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The ‘edge’ Finlay Christie has over All Blacks teammate Cam Roigard
By Finn Morton
On the eve of the All Blacks’ biggest Test in four years, coach Ian Foster has explained the surprising omission of Cam Roigard from the team to play France on Friday.
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When the All Blacks open Rugby World Cup opener, Cam Roigard will watch from the sidelines of Stade de France.
The All Blacks revealed their team take on the tournament hosts on Wednesday, and Roigard’s name was nowhere to be found. Aaron Smith was named to start with Finlay Christie on the bench.
It was a fairly surprising decision.
Roigard was a shining light for the All Blacks during an otherwise dark night at Twickenham a fortnight ago. New Zealand were lost for answers as the world champion Springboks ran riot.
The All Blacks were beaten, badly, as they fell to their worst-ever defeat by a margin of 35-7. But Roigard offered a glimmer of hope.
Fans wanted more, but they’ll have to wait a bit more to see Roigard in the black jersey again. Coach Foster said Christie has “a lot bit more of an edge” over his All Blacks teammate.
“Just based on the work they’ve done. We’re really confident in all three of our nines,” Foster told reporters on Thursday.
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“Fin’s got probably a little bit more experience at this level than what Cam has but Cam’s doing everything right.
“Fin’s probably a strong defensive player in that space and maybe there’s a little bit more of an edge in that space in terms of experience there.
“Pretty happy with our nines at the moment.”
While there’s no room in the matchday 23 for Roigard, the All Blacks have named a near full-strength side to take on Les Bleus in Paris.
Aaron Smith will start alongside Richie Mo’unga in the halves, while Finlay Christie is among the three backs looking to provide impact off the bench.
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The All Blacks won their first four Tests this year, but everything came crashing down in Twickenham.
They have an opportunity to right some wrongs against “one of the clear tournament favourites.”
“It’s a privilege to play in the opening game of Rugby World Cup 2023,” Foster said in a statement.
“What makes it extra special is playing the host nation who are a very proud and in-form tea.
“World Cups are different. The initial goal is to qualify for the quarterfinals and to do that we must build out game through the pool stage.
“That starts in game one, where we have an opportunity to compete against one of the clear tournament favourites.”
Man, I would have loved to see Roigard come off the bench.
Just not too sure Christie showedthat edge in the second Bledisloe.
Christie's 'edge'must come out at trainings coz on the field he's flat and uninspiring in every aspect. There is no part of his game that gives him the 'edge'over Roigard let alone Webber, Fakatava or Ratima. He's a lightweight who has no oomph in his repertoire, a very poor clone of Nuggy.
I think halfback selection has been awful during the Foster tenure. I like Aaron Smith, but think Roigard and Bryn Hall would be my halfbacks along with Kerr Barlow. Smith would've not made the squad. However lack of development has been at epic proportions with one big cuddly family. Players have had to have absolute shockers like Hoskins Sotutu to play their way out of the side. First thing Razor does next year is start picking Allblacks in from offshore, we'll lose the world cup this year partly due to all the overseas talent not selected, we'll lose it to a side that picks their best regardless of where they play
I have been (and remain) a bit amazed at the furore created by the Twickenham game. To be fair, this has mainly been beaten up by international journalists and commentators rather than by Boks fans, most of whom remain quite balanced in their assessment. While it was not a pretty score line and without doubt the Boks were way more “up” for this game than the ABs, it was a match against 13/14 men for prolonged periods and officiated by a ref who produced an incredibly pedantic display, especially in the first 15 mins. The sky has not fallen in overnight, may the best team win. Let the games begin. 💪
THe AB's were on the way to being beaten before the first yellow. I thought the TMO was more pedantic than the ref.
the bumbling idiot strikes again. dupont will make mincemeat of Christie
Foster always using some spurious "defense" failings as explanation for selections (Remember that Stevenson, a far far better defender than Clarke, is out for his "defense" failings)...in any case we don't have more than 2 months of Foster and his poor selections
I'm getting bored with this Australian journo's writing!
He seems to take every opportunity to have a dig at the ABs, including in this article "Roigard was a shining light for the All Blacks during an otherwise dark night at Twickenham a fortnight ago. New Zealand were lost for answers as the world champion Springboks ran riot.
The All Blacks were beaten, badly, as they fell to their worst-ever defeat by a margin of 35-7. But Roigard offered a glimmer of hope"
I wished he could be less concerned about trashing the ABs and more balanced in his comments !
Despite what the article says, the ABs are not near full strength. First choice tighthead prop, lock, blindside, and 12.. that’s almost a third of the team out. 3 out of 4 of them are irreplaceable too.
Add in 13 - Ioane is inept at center. I would move ALB there and have Havilli at 12.
Fozzie logic continues to un-inspire.
It's not his fault, a cuddly bear assistant coach that was elevated beyond his skillset by an inept NZ rugby board.
Remember in his own words he is a great strategist