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NZ Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Scott Robertson's All Blacks: The promising signs from series win
Banishing the second-half blues Down 19-17 at halftime, the All Blacks saved their best for the last 40 minutes. The confidence in the team grew as the game went on. Even captain Ardie Savea was slightly out of sorts in the first quarter, but by the end of the match he was providing the sort of inspirational leadership he did for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby Pacific. And if you wanted a perfect example of how confidence can grow even in the cauldron of a test, it was provided by hooker Brodie McAlister in his international debut. His first three throws to the lineout were stolen by the French. But he and the jumpers settled, the combinations started working and in the 76th minute, McAlister had the dream moment for a new All Black. The hooker slid across the damp grass for a try in his first test, pushing his side out to an unbeatable 27-19 lead. Damian McKenzie converted to seal the match. No, it's not the All (Red And) Blacks If anything, Robertson and his selectors were tough on Crusaders during this series. Crusaders captain David Havili missed out in a crowded midfield selection and Ethan Blackadder, the pick of the loose forwards from both teams when the Crusaders beat the Chiefs in the Super final, will hopefully get the shot he deserves before the year is out. Star of the series Step up Fabian Holland, the 22-year-old lock who showed in three stellar performances that he has the mental hardness to go with his range of huge physical gifts and impressive skills. At their best, All Blacks World Cup teams have had outstanding locks ranging from Gary Whetton and Murray Pierce in 1987 to Brad Thorn and Sam Whitelock in 2011 and Whitelock and Brodie Retallick in 2015. At the risk of putting far too much pressure on a young man at the start of his international career, Holland is surely a player around whom they can build the pack for the 2027 World Cup. Fabian Holland has been impressive for the All Blacks in the series against France. Photo / Photosport Welcome back Jordie Barrett didn't enter the contest in Hamilton until the 54th minute, but his impact at second five-eighths was dramatic. It's not completely out of the question to say he possibly saved the match with terrific cover defence, and then sealed it with a startling moment on attack. First, with just 22 minutes to go, he managed to haul the quicksilver French wing Émilien Gailleton over the sideline and save a try that would have put the visitors ahead 24-22. That touch of defensive brilliance was matched offensively when Barrett sent McAlister over for the try that sealed things for New Zealand. It can be easy to forget how big and strong Barrett is. Before slipping the perfect pass to McAllister, he fended off the 135kg French lock, Romain Taofifénua, with the ease of someone swatting away a pesky fly at a picnic. The All Blacks have Quinn Tupaea offering huge physicality, the promise demonstrated by Timoci Tavatavanawai and, in the background, the great rugby intelligence of David Havili. If there's one position in the side that suddenly feels well resourced it's second five-eighths. Why the ref was right A minor controversy has arisen over the massive cross-field pass by Will Jordan to Sevu Reece that ultimately led to the try on the stroke of halftime by Anton Leinert-Brown. Replays show that where Reece received the ball he was well in front of where Jordan was when he threw the pass. Quite correctly the pass was not called forward by referee Angus Gardiner. Why? Because for several years now the key issue in the rules is whether the ball was travelling backwards when it left the passer's hands. That judgment is usually made by checking whether the passer's fingers are pointing towards his or her own goal-line. Both of Jordan's hands are pointing at the New Zealand line. Conspiracy corner Given that conspiracy theories are dominating world political headlines it was perhaps inevitable that rugby in the past couple of weeks has had its share. French coach Fabien Galthié didn't hold back with the French media after the second test was lost in Wellington. He claimed incorrect refereeing cost the French two penalty tries. The weird touch was that he then swore he was actually 'not complaining', and I think he probably meant it. For me it was a wonderful reminder that the French, in rugby and life, look at the world very differently from us. I still have memories of the salacious delight my schoolmates and I took from a story in the Herald by the great Terry McLean when the French first toured here in 1961. In Nelson, at the first training session a forward needed to relieve himself. He didn't seek out the privacy of a toilet, McLean reported, but instead strolled to the nearest goal post and peed on it. Vive la difference, as they say. France head coach Fabien Galthié said he was "not complaining" about the referees. Photo / Photosport No complaints On the other hand there can be no real complaints from the New Zealand under-20 side about their 23-15 loss to South Africa in the final of the world tournament in Italy. It was still a terrific effort by the Kiwi side to make the final, having to overcome a potent French side 26-24 in their semifinal. It was the first time since 2017 New Zealand had reached the final. France in particular have benefitted at test level from under-20 graduates. Hopefully we may soon do the same. Phil Gifford is a Contributing Sports Writer for NZME. He is one of the most-respected voices in New Zealand sports journalism.
