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 For Second Argentina Match

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has made several changes to his side to face Argentina in the second match of the Rugby Championship at Auckland's Eden park on Saturday at 7.05pm. Loosehead prop Tamaiti Williams replaces Ethan de Groot, who is out with a neck injury, while in the backs Rieko Ioane replaces Anton Lienert-Brown at centre and wings Caleb Carke and Will Jordan replace Mark Tele’a and Sevu Reece who drop back to the reserves bench. Also in the reserves, former captain Sam Cane replaces Wallace Sititi. 

All Blacks: Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Damian McKenzie, TJ Perenara; Ardie Savea (c), Dalton Papali’i, Ethan Blackadder, Sam Darry, Tupou Vaa’i, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams

Reserves: 

Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Josh Lord, Sam Cane, Cortez Ratima, Anton Lienert-Brown, Mark Tele’a.

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