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Posted 347 days ago
THE STARTING XV features just the one change with loose forward Adam Thomson replacing the injured Victor Vito (knee) at blindside flanker, while his place on the bench has been taken by new cap Sam Cane.
All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said, despite last week’s first Test win over the Irish, there had still been a lot for the All…
Posted 349 days ago
I’LL BE honest, when I first saw Declan Kidney’s team selection it didn’t fill me with confidence. Losing to the Barbarians the week before travelling to the backyard of the World Champions isn’t ideal preparation by any means. Doing so without three world class players, Stephen Ferris, Paul O’Connell and Tommy Bowe, left Ireland with
Posted 351 days ago
ANOTHER NEW Zealand-Ireland game, another All Blacks win. It’s a stuck record for Ireland and while they showed glimmers of a decent running game at Eden Park, this match was over by half-time. Hurricanes wing Julian Savea scored a hat-trick on his New Zealand debut and the All Blacks probably would have won by more had they been more accurate with their passing.
Posted 353 days ago
IRELAND HAVE never beaten New Zealand but they have a chance to change the history books in Auckland on Saturday. Both Declan Kidney and Steve Hansen have selected new caps in their sides for the first match of this month’s three-Test series. It will be played at Eden Park – venue of Ireland’s famous win over Australia at last year’s World Cup
Posted 353 days ago
The Ireland team to play New Zealand in the first test of the summer tour has been named and includes two new caps with wing Simon Zebo and prop Declan Fitzpatrick making their first starts in the green jersey at this level.
Zebo, who is the youngest member of the touring squad at 22, starts on the left wing in a…
Posted 354 days ago
IN SELECTING the side, the All Blacks coaches have gone for experience as well as the introduction of the three new caps.
In the forwards, the All Blacks have the experienced front row of Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock and Owen Franks, while new cap Brodie Retallick will join his locking partner Sam Whitelock in the second row. Victor Vito has taken…
Posted 395 days ago
Prop Tony Woodcock suffered an acute calf strain at training yesterday and has been ruled out of tomorrow night’s match against the Reds.
This latest casualty means Tevita Mailau moves into the starting line-up to replace Woodcock and Auckland prop Angus Ta’avao will be the bench replacement.
In the absence of Keven Mealamu, Luke Braid will again captain the team.
Some good news…
Posted 395 days ago
The Crusaders head to Sydney this weekend to take on the Waratahs on Sunday (KO: 06:10 GMT) in round ten of the Super Rugby competition.
Head Coach Todd Blackadder has named his team and has made three changes to the starting fifteen that beat the Hurricanes last weekend. He has also put two new faces on the bench.
Luke Romano will partner…
Posted 431 days ago
Having returned from South Africa and facing a short turnaround before their Friday night match against the Hurricanes, the Blues are forced to field a team without their captain, Keven Mealamu.
A calf strain which saw Mealamu leave the field during the Stormers match last week, along with a three week suspension given to Luke Braid has meant once again, Wider…
Posted 445 days ago
The Crusaders coaches have announced the team to play the Chiefs in Napier this Friday, and it includes a number of changes from the team which met the Highlanders last weekend. Four new players have been brought into the starting fifteen – Corey Flynn at hooker, Owen Franks at prop, Luke Romano at lock, and Zac Guildford on the wing.
There…
