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 To Face Australia For Second Bledisloe

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has named his side to face Australia in the second Bledisloe test in Auckland on Saturday night in Auckland.

Missing from this weeks match are both captain Sam Cane and second five David Havivli who both left the field after head knocks, as well as Quinn Tupaea who suffered a knee injury from which Australian player Darcy Swain has been suspended for six weeks. Scott Barrett is also unavailable and it see's this weeks loose forwards as Ardie Savea at number eight, Akira Ioane on the blindside and Dalton Papali'i at openside flanker, while hooker Codie Taylor starts and Samisoni Taukei'aho drops to the reserves.

Sam Whitelock will captain the side, with Jordie Barrett starting at second five, and brother Beauden at fullback. The reserves see lock Tupou Vaa'i, midfielder Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and outside back Sevu Reece added as cover.

New Zealand All Blacks:

1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Brodie Retallick, 5. Samuel Whitelock, 6. Akira Ioane, 7. Dalton Papali'i, 8. Ardie Savea, 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Richie Mo'unga, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Will Jordan, 15. Beauden Barrett

Reserves:

16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18. Nepo Laulala, 19. Tupou Vaa'i, 20. Hoskins Sotutu, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 23. Sevu Reece

All Blacks Named To Face Ireland In First Test

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has named his side to face Ireland in their first test at Eden park on Saturday night. Covid has hit the All Black camp this week, with Foster, assistant coaches John Plumtree, Scott McLeod and Greg Feek, mid-fielders David Havili and Jack Goodhue, and outside back Will Jordan all testing positive for Covid.

Crusaders wing Leicester Fainga’anuku will debut on the wing, with Scott Barrett named at blindside flanker, and Beauden Barrett at first five with Richie Mo'unga on the bench.

NZ All Blacks:

1. George Bower, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 4. Brodie Retallick, 5. Samuel Whitelock, 6. Scott Barrett, 7. Sam Cane (c), 8. Ardie Savea, 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Jordie Barrett

Reserves: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Angus Ta'avao, Pita Gus Sowakula, Dalton Papalii, Finlay Christie, Richie Mo'unga, Braydon Ennor