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Ian Foster explains the four changes to the bench including Codie Taylor
By Ben Smith
Ian Foster’s starting side for the second test against the Pumas is unchanged but the bench has had a makeover after a disappointing second forty minutes in Christchurch.
The All Blacks only managed a lone penalty goal in the second half after having the lead 15-6 at one point in the first half.
A number of substitutions failed to deliver, particularly when hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho was taken off early for Codie Taylor.
The Crusaders No 2 has been replaced this week by Dane Coles in one of four changes to the bench made by the All Blacks.
“I think there is a little bit of that,” Foster said when queried about whether the changes were made as a result of the finish last week.
“I don’t think Codie was at his best, he’d admit that,” Foster said.
“We’ve got a lot of faith in him, he’s a quality rugby player but sometimes the right thing is to take him out and work hard on things behind the scenes.”
Chiefs lock Brodie Retallick has been named to make his return on the bench after suffering a broken cheekbone in third test against Ireland.
He replaces his club teammate Tupou Vaa’i who failed to get onto the field in Christchurch.
“In Brodie’s [Retallick] case, it is a return to play more than anything,” Foster said.
“It’s tough on Tupou [Vaa’i] because he didn’t get on the field so he’s a guy we’ve got a lot of time for. We see this as a chance to play NPC and get some minutes.
After calls for Blues No 7 Dalton Papalii to start this week in place of Sam Cane, Foster resisted the pressure and named the same starting back row for the third test running.
Papalii has been named on the bench in place of Akira Ioane who drops out of the game day 23.
“Dalton, we’ve been desperate to give him some game time. He’s clearly a guy we’ve got a lot of confidence in, we’ve given him a chance to get some minutes.”
Last week’s debutant Stephen Perofeta will have to wait to add to his 50 seconds of test rugby action, with Beauden Barrett returning to the bench after recovering from injury.
“Beauden [Barrett], is also coming back from injury and Colesy, well he’s Colesy really,” Foster said.
“He’s hitting people hard during clarity sessions and doing all sorts during the week so he’s ready to go.”
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Latest Comments
Well said except Argentina is most certainly not an “emerging nation” as far as rugby is concerned. If you’re making global-social-political claim, then I’m out of my depth entirely.
Argentina by multiple leagues of magnitude played better than Ireland today. Striking away a try in the 2nd minute did not necessarily lead to Arg demise, but as we all know, rugby is such an emotional game that then to be down 12-0 over nothing is gut-wrenching, especially as it was effectively a 19 point swing. Argentina’s fight back throughout the rest of the match was laudable.
A howl of great sadness for a beautiful sport that has criminal administrators, feckless refs, foppish TMOs, idiotic tv pundits, et al. attempting to collectively suicide the whole thing. No fault of the players or coaches necessarily. We have a situation where punitive cards that detract away from the essence and loftiness of the game itself are celebrated to a degree that is pathologically purblind. Rugby has created for itself a fetish for punishment rather than simply allowing the game to be played. Shameful.
Go to commentsAbsolutely right, can’t expect nearly an all kiwi officiating team to know the rules properly 😉
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