Named For Second Fiji Test In Hamilton

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has named his side to face Fiji in the second test in Hamilton on Saturday night. The side features nine changes from the starting side that face Fiji in Dunedin last weekend, and see's the return of Anton Lienert-Brown at centre after being out due to a elbow operation after the Super Rugby season. Ardie Savea will also return from a knee injury at openside flanker in place of Ethan Blackadder, Luke Jacobson at number eight in place of Hoskins Sotutu, and Richie Mo'unga in place of Beauden Barrett. The match kicks off Saturday 17 July, 7.05pm at FMG Stadium, Hamilton.

Fiji coach Vern Cotter has made four changes to his starting side, with injured captain Levani Botia replaced by Eneriko Buliruarua, halfback Frank Lomani coming in after travel disruptions from Australia, Peceli Yato at number eight in place of Albert Tuisue, and Setareki Tuicuvu at wing in place of Eroni Sau. In the reserves Mesulame Dolokoto and Eroni Mawi are the replacement front rowers, Kitione Kamikamica covers the loose forwards, Moses Sorovi halfback, and Teti Tela outside backs.

All Blacks Team:

1. George Bower
2. Codie Taylor
3. Nepo Laulala
4. Scott Barrett
5. Samuel Whitelock - captain
6. Akira Ioane 
7. Ardie Savea 
8. Luke Jacobson 
9. Aaron Smith 
10. Richie Mo'unga 
11. Sevu Reece 
12. David Havili 
13. Anton Lienert-Brown 
14. Will Jordan 
15. Damian McKenzie 

Reserves:

16. Dane Coles 
17. Ethan de Groot 
18. Angus Ta'avao 
19. Brodie Retallick 
20. Shannon Frizell 
21. Brad Weber 
22. Beauden Barrett 
23. Rieko Ioane 

Fiji Team: 

Kini Murimurivalu, Setareki Tuicuvu, Waisea Nayacalevu, Eneriko Buliruarua, Nemani Nadolo, Ben Volavola, Frank Lomani; Peceli Yato, Mesulame Kunavula, Johnny Dyer, Leone Nakarawa (c), Temo Mayanavanua, Mesaki Doge, Sam Matavesi, Peni Ravai. 

Reserves: 

Mesulame Dolokoto, Eroni Mawi, Leeroy Atalifo, Albert Tuisue, Kitione Kamikamica, Moses Sorovi, Teti Tela, Manasa Mataele.

All Blacks Defeat Fiji In Dunedin

The All Blacks have made it two from two for the 2021 season with a 57-32 win over Fiji in Dunedin on Saturday night.

The final score flattered the All Blacks after Fiji had trailed by 21-11 at halftime, with the visitors physical game proving a challenge for the home side. Fiji had opened the scoring with a penalty in the sixth minute, before the All Blacks struck back with a try to Jordie Barrett. Fiji reduced the margin to 7-6 with their second penalty before David Havili scored tries in the 18th and 22nd minute. Fiji was then in for their first try after Albert Tuisue scored off a lineout drive. 

The second half opened with a try to winger George Bridge in the 44th minute, but Fiji struck back with one of their own to Mesulame Kunavula in the 49th minute. Replacement Dane Coles was next to score off another lineout drive, before Fiji were awarded a a penalty try after David Havili was ruled to have pulled down a rolling maul close to the line. Coles was in again for his second try of another lineout drive in the 65th minute, before back replacement Will Jordan scored in the 70th minute. It was then the 74th minute and Coles with his hat-trick off another lineout drive, before replacement halfback Finlay Christie darting run near the Fiji line had Coles touching down for his fourth after picking up a loose ball. 

New Zealand All Blacks: 57 

Tries: Jordie Barrett, David Havili 2, George Bridge, Dane Coles 4, Will Jordan tries; Beauden Barrett 6 con) 

Fiji: 23 

Tries: (Albert Tuisue, Mesulame Kunavula tries; Penalty try; Ben Volavola 2 pen). HT: 21-11

All Blacks Named For First Fiji Test

All Black coach Ian Foster has named his side to face Fiji in the second match of the Steinlager Series at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, 7.05pm, Saturday 10 July.

The side features 13 changes to the starting side that faced Tonga last week, with only centre Rieko Ioane and winger George Bridge remaining to start. Halfback Aaron Smith will captain the side for the first time, in his 98th test, and will pair with Beauden Barrett at first five. Brodie Retallick also starts his first match for the All Blacks since 2019, and partners Patrick Tuipulotu at lock. 

