Narrow Loss For All Blacks In Rugby World Cup Final

The All Blacks have suffered a narrow 12-11 loss to South Africa in the Rugby World Cup final. The biggest talking point from the match was the yellow card which was upgraded to red for captain Sam Cane after a 29th minute tackle resulted in a head clash, meaning he became the first person sent off in a Rugby World Cup final match. 

The third match official has been criticized for being inconsistent after South African captain Siya Kolisi was also yellow carded in the 46th minute for a similar tackle but it was not upgraded to red by the TMO. The All Blacks also lost flanker Shannon Frizell to a yellow card in only the third minute of the match after falling on the leg of a South African player in a tackle was deemed illegal.  

The All Blacks had several chances in the second half, with the TMO involved again by ruling out a Aaron Smith try after an earlier knock on, after referee Wayne Barnes had said play on. A missed conversion from the Beauden Barrett try and a late penalty shot were both wide which could have sealed a win.

The All Blacks will have new coach Scott Robertson replacing Ian Foster from this week, while they are also losing Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Aaron Smith, Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo'unga and Shannon Frizell to overseas club's, while Dane Coles is retiring.

New Zealand All Blacks: 11 

Try: Beauden Barrett, Penalties: Richie Mo'unga 2 

South Africa: 12 

Penalties: Handre Pollard 4

All Blacks Through To RWC Semi-Final

The All Blacks have beaten Ireland 28-24 to progress to the Rugby World Cup semi-finals against Argentina on Saturday morning, 8.00am NZT.

The All Blacks had to overcome yellow cards to halfback Aaron Smith late in the first half, and hooker Codie Taylor midway through the second half as well as defend against a 37-phase passage on attack by Ireland in the final minutes of the match. Captain Sam Cane and number eight Ardie Savea were two key defenders for the All Blacks, while first five Richie Mo'unga and Beauden Barrett had strong attacking games. 

New Zealand: 28

Tries: Leicester Fainga'anuku, Ardie Savea, Will Jordan, Conversions: Richie Mo'unga, Jordie Barrett, Penalties: Mo'unga, Jordie Barrett 2

Ireland: 24

Tries: Bundee Aki, Jamison Gibson-Park, Penalty try, Conversion: Jonny Sexton, Penalty: Sexton 

All Blacks Win Against Italy

In a match that was billed as a potential stumbling block to the Rugby World Cup quarter final seedings, the All Blacks have hammered Italy 96-17 in Lyon on Saturday. The All Blacks scored five tries in the first 25 minutes, and seven by half time leading 49-3. The second half saw Italy more competitive, with a try resulting in the All Blacks making multiple replacements. The All Blacks scored six second half tries, and saw lock Sam Whitelock break the All Blacks starts with 149 appearances.

New Zealand: 96

Tries: Will Jordan 2, Aaron Smith 3, Mark Tele'a, Ardie Savea 2, Brodie Retallick, Dalton Papali'i, Dane Coles 2, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown, Conversions: Richie Mo'unga 9, McKenzie 4

Italy: 17

 Tries: Ange Capuozzo, Monty Ioane, Conversions: Tommaso Allan, Paolo Garbisi, Penalty: Allen

All Blacks Named To Face Italy

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has named his side to face Italy in their final pool match at the Rugby World Cup, with lock Sam Whitelock in the reserves for his potential 149th test appearance for the All Blacks.

Their are several players returning from injury in the starting side and in the reserves. Same Cane's back injury and Tyrel Lomax's knee cut have allowed their inclusion on the reserves bench while both Jordie Barrett and Shannon Frizell will both start their first games of the tournament. 

New Zealand All Blacks: 

Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Mark Telea, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Ardie Savea (capt), Dalton Papalii, Shannon Frizell, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Nepo Laulala, Codie Taylor, Ofa Tuungafasi. 

Reserves: 

Dane Coles, Tamaiti Williams, Tyrel Lomax, Sam Whitelock, Sam Cane, Cam Roigard, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown.

All Blacks Named To Face Namibia

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has named the All Blacks side to face Namibia in their second pool match at the 2023 Rugby World Cup at Toulouse, 7am on Saturday 16th September.

There are multiple changes to the side, with Damian McKenzie in at first five, Cam Roigard getting his first start at halfback, Leicester Fainga’anuku and Caleb Clarke on the wings, and Samisoni Taukei’aho at hooker. Brodie Retallick will start at lock, while Sam Cane is rested with his back injury. Lock Sam Whitelock will play his 148th test cap for the All Blacks, equaling former captain Richie McCaw with most matches played.

New Zealand All Blacks: 

Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Anton Lienert-Brown, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Damian McKenzie, Cam Roigard; Ardie Savea (c), Dalton Papalii, Luke Jacobson, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Nepo Laulala,  Ofa Tuungafasi. 

