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

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.