NZ Rugby World

jim@nzrugbyworld.co.nz THERE’S ALWAYS SOMETHING EXCITING ABOUT THE FIRST ALL BLACKS TEST OF THE YEAR BUT THAT IS ESPECIALLY THE CASE THIS YEAR WITH IRELAND TOURING IN JULY. Three tests against the All Blacks was going to be good, but adding in two midweek games against the Māori All Blacks makes this tour especially appetising. And then there’s the fact Ireland have beaten the All Blacks three times in the last five tests - and were unlucky not to win in 2013 when the All Blacks scored to level the scores in the final minute. Aaron Cruden needed two attempts to kick the conversion that gave the All Blacks the 24-22 win. Heck, they should’ve won the previous year on a freezing night in Christchurch when a wobbly last minute Dan Carter drop goal secured a win…

Going back to the days of Sir Bryan Williams, there was a low percentage of Pacific peoples playing sport at the highest level. Sir Bryan’s career inspired others - Sir Michael Jones, the late Inga Tuigamala and Walter Little to name a few – seeing someone who looks like them, showing them that if they dream and work hard, they can achieve at the highest levels. As a result, there are now so many players with Pasifika heritage in our elite rugby sides. If we look at the All Blacks, over 50% of our current squad are Pacific players. That number is greater in the Black Ferns and Sevens sides. Not to mention our Super Rugby teams, including Moana Pasifika, Fijian Drua and those in our Provincial Unions. Even around the…

It is a dream scenario for head coach Ian Foster as he looks ahead to next year’s World Cup in France. Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo’unga are set to duel for the No10 jersey in a tussle even tighter than when Andrew Mehrtens had Carlos Spencer breathing down his neck. But the good news for Foster is that they also offer a potential lethal one-two knockout combination if used effectively off the bench. If Mo’unga starts, for instance, Barrett has shown he can be exceptional off the bench at first five and fullback. If the reverse happens, Mo’unga’s dancing feet could cause huge issues for tiring defences. And backing them both up will be a familiar face. Damian McKenzie has re-signed with New Zealand Rugby with the aim of playing at next year’s World Cup, after…

HOOKERS Codie Taylor Samisoni Taukei'aho Dane Coles PROPS Ofa Tu'ungafasi Aidan Ross Ethan de Groot Tyrel Lomax George Bower Alex Hodgman LOCKS Sam Whitelock Brodie Retallick Scott Barrett Tupou Vaa'i Josh Lord LOOSE FORWARDS Sam Cane Ardie Savea Ethan Blackadder Dalton Papalii Akira Ioane Luke Jacobson Pita Gus Sowakula HALFBACKS Aaron Smith Finlay Christie Brad Weber FIRST-FIVES Beauden Barrett Richie Mo'unga Stephen Perofeta MIDFIELD Jack Goodhue Rieko Ioane David Havili Quinn Tupaea Roger Tuivasa-Sheck OUTSIDE BACKS Will Jordan Sevu Reece Caleb Clarke Jordie Barrett…

Ian Foster says he will name ‘up to 36 players’ and the squad will be out by the time you read this, but over the next five pages are the squads a cross section of rugby people would’ve picked. There’s mine, plus Newshub reporter Ollie Ritchie, Sky’s Kirstie Stanway and All Blacks great Jeff Wilson’s, along with fans Andrew Short and his son Harry. Folau Fakatava is now available which adds to the depth at halfback and I am sure he will be an All Black sooner rather than later, but for now I favour Finlay Christie and Brad Weber behind Aaron Smith. I’ve stacked the loose forwards, simply because there are so many good ones and it is a high attrition area. Pita Gus Sowakula makes my list and there’s a story…

HOOKERS Codie Taylor Samisoni Taukei’aho Asafo Aumua PROPS Ofa Tu’ungafasi Nepo Laulala Ethan de Groot Tyrel Lomax George Bower Alex Hodgman LOCKS Sam Whitelock Brodie Retallick Scott Barrett Tupou Vaa’i Josh Lord LOOSE FORWARDS Sam Cane Ardie Savea Ethan Blackadder Dalton Papalii Akira Ioane Luke Jacobson HALFBACKS Aaron Smith Finlay Christie Brad Weber FIRST-FIVES Beauden Barrett Richie Mo’unga Stephen Perofeta MIDFIELD Jack Goodhue Rieko Ioane David Havili Braydon Ennor Roger Tuivasa-Sheck OUTSIDE BACKS Will Jordan Sevu Reece Caleb Clarke Jordie Barrett Leicester Fainga’anuku…