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NZ Herald
6 days ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
All Blacks player ratings: How they rated in second test win over France
13 - Billy Proctor - 7 Another go at centre and a much stronger showing at both ends of the field. Won a big defensive turnover. Had eight carries in the first half but did look a bit gassed near the break. Big tackle led to a turnover in second half. Finished with second most carries (12). 12 - Jordie Barrett - 7 Saved two tries, one in first half with cover defence out wide and also held up a try. How many times has he done that now in tests? Forced a pass that wasn't needed hot on attack, but that was the same tackle that saw him dumped on his head leading to a yellow for France. Off load to Proctor almost led to try. Showed his versatility again as happy to slot in at 10 with his brother in the bin. 11 - Rieko Ioane - 7 Good chase pressure all night. A slick pass to Holland in the lead up to the Vaa'i try. Solid defence including an intercept which denied French try. Much better attacking effort in second half, finished with 10 carries total, including a line break and a decent finish to score in the corner. 10 - Beauden Barrett - 6 Not great night with the boot. One out on the full and a few chasing kicks too long. Did produce a crafty chip for Ardie which turned the French around. A harsh yellow card. One fumble under high ball which led to a penalty. Put Jordan in for try but rarely got the chance to run in a kick-heavy test. 9 - Cam Roigard - 8 A strong boot all game especially from deep own end and from kickoff exits. Finished off the trick play for opening try. Finished with 56 running metes, a solid chunk from the try run. He even won a lineout. Superb outing. 8 - Christian Lio-Willie - 7 Won a ruck penalty which we haven't seen enough of from the back three so far. Had nine carries but was off after 54 minutes for Kirifi. 7 - Ardie Savea - 9 A monster effort for the full 80. The best on the field. Had an early knock on after a lineout steal. Assist in the Roigard try. Well sold. Scored the second try from lineout - all on his own. Strong run out wide in lead up to third try. 6 - Tupou Vaa'i - 7 Need to see more at six as he has impressed so far. Was leading All Blacks tackler with 13 when he left the field. Had a charge down early on and finished a great team try. Replaced after accidental head knock in second half. 5 - Fabian Holland - 7 Another superb outing. Was busy on defence early and got a lineout steal. Put under pressure at kickoff time but mostly did a good job. Seven carries in the first half including assist for Vaa'i try. Finished with 16 tackles, most for the All Blacks. 4 - Patrick Tuipulotu - 7 A welcomed return to test rugby. Was a safe option at lineout and had a steal in the first half. Made an impact with ball in hand, seven carries in the first half. Replaced after 60 minutes. 3 - Fletcher Newell - 7 Made eight tackles in first half and finished with 10. Scrum went from strength to strength. Replaced after 50 minutes 2 - Codie Taylor - 8 Vintage Taylor. Forced early knockout with France on attack. Was near perfect at lineout time, one lost deep in French half. Crafty with the close throw to Holland before Savea's try and scored himself from lineout drive. Even had a lineout steal. Replaced after 54 minutes. 1 - Ethan de Groot - 6 Put under pressure at first scrum but improved as match went on. Lost ball in contact inside French half but called back for high shot. Not a massive tackle count. Reserves Samisoni Taukei'aho - 4 Ollie Norris - 5 Pasilio Tosi - 5 Samipeni Finau -5 Du'Plessis Kirifi -4 Cortez Ratima -4 Timoci Tavatavanawai -6 Damian McKenzie - 5
RNZ News
03-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
All Blacks naming: Holland to start, Proctor gets nod at centre, loose forward reshuffle
Du'Plessis Kirifi. Photo: Brett Phibbs / All Blacks v France Kick-off: 7:05pm, Saturday 5 July Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin Live blog updates on RNZ Sport Four players are set to make their All Blacks debut in Dunedin against France this Saturday. Lock Fabian Holland and loose forward Christian Lio-Willie are named in the starting side, while prop Ollie Norris and loose forward Du'Plessis Kirifi will prepare to debut off the bench. Other than the new caps, the main talking point is the selection of Beauden Barrett at first five and Billy Proctor at centre. It feels like a flip of a coin selection for Barrett over Damian McKenzie, after both men put up strong cases at the business end of Super Rugby Pacific. However, Proctor has earned his way into the 13 jersey, although it hasn't come at the expense of Rieko Ioane. The Blues veteran moves back out to the wing in a surprise selection, replacing team mate Caleb Clarke. In another surprise, Tupou Vaa'i starts at blindside - his first time at test level in that position since the World Cup. Fletcher Newell comes in for a start at tighthead and Quinn Tupaea will complete his long jerney back to the All Blacks via the bench. Billy Proctor. Photo: Brett Phibbs / "Facing France is always special; they bring intensity, flair, and physicality. As a group we have had a fantastic ten days together, preparing for the three-test series ahead of us. We are ready for the challenge and what better place to kick it off than under the roof in Dunedin, in front of a packed home crowd," Robertson said . All Blacks: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Tupou Vaa'i, 7. . Ardie Savea, 8, Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Cameron Roigard, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Sevu Reece, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Rieko Ioane, 15. Will Jordan Bench: Taukei'aho, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Samipeni Finau, 20. Du'Plessis Kirifi, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Quinn Tupaea, 23. Damian McKenzie Unavailable due to injury: Tamaiti Williams (knee); Tyrel Lomax (calf); Wallace Sititi (ankle); Luke Jacobson (concussion); Anton Lienert-Brown (collarbone)
