Super Rugby Pacific: Hurricanes' season over, Brumbies head to semi-finals
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AAP / Photosport
Who will come out on top in the battle of the capitals? The Canes got the job done the last time they were in Canberra, kick-off is at 9:35pm NZT.
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- RNZ News
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NZ Herald
4 hours ago
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Editorial: All Blacks' reliance on Barrett grows as World Cup nears
He has returned to the starring role and sits atop the billing sheet. After the departure of Richie Mo'unga at the end of the last World Cup, many had pondered if Damian McKenzie would assume the mantle of being the playmaker in the number 10 jersey. Some had hoped he would become the player to guide the All Blacks through to the next World Cup in Australia during 2027. However, despite McKenzie's obvious brilliance at the Super Rugby level it simply hasn't translated to the test arena - not with any consistency. And this is what will cause coach Scott Robertson and his staff to sleep uneasy. Barrett is now 34. He will be 36 at the start of the next World Cup campaign. By that time, he will also likely be the All Blacks' most capped player. The back-to-back World Rugby Player of the Year currently sits on 137 games, quickly closing in on Sam Whitelock's record 153 appearances. Simply, Barrett has played a lot of rugby, and a lot of high-stress rugby. By the time the next World Cup starts he may be close to having played 170 tests. He will sit out tonight's third test against France in Hamilton due to a hand injury, which seems more like a precaution than anything. It is a testament to his preparation and dedication that he has - touch wood - avoided a serious injury that could have curtailed or slowed his career. He appears to still have the explosiveness we famously saw during the 2015 World Cup final. McKenzie, at 30 years old and 63 tests into his career, has shown us what he can offer. The evidence suggests the Chiefs playmaker is best suited to an impact player off the bench and lacks the tactical and kicking game needed for a true field general. Perhaps Razor sees Richie Mo'unga returning into the fold, a move often speculated about. A Herald online poll asked its readers who should be the long-term selection in the ABs' No 10 jersey? Some 3479 of you voted, with 60% wanting Barrett, 18% in favour of Mo'unga and just 9% in McKenzie's camp. Ruben Love garnered 18% but he is yet to show us what he can do at test level. Barrett is clearly the best option for the team now and with a concerning lack of depth at the position he appears to be options one, two and three for a big test match. He needs to be managed, the first sign of which we are seeing tonight as Razor rings in several changes to his team. Father time being what it is - undefeated - we should not assume Barrett will be performing at the current heights as he approaches his late 30s. England's Jonny Wilkinson was 32 at the 2011 World Cup, Dan Carter was 33 in 2015. Both had a history of injuries but were noticeably younger than what Barrett will be in 2027. The All Blacks will be hoping their flyhalf can replicate what Ireland's Johnny Sexton achieved, who was 38 at the 2023 edition of the tournament. But hope is not a plan. Sign up to the Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

RNZ News
5 hours ago
- RNZ News
Patience pays off for recalled All Black George Bower
George Bower. Photo: PhotoSport / Martin Hunter All Blacks v France Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 19 July FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton Live blog updates on RNZ It's been three years since George Bower last played for the All Blacks and he concedes there were times he thought he may never make it back to the national side. The prop initially missed out on selection in the All Blacks squad to play France, but was called in after his Crusaders teammate Tamaiti Williams was ruled out of the three match series with injury. Bower is on the bench for Saturday's third and final test in Hamilton and is likely to get on the field for his 23rd test. "I'm very excited. It's my first time in 2025 pulling on the black jersey, but also my first time in a long time," Bower said. "My last test was in 2022 against England over there. It's been three years of grind and hard work to get back into the team. I'm super grateful to be back here and hopefully getting an opportunity on Saturday." George Bower last played for the All Blacks in 2022. Photo: Christiaan Kotze / Bower describes himself as an optimist, but he concedes he had the odd negative thought about his prospects of earning an All Blacks recall. "Every now and then, like everyone else, it does creep in," Bower said. "Every time you're in this environment, you're never certain when you're going to wear the jersey again. So I cherish that (being in the All Blacks) a lot more now. I'm definitely going to cherish that moment if I do get that opportunity to play. "Those moments (of doubt) did creep in, but it was important just to keep ticking away, to keep having faith and trust in my skills and strengths." Bower did entertain going offshore, but said his desire to play for the All Blacks again kept him in Aotearoa. "There was always a focus for me to try and get back into the squad," he said. "There was opportunities where I could've gone overseas, but there was a stronger pull here in New Zealand to stay home and contribute what I can here in New Zealand rugby." Bower's next ambition is to be named in the All Blacks Rugby Championship squad. The annual four-nation tournament kicks off on 17 August, with New Zealand's opening match in Argentina. "That is another goal, to get named in that next squad. First things first I've got to put on that jersey and do what I can to help the team perform. Then the rest will take care of itself." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.