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All Blacks call in more reinforcements after Sam Cane injury
By Ned Lester
The All Blacks have called upon three All Blacks XV players to join the top squad after counting their injury woes from the weekend’s Ireland Test.
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Following the Dublin win, All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson revealed a season-ending MCL injury had befallen rookie lock Sam Darry, while further medical examination has found Sam Cane ineligible for the coming France Test due to concussion. Star winger Mark Tele’a has also been ruled out due to a hand injury.
Fresh off their 31-13 win over Georgia, All Blacks XV stars Fabian Holland and captain Du’Plessis Kirifi have been called in as injury cover in the forwards and Chay Fihaki will rejoin the team in the backs.
AJ Lam will stay with the team as Harry Plummer’s replacement as Plummer deals with a leg injury. Plummer was included as cover for Billy Proctor, who returned to New Zealand to be with his partner for the birth of their child.
It will be 22-year-old Holland’s first stint with the New Zealand squad since becoming eligible for All Blacks selection in August. The 204 cm Highlanders lock was born in the Netherlands before moving to New Zealand to pursue his rugby dream in high school.
Du’Plessis Kirifi has previously joined the All Blacks as injury cover in 2020, although is yet to debut for the team. Fihaki was briefly involved with the team in September during Jordie Barrett’s absence.
“It’s next man in and we back our squad. We back our squad and we have no doubt whoever comes in will do a great job,” All Blacks assistant coach Jason Ryan said in response to the injuries.
“Sam’s been immense, he’s been exceptional on the field, and also with the leaders and the younger boys. He’s been phenomenal, but he’ll lead in a different way this week.”
Some good news for All Blacks fans comes in the form of Beauden Barrett and Codie Taylor, who are on track to be available for the France Test after missing the Ireland game through concussion.
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hmmm I’m gonna go with Lakai he has been with squad whole time and young fella hasn’t missed a beat and can do everything Kirifi gets a game against Italy and hugely deserved …right wing will be Sevu hope he got a big game in him due one has done it before …But moving fwd Fihaki better bigger faster than what some people think and a cannon right foot
I'd imagine Cane will be back for a farewell for Italy.
What a joke, back them to hold tackle bags they mean. Didn't give Bell or Perofeta any time on the park against Ireland.
Would love to see them fix these mistakes and maybe even see another new debutant this weekend.
I hope Karifi gets a shot at 7 , he’s so hungry and also knows how to lift his team mates
Agree JJB, Kiriri deserves a shot at 7.
I hope with Telea out that WJ goes to 14 and BB to 15.
I wonder could we see Jordan to 14 and Love to 15?
Very interested in seeing what the back row selection will be. I would expect Robertson to keep Sititi at 6 and Savea at 8 as they are both playing very well in those positions. So that would leave Lakai or Kirifi at 7 and I suspect Kirifi will get the nod to start as he has played very well against Munster and Georgia and game fit. Leave Finau on the bench to cover 6.
I'm not sure about that. I think the will like Kirifi's experience and thing him a sound selection to come straight it and do the jersey proud, but I'd actually back them to play Lakai.
I do think they'd want some security there though, so Kirifi could actually replace Finau on the bench, or even better, they could have both with a 6/2 split.
Don't think there's any way these coaches will throw Kirifi in the deep end on one week's prep. Maybe Italy. The ABs have finished the last 2 tests with Ardie at 7, Sititi at 8 and Finau at 6. It'd be a vote of no confidence in Finau to throw Lakai in there, but he has been with the squad for the whole tour.
Would be awesome to see Kirifi in there he is quality and would be great to see him given an opportunity
Id love to see Kirifi get a reward for being so consistantly good over many years. He's a class act and would not let anyone down.
Im hoping for Wallace 8, Ardie 7 and Finau 6 with Lakai off the bench.