NZ Herald
01-07-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
All Blacks coach Robertson to test new talent in French series
A few new faces were given a bit of game time here and there, but it never seemed there was a concerted or committed attempt to find a third halfback and third first five-eighths, develop the options in midfield or cast the net wider than just Wallace Sititi in the hope of landing a big catch at loose forward. And nowhere was that reticence to be a little bolder, or experimental even, more sharply realised than the final test of the year, when the selectors opted to throw the kitchen sink at an Italian team that really were nowhere near the calibre Robertson was trying to suggest they were. In a commercially driven world where the All Blacks rarely get served up a gimme, this was a missed opportunity on a similar scale to those publishers who said to JK Rowling that they didn't think kids would go for her world of wizards, Quidditch and magical boarding schools Robertson spent much of the week leading into that test talking about his desire to build the depth of his squad and yet instead of taking the chance to learn a bit more about the likes of Josh Lord, Peter Lakai, Stephen Perofeta and Ruben Love, it was all the same, highly familiar names asked to go round for one more time and play a fourth test in succession. Its clear now, that having had months to review the 2024 season and reconsider what he may have done differently, Robertson is of the view he needs to accelerate his 4-4-4 project – his plan to take four years, to win a fourth World Cup with four options in each position. Or at least he needs to better align his selections with the strategy, and that for all that he has said the appropriately respectful things about the underpowered French team that has turned up in New Zealand, he knows the weakness of the visitors has handed him a not to be missed opportunity to get a few answers to a few questions. Billy Proctor could get a call up for the opening test against France. Photo / Photosport If he wants depth, he has to give players a chance to play and Project 4-4-4 can't be abstract and theoretical. It has to be a practically managed concept where throughout this year, Robertson reads when to weight his selections more heavily towards the experienced core, and when to dabble in a bit of fact-finding and experimentation. The French, as something of an unknown quantity, are likely to provide three tests in which Robertson will feel he has a hitherto ungranted degree of latitude to mix-and-match: to sprinkle some new faces into the team each week without making change on a scale that could be considered dramatic and potentially dangerous to landing the victories. In the first stage of this mission to properly ignite Project 4-4-4, it would be no surprise to see Billy Proctor start at centre in Dunedin, with Rieko Ioane on the left wing to answer the question of whether the former can deliver the sort of calm and accurate distribution and the latter the power running and sharp finishing the All Blacks' attack needs. There may also be a desire to get Timoci Tavatavanawai into action this Saturday – possibly starting him on the right wing – but more likely off the bench where he can be injected into the midfield. He's got power and an extraordinary gift for stealing turnovers, but there will be some interest in using the July tests to determine whether he has the top end pace to be effective at this higher level. In the forwards, it is apparent Robertson has been keen on the Fabian Holland for some time and that the interest has only intensified since the big lock impressed as training cover late last year and then delivered an impressive Super Rugby campaign this year. Potentially Holland could start alongside captain Scott Barrett as Tupou Vai'i clocked up a lot of Super Rugby minutes and will have a big role to play throughout the season, but regardless of which way around they take the field, the man born in the Netherlands is most likely going to make his debut in Dunedin. Injury to Tamaiti Williams has presumably elevated the uncapped Ollie Norris to a bench spot, and in the back row, both Christian Leo-Willie and Du Plessis Kirifi look set to feature because Sititi has been forced to have surgery and Luke Jacobson has been ruled out. Possible All Blacks team 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Tupou Vai'i, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Kirifi Du Plessis, 8. Ardie Savea 9. Cameron Roigard; 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Will Jordan. 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Ollie Norris, 18. Fletcher Newell; 19. Fabian Holland, 20. Christian Leo-Willie, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Damian McKenzie, 23. Timoci Tavatavanawai. Gregor Paul is one of New Zealand's most respected rugby writers and columnists. He has won multiple awards for journalism and written several books about sport. For live commentary of this weekend's All Blacks v France test, go to GOLD SPORT or iHeartRadio.
