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Third straight start for Holland
Third straight start for Holland

Otago Daily Times

time16 hours ago

  • Sport
  • Otago Daily Times

Third straight start for Holland

Highlander Fabian Holland has earned his third start for the All Blacks' final test against France alongside Ethan de Groot, while Timoci Tavatavanawai has again been named on the bench. Seven players in the 23 have been named for the first time this season, and one player is set to debut on Saturday in Hamilton when the New Zealanders aim to close out the Lipovitan-D July Series with a third win. Hooker Brodie McAlister will become the sixth debutant if he comes off the bench to replace starting hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho. Prop Tyrel Lomax, loose forward Luke Jacobson and backs Anton Lienert-Brown and Sevu Reece have returned from injury to take a spot in the starting line-up, while Ruben Love will earn his second All Blacks cap playing at fullback. In the reserves, prop George Bower, loose forward Dalton Papali'i and halfback Noah Hotham will all pull on the black jersey for the first time in 2025. In a statement, head coach Scott Robertson said there was a healthy edge in the camp this week, knowing the French will throw everything at this final game of the series. 'There is high motivation and focus to perform in Hamilton this week. We are prepared for a determined and spirited French side, and excited to play in front of a passionate sold-out crowd. 'We are thrilled to welcome Tyrel, Luke, Anton and Sevu back from injury and, with 185 caps between them, we know that they will be ready to perform at the highest level. "It is also exciting to have Brodie debuting, as well as Ruben, Noah and Timoci adding to their single All Blacks cap. These men have earned their place in the team, have trained extremely hard over the last three weeks, and will take their opportunity on Saturday night.' All Blacks v FranceFMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton Saturday, 7.05pm Team All Blacks: (Test caps in brackets; * denotes debutant) 1. Ethan de Groot (31), 2. Samisoni Taukei'aho (32), 3. Tyrel Lomax (44), 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (54) (Vice-Captain), 5. Fabian Holland (2), 6. Samipeni Finau (10), 7. Ardie Savea (96) (Captain), 8. Luke Jacobson (24), 9. Cortez Ratima (13), 10. Damian McKenzie (63), 11. Rieko Ioane (83), 12. Quinn Tupaea (15), 13. Anton Lienert-Brown (84), 14. Sevu Reece (33), 15. Ruben Love (1) Reserves: 16. Brodie McAlister *, 17. George Bower (22), 18. Fletcher Newell (25), 19. Dalton Papali'i (36), 20. Du'Plessis Kirifi (2), 21. Noah Hotham (1) 22. Timoci Tavatavanawai (1) 23. Will Jordan (43) Unavailable due to injury: Tamaiti Williams (knee); Wallace Sititi (ankle); Scott Barrett (calf); Caleb Clarke (ankle); Tupou Vaa'i (concussion); Beauden Barrett (hand) - APL

'Chomping at the bit' — All Blacks now face selection balancing act
'Chomping at the bit' — All Blacks now face selection balancing act

