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

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 England

All Black coach Ian Foster has named his side for the final match of the year against England on Sunday morning, 6.30am. Brodie Retallick returns to the side at lock after serving a two match suspension following the Japan test, and it will be his 100th test. Foster has also named a strong combination in the loose forwards, with Ardie Savea at number eight, Dalton Papali’i at openside flanker and Scott Barrett at blindside. In the backs Mark Talea gets his second start on the wing after a strong game against Scotland, Rieko Ioane and Jordie Barrett are paired in midfield, and Beauden Barrett will start at fullback.

All Blacks: 

Beauden Barrett, Mark Telea, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Ardie Savea, Dalton Papali’i, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock (c), ​​​​​​​Brodie Retallick, Tyrel Lomax, ​​​​​​​Codie Taylor, ​​​​​​​Ethan De Groot. 

Reserves: 

Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Bower, Nepo Laulala, Shannon Frizell, Hoskins Sotutu, TJ Perenara, David Havili, Anton Lienert-Brown.

All Blacks Win Against Scotland

The All Blacks have scored two late tries to secure a 31-23 win against Scotland this morning. After leading 14-0 early in the match after tries to prop Samisoni Taukei'aho and winger Mark Telea, the All Blacks lost Anton Lienert-Brown to a yellow card after he tackled Stuart Hogg in goal as he chased a kick through. The penalty try plus a second to winger Darcy Graham saw Scotland lead a halftime 17-14, and they scored 23 unanswered points before the All Blacks struck back. A sin-bin to loose forward Jack Demspey in the 65th minute preceded a try to lock Scott Barrett, with the second for Mark Talea in the 75th minute securing the match.

All Blacks: 31 

Tries: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Mark Telea 2, Scott Barrett, Conversions: Jordie Barrett 4, Penalty: Jordie Barrett

Scotland: 23 

Tries: Darcy Graham, Penalty Try, Conversion: Finn Russell, Penalties: Russell 3

All Blacks Named To Face Scotland

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has named his side to face to face Scotland at Murrayfield on Monday 3.15am NZT. There is one new cap in the side, with Mark Telea named on the wing.

New Zealand All Blacks v Scotland

1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3. Nepo Laulala, 4. Samuel Whitelock (c), 5. Scott Barrett, 6. Akira Ioane, 7. Dalton Papali’i, 8. Ardie Savea, 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. David Havili, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 14. Mark Telea, 15. Jordie Barrett

Reserves: 

16. Codie Taylor, 17. George Bower, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Tupou Vaa’i, 20. Shannon Frizell, 21. TJ Perenara, 22. Stephen Perofeta, 23. Rieko Ioane

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has named his side to face Wales on Sunday 6th November at 4.15am. Foster has named a strong side, with multiple changes from the side that faced Japan.

After the fractured cheeckbone suffered by captain Sam Cane against Japan, Dalton Papali'i will start at openside flanker, with Shannon Frizell on the blindside. Scott Barrett will start at lock in place of Brodie Retallick who has been suspended for two matches, while Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, and Tyrel Lomax are the starting front row. In the backs, Aaron Smith starts at halfback for his 113th test, Richie Mo'unga at first five, Jordie Barrett at second five, and Beauden Barrett at fullback.

New Zealand All Blacks:

1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Samuel Whitelock (c), 5. Scott Barrett, 6. Shannon Frizell, 7. Dalton Papali'i, 8. Ardie Savea, 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Richie Mo'unga, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Beauden Barrett, 

Reserves: 

16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Tupou Vaa'i, 20. Akira Ioane, 21. Brad Weber, 22. David Havili, 23. Anton Lienert-Brown

All Blacks Named To Face Japan

 All Blacks coach Ian Foster has named his side to face Japan in Tokyo on Saturday 29th October at 6.50pm.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will play his first starting match at second five, while fellow Blues player Stephen Perofeta will start at fullback. The game also has  the return of mid-fielder Anton Lienert-Brown who is back into the side after a shoulder injury.

New Zealand All Blacks

1. George Bower, 2. Dane Coles, 3. Nepo Laulala, 4. Brodie Retallick, 5. Tupou Vaa’i, 6. Shannon Frizell, 7. Sam Cane (c), 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Richie Mo’unga, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 13. Braydon Ennor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Stephen Perofeta

Reserves:

16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17.  Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18. Tyrel Lomax, 19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Dalton Papali’i, 21. Aaron Smith, 22. David Havili, 23. Anton Lienert-Brown