All Blacks Named To Face France

After last weeks 23-13 win over Ireland, All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has named his side to face France at Stade de France in Paris, Sunday 17th November at 9.10am NZT.

Robertson has made five changes to his squad from the Ireland test, with Sam Cane and Mark Telea both out injured. Hooker Codie Taylor and first-five Beauden Barrett both return to the starting side after  receiving head knocks in the All Blacks win over England, while Asafo Aumua and Damian McKenzie drop to the reserves. Ardie Savia will start at open side flanker in place of Sam Cane, Wallace Sititi moves to number eight, Samipeni Finau comes in at blindside flanker and Peter Lakai comes into the reserves as loose forward cover. Cam Roigard starts at halfback ahead of Cortez Ratima who drops to the reserves, and Sevu Reece starts on the wing with Telea out injured.

All Blacks: 

Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Beauden Barrett, Cam Roigard; Wallace Sititi, Ardie Savea, Samipeni Finau, Tupou Vaa'i, Scott Barrett (c), Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams. 

Reserves: 

Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Pasilio Tosi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Peter Lakai, Cortez Ratima, Anton Lienert-Brown, Damian McKenzie.

France: 

Romain Buros, Gabin Villière, Gaël Fickou, Yoram Moefana, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Thomas Ramos, Antoine Dupont (c), Grégory Alldritt, Alexandre Roumat, Paul Boudehent, Emmanuel Meafou, Thibaud Flament, Tevita Tatafu, Peato Mauvaka, Jean-Baptiste Gros. 

Reserves: 

Reda Wardi, Julien Marchand, Georges-Henri Colombe, Romain Taofifenua, Mickaël Guillard, Charles Ollivon, Nolann Le Garrec, Émilien Gailleton.

All Blacks Named To Face Japan

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has named his side to face Japan at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama on Saturday 26th October at 6.50pm NZT.

All Blacks: 

1. Tamaiti Williams, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Pasilio Tossi, 4. Sam Darry 5. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Sam Cane, 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cam Roigard 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Mark Tele’a, 12. Anton Lienert-Brown, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Stephen Perofeta

Reserves: 

16. George Bell, 17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Josh Lord, 20. Peter Lakai, 21. Tj Perenara, 22. David Havili, 23. Ruben Love

All Blacks Squad Named For Northern Tour

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has named his 36-man squad to tour Japan, England, Ireland, France and Italy for matches in October and November.

There is only one change from the Rugby Championship squad with Cam Roigard returning from a knee injury in place of Noah Hotham.

Forwards:

Asafo Aumua, Codie Taylor, George Bell, Ethan De Groot, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Tamaiti Williams, Scott Barrett (captain), Tupou Vaa'i, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry, Ethan Blackadder, Sam Cane, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson, Dalton Papali'i, Ardie Savea, Wallace Sititi

Backs: 

TJ Perenara, Cortez Ratima, Cam Roigard, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Jordie Barrett, David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Billy Proctor, Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan, Ruben Love, Stephen Perofeta, Sevu Reece, Mark Tele'a

Saturday 26 October- All Blacks vs Japan, 6.50pm, Nissan Stadium, Yokohama 

Sunday 03 November - All Blacks vs England, 4.10am, Twickenham Stadium, London 

Saturday 09 November - All Blacks vs Ireland, 9.10am, Aviva Stadium, Dublin 

Sunday 17 November - All Blacks vs France, 9.10am, Stade de France, Paris 

Sunday 24 November - All Blacks vs Italy, 9.10am, Allianz Stadium, Turin 

All Blacks Named For Second Australia Test

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has named his side to face Australia at Wellington's Sky Stadium this Saturday 7.05pm. 

Robertson has made several changes to his starting side, with first five Beauden Barrett replacing Damian McKenzie who drops to the reserves, TJ Perenara starting at halfback, Anton Lienert-Brown moving to second five in place of injured Jordy Barrett and Will Jordan moving to fullback. It will also be Sam Cane's 100th and last test as he moves to Japan to play along with TJ Perenara.