Reserves: 

Dane Coles, Ethan de Groot, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Tupou Vaa’i, Aaron Smith, Richie Mo’unga, Rieko Ioane.

Namibia: 

Cliven Loubser, Gerswin Mouton, Johan Deysel (c), Le Roux Malan, Divan Rossouw, Tiaan Swanepoel, Damian Stevens; Richard Hardwick, Prince Gaoseb, Wian Conradie, Tjiuee Uanivi, Johan Retief, Johan Coetzee, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Jason Benade. 

Reserves: 

Louis van der Westhuizen, Desiderius Sethie, Haitembu Shifuka, PJ Van Lill, Adriaan Booysen, Max Katjijeko, Jacques Theron, JC Greyling.

All Blacks Lose To South Africa

The All Blacks have not had the best dress rehearsal for the Rugby World Cup with a 35-7 loss to South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday. They conceded five tries to one, and had lock Scott Barrett sent off in the first half after getting two yellow cards. Playing with 14 men for the remainder of the match, coach Ian Foster was forced to bring on replacement lock Tupou Vaai' in place of blindside Luke Jacobson to compete in the lineouts. The All Blacks also lost prop Tyrel Lomax to a leg cut early in the match that needed 30 stitches, putting him in doubt for the RWC opening match against France. Any possible suspension of Barrett would put pressure on the All Blacks with Brodie Retallick still out several weeks with his knee injury from the Dunedin test.

New Zealand All Blacks: 7

Try: Cam Roigard, Conversion: Richie Mo'unga

South Africa: 35

Tries: Siya Kolisi, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Kwagga Smith, Conversions: Manie Libbok 5

All Blacks Named To Face South Africa At Twickenham

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has named a strong side to face South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday morning in their final match before the Rugby World Cup. Foster has named Luke Jacobson at blindside with Shannon Frizell out injured, and also halfback Cam Roigard on the reserves bench.

All Blacks: 

Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Mark Telea, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (ct), Luke Jacobson, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock, Tyrel Lomax, Dane Coles, Ethan de Groot. 

Reserves: 

Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Josh Lord, Tupou Vaa’i, Dalton Papalii, Cam Roidard, Anton Lienert-Brown

All Blacks Squad Named For Rugby World Cup

In Napier on Monday, All Black selectors Ian Foster, Jason Ryan and Joe Schmidt have revealed their 33-man squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

The squad has an 18 forwards and 15 backs split, totaling three hookers, six props, four locks, five loose forwards, three halfbacks, three first five-eighths, four midfielders and five outside backs. Foster has also named Samipeni Finau, Brad Weber and George Bell as an injury cover set of players to travel to France, but train away from the squad.

The All Blacks next match is a warm up test against South Africa at Twickenham on 26th August, ahead of their opening match against France at the Rugby World Cup on 8th September.

Forwards:

Hookers:

Dane Coles, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Codie Taylor

Props:

Ethan de Groot, Tyrel Lomax, Nepo Laulala, Fletcher Newell, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Tamaiti Williams

Locks:

Scott Barrett 
Brodie Retallick 
Tupou Vaa’i 
Samuel Whitelock 

Loose Forwards:

Sam Cane (c), Shannon Frizell, Luke Jacobson, Dalton Papali’i, Ardie Savea 

Backs:

Halfbacks:

Finlay Christie 
Cam Roigard 
Aaron Smith 


First Five-Eighths:

Beauden Barrett 
Damian McKenzie
Richie Mo'unga

Midfielders:

Jordie Barrett, David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown 


Outside Backs:

Caleb Clarke, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Will Jordan, Emoni Narawa, Mark Telea 

All Blacks Named To Face Australia

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has named his side to face Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday night. In the only change to the previous South Africa test, number eight Ardie Savea will captain the side after Sam Cane was ruled out with a neck injury, and has been replaced by Dalton Papali’i, with Luke Jacobson coming into the reserves. Other changes in the reserves see Ofa Tu'ungafasi replace prop Tamaiti Williams, lock Sam Whitelock returns from injury in place of Tupou Vaa'i, halfback Cam Roigard replaces Finlay Christie, and midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown returns from suspension in place of Braydon Ennor.

All Blacks: 

Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Mark Telea, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith, Ardie Savea (captain), Dalton Papali’i, Shannon Frizell, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot. 

Reserves: 

Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Nepo Laulala, Sam Whitelock, Luke Jacobson, Cam Roigard, Anton Lienert-Brown, Caleb Clarke.

