All Blacks coach Ian Foster has named the squad to take on Uruguay with regular captain Sam Cane and tighthead prop Tyrel Lomax also set to return to the starting side. Video / NZ Herald
By Liam Napier in Lyon
Nine starting changes for their final World Cup pool match infers the All Blacks remain uncertain about their first-choice squad. The reality, for all the platitudes paid to Uruguay, is this week’s selection suggests the All Blacks have one eye firmly fixed on the quarterfinals.
All Blacks coach Ian Foster is attempting to juggle multiple ideals in Lyon – one of which includes using Uruguay as an opportunity to assess his preferred bench, much more so than alter established incumbents.
“We’re pretty clear about what we’re doing,” Foster said prior to the All Blacks main training session. “There’s always a couple of spots people can put their hand up. There’s guys returning from injury so we need to make sure they get out of the game what they need so they’re ready.
“We’re pretty clear with the strategy. It’s also about the 23. I thought our 23 as a group last week was really disciplined about how they finished that [Italy] game and stayed true to the things we wanted to achieve.
“We are looking with interest about how that bench comes on and how they play.”
With a bonus-point victory required to guarantee the All Blacks quarter-final progression, there’s an element of risk attached to resting influential starters Ardie Savea, Aaron Smith, Mark Telea, Brodie Retallick and Rieko Ioane. Dalton Papali’i and Nepo Laulala are spelled, too.
Widespread changes often stunts continuity, and with nine days to recover before a likely quarter-final in Paris, the need to manage workloads at this stage is debatable.
As Sam Cane regains the captaincy, Tyrel Lomax and Sam Whitelock return to the starting side, the latter becoming the first All Black to play 150 tests, Jordie Barrett and Shannon Frizell continue their comebacks, Foster is confident rotation won’t compromise performance.
All Blacks captain Sam Cane runs through drills in Lyon, France. Photo / Getty Images
“We’ve made some tweaks with some guys who we felt didn’t need a hit out but can still be in great shape because of that,” Foster said. “When you look at the team there’s continuity in many aspects.”
Other than David Havili, who has reinjured his hamstring, Foster hands every fringe prospect game time against Uruguay.
Ethan Blackadder is poised for his World Cup debut off the bench. Luke Jacobson replaces Savea for his first start in France, and Tupou Vaa’i packs the second-row alongside Whitelock.
With the contestable first-choice bench in mind, Cam Roigard, Damian McKenzie, Leicester Fainga’anuku and Samisoni Taukei’aho have the most to gain.
Roigard, the big mover of this World Cup, earns his second test start after a man of the match performance that featured two tries and two assists in the rout of Namibia. While the Hurricanes halfback has usurped Finlay Christie through his running threat and left boot, Foster challenged the 22-year-old talent.
“One thing I want him to do is improve the accuracy of his pass,” Foster said. “When he’s been coming on he’s been rushing that aspect of his game a little bit so this is a chance to settle into this game and get this right and show that can be a massive strength as well.”
Cam Roigard runs in to score at Italy at the Rugby World Cup. Photosport
Roigard accepted Foster’s probe, explaining he has been working alongside Smith to soak in his experience and be deliberate with his passing technique.
“That’s always a work on for me and other nines because it’s the most important part of our game and sets our platform up for the way we want to play,” Roigard said. “I’m really grateful to have another opportunity to start. Having that first taste against Namibia I loved that.”
Fainga’anuku’s return to the left wing, where he showcased his power against Namibia, is notable but it’s Havili’s absence that provides the chance to crack the first-choice 23.
For the first time in his brief test career, Fainga’anuku will cover midfield with no specialists on the bench for Uruguay. That responsibility pits him in a head-to-head battle with Anton Lienert-Brown for a bench role come the quarterfinal.
“It’s something that if he does well it gives us a great option,” Foster said. “He’s got something to play for.”
Fainga’anuku, having proved his destructive ball carrying qualities from centre for the Crusaders, welcomed the prospect of moving closer to the action later in the match.
“It’s a position I’ve constantly been building through Super Rugby and in here so now I get the opportunity at international level,” Fainga’anuku said. “It’s about working at that and having the tool box for when I do slip in.”
Damian McKenzie will embrace the freedom to roam backfield and then likely switch to first five-eighth once the All Blacks inject Beauden Barrett to further strengthen the Chiefs playmaker’s case as a versatile weapon to inject from the bench.
Samisoni Taukei’aho – after missing selection for Italy – needs an eye-catching performance to dislodge Dane Coles from the deputy hooker role.
The All Blacks are widely expected to breeze past Uruguay and confirm their knockout presence. Foster, though, pointed to the South American’s 16-point loss to a second-string French team as evidence of their competitiveness.
In their tournament opening match, the All Blacks suffered a 15-point defeat to France.
“They lost to France by the same scoreline we did,” Foster said. “That deserves a lot of respect. I love their attitude. They’re a really passionate rugby team. If we’re not in the house we’re going to struggle.
“You can’t motivate a team falsely because it will show in performance. You’ve got to get real about it. The facts are we’ve got so much to achieve ourselves. We’re not in a quarterfinal yet.
“The challenge of World Cups is you prepare for the here and now with an eye to the future. You’ve got to get that balance right.”
Assessing that balance comes in many forms. For now, though, the only task that truly matters is qualifying for the quarterfinals.
For live commentary of All Blacks v Uruguay, join Elliott Smith on Newstalk ZB, Gold Sport and iHeartRadio.
You can watch the game on Sky Sport 1 and live streaming on Sky Sport Now; an alternative commentary option from the Alternative Commentary Collective is available on iHeartRadio, Hauraki and Sky Sport 9.