1News

time4 days ago

  • Sport
  • 1News

'Chomping at the bit' — All Blacks now face selection balancing act

After seeing their team perform closer to their potential in the comprehensive win over France in the second Test, the All Blacks' coaches this week face a balancing act of maintaining improving cohesion while giving other players opportunities. It could be tempting to go for wholesale changes – much as France coach Fabian Galthie did to his team in Wellington, to their detriment, in the short term at least, after the visitors pushed the All Blacks all the way in the first Test. Tupou Vaa'i, the converted lock who has thrived in the relatively unfamiliar position of blindside flanker, is almost certainly out of next Saturday's Test at Waikato Stadium after failing a head injury assessment, but was probably due a break anyway, with Samipeni Finau likely to replace him. Indeed, Finau and his Chiefs teammates may be the big selection winners on their home turf for the third and final Test. If Scott Robertson and company want to freshen up their front row, hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho and Ollie Norris, the latter making his Test debut off the bench in Dunedin and entered last night's game at the Cake Tin as an impact player, will be in the frame. ADVERTISEMENT So will loose forward Luke Jacobson, back after a head injury of his own suffered during the Super Rugby Pacific final, and midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown, who has had the last couple of months off due to a broken collarbone. Another Chiefs player, Emoni Narawa, is likely to retain his place on the right wing after performing well there as a late replacement during the week following Caleb Clarke's ankle sprain in training, and local favourites Cortez Ratima and Damian McKenzie may form the starting inside back combination. Timoci Tavatavanawai celebrates the All Blacks' win with the Dave Gallaher Trophy. (Source: Photosport) Chiefs hooker Brodie McAlister, not required for the first two Tests, will probably make his debut off the bench should the selectors elect to rest Codie Taylor, which is likely. 'We've got a few guys chomping at the bit to get an opportunity and have been helping set the XV up really well for the last couple of weeks,' assistant coach Jason Holland said as the team prepared to fly out of Wellington this morning. 'There's some high energy from some boys dying to have a crack. 'The general mindset was for everybody to get a taste of Test footy over the three games. There's nothing that's changed there.' ADVERTISEMENT Of last night's performance, Holland said: 'We still felt that in the last 20 minutes we could have finished better than we did and really put them away.' But that did not mean there would be any lessening of expectations should the selectors ring the changes for what is a dead rubber – albeit one they are obviously determined to win for a series sweep. 'There will be no lack of motivation to keep getting better and I'm sure the lads will add when they get the opportunity,' he said. The All Blacks' outside backs stocks, already low, have not been helped by Sevu Reece's head injury and Clarke's ankle problem. Depending on whether Reece comes right this week, Rieko Ioane could start again on the left wing, with Ruben Love a possibility to replace Will Jordan at fullback. Holland confirmed the coaches primarily see Love as a fullback who can play first-five, with Jordan, who scored his 41st try in 43 Tests last night, probably due for a rest as is, potentially, Jordie Barrett, who has returned from his sabbatical in Ireland without missing a beat. Scott Barrett's season-ending calf tear means Ardie Savea will likely captain the team again, and in Jacobson and lock Patrick Tuipulotu, who both lead their Super Rugby teams, there is enough leadership there without the need to play vice-captain Jordie again. Back-up halfback Noah Hotham is a good chance to win a place on the bench, should the selectors elect to rest Cam Roigard, which is also likely. It is likely, too, that Timoci Tavatavanawai, who enjoyed an emotional Test debut off the bench at the Cake Tin, will play some role next Saturday, either as a starter or an impact player, as the All Blacks continue to refine the power game they will hope troubles South Africa over two Tests in September.

'Surreal': Highlander's All Black dream comes true
'Surreal': Highlander's All Black dream comes true

Otago Daily Times

time5 days ago

  • Sport
  • Otago Daily Times

'Surreal': Highlander's All Black dream comes true

By Joe Porter of RNZ Timoci Tavatavanawai knows his dad would be incredibly proud. The Fiji-born Highlanders midfielder came off the bench in the All Blacks' 43-17 win over France in the second test in Wellington to earn his first cap. "It feels good. I'm still pinching myself. To run on the field, sing the national anthem and do the haka for first time for this country is special," Tavatavanawai said. Tavatavanawai was visibly emotional during the national anthem and the 27-year-old said it was an expression of joy at having achieved one of his life ambitions. "It was always a goal of mine to play rugby for New Zealand, for the All Blacks," Tavatanawai said. "It was my goal and my dad's goal too. I just couldn't hold back [the tears], looking up at the sky to him where he's watching over me as I made the dream come true." Tavatavanawai, who has nine siblings, moved to New Zealand in 2017 to chase that dream. Sadly, his father died in 2022, before he had the chance to return to Fiji to visit him. He could not attend the funeral due to border restrictions at the time. "He'll be smiling at the moment. His shoulders will be up and he'll be going around telling people up there that we made it," he said. New Zealand Rugby organised for Tavatavanawai's mum to fly to New Zealand for his debut. "They flew over yesterday [Friday] morning. A few people behind the scenes, the management staff, pulled some strings and made some calls and made it happen for her and two of my younger siblings to come over and watch." He said was an emotional moment when he saw his mum and brothers. "I picked them up at the airport and for my younger siblings, it was their first time in New Zealand and first time on the plane. That's why it was extra special today. "Mum said to me, just go out there and be yourself." Tavatavanawai did just that and coach Scott Robertson said he impressed on debut. "He's a man of few words but when he spoke about himself and his nine siblings and his family, it's a pretty incredible story and he was pretty clear on what he wanted to do [become an All Black] and for him to share it with his family is pretty special," Robertson said. "He still wanted to perform. He took those opportunities when he was out there. His story to get here is pretty special." Tavatavanawai said test rugby lived up to all the hype. "Way bigger than I expected from the start. To get a feeling and a taste of test footy [was amazing]. It's surreal."

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