All Blacks Win Against South Africa

The All Blacks have continued their winning ways after defeating South Africa 35-20 at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday night. The All Blacks started fast with first half tries to Aaron Smith and Shannon Frizell and led 20-3 at half time. South Africa struck back in the second half reducing the gap but New Zealand extended the lead with further tires to Will Jordan and Richi Mo'unga. The All Blacks play Australia next in the Rugby Championship in Melbourne on 29th July.

New Zealand: 35

Tries: Aaron Smith, Shannon Frizell, Will Jordan, Richi Mo'unga, Conversions: Mo'unga 3, Penalties: Mo'unga 2  

South Africa: 20 

Tries: Malcolm Marx, Cheslin Kolbe, Kwagga Smith, Conversion: Kolbe, Penalty: Faf de Klerk 

All Blacks Named To Face South Africa

All Black coach Ian Foster has named his side to face South Africa at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium on Saturday night, 7.05pm. At first five Richie Moúnga replaces Damian McKenzie, while wingers Will Jordan and Mark Telea, replace Caleb Clarke and Emoni Narawa. In the forwards Codie Taylor replaces Dane Coles at hooker, and Brodie Retallick starts at lock in place of Josh Lord.

New Zealand All Blacks: 

Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Mark Telea, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (capt), Shannon Frizell, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot. 

Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Nepo Laulala, Tupou Vaa’i, Dalton Papali’i, Finlay Christie, Braydon Ennor, Caleb Clarke.

South Africa: 

Willie le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi, Damian Willemse, Faf de Klerk, Jasper Wiese, Franco Mostert, Kwagga Smith, Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth (capt), Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff. 

Reserves: Malcolm Marx, Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, RG Snyman, Pieter Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok.

All Blacks And All Blacks XV Sides Named

All Black selectors Ian Foster, Jason Ryan and Joe Schmidt have named their squad to contest the Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship.

There were many players unavailable, with Angus Ta’avao, Ethan Blackadder, Cullen Grace, David Havili, Joe Moody, George Bower, Patrick Tuipulotu, Quinn Tupaea, Sevu Reece, TJ Perenara out with injury, while Chiefs winger Shaun Stevenson has been added for injury cover to Mark Talea for the early parts of the Championship

Hookers:
Codie Taylor, Dane Coles, Samisoni Taukei’aho 

Props:
Ethan de Groot, Fletcher Newell, Nepo Laulala, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Tamaiti Williams, Tyrel Lomax 

Locks:
Brodie Retallick, Josh Lord, Samuel Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Tupou Vaa’i 

Loose forwards:
Ardie Savea, Dalton Papali’i, Luke Jacobson, Sam Cane (c), Samipeni Finau, Shannon Frizell 

Halfbacks:
Aaron Smith, Finlay Christie, Cam Roigard, 

First-five eighths:
Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo’unga 

Midfielders:
Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod 

Outside backs:
Caleb Clarke, Emoni Narawa, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Mark Telea, Will Jordan 

Week 1 vs. Argentina, Saturday 8 July, 4:10pm (7:10am, Sunday 9 July NZT), Estadio Malvinas, Mendoza

Week 2 vs. South Africa, Saturday 15 July, 7.05pm, Go Media Stadium Mt Smart, Auckland

Week 3 vs. Australia, Saturday 29 July, 7.45PM (9:45pm NZT), Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne

Week 4 v Australia, Saturday 5 August, 2.35PM, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

The All Blacks XV was also named to play two matches in Japan, with Leon MacDonald as head coach and assisted by Clayton McMillan and Scott Hansen.

Props
Jermaine Ainsley, Oli Jager, Tevita Mafileo, Xavier Numia, Aidan Ross

Hookers
Asafo Aumua, Ricky Riccitelli, Tyrone Thompson

Locks
Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Quinten Strange, Isaia Walker-Leawere

Loose Forwards
Billy Harmon, Akira Ioane, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Christian Lio-Willie, Pita Gus Sowakula, Cameron Suafoa 

Halfbacks
Folau Fakatava, Brad Weber 

First-five-eighths
Brett Cameron, Stephen Perofeta 

Midfielders
Jack Goodhue, Alex Nankivell, Billy Proctor, Bailyn Sullivan 

Outside Backs
Sam Gilbert, AJ Lam, Ruben Love, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Jona Nareki 

Saturday 8 July, Japan XV v All Blacks XV, 8.00pm, Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo

Saturday 15 July, Brave Blossoms v All Blacks XV, 9.05pm  Egao Kenko Stadiu, Kumamoto

Dane Coles To Retire, Other All Blacks Move On.