RNZ News
18-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
All Blacks watch: Jamie Wall and Joe Porter's main talking points
Codie Taylor leads an All Blacks haka against England. Photo: photosport All Black squad naming Midday, Monday 18 June Coastal Rugby Club, Taranaki Live blog updates on RNZ We're only days away from NZ Rugby chairperson David Kirk takes to the podium to announce this year's first All Black squad. RNZ's Joe Porter and Jamie Wall will be at Coastal, the home club of the Barrett family, for the naming and weigh up the main issues here ahead of the big day. Extras The biggest surprise last season was when we were introduced to Scott Robertson's first squad, only to watch Sam Cane, Josh Lord and Peter Lakai file in with them. None of them had initially been named, but it didn't matter as from that point onward they all were part of the All Blacks' campaign - particularly Cane , who went on to achieve the milestone of 100 tests. So does this happen again this season? There are a number of positions that will require more than the usual amount of depth, so maybe we'll have to wait till the squad's assembly to actually find out the true depth. Midfield mix We've seen a lot of compelling cases from the country's midfielders, arguably mostly from Billy Proctor, to shake up the combination this year. It's likely that Jordie Barrett will go straight back in, but with France sending a low-strength side there will be room for some experimentation. Billy Proctor. Photo: Abe Arredondo/Photosport Proctor is gunning for Rieko Ioane's spot, but then there's also Quinn Tupaea's excellent form to consider too. Braydon Ennor has been starting every game for the Crusaders, but the big one is around Timoci Tavatavanawai and what he can potentially bring as a wrecking ball who can also shift to the wing if possible. Loose forward puzzle Most would agree that Du'Plessis Kirifi deserves his shot at test level. However, if you consider Ardie Savea and Wallace Sititi are guaranteed starters at number eight and blindside, it leaves the All Blacks with a comparatively diminutive back row and therefore less lineout options. Does that open the door for Luke Jacobson? Or will Ethan Blackadder's big work rate see him get the nod? The race for the 10 jersey We're really no wiser as to who will start at first five after two elite performances over the play-offs by Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie. But while one will obviously start, another big question is what role the other will play. Will Jordan is fit again and is a natural selection at fullback, so does that mean the 23 jersey or simply out of the match day squad entirely for either Barrett or McKenzie? Then there's Ruben Love, whose stock as a utility went up massively thanks to a successful stint at 10 for the Hurricanes. Beauden Barrett of the Blues tackled by Damian McKenzie of the Chiefs. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Mr Waterbottles The third hooker and halfback spots are usually there to simply assist with training, however this season there are some interesting storylines. Ioane Moananu looked set for a deserved call up till George Bell returned from injury and took the Crusaders' bench role, you'd think Bell's experience last year will give him the inside running. Meanwhile, Cam Roigard is almost certainly the starting halfback, it's a bit of an open field behind him. Like Bell, Noah Hotham returned to take back his spot from the impressive Kyle Preston. Then there's Cortez Ratima, Finlay Christie and Folau Fakatava to choose from. Will there be room for the leavers? Cane's surprise appearance last year was enough to draw gasps, but there probably won't be that much of a reaction if Mark Tele'a gets included. The winger's form has been consistent in an inconsistent Blues season and his status as a starter on the Northern Tour last season clearly shows the coaching staff's regard for him. As to Joe's point above around an expanded squad, the precedent set by Cane and TJ Perenara's inclusion last year theoretically leaves the door open for anyone heading offshore. It'd be a pretty long shot to see the likes of Shaun Stevenson getting a call up, but if there are a run of injuries anything's on the table.
RNZ News
07-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Super Rugby Pacific: Hurricanes' season over, Brumbies head to semi-finals
Billy Proctor of the Hurricanes reacts after conceding a try during the Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final match between the ACT Brumbies and the Wellington Hurricanes at GIO Stadium in Canberra, 7, June 6, 2025. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch/Photosport) Photo: 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.
