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Shaun Stevenson promoted after further All Black injuries
By Ned Lester
Further injury concerns have come out of All Blacks camp ahead of their flight to Argentina, with Crusaders duo Will Jordan and Leicester Fainga’anuku set to remain in New Zealand.
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The two outside backs starred in the Super Rugby Pacific final last weekend, playing the full 80 minutes each.
Both players were likely starters for The Rugby Championship opener had they been healthy, but Newstalk ZB rugby commentator Elliott Smith is reporting that is not the case.
I’m hearing Will Jordan (precautionary) and Leicester Fainga’anuku (calf)won’t travel with the All Blacks to Mendoza. Shaun Stevenson and the Hurricanes’ Tevita Mafileo will travel with the side.
— Elliott Smith (@elliottnz) June 30, 2023
“I’m hearing Will Jordan (precautionary) and Leicester Fainga’anuku (calf) won’t travel with the All Blacks to Mendoza. Shaun Stevenson and the Hurricanes’ Tevita Mafileo will travel with the side.”
Mafileo was included in the squad due to the ongoing rehab of Fletcher Newell from a toe injury.
Stevenson’s inclusion only as injury cover drew criticism after a highly productive year as fullback for the Chiefs. Options remain on both the wing and at fullback but the injuries bring Stevenson closer to the fore in his search for an All Blacks debut.
Fainga’anuku’s calf injury was reported earlier in the week but Jordan’s concern is a more complex one to manage.
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The Crusaders’ fullback missed last year’s Northern Tour and much of this year’s Super Rugby Pacific season with an inner ear injury and migraine symptoms.
Ian Foster has since clarified that “Will has been going really well but in order to make sure he keeps tracking that way, we’ve decided to withdraw him from the long-haul trip to Argentina.
“This is more of a precautionary measure that we’ve put in place with the bigger picture of 2023 in mind.”
The injuries cast further confusion over the All Blacks’ outside backs selections after a quiet year from Beauden Barrett and the short-term injury to Mark Telea.
Start him at 15 against Argentina, they're apparently worried about his defence, if it proves to be an issue they can replace him with Beauden, McKenzie or shift Jordie.
Happy fgor Shaun as I think he has already done enough to warrant selection. Hope the two stayin behind continue to recover.
Specialists should start; with utility players coming in off the bench. No way should B. Barrett start at full back.
Play the Specialist 15 Shaun Stephenson, Foster. He has a point to prove and has the combination with Emoni Narawa; I think the 2 of them will run riot.
Chiefs fans should not get too excited, keeping Will Jordan at home is an excuse to start Beauden Barrett at fullback and Damian McKenzie on the bench to cover 10/15. Stevenson will be watching Caleb Clarke and Emoni Narawa running out at wing from the stands. Braydon Ennor or Dallas McLeod will be the midfield cover.
Wish the blokes on rest, all the best.
Really hoping that Shaun makes his way in to next weekend's 23
Really hope the broken players heal up well but also: WOOHOOO SHOOOTER!