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Another All Black re-signs for 2023 World Cup

Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

Blues and All Blacks tighthead prop Nepo Laulala has signed on the dotted line with New Zealand Rugby for the 2023 season.

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The move confirms Laulala’s intent to be a part of the All Blacks roster for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

Exactly where Laulala sits in the All Black tighthead pecking order is a question that The Rugby Championship left unanswered.

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Laulala missed all but the final test of the tournament due to injury after starting in game one of the Ireland series in July.

In his absence, young props Tyrel Lomax and Fletcher Newell have found strong international form and will make competition for playing time fierce should all three make the Northern tour squad, set to be announced Sunday.

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The 30 year old Laulala has 42 tests under his belt as an All Black and is just one game away from bringing up 100 Super Rugby caps, having played for the Crusaders, Chiefs and Blues.

Laulala started in the All Blacks semi-final loss to England at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

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“Nepo’s been an important part of our squad since he returned home to the Auckland region with his family last year and he’s an invaluable part of our tight-five group,” Blues coach Leon MacDonald said.

“He’s a quiet family man with strong values but is also a strong contributor to our team discussions – we are pleased to have him back with us for 2023.”

New Zealand Rugby general Manager Professional Rugby and Performance Chris Lendrum also expressed excitement about Laulala’s decision.

“Nepo’s built up a wealth of experience in a key position, including 42 Tests for the All Blacks while continuing to perform at a high level in the Bunnings NPC and in Super Rugby Pacific, something he has done consistently for the past decade.

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“He’s played a key role for the Blues over the past two seasons and I’m sure he will continue to do so in 2023.”

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EllenMoody 4 hours ago
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JWH 5 hours ago
'Matches between Les Bleus and the All Blacks are rarely for the faint-hearted.'

Do you hear yourself? Do you have any concept of world view? Have you tried looking into why people call Ireland ‘arrogant’? Obviously not.


We started calling you arrogant when you called our captain a ‘shit Richie McCaw’. In New Zealand. On our turf. Don’t think that kind of behaviour really calls for respect, does it.


NZ don’t really talk ourselves up, if anything the rugby does it for us. No kiwi goes in the media and says: ‘We are gonna win the RWC’. However, I have found many instance of IRISH media saying that the Irish should win, without a doubt. THAT is disrespectful.


The All Blacks have played good rugby, even some of the best rugby ever, at many points in history, but I don’t think you could find a single instance of one of those players, or the NZ media, saying that they should whitewash their opponents. Ever.


Now, onto your analysis. Ireland DID choke the QF. They beat the champions, they were ranked first coming into it, a lot of players at the peaks of their powers. Its hard to say that they didn’t choke. Obviously, their preparation was just not as good as NZ, and thats all there really is to it.


If Ireland had repsected that ABs team and that QF more, maybe they would’ve prepared properly for it and won. But they didn’t.


Maybe if Ireland had won their QF last RWC, they wouldn’t have to be in the same pool as SA and Scotland. I mean, its called a draw for a reason. NZ got third last RWC, so of course they should get a reasonable pool, and they were ranked pretty highly too. If you want to talk about easy pools, look no further than Pool 3 with England, Australia, Fiji, and Georgia I think?


Now, obviously you don’t remember how that QF ended, so I’ll go ahead and rectify that. Ireland reclaimed the ball off kickoff and marched for 20ish phases into the opposition half. Savea then won a turnover, but the referee refused to give it, so play went on. Finally, at the NZ 22, after not giving up a single penatly in 25 phases of hard defense, Sam Whitelock, the most capped All Black of all time, wins the game with an incredible steal.


Now, NZ players having a go at Ireland. Do you cry when you get hit after making the first swing? We all know Sexton is a prick on the field, its just the truth. And Ioane never backs down from a clash, so he thought he should humble a player who has never won an international knockout game who thought he was all that. Don’t really see the issue, its poetic justice really.

83 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ 'Matches between Les Bleus and the All Blacks are rarely for the faint-hearted.' 'Matches between Les Bleus and the All Blacks are rarely for the faint-hearted.'
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