RNZ News
4 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Patience pays off for recalled All Black George Bower
George Bower. Photo: PhotoSport / Martin Hunter All Blacks v France Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 19 July FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton Live blog updates on RNZ It's been three years since George Bower last played for the All Blacks and he concedes there were times he thought he may never make it back to the national side. The prop initially missed out on selection in the All Blacks squad to play France, but was called in after his Crusaders teammate Tamaiti Williams was ruled out of the three match series with injury. Bower is on the bench for Saturday's third and final test in Hamilton and is likely to get on the field for his 23rd test. "I'm very excited. It's my first time in 2025 pulling on the black jersey, but also my first time in a long time," Bower said. "My last test was in 2022 against England over there. It's been three years of grind and hard work to get back into the team. I'm super grateful to be back here and hopefully getting an opportunity on Saturday." George Bower last played for the All Blacks in 2022. Photo: Christiaan Kotze / Bower describes himself as an optimist, but he concedes he had the odd negative thought about his prospects of earning an All Blacks recall. "Every now and then, like everyone else, it does creep in," Bower said. "Every time you're in this environment, you're never certain when you're going to wear the jersey again. So I cherish that (being in the All Blacks) a lot more now. I'm definitely going to cherish that moment if I do get that opportunity to play. "Those moments (of doubt) did creep in, but it was important just to keep ticking away, to keep having faith and trust in my skills and strengths." Bower did entertain going offshore, but said his desire to play for the All Blacks again kept him in Aotearoa. "There was always a focus for me to try and get back into the squad," he said. "There was opportunities where I could've gone overseas, but there was a stronger pull here in New Zealand to stay home and contribute what I can here in New Zealand rugby." Bower's next ambition is to be named in the All Blacks Rugby Championship squad. The annual four-nation tournament kicks off on 17 August, with New Zealand's opening match in Argentina. "That is another goal, to get named in that next squad. First things first I've got to put on that jersey and do what I can to help the team perform. Then the rest will take care of itself." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
5 days ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
All Blacks v France: Chiefs-dominated All Blacks should avoid form fade
With almost half the starting team promoted from the local Super Rugby Pacific team, the side this week could be dubbed the Chiefs Mana All Blacks. Scott Robertson was once an adversary in this proud rugby region as he led the Crusaders to five full Super Rugby titles – the
1News
6 days ago
- Sport
- 1News
All Blacks set to roll the dice on selections for third Test
Scott Robertson's appetite for risk will be revealed in his selections for the third and final Test of the French series and all indications suggest it will be relatively large. The All Blacks head coach has made no secret of his desire to build depth in every position and give every member of his squad a genuine opportunity over this series and the proverbial rubber will meet the road this week in Hamilton. In theory the conditions are right for rolling the dice. The French, 2-0 down in the series after being competitive in Dunedin but far less so in Wellington at the weekend after head coach Fabian Galthié made 10 changes, must have a metaphorical foot on the plane at the end of a long season. And while the All Blacks are expecting 'anything and everything' from France at Waikato Stadium on Saturday according to wing Sevu Reece, they are also determined to finish off the tourists – something they couldn't quite do at the Cake Tin during their 43-17 victory at the weekend. ADVERTISEMENT 'We've got an opportunity now to really make a statement to start this 2025 season,' Reece, a good chance to start after leaving the field within a minute in Dunedin, said. 