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Ian Foster and Sam Cane retained as All Blacks name squad for Rugby Championship
By Alex McLeod
Ian Foster and Sam Cane have been retained as All Blacks coach and captain, respectively, for the Rugby Championship.
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The All Blacks confirmed on Friday that both individuals have kept their roles within the national set-up despite a historic home series defeat to Ireland last week, which was labelled as “not acceptable” by New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson.
Despite that, Foster and Cane have been kept in their respective positions, despite recent media reports that the latter was set to be axed as skipper of the national team.
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Instead, Cane will lead a 36-man All Blacks squad to South Africa for two tests against the Springboks next month.
All up, Foster has made only two changes to his squad that faced Ireland, dropping France-bound prop Karl Tu’inukuafe and debutant loose forward Pita Gus Sowakula in favour of Ethan de Groot and Shannon Frizell.
Three additional players – prop Tyrel Lomax, utility back Braydon Ennor and uncapped lock Josh Dickson – will travel with the side to South Africa as reserves.
Lomax, Ennor and Dickson are providing cover for the suspended Angus Ta’avao and injured duo Brodie Retallick and Jack Goodhue.
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Joe Moody, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ethan Blackadder and Josh Lord were all not considered due to injury, while Damian McKenzie was deemed ineligible after his sabbatical in Japan.
“We have taken on board the lessons from the Steinlager Series and are excited about looking forward to the next phase of our test season,” Foster said in a statement.
“The Rugby Championship plus the Bledisloe Cup remain our top priorities. This is a real chance to show what we are about as a team.”
No comment has yet been provided about the status of Foster’s assistant coaches, all of whom were reported to be in the firing line in the wake of series loss.
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The All Blacks will open their Rugby Championship campaign against the Springboks at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on August 6. Both sides will then square off again at Ellis Park in Johannesburg the following week.
All Blacks squad to play in Rugby Championship
Hookers
Dane Coles
Samisoni Taukei’aho
Codie Taylor
Props
Aidan Ross
George Bower
Nepo Laulala
Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Ethan de Groot
Angus Ta’avao
Locks
Scott Barrett
Brodie Retallick
Patrick Tuipulotu
Tupou Vaa’i
Samuel Whitelock
Loose Forwards
Sam Cane (c)
Shannon Frizell
Akira Ioane
Dalton Papalii
Ardie Savea
Hoskins Sotutu
Halfbacks
Finlay Christie
Folau Fakatava
Aaron Smith
First five–eighths
Beauden Barrett
Richie Mo’unga
Stephen Perofeta
Midfielders
Jack Goodhue
David Havili
Rieko Ioane
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Quinn Tupaea
Outside backs
Jordie Barrett
Caleb Clarke
Leicester Fainga’anuku
Will Jordan
Sevu Reece
Replacement players travelling to South Africa:
Josh Dickson
Braydon Ennor
Tyrel Lomax
Q) How many All Black coaches does it take to change a lightbulb?
A) They don’t change anything.
Soooooo - absolutely no change at all then. That should fix things up.
Looking forward to see how they can turn it around in South Africa
No wonder Joe Schmidt's not travelling to South Africa - he wants to keep his distance!
Not surprised about Sam Cane's retention as captain. How can Foster sack Cane without splattering egg all over his own face? South Africa is last ditch for both of them.
Oh dear, pretty much as expected however
All the All Blacks needed to beat Ireland was Ethan De Groot? Who knew it was so simple
Whitewash!