1.    Ethan de Groot
2.    Codie Taylor (vc) 
3.    Tyrel Lomax 
4.    Scott Barrett (c) 
5.    Tupou Vaa’i   
6.    Wallace Sititi
7.    Sam Cane
8.    Ardie Savea (vc)  
9.    TJ Perenara 
10.  Beauden Barrett 
11.  Caleb Clarke 
12.  Anton Lienert-Brown 
13.  Rieko Ioane 
14.  Sevu Reece 
15.  Will Jordan 
 
16. Asafo Aumua 
17. Tamaiti Williams  
18. Pasilio Tosi 
19. Patrick Tuipulotu 
20. Luke Jacobson 
21.  Cortez Ratima 
22.  Damian McKenzie 
23.  David Havili 

All Blacks Named For Second South Africa Match

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has made several changes to his side for the second Rugby Championship match against South Africa this Sunday morning, 3.00am NZT.

Robertson has made four changes to his starting side and one in the reserves, with both Ethan Blackadder and Caleb Clarke are unavailable through injury. Wallace Sititi gets his first start at the run on side at blindside flanker, and Cortez Ratima gains his second test start at halfback with TJ Perenara dropping to the reserves. In the backs wings Mark Tele’a and Sevu Reece start, with Will Jordan moving to fullback, and Beauden Barrett dropping to the reserves.

New Zealand All Blacks:  

1.    Tamaiti Williams
2.    Codie Taylor
3.    Tyrel Lomax 
4.    Scott Barrett (C) 
5.    Tupou Vaa’i 
6.    Wallace Sititi  
7.    Sam Cane  
8.    Ardie Savea (VC) 
9.    Cortez Ratima  
10.  Damian McKenzie
11.  Mark Tele’a
12.  Jordie Barrett (VC) 
13.  Rieko Ioane
14.  Sevu Reece 
15.  Will Jordan 
 
16. Asafo Aumua 
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi 
18. Fletcher Newell
19. Sam Darry 
20. Luke Jacobson 
21. TJ Perenara
22. Anton Lienert-Brown
23. Beauden Barrett
 

All Blacks Go Down Against South Africa

The All Blacks have suffered a narrow 31-27 loss to South Africa at Ellis Park after leading late in the match. The All Blacks led 12-11 at half time but ill-discipline and a 14-5 penalty count against them proved crucial after they surrendered a 27-17 lead with 13 minutes to go. It did not help with the awarding of a controversial try earlier that the bunker had confirmed, although replays showed hooker Bongi Mbonambi clearly loosing the ball in his scoring action.

New Zealand: 27 

Tries: Codie Taylor, Caleb Clarke 2, Jordie Barrett, Conversions: Damian McKenzie 2, Penalty: McKenzie 

South Africa: 31 

Tries: Bongi Mbonambi, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams, Conversions: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu 2, Penalties: Feinberg-Mngomezulu 4

All Blacks Assistant Coach Leon MacDonald Quits

All Blacks assistant coach Leon MacDonald has resigned from his position, and will not travel with the All Blacks to South Africa for the Rugby Championship matches. Fronting media on Thursday, coach Scott Robertson has said a difference in views on coaching the All Blacks saw MacDonald step away. MacDonald will not be replaced, with current assistant coach Scott Hansen and contact skills coach Tamati Ellison taking a greater workload until the end of the season.

All Blacks Defeat Argentina In Second Match

The All Blacks have bounced back from the shock defeat in Wellington to record a 42-10 win over Argentina at Eden Park in Auckland. In wet conditions, the All Blacks started off strong in the first half scoring five tries to lead 35-3 at half time with a much improved forward pack leading the charge. The second half saw an early try to Will Jordan, but the All Blacks were unable to carry the momentum after making multiple substitutions early in the half.

