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All Blacks call in more cover amid second-row injury woes
By Ned Lester
Hurricanes second-rower Isaia Walker-Leawere has joined the All Blacks in Auckland as the team deal with the absences of captain Scott Barrett and veteran Patrick Tuipulotu.
Barrett underwent a surgical operation upon return to New Zealand after sustaining a finger injury against Fiji and is expected to be sidelined for the opening two rounds of The Rugby Championship.
Tuipulotu's timeline is unclear but it's understood a calf injury is the latest issue the Blues captain has been dealing with, having recovered from an MCL surgery in time for the Super Rugby Pacific final just ahead of the July Series.
The All Blacks already required the services of their injury reserve lock Josh Lord off the bench in round one's Test against Argentina, making it clear more depth was needed ahead of round two.
Walker-Leawere's inclusion rewards one of New Zealand's form locks in 2024, with the 27-year-old a powerful force in the Hurricanes' impressive forward pack throughout their table-topping season. The lock also impressed during the Maori All Blacks' recent Test series against the Japan XV.
The team shared a post on their social media channels on Tuesday evening announcing the call-up.
Test rookie Sam Darry celebrated his first start in the black jersey with a try on Saturday, and had a glowing report of his initial time with the squad during the Steinlager Series.
"Once you taste this environment, it's quite addictive. You want to come back in and get back into the swing of things," he told media on Tuesday.
Darry's biggest learning can come as a lesson for Walker-Leawere as he adjusts to the higher intensity and pace of the international game, even in training.
"If you're half a second too late, half a second too early, or you miss something in the flow-on and the repercussions of that.
"The importance of those moments in other games, you might be able to get away with it if you are slightly off but, as we saw, the ball bounces one way and you're not there, they pounce on it and it is a try down the other end."
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Latest Comments
It could just be they got their international shot, and developed when they did, sure.
But Brad shields was soft as butter before he left, that’s why he was never going to get more than a few injury replacement caps for the ABs.
Much, much better player for his time up north.
Go to commentsI think Leinster had a plan to win both matches.
The defensive pressure was impressive and it made things hard for sharks with the greasy ball. That’s not an academy team though, a lot of those guys have two SA tours under their belt and a load of Leinster caps. There were a few new caps but so few as to not effect the system. Gunne was a first start but he has had a good few appearances and is a talent in play and attitide.
Sharks reaction to some early errors seemed to shout “Here we go again”.
As good as Leinster played and as hard as they made it, I assumed that Sharks would have the quality to find a way. Leinster slowed the rucks just enough to cause Sharks some issues and overruns etc.
The great Eben Etzebeth was missing and he is clearly great in motivating and driving a team as well as in play. Some thing more than Etzebeth missing. The Leinster players not playing today will be cheering and sucking energy from that performance as much as if they were there. That’s the spirit in the club. Anyone can see how bonded and loyal Snyman, Barrett and Slimani are in a small period of time. I think Leinster have a special setup up there, but Sharks are definately below average in belief, confidence and spirit based on Saturday.
Obviously a straight forward kick for a draw was available at the end but I don’t think that would have been acceptable and Sharks must go for the win at home.
Note: Zebo said in coverage that if Erasmus has the reigns with Sharks they would be no1 in URC and Champions Cup ‘By a distance’. I don’t agree with that ofcourse but in between sucking up to Erasmus he is clearly pinpointing what he believes is a coaching issue.
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