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‘We are confident’: All Blacks coach Ian Foster explains Blackadder selection
By Finn Morton
The All Blacks revealed their replacement for injured wing Emoni Narawa on Saturday, with backrower Ethan Blackadder expected to arrive in France early next week.
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Coach Ian Foster told reporters this week that he’d been “excited” about Narawa’s steady return to full fitness after missing almost the entire Rugby Championship campaign with a back injury.
But Narawa was struck down by a cruel injury blow during a training session in Lyon on Monday, with scans confirming a disc issue that ended the wingers tournament.
Blackadder, 28, hasn’t worn the black jersey since 2021, but a majority of All Blacks fans appear thrilled with the decision to call up the Tasman Mako flanker.
With captain Sam Cane missing Friday night’s World Cup opener with a back injury, coach Ian Foster explained that Blackadder has “come in to reinforce the loose forward stock.”
“We’ve called Ethan in, he should be here Monday afternoon. That is a replacement for Emoni,” Foster said on Saturday.
“I guess with Sam Cane and his back popping out the last couple of days, Ethan’s come in to reinforce the loose forward stock.”
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New Zealand is in the midst of an injury crisis, and the tournament has only just begun. The likes of Jordie Barrett, Tyrel Lomax and Shannon Frizell missed the opener through injury.
Skipper Cane was publicly ruled out just before the Test after picking up a back injury during the captain’s run. Foster said the skipper had sustained the blow while lifting a teammate at training.
“We are erring on the side of coverage with the six, seven types area, particularly with Sam’s back,” Foster added.
“Even though we are confident that is not long term, having Ethan in just gives us a little bit of extra protection in that space.
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“We are just doing our medical stuff now but (Sam Cane) is certainly better than what he was yesterday which is great, and he was better yesterday than he was on Friday. So like I said, I don’t anticipate this being a long-term thing.
“Whether he’ll be right for Namibia I couldn’t tell you at the moment, but the medics don’t seem overly concerned by it at the moment.”
Maybe the All Blacks should be tested on the current rules. The average is usually 1 or 2 players get over 50% out of 20 First Grade players. . . .
Anyone have Jerome Kainos ph #?
Our forwards are too small at present compared to SA France and Ireland, been saying this since 2019 but we have under developed our forwards, we have no one coming thru, our U20 side was 7th this year, we have poor discipline and as mentioned another series of firsts with highest losing score in WC as well as first ever lossin pool play to go with the SA game 2 weeks ago and and all of fosters firsts leading up to the WC. We dont have the cattle up front, we are penalised because of the pressure against our forwards, we struggle to get ball and when we do finally its kicked away more than required, as Fans we have been on about this since 2017 Lions who exposed us then England as WC. WE have a bad tendancy at present to lose second half in most games now, Foster said in press , we have 7 players that were involved in 2015 WC, there lies the problem, as a fan Foster has eroded in 4 years a 100 yr Legacy..its hard to take and he still is using failed tactics from years ago..frustrating
The Boks are heavy favourites and have a vast number of the 2019 squad
I want to know who got the $300k bribe for accepting ALTRAD as our Front of Shirt Sponsor? Any ideas?
Anyway, "Back in the land of nod" Ian, John and Sam are planning their next move "In the game of "How to become the very worst team in All Black History".
Ian and John have said, "We are nearly there Sam, just be patient"
Sam has a couple of really good ideas. He just can't remember them right now.
" Sort of like Game plans really guys, I get "confused" A couple of days off and I'll be fine"
Wonder where's that Pecos bloke who said ABs will kick France arses. NZ''s "cute Pacifica Barbie doll basketball rugby" seemingly does not prepare you for test rugby. SA was the course that NZ won their last 2 WCs because they got use to being tested amongst the forwards in Superugby when SA was participating. Look at the shambles now playing with plastic forwards. Excuses this week for ill discipline by Wilson The Breakdown will be words like "he showed no intent" or "the refs interpretation" or " pedantic refereeing".
This NZ team looks confuse on the field. Maybe it's the over the top hairstyles, tattoos and fancy boots- new culture of NZ rugby
Don't speak too soon mate, it was a meaningless contest and if Ireland finishes top they will have to meet the Allblacks with two days less recovery and the inevitable injuries making inroads into their super shallow player talent pool.
As it is Ireland's dependent on their halfback and second five from New Zealand to piggyback their ancient Sexton around the pitch.
Did I forget to mention the Allblacks now find themselves on the side of the draw where they get an extra days recovery after winning their semi?
What has led to this situation?
More Foster "achievements" - selecting unfit players and selecting an unbalanced squad.
Agreed, Chester. They can't have liked what they saw of Finau, so instead of a genuine option for Frizzell at 6, we've got Blackadder, another short, lightweight loosie, like Cane, Savea, Papail'i and Jacobson, who are all by stature 7s at international level, none of whom are a genuine 3rd options at line out. They must play Barrett at 6 if Frizzell's not fit - they've left themselves no other option.
The loose forward mix is admittedly a self imposed dogs breakfast, Cane should be on the plane home with another outside back. Savea shifted to 7 to fix the only concern from the French game which is turnover ball. Dalton should be at number eight and Frizzell back with a couple of rounds to go. Bring in another lock that's abrasive like Ah Kuoi. Finepau needs more game time to prove he's good enough and the RWC isn't the place.
Why exclude Finau? He’s been fit all year. Foster seems to have an inability to connect with fit, in form players and bring the best out of them. They keep carrying players who’ve been injured for some time and bring in others that have a history of regular re-injury.
He's green, the plan is to win RWC not do an Eddie Jones
Fozzy is confident but I think its clear we are going out early. The only slim chance is to get our top team out in the QF (assuming we make it there) and the forwards turn up. But injuries have exposed we lack depth in the forwards so unless we get the first 8 out there we are out for sure and probably anyway. France played very well no disrespect to them.
France overrated clearly. Yesterday ill discipline all blacks give the victory to France.
With Razor yesterday, I guarantee you that all blacks smash them !
"We are confident " said the worst coach in the history. For sure, we are confident that you Will be out in 1/4 clearly.
This shit guy is out of his depth and he lives on other planet.
Fast clean out.
I cant wait To see razor coach of the ABS to rebuild the ABS machine and the all blacks aura.
I think you are being very kind and diplomatic to the darling Fozmeister.
Another ‘ the worst ever’notch in the dumpling boys belt.