TWO FIJIAN PROPS
NAMED IN AB SQUAD
Four Fijians will be part of the All Blacks squad for the Tri Nations/Bledisloe Cup starting in Australia next week.
And it will be a first time that two Fijian props will be part of the All Blacks squad.
Former Fijian Under-20 rep Alex Hodgman made his debut in Bledisloe Cup Two at Eden Park, Auckland last Sunday.
He made a powerful impact off the bench and could force his way into the starting lineup after Nepo Laulala is on paternity leave. George Bower, 28, is likely to make his debut in one of the four tests in Australia.
Ovalau native Bower who can play tight-head or loose-head has been brought in to provide additional cover for Joe Moody who is going through HIA (head injury assessment) protocols and Laulala. Fijians selected for the All Blacks usually play in the backline. But this is a breakthrough as two props of Fijian connection are named in the All Blacks squad. Both have achieved their objectives opting to play for the All Blacks than the Flying Fijians.
A teacher by profession, Bower played one game for Otago in 2014 and only returned in 2018 when he became a regular squad member. He was signed by the Crusaders for the 2019 season and has helped the team to two Super titles.
Missing out on the first two Bledisloe Cup tests, flyer Sevu Reece has been recalled as Coach Ian Foster is leaving nothing to chance in his quest to win both titles in Oz.
Reece made his debut in Tri-Nations against Argentina last year and has been a sensation for the All Blacks and Crusaders.
With Ardie Savea also on paternity leave, Tavea, Bua native Hoskins Sotutu is likely to start at No.8 after coming off the bench in the last two tests.
With Sotutu at No 8, skipper Sam Cane would be No.7 and No. 6 Shannon Frizell.
It would be his first test start, after the 22-year-old Aucklander played 16 minutes off the bench in Wellington and a quarter of an hour last Sunday at Eden Park in the All Blacks’ 27-7 victory.
The All Blacks will travel with 36 players initially to Australia on Sunday.
They play four tests in total – the first two against the Wallabies on consecutive Saturdays as they look to nail another Bledisloe Cup, and then will wrap the competition up with back-to-back internationals against Argentina on November 14 and 28.
All Blacks squad for Tri-Nations in Australia: Forwards:
Hookers: Asafo Aumua, Dane Coles and Codie Taylor. Props: George Bower, Alex Hodgman, Nepo Laulala, Tyrel Lomax, Joe Moody, Karl Tu’inukuafe, and Ofa Tuungafasi. Locks: Scott Barrett, Mitchell Dunshea, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa’i and Samuel Whitelock. Loose-forwards: Sam Cane, Shannon Frizell, Cullen Grace, Akira Ioane, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Dalton Papalii, Ardie Savea and Hoskins Sotutu.
Backs: Halfbacks: TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith and Brad Weber. First five-eighths: Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo’unga. Midfielders: Jack Goodhue, Rieko Ioane, Ngani Laumape, Anton Lienert-Brown and Peter Umaga-Jensen. Outside backs: Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan, Damian McKenzie and Sevu Reece.
Tri-Nations schedule fixtures:
Australia, ANZ Stadium, Sydney, October 31;
Australia, Suncorp Stadium,
Brisbane, November 7;
Argentina, Bankwest Stadium, Sydney, November 14; v Argentina, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle, November 28.