Latest news with #TupouVaa'i
1News
13-07-2025
- 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.
1News
12-07-2025
- Sport
- 1News
All Blacks turn on the accuracy to clinch French series
The All Blacks have won back the Dave Gallaher Trophy with a 43-17 victory over France in Wellington tonight thanks to a first-half performance which blew away the visitors. It is the first time in seven years that the All Blacks have held the trophy and it means the home side have won the three-Test series with one match to come in Hamilton next Saturday night. It was done via a dominant first half, the All Blacks outscoring the visitors four tries to nil in the first 40 minutes and they achieved an accuracy they couldn't manage in the first Test in Dunedin last weekend. In the end the margin of victory - six tries to two - probably flattered the visitors. Brushing off injuries to skipper Scott Barrett and a last-minute problem for Caleb Clarke, the All Blacks displayed a ruthlessness in the first stanza that will please the coaches, with Cam Roigard, Ardie Savea, Codie Taylor and Tupou Vaa'i crossing the line. The All Blacks were hamstring by a yellow card for Beauden Barrett's alleged intentional knock-on in the first half, but after leading 10-0 at that point thanks to a penalty for Barrett and an excellent converted try for Roigard off a front-of-lineout move, it hardly mattered. ADVERTISEMENT The visitors, who pushed the All Blacks all the way under the roof last weekend, took advantage with a penalty but that was their lot in the first half as the home side attacked with verve and vigour against a vastly inexperienced line-up. After competing so well in the first Test of the series, France coach Fabian Galthie elected to make 10 changes to his match-day squad, and it wasn't only the lack of combinations that told in the surprisingly benign weather conditions at the Cake Tin. The French had only 10 caps in their starting XV compared with a remarkable 708 for the All Blacks and the home side made the visitors pay with a composed and mature response high on discipline and low on mistakes – at least in the first half. With a 29-3 advantage at halftime, it was perhaps understandable that the All Blacks took the foot off the throttle a little, the visitors responding with converted tries for halfback Nolann Le Garrec and replacement outside back Antoine Hastoy. But despite New Zealand's ordinary record in Wellington heading into this Test – a victory, two draws and three defeats in since 2018 – the All Blacks were never truly troubled. Tupou Vaa'i celebrates his try in Wellington with Patrick Tuipulotu and Beauden Barrett. (Source: Photosport) Assistant coach Jason Ryan will be pleased with his lineout and excellent variation off the front which led to a score for Roigard, with Vaa'i finishing what was perhaps the try of the series and Savea overtaking Richie McCaw as New Zealand's leading try scoring forward in Test matches with 29 in total. ADVERTISEMENT They were solid in the set piece again and defensively far better than they were in Dunedin, where they leaked three tries, but if were there to be any complaints they may come from a second half which was even in terms of points – 14- all, the All Blacks scoring via Jordan, who scored his 41st try in 43 Tests, and Rieko Ioane. Le Garrec and Hastoy responded for the visitors but overall the All Blacks will be happy after wrapping up the series and attacking with an ambition that got almost immediate results. Lock Patrick Tuipulotu, a replacement for Scott Barrett after the skipper's torn calf suffered in Dunedin, was a solid performer, as was Codie Taylor again, with Vaa'i impressing again on the blindside flank – an experiment which must now be considered a success. Roigard constantly asked questions of the defence, with Beauden Barrett again solid in the No.10 jersey, centre Billy Proctor accurate, and Emoni Narawa shining as a late wing replacement for wing Clarke. It turned out to be a regulation victory for the home side thanks to their improved combinations against a green opposition and they will be favoured to put the French to the sword at Waikato Stadium next Saturday if Galthie decides to again go for a young line-up in the final Test. After getting so close and losing only 31-27 in Dunedin, it would represent a disappointing finish for the French but they will have their goals for this series and are unlikely to change them despite this setback. All Blacks 43 (Cam Roigard, Ardie Savea, Codie Taylor, Tupou Vaa'i, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane tries; Beauden Barrett 5 cons, pen, Jordie Barrett con) France 17 (Leo Barre, Josh Brennan tries; Nolann Le Garrec pen, con, Antoine Hastoy con) Halftime: 29-3
1News
10-07-2025
- Sport
- 1News
'We'll keep creating' - Razor underlines All Blacks' attacking intentions
The weather forecast of showers and strong northerlies for Wellington on Saturday night will not dissuade the All Blacks from playing with the pace and ambition they attempted with some success against France in the first Test. For them, and head coach Scott Robertson, very little changes and they will keep pursuing a game plan based on fast feet and even faster thinking. They will feel they had the French on the ropes under the roof in Dunedin, only for the tourists to slide out of harm's way thanks to small errors, three of which were picked up by the forensic attention of television match official Damon Murphy. And that is the reason for Robertson's consistency of selection for the Cake Tin. The chances of achieving the accuracy and cohesion the All Blacks are after as they seek to wrap up the series before the third Test would be lower had he and his fellow selectors decided on bigger changes. But should the All Blacks win back the Dave Gallaher Trophy on Saturday for the first time since 2018, more changes are likely in Hamilton a week later. ADVERTISEMENT Two of the three changes are forced – Patrick Tuipulotu in as a straight swap for injured skipper Scott Barrett, and Caleb Clarke in (on the left wing) for injured right wing Sevu Reece. The increasingly versatile Rieko Ioane shifts to the right to make way for Clarke. That is a huge vote of confidence in lock Fabian Holland, who retains his place after an excellent debut last weekend, and Tupou Vaa'i, who scored a try after starting in the relatively unfamiliar position of blindside flanker. Tuipulotu said of Holland today: 'It was an awesome debut for the big man. He does a lot of work – he's very fit and mobile and is not afraid of the tough stuff.' So the 22-year-old retains his place, as does Vaa'i and centre Billy Proctor, who had a mixed time of it in his third Test (and first at home), but who deserves to have another opportunity to prove his undoubted quality as a defender and distributor. Tupou Vaa'i in action for the All Blacks against France in Dunedin. (Source: Photosport) That the biggest surprise, if we can call it that, is Timoci Tavatavanawai's place on the bench in place of fellow back-up midfielder Quinn Tupaea. It highlights how happy overall the coaches were with the performance last weekend but also their selection logic. Continuity, time and combinations were Robertson's buzz words today as he explained his selections, along with his determination to stick to the plan of playing at pace. ADVERTISEMENT 'We've got the players to do it right across the park… we'll keep creating,' he said. 'Like I said the other day, if the southerly comes in off the Cook Strait we'll adapt and play into the wind and rain as well but our intention is to use our skills as much as we can.' Robertson said he was fortunate he had the luxury of picking Blues skipper Tuipulotu, a man with 51 Tests behind him who will provide valuable support for Ardie Savea, Barrett's replacement as captain. 'He's a good lineout caller and is physical,' Robertson said of Tuipulotu. 'He's got beautiful mana about him and a calmness. We're pleased we can bring someone like him in. He's in form and his body is in good nick.' What does he want to see from potential debutant Tavatavanawai, a man who will likely replace Jordie Barrett in the second half should everything go to plan? 'His ability to have an impact with and without the ball,' Robertson replied. 'He's been great in our environment and it's a great opportunity this week.' The All Blacks made 13 line breaks last weekend, scoring from three of them. Improving that strike rate is clearly a priority in what will be more difficult conditions likely featuring a similar aerial battle, which the French edged in Dunedin, and likely a lot more mauling from the visitors, who were awarded only a handful of lineouts in the south. ADVERTISEMENT However, Robertson, in a pointed reminder about the dangers of writing any France team off, added: 'I think the narrative has changed around what type of team they've brought.' All Blacks match-day 23 (Test caps in brackets; * denotes debutant) 1. Ethan de Groot (30), 2. Codie Taylor (97) (vice-captain), 3. Fletcher Newell (23), 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (51), 5. Fabian Holland (1), 6. Tupou Vaa'i (39), 7. Ardie Savea (95) (captain), 8. Christian Lio-Willie (1), 9. Cam Roigard (11), 10. Beauden Barrett (135), 11. Caleb Clarke (29), 12. Jordie Barrett (69) (vice-captain), 13. Billy Proctor (3), 14. Rieko Ioane (82), 15. Will Jordan (42). Reserves: 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho (31), 17. Ollie Norris (1), 18. Pasilio Tosi (8), 19. Samipeni Finau (9), 20. Du'Plessis Kirifi (1), 21. Cortez Ratima (12), 22. Timoci Tavatavanawai *, 23. Damian McKenzie (62). Unavailable due to injury: Tamaiti Williams (knee); Tyrel Lomax (calf); Wallace Sititi (ankle); Luke Jacobson (concussion); Sevu Reece (concussion); Scott Barrett (calf).
CNA
08-07-2025
- Sport
- CNA
All Blacks captain Scott Barrett ruled out of last two France tests
All Blacks captain and lock Scott Barrett has been ruled out of the last two tests in the July series against France by a calf tear sustained in the opening clash last weekend, the team said on Tuesday. The All Blacks edged a weakened France team 31-27 in Dunedin last Saturday and will be looking for improved performances in the matches in Wellington this weekend and Hamilton on July 19. Barrett's injury, confirmed by a scan on Monday, means lock Fabian Holland could get a second test after making his debut last weekend, while Tupou Vaa'i is an option to move back into the second row after playing at flanker in the first test. Vice-captain Ardie Savea is likely to lead the All Blacks out at the Wellington Regional Stadium.
