ABs to test new reps against Fiji
We’re building up for Rugby Championship, says assistant coach
Expect a new-look All Blacks line-up against the Flying Fijians in Dunedin, next Saturday.
This was after All Blacks assistant coach John Plumtree confirmed that they are going to rotate their players as they build to the Rugby Championship later in the year.
Plumtree said with the two Test matches against the Fijians the opportunity is there for the team to give the lesser experienced players a
chance at test level.
With a squad featuring 18 players who have played 10 tests or fewer, Plumtree said there was noticeable excitement in camp and the new players were pushing hard for their shot on the pitch.
“Everyone’s got an opportunity,” Plumtree told NZME.
“Next week’s team might be a little bit different.
“We’ll make sure that we give everyone a bit of time. How much time that will be, I don’t know. We’ll just see as we build closer to that Australia series (in August).
“Right now, we’ve just got to pick the team, see how it goes on the
weekend and maybe adjust it slightly for next week.”
The All Blacks are without Sam Cane, Jack Goodhue, Anton LienertBrown and Joe Moody.
Rollercoaster 2020
The All Blacks are looking to build off the back of a rollercoaster year in 2020, which saw them beaten by Argentina for the first time ever and drop a test against Australia, although they still retained the Bledisloe Cup and took out the Tri Nations.
Plumtree, who is the forwards coach with the All Blacks, said head coach Ian Foster had challenged the
group to be better than they were a year ago.
“Fozzy’s challenged us all to be better. It’s not about a unit or about an individual; it’s about everyone,” Plumtree said.
“Everyone needs to step up. We want to get better all the time.
“That’s what this jersey demands; it’s the legacy of the All Blacks to keep growing and keep getting better.
“The leaders have done a great job of reminding everyone of that,” he added.
- NZME
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