All Blacks: 42 

Tries: Damian McKenzie, Ardie Savea, Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan 2, Beauden Barrett, Conversions: McKenzie

Argentina: 10

Try: Juan Cruz Mallia, Penalty: Santiago Carreras, Conversion: Thomas Albornoz

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 Beat Fiji In San Diego

The All Blacks have made it three from three to start 2024 after beating Fiji 47-5 in San Diego. The All Blacks had made numerous changes to the side that last beat England, with halfback Cortez Ratima, hooker George Bell and centre Billy Proctor scoring tries. 

The All Blacks next match is against Argentina on Saturday 10th August in Wellington for the start of the Lepovitan-D Rugby Championship 

New Zealand: 47

Tries: Caleb Clarke, Cortez Ratima, Billy Proctor, Ardie Savea, Sevu Reece, Ethan de Groot, George Bell, Conversions: Damian McKenzie 6

Fiji: 5

Try: Vilimoni Botitu

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 

Narrow Victory For All Blacks Over England

The All Blacks have had a narrow 16-15 win against England in Dunedin on Saturday for their first match under new coach Scott Robertson. As expected it was a close game with the scores tied 10-10 at half time after the All Blacks scored two unconverted tries to England's one. To add to the pressure late in the match, first five Damian McKenzie was stopped having a late penalty shot after the referee said he had taken more than a minute to start his kick. The All Blacks were then forced to defend the remaining minute of the match to hold out England. The second test against England takes place this Saturday at Eden Park in Auckland with kick off 7.05pm.

New Zealand: 16

Tries: Sevu Reece, Ardie Savea, Penalties: Damian McKenzie 2

England: 15

Tries: Chandler Cunningham-South, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Conversion: Marcus Smith, Penalty: Smith

All Blacks Named For First 2024 Test Against England

New All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has named his first side to face England this Saturday 7.05pm at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.

Robertson has bought in TJ Perenara at halfback while Finlay Christie is in the reserves, with Stephen Perofeta at fullback ahead of Beauden Barrett who is also in the reserves. There is a strong look to the forwards with De Groot, Taylor and Lomax in the front row, and Tuipulotu joining captain Scott Barrett at lock. Luke Jacobson is in the reserves to cover loose forward, with Ethan Blackadder missing out on the match 23.

All Blacks:

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. TJ Perenara, 10. Damian McKenzie, 
11. Mark Tele’a, 12. Jordie Barrett (vc), 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Stephen Perofeta.

Reserves:

16. Asafo Aumua, 17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Tupou Vaa’i, 20. Luke Jacobson, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Anton Lienert-Brown, 23. Beauden Barrett

All Blacks Named To Face Argentina In RWC Semi-Final

All Black coach Ian Foster has named his side to face Argentina at Stade de France in Paris for their Rugby World Cup semi-final on Saturday morning 8.00am NZT.

Foster has made two changes to the starting side from the win against Ireland, with lock Sam Whitelock replaceing Brodie Retallick who drops to the reserves, and wing Mark Tele’a returns from a one week team suspension in place of Leicester Fainga’anuku who drops out of the match 23. In the reserves, hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho replaces Dane Coles.

All Blacks: 

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

Reserves: 

Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Brodie Retallick, Dalton Papalii, Finlay Christie, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown.

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 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 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 Win Against Argentina

The All Blacks have opened the Rugby Championship with a 41-12 win against Argentina in Mendoza. They led 31-0 at half time after scoring five first half tries, while winger Emoni Narawa also scored a late try on debut.

New Zealand: 41

Tries: Dane Coles, Ardie Savea, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Aaron Smith, Beauden Barrett, Emoni Narawa, Conversions: Damian McKenzie 3

Argentina: 12

Tries: Lucio Sordoni, Agustin Creevy, Conversion: Emiliano Boffelli

In the other weekend match the All Blacks XV beat Japan 38-6 in Tokyo

All Blacks XV: 38

Tries: Jack Goodhue, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Alex Nankivell, Folau Fakatava, Stephen Perofeta, Conversions: Perofeta, Brett Cameron, Penalties: Perofeta 3

Japan XV: 6

Penalties: Rikiya Matsuda 2

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