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Star players return for All Blacks’ must-win World Cup clash with Italy
By Finn Morton
With “everything to play for” against Italy on Friday night, the All Blacks have named a near full-strength team which includes returning duo Shannon Frizell and Jordie Barrett.
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Tyrel Lomax and Sam Cane are also set to return from injury off the bench which is another major boost for the All Blacks ahead of a must-win clash with the Azzurri.
The All Blacks’ World Cup dream hangs in the balance. New Zealand started their campaign with a historic loss to France in Paris, and another defeat would probably send them packing.
With the hopes of a rugby-mad nation resting on the shoulders of the 33 men in the All Blacks’ squad, coach Ian Foster has named a frighteningly strong side.
“Italy is growing in confidence after winning their first two games and they represent a massive challenge for us after coming off our bye week,” Foster said in a statement.
“We fully respect their growth over the last two years and are expecting a huge game with both teams having everything to play for.”
Along with the return of Frizell and Jordie Barrett, coach Foster has also picked Cam Roigard and Damian McKenzie on the bench.
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Sam Whitelock will also surpass former captain Richie McCaw as the most capped All Black in history, should the 34-year-old come off the pine after being named on the bench.
Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Codei Taylor and Nepo Laulala will pack down in the front row, while Brodie Retallick and Scott Barrett have been selected as the two starting locks.
Frizell is set to return from a hamstring injury and being named at blindside, and will link up with Dalton Papali’i and captain Ardie Savea in a formidable backrow trio.
Veteran Aaron Smith and playmaker Richie Mo’unga will combine in a familiar halves pairing, and the backline will be boosted by the return of Jordie Barrett at No.12. Barrett will start alongside Rieko Ioane in the midfield.
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Coach Foster has come with a powerful back three with Mark Telea’a and Will Jordan named on the left and right wings respectively, and Beauden Barrett will start at fullback.
All Blacks team to take on Italy
- Ofa Tu’ungafasi (55)
- Codie Taylor (80)
- Nepo Laulala (51)
- Brodie Retallick (105)
- Scott Barrett (64)
- Shannon Frizell (28)
- Dalton Papali’i (28)
- Ardie Savea (captain) (77)
- Aaron Smith (121)
- Richie Mo’unga (51)
- Mark Tele’a (6)
- Jordie Barrett (52)
- Rieko Ioane (65)
- Will Jordan (26)
- Beauden Barrett (118)
Replacements
- Dane Coles (88)
- Tamaiti Williams (3)
- Tyrel Lomax (27)
- Samuel Whitelock (148)
- Sam Cane (90)
- Cam Roigard (3)
- Damian McKenzie (43)
- Anton Lienert-Brown (65)
Selections: 6/10
Hooker: Coles on bench?
Samosini needs time on the pitch to sort his lineout work.
Props: Williams for Laulala
Locks: ok
Loosies: Blackadder on bench, Savea at 7, Jacobson at 8. Papalii needs a big game
Inside backs: ok, but let RM run the show on his own
Midfield backs: ok, but I still think Ioane is a better winger
Outside backs: Leister on R wing, WJ at 15, BB on bench
Who is 'Samosini'?
Unfortunately this year we simply have a very weak AB squad. Front row mostly either past it or carrying injuries. Locks two aged legends with vaai and lord not try there. Loosies simply zero world class players right now- Ardie would be if playing 7 regularly. Halfbacks one old, one journeyman, one will be great in a few years, mounga pretty average at test level. Midfielders mostly transplanted outside backs. Jordan strangely out if form, telea on wrong wing, Leicester seemingly not trusted in big games, beauden past it. Add to that the worst coach in my life time and zero coherent game plan. I can't see any way we win a quarter final. It really hurts to say it, but that's how it is.
Stubborn selections despite the evidence of form - as usual. Leicester should be starting with Telea on the other wing, Ardie at 7, LJ or Blackadder at 8, BB to the bench or in the stands, average front row... After a win, they will be all claiming everything is back on track. Painful.
It is interesting reading the comments by kiwis re team selection and their general negativity about Foster and his coaching team.
