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Ex-All Blacks share concerns over young forward pack

Kieran Read is one of many All Blacks labelled as "cheats" by a former Irish international. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Members of the 2011 World Cup winning All Blacks‘ side Stephen Donald, Kieran Read and Israel Dagg have all expressed their concerns for the All Blacks starting forward pack in the second Bledisloe test.

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A number of potential issues were discussed on SENZ radio, including experience, personnel and the line-out.

However, the flip side of every All Blacks coin is opportunity and there’s plenty of that going for the younger forwards this weekend, with starting spots moving forward still not “solidified” according to Read.

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Stephen Donald’s primary concern was how the set piece would function with a younger pack.

“The Australian line-out will, I think, function better,” Donald said. “It will open up more options to them.

“They will be able to get more back ball if they want it, if that’s of interest … so that becomes a lot more of an option for them.”

Australia last week showed the attacking prowess of their forwards, with Pete Samu and Rob Valentini making dangerous runs with ball in hand and the former linking with in form winger Marika Koroibete for a try down the left hand sideline.

Prior to the first Bledisloe test, pundits were anticipating the Wallabies roaming wingers to play more of a role in the Australians’ attack, however both Koroibete and Tom Wright saw limited opportunities, something the Wallabies may be able to change with a stronger set piece.

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Read had a more broad view on the selections, but emphasised a lack of in-form players.

“It’s an interesting one actually, looking back, I don’t think it looks as good as what it was last week,” Read said.

“In saying that, I think there’s opportunities for guys (because) we’re just seeing in the All Blacks’ game at the moment … no one’s really solidified their spot, except for maybe Scott Barrett who’s not playing this week.”

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One player who fans have been calling for to get more minutes is Dalton Papali’i, who will start in his preferred position of open side flanker in the absence of captain Sam Cane.

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Israel Dagg was one of many singing the Aucklander’s praises during the Super Rugby season but acknowledged it’s difficult to maintain top form when you’re not on the field.

“He hasn’t had any continuity with his game time so he’s struggling to find his biggest impact,” Dagg said.

“Now he’s got that time to go out there … but our breakdown, we haven’t had anyone over the ball that’s a genuine jackler.

“That’s what we were hoping to see from Ardie if he was going to play at seven, we know how good he is over the ball.

“Dalton’s good; he’s good over the ball, but he needs to have a huge (impact).

“Akira has to have a big game too,” Dagg continued.

“After Frizell (was) injured, we are still trying to find that number six that’s going to take us forward and get the job done.

“So, this is an opportunity for Akira to really go out there and stamp his mark on this team.”

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2 Comments
N
Ngutho 789 days ago

This All Blacks side is not the Mighty All Blacks we knew.

D
David 790 days ago

i have to agee with them sure foster had to make some changes but players are not in the right positions

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JW 2 hours ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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