NZ All Blacks Suffer Another Loss

The All Blacks are looking to this weeks test against South Africa at Ellis Park as a must win after losing the latest test 26-12. All the talk has been around whether coach Ian Foster will still have a job after another loss, but the players must bear a lot of responsibility for the loss with basic handling errors on both attack and defense. The latest match also saw the South Africans tactics come into question, with numerous bombs peppering the All Blacks and several instances where the South Africans did not even attempt to catch the ball, but took All Blacks players out in mid-air. South African winger Kurt-Lee Arendse was red carded in the second half and later suspended for three matches after he hit Beauden Barrett in the air when he jumped for the ball, and was flipped resulting in him landing on his neck.

South Africa: 26

Tries: Kurt-Lee Arendse, Willie Le Roux, Conversions: Handré Pollard 2, Penalties: Pollard 3, Drop Goal: Pollard.

New Zealand: 12

Try: Shannon Frizell, Conversion: Richie Mo'unga  Penalty: Jordie Barrett

Farah Palmer Cup Round Two Results

Round 2: Farah Palmer Cup 2022

Canterbury Women: 33 v Auckland Storm: 27

North Harbour Hibiscus: 21 v Taranaki Women: 10

Otago Spirit: 44 v Hawke's Bay Tui: 22

Northland Women: 29 v Tasman Women: 10

Bay Of Plenty Volcanix: 37 v Manawatu Cyclones: 26

Wellington Pride: 27 v Counties Manukau Heat: 19

Farah Palmer Cup Round One Results

Round 1: Farah Palmer Cup 2022.

Waikato Women: 33 v Manawatu Cyclones: 24

Canterbury Women: 43 v Wellington Pride: 5

Auckland Storm: 39 v Counties Manukau Heat: 20

All Blacks Squad Named For Rugby Championship In South Africa

The widespread expectation of changes to the All Blacks after last weeks series loss to Ireland has not happened with the naming of the touring squad to South Africa for the two Rugby Championship matches.

Coach Ian Foster has named a largely unchanged squad, with Sam Cane retained as captain. He has said there are some changes coming from within the side, but would only confirm that Joe Schmidt was an independent selector, and that he would not be travelling to South Africa. The only new players returning into the squad are prop Ethan De Groot and loose forward Shannon Frizell.

Hookers

Dane Coles, Samisoni Taukeiaho, Codie Taylor 

Props

Aidan Ross, George Bower, Nepo Laulala, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Ethan de Groot, Angus Ta’avao 

Locks

Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa’i, Samuel Whitelock 

Loose Forwards

Sam Cane (c), Shannon Frizell, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Ardie Savea, Hoskins Sotutu 

Halfbacks

Finlay Christie, Folau Fakatava, Aaron Smith 

First five–eighths

Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo’unga, Stephen Perofeta

Midfielders

Jack Goodhue, David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Quinn Tupaea 

Outside backs

Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Will Jordan, Sevu Reece 

Replacement players travelling to South Africa:

Josh Dickson, Braydon Ennor, Tyrel Lomax

Ireland Win Series Over All Blacks

Ireland have beaten the All Blacks 32-22 in Wellington on Saturday night to win the Steinlager Series, and hand the home side it's first series defeat since the French in 1994. 

The All Blacks conceded a 22-3 lead to the Irish at halftime after another error riddled opening 40 minutes, with first half tries to flanker Josh Van der Flier, fullback Hugo Keenan and centre Robbie Henshaw. The All Blacks struck back early in the second half with a try to Ardie Savea, and had a second to Akira Ioane after the Irish were reduced to 14 men seeing the score tightened to 17-22. The Irish hit back with a penalty to Sexton, before the All Blacks again scored through wing Will Jordan. The Irish then finished out he match with a try to Rob Herring.

In another example of inconsistent refereeing, Irish prop Andrew Holden was yellow carded for a head clash with Brodie Retallick which saw him leave the field with a broken cheek bone. Last week in similar circumstances replacement prop Angus Ta'avao was red carded leaving the All Blacks to play with 14 men for the remainder of the match after also having several players yellow carded. Irish midfielder Bundee Aki was also lucky to escape punishment with referee Wayne Barnes missing a head clash in a ruck cleanout seeing prop Ofa Tuungafasi’s leave the field for a HIA and not return. All Black coach Ian Foster admitted in a post match press conference it was another "card lottery" with the potential match outcome defined by players leaving or staying on the field. 

The All Blacks attention now turns to the Rugby Championship with it's first match in South Africa on 7th August.

Ireland: 32 

Tries: Josh van der Flier, Hugo Keenan, Robbie Henshaw, Rob Herring, Conversions: Johnny Sexton 3, Penalties: Sexton 2

New Zealand: 22 

Tries: Ardie Savea, Akira Ioane, Will Jordan, Conversions: Jordie Barrett 2, Penalty: Jordie Barrett

All Blacks Named To Face Ireland For Third Test

All Black coach Ian Foster has named his side to face Ireland for the deciding third test in Wellington this Saturday night.

Back in the side is lock Sam Whitelock after he withdrew last week with concussion symptoms, and this see's Scott Barrett move to blindside with Dalton Papalii dropping to the bench. Also in is tighthead prop Nepo Laulala, winger Will Jordan and second five David Havili who is back from Covid, while Dane Coles, Akira Ioane and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck come into the reserves.

New Zealand All Blacks:

1. George Bower, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Nepo Laulala, 4. Brodie Retallick, 5. Samuel Whitelock, 6. Scott Barrett, 7. Sam Cane (c) 8. Ardie Savea, 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Sevu Reece, 12. David Havili, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Will Jordan, 15. Jordie Barrett

Reserves: 

16. Dane Coles, 17. Aidan Ross, 18. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 19. Akira Ioane, 20. Dalton Papalii, 21. Folau Fakatava, 22. Richie Mo’unga, 23. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

Ireland Beat Maori All Blacks

Ireland have split the series with New Zealand Maori after a 30-24 win in Wellington. 

Ireland: 30 

Tries: Jordan Larmour 2, Nick Timoney, Gavin Coombes, Conversions: Ciaran Frawley 2, Penalties: Frawley 2

Māori All Blacks: 24 

Tries: Shaun Stevenson, Ruben Love, Brad Weber tries, penalty try, Conversion: Josh Ioane