All Blacks Named To Face Argentina

All Black coach Scott Robertson has named his side to face Argentina in Wellington on Saturday 7.05pm in their Rugby Championship opening match. With Scoot Barrett out injured, the side will be captained by number eight Ardie Savea, while TJ Perenara returns at halfback after being out with a leg injury, and Beauden Barrett starts at fullback.

1.    Ethan De Groot
2.    Codie Taylor (vc)
3.    Tyrel Lomax
4.    Tupou Vaa’i
5.    Sam Darry
6.    Ethan Blackadder
7.    Dalton Papali’i
8.    Ardie Savea (c)
9.    TJ Perenara
10.  Damian McKenzie
11.  Mark Tele’a
12.  Jordie Barrett (vc)
13.  Anton Lienert-Brown
14.  Sevu Reece
15.  Beauden Barrett

16. Asafo Aumua
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
18. Fletcher Newell
19. Josh Lord
20. Wallace Sititi
21. Cortez Ratima
22. Rieko Ioane
23. Will Jordan

All Blacks Named For Second England Test

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has named his squad for the second test against England this Saturday 7.05pm. There is only one change to the starting 15 with Finlay Christie replacing TJ Perenara due to a leg injury, with uncapped Chiefs player Cortez Ratima coming onto the reserves bench. 

1.    Ethan De Groot
2.    Codie Taylor
3.    Tyrel Lomax
4.    Scott Barrett (c)
5.    Patrick Tuipulotu
6.    Samipeni Finau
7.    Dalton Papali’i
8.    Ardie Savea (vc)
9.    Finlay Christie
10.  Damian McKenzie
11.  Mark Tele’a
12.  Jordie Barrett (vc)
13.  Rieko Ioane
14.  Sevu Reece
15.  Stephen Perofeta
 
16. Asafo Aumua
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
18. Fletcher Newell
19. Tupou Vaa’i
20. Luke Jacobson
21. Cortez Ratima
22. Anton Lienert-Brown
23. Beauden Barrett 

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