I'm sure that many kiwis are still of the opinion that being world no.1 is in fact a birthright and can't fully comprehend how 2 northern hemisphere teams in Ireland and France have the temerity to now be ranked 1 & 2 respectively in the world. 😅
Pretty sure this article wasn't about Ireland or France - there's plenty of respect for those two teams in NZ, at least by those who don't wear an eyepatch. Kiwis are pretty passionate about the game and just want to see the game run in the best possible way. The sham appointment process of Foster as coach and then the subsequent reappointment of him after an historically poor run of results was completely out of whack with public opinion. It was a big middle finger to the fans who NZR have taken for granted for too long. It was just one of a long list of examples of poor decisions and cronyism from the unaccountable board. Hopefully that explains the animosity in NZ, it has nothing to do with Ireland and France who we look at with respect and envy at the management and coaching setups. In fairness it's perhaps unfair on Foz, it's not his fault he was offered the job, he's a symptom of the rot from the top. Same could be said about Eddie really.
Seriously? As a bonafide New Zealander and loyal All Blacks supporter, I can honestly admit that Ireland and France have surpassed us in all facets of the 15-man game - from player recruitment, development and welfare; to skills, tactics and game strategy. Their competition structure from schools to premier division is incomparable.
Foster is hands-down the most incompetent AB's coach of the modern era; and this current AB's squad is sadly devoid of grit and tenacity.
Nothing to do with NH teams dominance of international rugby: more to do with poor management and lack of foresight by NZR.
Most comments about selections and Foster from kiwis have nothing to do with NH teams. That is your obsession. Most AB supporters see what this team COULD BE and what Foster actually DOES - thus the "negativity" (we call it like we see it so if that is "negative" - oh well.) Even if the ABs manage to miraculously pull through on this campaign, the new AB coach and a broom through the NZR administration is overdue and welcome.
A bit disappointing that Ethan Blackadder is not there.
No Lester or Blackadder, Barrett at 15 Reiko at 13 Ardie at 8 ,Foster is deluded and out of his depth and always has been. Worst ever All Blacks coach and selections I've seen what a waste of 4 year's.
Open question: Why is Blackadder's omission generating these comments? As i (a NH based supporter) see it he's not as experienced in an AB shirt as Papali'i nor Frizell, the latter of whom was tearing it up in the RC. What does he bring? Honestly, looking for more detail from those more 'in the the know' rather than trying to challenge selection or argue against opinion.
Why no Blackadder?
Too hypey. A "powerful" back three would be Telea, Faingaanuku, & Jordan. A "formidable" backrow wouldn't have Papaali in it or a short guy at #8. That said, ABs to win easily, as expected.
Fozzie is a loser, Italy has no chance and never did
Consistently is difficult if your coach has no clue, just look at the pathetic ‘strines
Coles? Jeeez
Agree, doesnt make sense. I think there's probably a minor injury in there somewhere that needs a bit more time. Samasoni's clearly the better option.
Admittedly Samisoni has been oddly ineffective this year. Perhaps we can trace that back to last year, when he was arguably our best player, scoring tries for fun and Foz drops him for an out of form Taylor. Great way to build a young guys confidence.
Ominous for Italy. I reckon the All Blacks have got their timing spot on for this world cup. Hard to see them not make the final and I suspect they'll make it four take homes of the Webb-Ellis trophy.
I wish I shared your optimism for NZ. 1 good game against a weak third tier nation does not make a campaign. NZ were woeful in the Safa festival game and the France opener. Ireland took the Safa bomb squads apart. With a kicker SA could possibly have won but they were dominated by a better drilled Irish pack. I firmly rated NZ chances against SAFA but Ireland has beaten us a few times now and has our measure. Foster is too weak as a coach to make the necessary changes. I would not bet money on beating Italy on Friday but think the final result will mean little. They are a second tier nation and we have been monstered by two teams at the top of their game. Ireland is better than both of them.
Ominous for Italy, maybe, but that just shows how we are flat track bullies these days. Under Foz we are always coming up with a great 'response' after losing the games that matter. After watching Ireland the other day, they definitely looked pretty ominous - for NZ unfortunately. Tactically and skill wise on another level right now.
@Nigel aka Ben Smith getting excited because of win against Namibia. Pumped to play big boys Italy.