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Four more All Blacks in doubt after Kiwi derby
By Online Editors
The Super Rugby break couldn't come soon enough for All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen.
But the competition wasn't going to let up without claiming another few causalties.
In a week that already saw the All Blacks lose midfielder Sonny Bill Williams to injury and potentially lose back rower Liam Squire through suspension, four more All Blacks are in doubt after the round 16 trans-Tasman clash between the Chiefs and Crusaders at FBG Stadium Waikato last night.
Sam Cane (abdominal), Jordan Taufua (calf) and Jack Goodhue (hamstring) were all late scratches from last night's match while Brodie Retallick was forced from the field in the first half after suffering a pectoral inury.
Chiefs co-captain Cane was due to make his return after a five-week layoff with an abdominal strain, but was taken from the 23 at the last minute.
Head coach Colin Cooper denied the All Blacks staff played a part in Cane's omission.
"There wasn't any of that, they left it for us to make the decision between us," Cooper said.
Cooper was unable to clarify the extent of Retallick's injury, saying "not sure," when asked about it post-match.
Retallick's injury means the All Blacks could possibly be without their two best locks, with Crusader Sam Whitelock battling concussion.
The Crusaders' issues with Taufua and Goodhue surfaced ahead of kickoff, with the pair now in doubt of making their test debuts next weekend.
Head coach Scott Robertson confirmed Taufua was struggling with the same calf niggle he had last week.
"It's the same one obviously from the week earlier, which is a real shame for him. So we just hope he's in a race for those test matches, to be available," Robertson said.
For Goodhue, it's a case of a tight hamstring, with Robertson explaining the 22-year-old's leg tightened up at the end of their Thursday training session.
"It was very light as well, because we were managing the loads from the camps and the mental and physical side of it. He tested yesterday [Friday] and wasn't quite right."
Karl Tu'inukuafe and Richie Mo'unga also went down during the match, but their respective injuries were identified as cramp.
The players will assemble at All Blacks camp on Sunday where they will be assessed further.
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Latest Comments
Ireland have every right to back themselves for a win. But the key variable has little to do with recent record etc.
The reality is that Ireland are a settled team with tons of continuity, an established style, and a good depth chart, whereas NZ are fundamentally rebuilding. The questions are all about what Razor is doing and how far along he is in that program.
NZ are very close to really clicking. Against England all of the chatter is about how England could have closed out a win, but failed to do so. This has obscured the observation that NZ were by far the more creative and effective in attack, beyond the 3-1 try differential and disallowed tries. They gave away a lot of unnecessary penalties, and made many simple errors (including knock-ons and loose kicks). Those things are very fixable, and when they do so we are once again going to be staring at a formidable NZ team.
Last week we heard the England fans talking confidently about their chances against NZ, but England did not end up looking like the better team on the field or the scoreboard. The England defense was impressive enough, but still could not stop the tries.
Ireland certainly has a better chance, of course, but NZ is improving fast, and I would not be surprised at a convincing All Black win this week. It may turn on whether NZ can cut out the simple mistakes.
Go to commentsFair to say that NZ have come to respect Ireland, as have all teams. But it's a bit click-baitey to say that the game is the premier show-down for NZ.
SA has beaten NZ four times in a row, including in the RWC final.
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