Latest news with #JoshFusitua
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Laumape joins Aus/NZ combined side to face Lions
Laumape will play for Moana Pasifika in the 2026 and 2027 Super Rugby seasons [Getty Images] All Blacks centre Ngani Laumape, who started the third Test against the British and Irish Lions in 2017, has been named in the combined Australia and New Zealand squad to face the Lions. The 32-year-old scored the opening try in the third Test against the Lions in 2017 after making his All Blacks debut in their second Test defeat in Wellington. Advertisement Laumape earned his call-up to the Test series after impressing for the Hurricanes in a thrilling warm-up match against the Lions, which ended 31-31. The hard-running centre, who has been playing for Japanese side Kobelco Steelers, won the last of his 15 caps in 2020. Laumape has opted to play his rugby outside of New Zealand since 2021, but will join Auckland-based Super Rugby side Moana Pasifika for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Highly rated Blues prop Josh Fusitua has also been added to the combined Australia and New Zealand squad. Organisers of the fixture, to be staged at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday, 12 July, have failed with approaches to New Zealand fly-half Richie Mo'unga and former Australia captain Michael Hooper. Advertisement In other news, Wallabies wing Andrew Kellaway has been released back to the NSW Waratahs for their game against the Lions on Saturday, with Corey Toole returning to the ACT Brumbies. Wider training members Tane Edmed, David Feliuai, Lington Ieli, Ryan Lonergan and Rory Scott have also returned to their Super Rugby clubs. Last week Australia head coach Joe Schmidt rejected claims from the Lions that he must release all of his biggest stars to their clubs side, saying it would be a "counter-productive" move.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Laumape joins Aus/NZ combined side to face Lions
All Blacks centre Ngani Laumape, who started the third Test against the British and Irish Lions in 2017, has been named in the combined Australia and New Zealand squad to face the 32-year-old scored the opening try in the third Test against the Lions in 2017 after making his All Blacks debut in their second Test defeat in earned his call-up to the Test series after impressing for the Hurricanes in a thrilling warm-up match against the Lions, which ended hard-running centre, who has been playing for Japanese side Kobelco Steelers, won the last of his 15 caps in has opted to play his rugby outside of New Zealand since 2021, but will join Auckland-based Super Rugby side Moana Pasifika for the 2026 and 2027 rated Blues prop Josh Fusitua has also been added to the combined Australia and New Zealand of the fixture, to be staged at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday, 12 July, have failed with approaches to New Zealand fly-half Richie Mo'unga and former Australia captain Michael other news, Wallabies wing Andrew Kellaway has been released back to the NSW Waratahs for their game against the Lions on Saturday, with Corey Toole returning to the ACT training members Tane Edmed, David Feliuai, Lington Ieli, Ryan Lonergan and Rory Scott have also returned to their Super Rugby week Australia head coach Joe Schmidt rejected claims from the Lions that he must release all of his biggest stars to their clubs side, saying it would be a "counter-productive" move.
RNZ News
08-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
All Blacks watch: Who pressed their case in the play-offs
Josh Fusitu'a, Ruben Love, George Bower, Beauden Barrett. Photo: PHOTOSPORT All Blacks squad announcement 23 June Coastal Rugby Club, Taranaki Live blog updates on RNZ Analysis - We're only two and a half weeks away from the naming of the first All Black squad of the year, so time is running short for those players on the fringes. The die is now cast for anyone in that category from the Hurricanes, as they were knocked out of the play-offs, but still there was enough in this weekend to give Scott Robertson a bit to ponder before we head to Taranaki to learn who will be taking on France in three tests in July. George Bell scores the winner against the Brumbies. Photo: Mark Evans/ActionPress One of the more intriguing 'remember me' performances. Bell had completely dropped off the radar due to injury and the very good form of Ioane Moananu in his place at the Crusaders. However, two very good weeks in a row - including scoring the winning try against the Brumbies - is a reminder that while Bell's call up last year was a surprise, he will most likely be still in Robertson's thinking for this season. Photo: PhotoSport / Martin Hunter Another player to not only come off the bench for the Crusaders but also be part of an incredibly dominant scrum that never even let the Reds get a sniff in Christchurch. Bower hasn't played test rugby since late 2022, leading many to speculate a switch of national allegiance to Fiji, but with this sort of scrummaging form, he may well find himself back in black. His Crusaders connection to Robertson certainly won't hurt either, if experience is needed in an emergency. Beauden Barrett of the Blues tackled by Damian McKenzie of the Chiefs. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Given that the squad naming is taking place at the Barrett family's home club, it's a pretty safe bet all three brothers will be named on 23 June. However, while Scott is obviously starting as captain, there is a slight question mark over what role Jordie and Beauden will initially play in the match day squad. On the evidence of his performance against the Chiefs, it will be a very tough call to leave Beauden out of the starting 10 jersey, given that his tactical kicking in a test-match intensity was the difference between the Blues' advancing to the semi-finals or having their season end then and there. Joshua Fusitu'a. Photo: Aaron Gillions/ActionPress Another prop who played an important set piece role was Fusitu'a, whose momentum lately has included winning the Blues player of the year award. Every set piece in the Blues' victory over the Chiefs was crucial, as it gave the opportunity to garner penalties that Barrett either kicked for goal or converted into large territorial gains. At 24, Fusitu'a has a long career ahead of him, however a call up now would give him ample time to work his way up the propping rotation at a managed pace. Ruben Love. Photo: Andy Radka/ActionPress We all know how good Love's all round game is, especially since his shift to first five this season was a major part in the Hurricanes finally getting their act together. Even though he moved back to fullback to accommodate the returning Brett Cameron, Love was still entrusted with the goal kicking, which he's handled superbly. The All Blacks are blessed with a number of test match quality kickers, but this particular skillset is one that gives Love just that much more of an advantage as a utility player. Daniel Rona. Photo: Michael Thomas/ActionPress While this would fall into the bolter category, a call up for Rona would be justified on his incredibly consistent form this season. Most of the chat has been around a recall for his midfield partner Quinn Tupaea, but Rona's performance in a losing effort against the Blues was the Chiefs' best. There is a lot of traffic jostling to get into the midfield selections, so this may be more of being added to the official depth chart rather than a direct selection in June.