'It's 2-0 but how cool would it be to go 3-0?' The risk for Robertson lies in the lack of recent game time for some of those he will be keen to see in action, not to mention a potential lack of cohesion. Reece, back to full health after a concussion in the first Test, is unlikely to be rusty given his relatively recent exploits with the championship-winning Crusaders, but the same cannot be said for those such as Ruben Love, a chance to start at fullback in place of Will Jordan, or Anton Lienert-Brown, likely to be back from a broken collarbone which has sidelined him for eight weeks. All Blacks wing Sevu Reece is a near certainty to start in the third Test. (Source: Photosport) Second-five Quinn Tupaea was involved off the bench in the first Test and performed well but took time to find his rhythm again during his first involvement in the international game in three years. Up front, injuries to lock and skipper Scott Barrett and lock-turned blindside flanker Tupou Vaa'i mean Fabian Holland will likely have to front up again for his third Test start in three weeks, with Patrick Tuipulotu his second-row partner providing the Blues skipper shakes off a leg issue. It is likely that Chiefs lock Naitoa Ah Kuoi will find himself on the bench at least for a potential Test debut. ADVERTISEMENT It is difficult to see how the French will find the motivation to go back to the well one last time against such overwhelming odds and while Reece expected them to 'throw everything at us', another fast and accurate start by the All Blacks should be enough to shut them out. 'It's an opportunity to look at a few and trust the whole squad that we picked can do a job,' assistant coach Jason Ryan said. 'We're excited by that. Overall, everyone who has had their opportunity at training… have really been outstanding for us.' Meanwhile, Ryan steadfastly refused to enter a debate about the Springboks' tactics in their recent victory over Italy. The forwards coach claimed to have not seen the Boks' bizarre midfield lifts as a precursor to mauls in Gqeberha, saying he only saw the first kick-off which was deliberately short to manufacture an early scrum. 'It's pretty clear what they want to do, eh?' Ryan said of the latter in reference to the Boks' liking for the set piece. The All Blacks will host the world champions in Auckland and Wellington in Rugby Championship Tests in September.
Leader Live
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
North Wales Crusaders bag another win in their title quest
Carl Forster's charges have demonstrated they are the team to beat this season and they took another giant stride towards the championship with their 20-6 home triumph against Dewsbury Rams. Title rivals Midlands Hurricanes lost out at Workington Town and Crusaders are now four points clear. In a rematch from the opening day of the League One season, Crusaders came firing out of the blocks. Looking to complete a league double versus the Rams, North Wales had the lead in the ninth minute when Pat Ah Van was sent clear for a try by Jordy Gibson's pass. Dewsbury looked to attack and a threatening high kick was gathered under pressure by Ollie Brookes. Then, on 17 minutes, Crusaders managed to stretch their advantage. Lloyd Roby was on hand with the try and Jamie Dallimore duly added the extra two points from wide out. Things got even better for Crusaders just four minutes later. Chris Barratt opened up the Dewsbury defence with a superb run and Olly Davies was there to grab the home side's third score of the afternoon. Dallimore was once again on the money with his conversion attempt and North Wales had a healthy 16-point advantage. Crusaders will have wanted to keep their opponents out for the whole half, but this didn't turn out to be the case. Just a minute away from the interval, Dewsbury finally got themselves on the scoreboard with Liam Copland's converted try in the corner and this managed to cut North Wales' advantage to 10 points at the midway mark. North Wales, victorious against high-flying rivals Midlands Hurricanes and Workington in recent weeks, will have been aiming for a positive opening to the second half under the sun at Colwyn Bay's Stadiwm CSM. It was nip-and-tuck when the action got back underway and no further work was required from the scoreboard operators during the initial stages. Aiming to edge closer to their hosts, Dewsbury did manage to win a penalty deep in Crusaders' territory, but North Wales were able to deal well with this and regain possession. As the half developed, North Wales demonstrated their defensive prowess to force their opponents into a goal-line drop-out. It was game over with six minutes left to play as North Wales claimed their fourth try of the contest. Sam Wilde pounced to score from Gibson's kick through. This hard-fought victory keeps Crusaders clear at the top of the standings and with six matches left to play, North Wales know that four more triumphs will be sufficient to spark a title-winning party. Another week off is in the offing for North Wales, before they return to action with their trip to Newcastle Thunder on July 27. Swinton are up to second after their 52-10 win over Newcastle, while Midlands lost out 29-12 at Workington. Elsewhere, Goole thrashed Whitehaven 56-6.
