All Blacks (finally) ready
RUGBY
WELLINGTON: Three uncapped All Blacks will debut from the bench in tomorrow’s Bledisloe Cup opener and the squad is relieved they will not be in quarantine over Christmas.
Coach Ian Foster has stuck with the tried and true as he attempts to make a winning start to his reign, picking Richie Mo'unga at firstfive and Beauden Barrett at fullback.
‘‘We just feel that as this team is new and as we learn what we want to do, having two fantastic decisionmakers on the park is just going to help guide us around, so it's a selection for this test.’’
Foster named Jordie Barrett on the wing despite conceding he is the best fullback in New Zealand right now.
He believes the experienced heads of Mo'unga and Beauden Barrett will help the All Blacks find their feet in their first test of the year.
‘‘Having both those players on is really important. Probably the form 15 in the country has been Jordie, but he is playing and I think you'll find him in the back field a lot anyway, so I think we've got the best of both worlds.’’
George Bridge is on the left wing, with Blues young gun Caleb Clarke to make his debut from the bench following in the footsteps of his father and former All Black Eroni Clarke.
Lock Tupou Vaai and Hoskins Sotutu are also set for their first cap, although Foster is not ready to throw them in the deep end just yet.
‘‘We've erred on the side of a bit of experience with George (Bridge) and we have a lot of faith in him. I know Caleb is really
excited and this is just a nice way to ease him into it with the three debutants coming off the bench. We know there will be plenty of energy coming anyway.’’
Foster's counterpart, Wallabies coach Dave Rennie, was a little more experimental in naming three debutants in his starting side.
For the born and bred New Zealander and former Upper Hutt club coach, the test holds plenty of significance on a personal level.
‘‘Obviously I'm a Wellington boy and to play the first test in Wellington — there's a little bit of irony there. But, look, I'm really excited and comfortable with the decision I made (to take on the Wallabies coaching job). I'm going to have all my family there and all my three sons and two granddaughters are coming down to the game, so that's going to make it pretty special as well.’’
It will also be a special test for Rieko Ioane, who will start as All Blacks centre after moving from the wing.
He denies he has been hassling Foster to give him a crack in the midfield, despite Jordie Barrett's claims to the contrary.
‘‘Haha. Nah, nah, nothing like that. Whatever team I'm in — Blues, Auckland or whatever — I'm just happy to play,’’ said Ioane, before Barrett piped up, ‘‘You've been whingeing at me for two years to play centre.’’
‘‘You were crying last night about having the 14 jersey, not fullback,’’ Ioane retorted, much
to the mirth of the gathered media.
Jokes aside, the players are chuffed the Rugby Championship scheduling saga has come to an end, with the final All BlacksWallabies match being moved from December 12 to October 31.
That means the All Blacks will be out of quarantine by Christmas, much to the relief of expectant father Ardie Savea, who will start at No 8 alongside captain and openside Sam Cane and blindside Shannon Frizell.
‘‘Yeah mate, it's a tricky one because I've got No 2 (Savea and wife Saskia's second child, a son)
on the way in a week and ahalf. So it was quite tricky whether the team left and I stayed behind, but everything has fallen into place, so quite happy mate.’’
Another piece of happy news for the Rugby Championship is the likely confirmation over the next few days that South Africa will be committing to the tournament.
RNZ understands the Springboks have said yes to attending despite having played next to no rugby this year, with the team just waiting on approval from the South African government. — RNZ