All Black Team: 

1. George Bower 
2. Codie Taylor 
3. Nepo Laulala 
4. Patrick Tuipulotu 
5. Brodie Retallick 
6. Shannon Frizell 
7. Ethan Blackadder 
8. Hoskins Sotutu 
9. Aaron Smith - captain
10. Beauden Barrett 
11. George Bridge 
12. David Havili 
13. Rieko Ioane 
14. Sevu Reece 
15. Jordie Barrett 

Reserves:

16. Dane Coles 
17. Ethan de Groot 
18. Tyrel Lomax 
19. Samuel Whitelock 
20. Luke Jacobson 
21. Finlay Christie 
22. Damian McKenzie 
23. Will Jordan 

Fiji Team:

1. Peni Ravai
2. Samuel Matavesi
3. Mesake Doge
4. Temo Mayanavanua
5. Leone Nakarawa
6. Johnny Dyer
7. Mesulame Kunavula
8. Albert Tuisue
9. Simione Kuruvoli
10. Ben Volavola
11. Nemani Nadolo
12. Levani Botia (c)
13. Waisea Nayacalevu
14. Eroni Sau
15. Kini Murimurivalu

Reserves:

16. Peni Narisia
17. Haereiti Hetet
18. Leeroy Atalifo
19. Tevita Ratuva
20. Peceli Yato
21. Setareki Tuicuvu
22. Eneriko Buliruarua
23. Manasa Mataele

All Blacks Beat Tonga In First Test Of 2021

The All Blacks have started their 2021 test season with a 102 point win against an understrength Tonga side at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium.

The All Blacks scored 16 tries, with wing Will Jordan getting five tries, halfback Brad Weber three, and open side flanker Dalton Papalii two. 

New Zealand All Blacks: 102

Tries: Damian McKenzie, Dalton Papalii 2, Brad Weber 3, Will Jordan 5, Luke Jacobson, Richie Mo'unga, Rieko Ioane, Patrick Tuipulotu, George Bridge, Conversions: Richie Mo'unga 7, Beauden Barrett 4

Tonga: 0

The next match for the All Blacks in the 2021 Steinlager Series is against Fiji, this Saturday at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.

All Blacks Named To Face Fiji And Tonga For 2021

All Blacks selectors, Ian Foster, John Plumtree and have named the first squad for the 2021 Steinlager Series Tests against Fiji and Tonga in July. 

Forwards

Hookers

Asafo Aumua (24, Hurricanes / Wellington, 1)

Dane Coles (34, Hurricanes / Wellington, 74)

Codie Taylor (30, Crusaders / Canterbury, 56)

 

Props

George Bower (29, Crusaders / Otago, uncapped)

Ethan de Groot (22, Highlanders / Southland, new cap)

Nepo Laulala (29, Blues / Counties Manukau, 29)

Tyrel Lomax (25, Hurricanes / Tasman, 6)

Angus Ta’avao (31, Chiefs / Auckland, 14)

Karl Tu’inukuafe (28, Blues / North Harbour, 17)

 

Locks

Scott Barrett (27, Crusaders / Taranaki, 36)

Brodie Retallick (30, Chiefs / Hawke’s Bay, 81)

Patrick Tuipulotu (28, Blues / Auckland, 35)

Tupou Vaa’i (21, Chiefs / Taranaki, 4)

Samuel Whitelock (32, Crusaders / Canterbury, 122) – captain

 

Loose Forwards

Ethan Blackadder (26, Crusaders / Tasman, new cap)

Shannon Frizell (27, Highlanders / Tasman, 13)

Akira Ioane (26, Blues / Auckland, 2)

Luke Jacobson (24, Chiefs / Waikato, 2)

Dalton Papalii (23, Blues / Counties Manukau, 4)

Ardie Savea (27, Hurricanes / Wellington, 49)

Hoskins Sotutu (22, Blues / Counties Manukau, 5)

 

Backs

Halfbacks

Finlay Christie (25, Blues / Tasman, new cap)

Aaron Smith (32, Highlanders / Manawatu, 97)

Brad Weber (30, Chiefs / Hawke’s Bay, 7)

 

First five–eighths

Beauden Barrett (30, Blues / Taranaki, 88)

Richie Mo’unga (27, Crusaders / Canterbury, 22)

 

Midfielders

Braydon Ennor (23, Crusaders / Canterbury, 1)

David Havili (26, Crusaders / Tasman, 3)

Rieko Ioane (24, Blues / Auckland, 33)

Anton Lienert-Brown (26, Chiefs / Waikato, 49)

Quinn Tupaea (22, Chiefs / Waikato, new cap)

 

Outside backs

Jordie Barrett (24, Hurricanes / Taranaki, 23)

George Bridge (26, Crusaders / Canterbury, 10)

Will Jordan (22, Crusaders / Tasman, 2)

Damian McKenzie (26, Chiefs / Waikato, 27)

Sevu Reece (23, Crusaders / Tasman, 8)

The 2021 Steinlager Series

Saturday 3 July, All Blacks vs Tonga, 7.05pm, Māori All Blacks vs Manu Samoa, 4.30pm, Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland

Saturday 10 July, All Blacks vs Fiji, 7.05pm, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

Saturday 17 July, All Blacks vs Fiji, 7.05pm, Tonga vs Samoa 4.00pm FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton