Tag Archives: All Blacks

All Blacks back-row Ardie Savea will become the first player to wear goggles at a Rugby World Cup as he battles vision problems. A key player for Steve Hansen’s side, Savea was unstoppable in their opening round victory over South Africa. However, the loose forward is apparently fearful of going blind after the vision in his left eye became blurred …

Beauden, Scott and Jordie Barrett will make history on Wednesday when they become the first trio of brothers to start a Rugby World Cup game for New Zealand.  It will mark just the second occasion that a trio of brothers has started in a World Cup game after Tonga’s Fe’ao, Elisi and Manu Vunipola played together against Scotland in 1995. …

Steve Hansen has named his All Blacks team for Saturday’s blockbuster showdown with the Springboks on what will be the second day of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.  Rassie Erasmus confirmed a strong side yesterday and Hansen has followed suit with a formidable looking team of his own in what should be an exhilarating encounter. Joe Moody, Dane Coles and …

Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has named his team for Saturday’s blockbuster encounter with the All Blacks at International Stadium Yokohama.  With just one exception, South Africa have selected the same side which secured a draw against New Zealand in Wellington during the Rugby Championship. Captain Siya Kolisi was unavailable that day but he comes into the team at blindside …

New Zealand have been dealt their first blow of the Rugby World Cup with the news that rising star Luke Jacobson has been ruled out of the tournament with a delayed bout of concussion.  Shannon Frizell has been called up to replace Jacobson in the back-row as the All Blacks chase a third straight World Cup crown in Japan. Head …

The All Blacks recorded a 92-7 rout of Tonga in their final warm-up game before the 2019 Rugby World Cup.  The eye-watering scoreline represents how devastating Steve Hansen’s side can be when they are firing on all cylinders but it is also another painful reminder of the massive disparity between Tier 1 and Tier 2 nations. New Zealand ran in …

Ireland will go top of the World Rugby rankings if they defeat Wales at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday. As it turns out both Ireland and Warren Gatland’s Welsh side are capable of leap-frogging New Zealand into first place as we countdown towards the Rugby World Cup in Japan. The All Blacks currently sit atop the rankings having regained it …

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has named his 31-man squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Hansen has left out some big names including 108-Test veteran Owen Franks while Ngani Laumape and Liam Squire were other high-profile players not to make the cut. Laumape’s exclusion has paved the way for Ryan Crotty’s inclusion. All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen …

The World Rugby rankings could be set for a major shakeup this weekend as three different teams could overtake the All Blacks as the world’s number one side just a few weeks out from the 2019 Rugby World Cup.  Wales, who had a huge opportunity last weekend to become the number one ranked side if they had beaten England, will …

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has made a number of changes to the team for Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup decider against Australia.  In total, Hansen has made five changes which sees some highly experienced players cut from the starting XV. Upfront, the 108 times capped Owen Franks loses his place at tighthead to Nepo Laulala while Patrick Tuipulotu comes in …

All Blacks lock Scott Barrett has been banned for three weeks after receiving a red card in Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup tie with the Wallabies. Barrett was sent off after appearing to lead with his shoulder in the tackle at the breakdown and made contact with the Australian captain Michael Hooper’s head. The tackle was adjudged to have been dangerous by …

The Wallabies put on a scintillating display to emerge 47-26 winners over the All Blacks in the opening match of the 2019 Bledisloe Cup.  Michael Cheika’s side showed their intent early on when they made a number of linebreaks in the opening minutes but they couldn’t convert that pressure into points on the scoreboard until the excellent Christian Lealiifano slotted …

Australia and New Zealand are set to lock horns this weekend and write yet another chapter in the history of the Bledisloe Cup. The competition consists of an annual three-match series involving the two rugby heavyweights with two of their Rugby Championship clashes counting towards the final result. The pair go head to head in Perth this weekend and the …

James O’Connor was the shock inclusion in Michael Cheika’s Wallabies team selection for Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash with the All Blacks.  O’Connor made his first appearance for Australia since 2013 two weeks ago in the win over Argentina when he was sprung from the bench. However, Cheika has now entrusted him to start at outside centre for the Wallabies as …

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has named a side which looks close to his strongest XV for Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash with Australia in Perth.  In total, Hansen has made six changes to the side which drew 16-16 with the Springboks in Wellington two weeks ago. Up front, Dane Coles replaces Codie Taylor at hooker and Scott Barrett comes …

Wales are going into the 2019 Rugby World Cup in pretty good nick.  Warren Gatland’s side is currently on a 14-match winning streak which coincided with a Grand Slam victory in the Six Nations earlier this year. It all began with a win over Italy in last year’s Six Nations and continued throughout their summer tour, the Autumn internationals and …

Steve Hansen has trimmed his All Blacks squad from 39 to 34 ahead of his side’s opening Bledisloe Cup clash with Australia in Perth.  The All Blacks will take on the Wallabies at Optus Stadium on Saturday week but the build-up has coincided with the first of two squad culls. The second, of course, will see three further players dropped …

The dislocated shoulder suffered by Brodie Retallick in the All Blacks’ dramatic 16-16 draw with South Africa in the Rugby Championship at the weekend may not be as bad as originally feared, according to head coach Steve Hansen.  The sight of Retallick leaving the pitch with his arm supported by a makeshift sling left All Blacks supporters worried that the …