Mark Telea ruled out as All Blacks name team for Ireland quarterfinal
The All Blacks feel that they are exactly “where we want to be” ahead of a blockbuster Rugby World Cup quarterfinal against Ireland on Saturday evening. Coach Ian Foster has named a near full-strength side, but there is a notable change on the left wing.
As reported by the New Zealand Herald earlier this week, Mark Telea was set to miss the clash. That rumour has been made official with Leicester Fainga’anuku set to start in the No. 11 jersey instead.
Coach Ian Foster has confirmed that Telea was ruled out of the clash due to disciplinary reasons.
Enforcer Ethan de Groot is a welcomed inclusion with the front-rower returning from suspension to take on the world’s top-ranked side. De Groot will pack down alongside Tyrel Lomax who has overcome an injury scare to face the Irish.
The rest of the team is practically at full strength, but the decision to select Finlay Christie over fan favourite Cam Roigard on the bench is sure to raise some eyebrows back in New Zealand.
“We are where we want to be,” coach Ian Foster said in a statement. “World Cup quarterfinals are so exciting for many reasons, and we know the pressure they bring.
“We have had a solid week of preparation and know that it is now about trusting the work we have done and going out to play.
“We feel the massive support we have had from Kiwis both at home and here in France. We greatly appreciate it.”
De Groot and Taylor will join Codie Taylor in the front row, while Brodie Retallick and Scott Barrett make up the rest of the tight five. Blindside flanker Shannon Frizell joins captain Sam Cane and world-class No. 8 Ardie Savea in a formidable backrow.
As for the backs, there aren’t too many surprises. Other than Fainga’anuku on the left wing, the rest of the backline is as many expected.
Aaron Smith will link up with Richie Mo’unga in the halves, while Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane will combine in the midfield. Fainga’anuku, Will Jordan and Beauden Barrett are the outside backs.
As for the bench, veteran Dane Coles has been picked ahead of Samisoni Taukei’aho. Finlay Christie and Damian McKenzie have also made the cut.
“We have huge respect for Ireland who are number one in the world for a reason,” Foster added.
“We are excited by the opportunity we have in front of us and expect to be tested in many ways. That is what World Cups are about.”
All Blacks team to take on Ireland
- Ethan de Groot
- Codie Taylor
- Tyrel Lomax
- Brodie Retallick
- Scott Barrett
- Shannon Frizell
- Sam Cane (c)
- Ardie Savea
- Aaron Smith
- Richie Mo’unga
- Leicester Fainga’anuku
- Jordie Barrett
- Rieko Ioane
- Will Jordan
- Beauden Barrett
Finishers
- Dane Coles
- Tamaiti Williams
- Fletcher Newell
- Samuel Whitelock
- Dalton Papali’i
- Finlay Christie
- Damian McKenzie
- Anton Lienert-Bronw
Latest Comments
> It would be best described as an elegant solution to what was potentially going to be a significant problem for new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. It is a problem the mad population of New Zealand will have to cope with more and more as All Blacks are able to continue their careers in NZ post RWCs. It will not be a problem for coaches, who are always going to start a campaign with the captain for the next WC in mind. > Cane, despite his warrior spirit, his undoubted commitment to every team he played for and unforgettable heroics against Ireland in last year’s World Cup quarter-final, was never unanimously admired or respected within New Zealand while he was in the role. Neither was McCaw, he was considered far too passive a captain and then out of form until his last world cup where everyone opinions changed, just like they would have if Cane had won the WC. > It was never easy to see where Cane, or even if, he would fit into Robertson’s squad given the new coach will want to be building a new-look team with 2027 in mind. > Cane will win his selections on merit and come the end of the year, he’ll sign off, he hopes, with 100 caps and maybe even, at last, universal public appreciation for what was a special career. No, he won’t. Those returning from Japan have already earned the right to retain their jersey, it’s in their contract. Cane would have been playing against England if he was ready, and found it very hard to keep his place. Perform, and they keep it however. Very easy to see where Cane could have fit, very hard to see how he could have accomplished it choosing this year as his sabbatical instead of 2025, and that’s how it played out (though I assume we now know what when NZR said they were allowing him to move his sabbatical forward and return to NZ next year, they had actually agreed to simply select him for the All Blacks from overseas, without any chance he was going to play in NZ again). With a mammoth season of 15 All Black games they might as well get some value out of his years contract, though even with him being of equal character to Richie, I don’t think they should guarantee him his 100 caps. That’s not what the All Blacks should be about. He absolutely has to play winning football.
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