All Blacks Win Against South Africa

In the 100th test match between the sides, the New Zealand All Blacks have beaten South Africa 19-17 in Townsville on Saturday night. In a closely fought match, it was the boot of Jordie Barrett who secured the victory with a 78th minute penalty kick. The South African tactics of continually kicking for position or high balls worked to some degree, with their try to Sbu Nkosi coming off a dropped ball near the line by winger George Bridge. 

The All Blacks conceded 23 turnovers to eight from South Africa, carried for 378 metres to South Africa's 236, passed the ball 141 times to South Africa's 65, made 12 offloads to one, kicked 18 times to South Africa's 38 and missed 14 tackles to South Africa's 23.

New Zealand All Blacks: 19

Try: Will Jordan, Conversion: Jordie Barrett, Penalties: Jordie Barett 4

South Africa: 17

Try: Sbu Nkosi, Penalties: Handre Pollard 4

The next 2021 Rugby Championship match for the All Blacks is their second match against South Africa at Gold Coast's CBUS Stadium on Saturday night 11.05pm.

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.

Farah Palmer Cup News

Auckland, Counties-Manukau and North Harbour have withdrawn from the 2021 Farah Palmer Cup after Covid alert levels left them unable to train.

The Premiership will continue to be played this weekend where Wellington will play Bay of Plenty in Mount Maunganui, to determine if Wellington will join Canterbury and Waikato in the finals matches. 

The Championship division will be a straight finals format where current leaders Manawatū Cyclones will be joined by Northland and Hawke’s Bay,

Results 18th September.

Bay of Plenty: 31

Tries: Mahina Paul 3, Kalyn Takitinu-Cook, Luka Connor, Conversions: Takitimu-cook 2, Paul

Otago: 3

Penalty: Maia Joseph

Springbok's Side Named To Face All Blacks

South Africa rugby coach Jacques Nienaber has named his side to face the All Blacks at QLD Country Back Stadium in Townsville on Saturday night.

Nienaber has made five changes to his squad that lost 30-17 against Australia last weekend, with lock Lood de Jager returning from concussion, Trevor Nyakane starting at loosehead prop and Kwagga Smith starting at blindside flanker in place of Franco Mostert who drops to the bench. Also coming onto the reserves bench are Elton Jantjies and Frans Steyn to provide cover in the backs.

South Africa Springboks Team:

1 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 3 Frans Malherbe, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Lood de Jager, 6 Siya Kolisi (capt), 7 Kwagga Smith, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 9 Faf de Klerk, 10 Handre Pollard, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 12 Damian de Allende, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 15 Willie le Roux.

Reserves: 

16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Frans Steyn.

All Get Second Victory Over Argentina

The All Blacks are on top of the Fortinet Rugby Championship after a 36-13 win over Argentina, while Australia beat South Africa again. The All Blacks led 24-3 at half time after dominant periods of play, but were forced into a more defense game in the second half. Lock Tupou Vaa'i and blindside flanker Ethan Blackadder both had strong games for the All Blacks

New Zealand All Blacks: 36 

Tries: Patrick Tuipulotu, TJ Perenara, Tupou Vaa'i 2, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Conversions: Jordie Barrett 4, Penalty: Jordie Barrett 

Argentina: 13

Try: Emiliano Boffelli, Conversion: Boffelli, Penalty: Boffelli 2

All Blacks Named For Second Argentina Match

All Black coach Ian Foster has named his side to face Argentina in their second Rugby Championship match at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on Saturday 18th September at 10.05 NZT.

In the forwards, Joe Moody starts in place of Tu’inukuafe, Tyrel Lomax in place of Laulala, Patrick Tuipulotu and Tupou Vaa'i in place of Retallick and Barrett, and Ethan Blackadder, Hoskins Sotutu and Ardie Savea in place of Papalii, Jacobson and Ioane.

In the backs McKenzie moves to first five in place of Barrett, Quinn Tupaea replaces Havili, and Will Jordan replace Sevu Reece on the right wing.

All Backs Team:

1.          Joe Moody

2.          Samisoni Taukei’aho
3.          Tyrel Lomax
4.          Patrick Tuipulotu
5.          Tupou Vaa’i
6.          Ethan Blackadder
7.          Ardie Savea (c)
8.          Hoskins Sotutu
9.          TJ Perenara
10.        Damian McKenzie
11.        George Bridge 
12.        Quinn Tupaea 
13.        Rieko Ioane 
14.        Will Jordan
15.        Jordie Barrett

Reserves: 

16.        Codie Taylor
17.        George Bower
18.        Ofa Tuungafasi 
19.        Scott Barrett
20.        Luke Jacobson
21.        Finlay Christie
22.        Beauden Barrett
23.        Braydon Ennor

Farah Palmer Cup And NPC To Continue This Week.

NZ Rugby have announced the continuation of the NPC and Farah Palmer Cup without North Harbour, Auckland and Counties Manukau teams due to Auckland's level 4 Covid lockdown continuing.

The Farah Palmer Cup will continue on 18th September with Bay of Plenty facing Otago at Mount Maunganui, with Canterbury the bye, and Waikato v Counties Manukau and Wellington v Auckalnd unable to be played. On 25th-26th September Otago v Canterbury will be played in Dunedin, BOP v Wellington in Mount Maunganui, Taranaki v Hawkes Bay in Inglewood, Tasman v Manawatu in Nelson, with North Harbour v Northland and Auckland v Waikato unable to be played. Matches unable to be played be to level 4 lockdown will result in teams receiving two points each.

The NPC rounds for 17th-19th September will see Waikato v Canterbury in Hamilton, Taranaki v Wellington in Inglewood, Northland v Tasman in Whangarei, and Hawkes Bay v Bay of Plenty in Napier. For 24th- 26th September Tasman v Waikato is in Nelson, Manawatu v Northland in Palmerston North, Southland v Canterbury in Christchurch, Wellington v Hawkes Bay in Wellington, and Bay of Plenty v Taranaki in Tauranga. Further games and draw will be reviewed next week when more is known about Auckland lockdown levels.