At the age of 36, All Black hooker Dane Coles has today announced he will retire at the end of the current year. In the Rugby World Cup year, he is one of a number of All Blacks who are moving on following the tournament. Brodie Retallick also announced he is returning to the Kobelco Kobe Steelers following the Rugby World Cup after playing for them on his 2020 sabbatical, while both Aaron Smith and Beauden Barrett will play for Toyota, and Richie Mo'unga for Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo.

Rugby Championship:

July 8: All Blacks v Argentina, Mendoza

July 15: All Blacks v South Africa, Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland, 7.05pm

July 29: All Blacks v Australia, Melbourne

August 5: All Blacks v Australia, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, 2.35pm

Test match:

August 25: All Blacks v South Africa, Twickenham, London, 7.30pm

All Blacks Draw With England

The All Blacks have drawn their final test of the year 25-25 with England, after conceding three tries in the final ten minutes. The All Blacks started the game well and had scored two tries in the opening ten minutes, with a Dalton Papali'i intercept try, and hooker Codie Taylor going over off a rolling mall. The All Blacks had a further try disallowed with off the ball play in a ruck, and went to half time with a 17-3 lead. England kicked an early second half penalty, but the All Blacks struck back with an 80 metre try to centre Reiko Ioane. A dropped goal to fullback Beauden Barrett put the All Blacks into a 25-6 lead, but it was the reply from England that swung the match. Barrett had failed to release in the tackle of England first five Marcus Smith, and with the penalty advantage, replacement Will Stuart scored. Barrett was sin-binned for 10 minutes, and from the kick off England ran the ball wide with fullback Freddie Steward scoring. With mere minutes remaining in the match the All Blacks had the ball under control, but a kick from replacement half back TJ Perenara gave possession back to England who again attacked out wide, with Stuart scoring his second. Perenara had to leave the field in the fianl minute of the match, and it has since been revealed he has ruptured his achilles tendon, leaving a nine month recovery span ahead of next years Rugby World Cup.

New Zealand All Blacks: 25

Tries: Dalton Papali'i, Codie Taylor, Rieko Ioane, Conversions: Jordie Barrett 2, Penalty: Jordie Barrett, Dropped Goal: Beauden Barrett

England: 25

Tries: Will Stuart 2, Freddie Steward, Conversions: Marcus Smith 2, Penalties: Smith, Owen Farrell

All Blacks Named To Face Australia For Second Bledisloe

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has named his side to face Australia in the second Bledisloe test in Auckland on Saturday night in Auckland.

Missing from this weeks match are both captain Sam Cane and second five David Havivli who both left the field after head knocks, as well as Quinn Tupaea who suffered a knee injury from which Australian player Darcy Swain has been suspended for six weeks. Scott Barrett is also unavailable and it see's this weeks loose forwards as Ardie Savea at number eight, Akira Ioane on the blindside and Dalton Papali'i at openside flanker, while hooker Codie Taylor starts and Samisoni Taukei'aho drops to the reserves.

Sam Whitelock will captain the side, with Jordie Barrett starting at second five, and brother Beauden at fullback. The reserves see lock Tupou Vaa'i, midfielder Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and outside back Sevu Reece added as cover.

New Zealand All Blacks:

1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Brodie Retallick, 5. Samuel Whitelock, 6. Akira Ioane, 7. Dalton Papali'i, 8. Ardie Savea, 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Richie Mo'unga, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Will Jordan, 15. Beauden Barrett

Reserves:

16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18. Nepo Laulala, 19. Tupou Vaa'i, 20. Hoskins Sotutu, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 23. Sevu Reece

All Blacks Squad Named For Rugby Championship In South Africa

The widespread expectation of changes to the All Blacks after last weeks series loss to Ireland has not happened with the naming of the touring squad to South Africa for the two Rugby Championship matches.

Coach Ian Foster has named a largely unchanged squad, with Sam Cane retained as captain. He has said there are some changes coming from within the side, but would only confirm that Joe Schmidt was an independent selector, and that he would not be travelling to South Africa. The only new players returning into the squad are prop Ethan De Groot and loose forward Shannon Frizell.

Hookers

Dane Coles, Samisoni Taukeiaho, Codie Taylor 

Props

Aidan Ross, George Bower, Nepo Laulala, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Ethan de Groot, Angus Ta’avao 

Locks

Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa’i, Samuel Whitelock 

Loose Forwards

Sam Cane (c), Shannon Frizell, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Ardie Savea, Hoskins Sotutu 

Halfbacks

Finlay Christie, Folau Fakatava, Aaron Smith 

First five–eighths

Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo’unga, Stephen Perofeta

Midfielders

Jack Goodhue, David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Quinn Tupaea 

Outside backs

Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Will Jordan, Sevu Reece 

Replacement players travelling to South Africa:

Josh Dickson, Braydon Ennor, Tyrel Lomax