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 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 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 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.

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 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 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 South Africa

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has named his side to face South Africa in their Rugby Championship match in Townsville on Saturday night. 

In the forward pack, there are multiple changes with Nepo Laulala and Codie Taylor in at prop and hooker, Scott Barrett and Brodie Retallick paired at lock, Akira Ioane at blindside and Luke Jacobson at number eight, while prop Joe Moody and captain Ardie Savea are the only ones retained from last week.

In the backs, Jordie Barrett retains his place at fullback, with brother Beauden in at first five, and Rieko Ioane in paired with David Havili in the centres with Anton Liernert Brown out with a hamstring strain.

New Zealand All Blacks: 

Jordie Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, David Havili, George Bridge, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Luke Jacobson, Ardie Savea (c), Akira Ioane, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Nepo Laulala, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. 

Reserves: 

Samisoni Taukei’aho, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ethan Blackadder, Brad Weber, Damian McKenzie, Quinn Tupaea.

All Blacks Named For Perth Bledisloe Cup Match

All Black coach Ian Foster has named his side to face Australia in Perth on Sunday 5th September at 6pm NZT for the third Bledisloe Cup match. The side features only one change to the forwards from Eden Park, with lock Scott Barrett replacing Sam Whitelock, who was one of the side not travelling to Perth for upcoming births. Ardie Savea will captain the side at number eight, with Ethan Blackadder and Tupou Vaa'i both coming onto the reserves bench. In the backs, Brad Weber starts at halfback, Beauden Barrett at first five, Anton Lienert-Brown at centre, Will Jordan on the right wing with Rieko Ioane shifting to the left, and Jordie Barrett at fullback. TJ Perenara is in the reserves, as is Damian McKenzie and George Bridge.

New Zealand All Blacks:

1. George Bower 
2. Codie Taylor
3. Nepo Laulala
4. Brodie Retallick
5. Scott Barrett 
6. Akira Ioane 
7. Dalton Papalii 
8. Ardie Savea (c)
9. Brad Weber
10. Beauden Barrett 
11. Rieko Ioane 
12. David Havili 
13. Anton Lienert-Brown 
14. Will Jordan
15. Jordie Barrett 

Reserves:
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho 
17. Karl Tu’inukuafe 
18. Angus Ta’avao 
19. Tupou Vaa’i 
20. Ethan Blackadder 
21. TJ Perenara 
22. Damian McKenzie
23. George Bridge

All Blacks Named For First Fiji Test

All Black coach Ian Foster has named his side to face Fiji in the second match of the Steinlager Series at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, 7.05pm, Saturday 10 July.

The side features 13 changes to the starting side that faced Tonga last week, with only centre Rieko Ioane and winger George Bridge remaining to start. Halfback Aaron Smith will captain the side for the first time, in his 98th test, and will pair with Beauden Barrett at first five. Brodie Retallick also starts his first match for the All Blacks since 2019, and partners Patrick Tuipulotu at lock. 

All Black Team: 

1. George Bower 
2. Codie Taylor 
3. Nepo Laulala 
4. Patrick Tuipulotu 
5. Brodie Retallick 
6. Shannon Frizell 
7. Ethan Blackadder 
8. Hoskins Sotutu 
9. Aaron Smith - captain
10. Beauden Barrett 
11. George Bridge 
12. David Havili 
13. Rieko Ioane 
14. Sevu Reece 
15. Jordie Barrett 

Reserves:

16. Dane Coles 
17. Ethan de Groot 
18. Tyrel Lomax 
19. Samuel Whitelock 
20. Luke Jacobson 
21. Finlay Christie 
22. Damian McKenzie 
23. Will Jordan 

Fiji Team:

1. Peni Ravai
2. Samuel Matavesi
3. Mesake Doge
4. Temo Mayanavanua
5. Leone Nakarawa
6. Johnny Dyer
7. Mesulame Kunavula
8. Albert Tuisue
9. Simione Kuruvoli
10. Ben Volavola
11. Nemani Nadolo
12. Levani Botia (c)
13. Waisea Nayacalevu
14. Eroni Sau
15. Kini Murimurivalu

Reserves:

16. Peni Narisia
17. Haereiti Hetet
18. Leeroy Atalifo
19. Tevita Ratuva
20. Peceli Yato
21. Setareki Tuicuvu
22. Eneriko Buliruarua
23. Manasa Mataele

All Blacks Named To Face Argentina

Following last weeks 24-22 loss to Australia, All Black coach Ian Foster has named a strong side for Saturday night's game against Argentina at Sydney's Bankwest Stadium.

After being red carded during last weeks match, Ofa Tu'ungafasi has received a three week suspension for a high tackle, and has been replaced by Tyrel Lomax. Other forward changes see Joe Moody who returns from concussion from the first Bledisloe match replacing Karl Tu'inukuafe, Shannon Frizell in for Akira Ioane at blindside, Patrick Tuipulotu in at lock for Scott Barrett, and Dane Coles for Codie Taylor at hooker. In the backs Richie Mo'unga starts at first five, with Beauden Barrett moving to fullback and Jordie Barrett to the wing, and also starting are Jack Goodhue at second five, Aaron Smith at halfback, and Caleb Clarke on the wing.

All Blacks:

Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jack Goodhue, Caleb Clarke, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (c), Shannon Frizell, Sam Whitelock, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tyrel Lomax, Dane Coles, Joe Moody. 

Reserves: 

Codie Taylor, Alex Hodgman, Nepo Laulala, Tupou Vaa’i, Hoskins Sotutu, Brad Weber, Rieko Ioane, Damian McKenzie.