NZ Herald
04-07-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
All Blacks vs France: Where the first test will be won
The accuracy and speed demanded by test rugby are a significant step up from the Super scene, which usually requires a period of adjustment. How that quartet channel nerves bubbling within will determine their ability to seize the biggest occasion of their careers. All Blacks debutants Fabian Holland, Christian Lio-Willie, Ollie Norris and Du'Plessis Kirifi. Photo / Photosport Last year, in Scott Robertson's first test as head coach, the All Blacks escaped with a knife-edge one-point victory against England in Dunedin. While the venue is the same, on many fronts this year is different. From the extended management to incumbent players, a vastly greater shared understanding and cohesion is carried through from Robertson's shaky year one to the start of year two. The mood emanating from the All Blacks camp this week is much calmer compared to this time last year. And, of course, there's the significantly weaker opposition… French done before the start line? Averaging 14 test caps per player, and with much of their elite talent left at home following their Top 14 domestic final, there's every reason to suggest France are a puncher's chance at best against the All Blacks. Fabien Galthié has named eight rookies in his 23-man squad for this first test – five in the starting team. They include Bayonne first five-eighths Joris Segonds, loose forward Alexandre Fischer, lock Tyler Duguid, wing Tom Spring and prop Giorgi Beria. South African-born Jacobus van Tonder, Paul Mallez and Regis Montagne will debut off the bench too. Midfielder Gaël Fickou will captain France in Dunedin. Photo / Photosport Gaël Fickou, the classy 94-test veteran, captains the French from the midfield. Toulon wing Gabin Villiere, starting tighthead prop Rabah Slimani (57 caps) and towering lock Romain Taofifenua, who will emerge from the bench, boost overall experience, but there is no escaping the green, developmental French B side. Racing 92 halfback Nolann le Garrec is one to watch in a French backline typically stacked with attacking strike. But after one warm-up match against a heavily depleted English side – due to their extensive British and Irish Lions contingent in Australia – this green team could well be exposed. Tall timber Missing first-choice props Tamaiti Williams and Tyrel Lomax is a blow for the All Blacks. While they won't lack scrummaging power, Ethan de Groot and Fletcher Newell do not boast the same mobility or deft ball skills. The All Blacks should, though, dominate the air. With three locks – Holland, captain Scott Barrett and Tupou Vaa'i, there are no excuses for the All Blacks to not cleanly claim their restarts and lineouts. They should be able to target the French throws, too. Vaa'i, starting his first test at blindside flanker since the opening 2023 World Cup defeat to France in Paris, has trained on the side of the scrum for the past 10 days. Tupou Vaa'i in action against Argentina last year. Photo / Photosport With five loose forwards in their 33-man squad, the All Blacks were always light in this department, with Vaa'i and Barrett designated blindside cover. Few, if anyone, envisioned the All Blacks throwing Vaa'i straight into the No 6 jersey, though. It's unfair to compare anyone with Springboks enforcer Pieter-Steph du Toit, but that is clearly the prototype the All Blacks are seeking with their blindside – a big man capable of commanding the air and imposing a physical imprint around the field. Last year, Vaa'i proved he is evolving into a world-class lock. This weekend, he's asked to broaden his brief to project a modern, mobile, bruising blindside flanker. Injecting impact Finishing what they start sits at the forefront of the All Blacks' improvements this year. The composition of their bench, while inexperienced this week, points to their desire for notable impact. Come the second half, if the French remain in the contest, they will be wary of the power and pace the All Blacks unleash from their ever-evolving bench. Damian McKenzie has a point to prove with Beauden Barrett preferred as starting playmaker. As fatigue sets in, McKenzie will be at his lethal, game-breaking best. When the All Blacks want to lift the tempo further in the closing quarter, Cortez Ratima's speed to the base will be injected. Quinn Tupaea, ahead of his first test in four years, promises to bring the midfield punch he displayed for the Chiefs all season. Quinn Tupaea makes a break against the USA. Photo / Photosport Kirifi's turnover prowess should provide opportunities to pounce on the counterattack against a disjointed defence. He will be itching for his long-awaited debut and must, therefore, harness the same controlled decision-making that typified his leadership with the Hurricanes. Chiefs hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho, returning for his first test since the World Cup final, rookie prop Ollie Norris, Pasilio Tosi and Samipeni Finau round out the quartet of mobile, powerful forwards aiming to add a blend of power and offloading the French may struggle to contain. Liam Napier is a Senior Sports Journalist and Rugby Correspondent for the New Zealand Herald. He is a co-host of the Rugby Direct podcast. For live commentary of this weekend's All Blacks v France test, go to GOLD SPORT or iHeartRadio.
