Latest news with #EthanBlackadder
RNZ News
9 hours ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
All Blacks squad selection: Winners and losers
Analysis - Scott Robertson has named 33 players today but a lot of the talk in the aftermath has been about the ones that he didn't. Here's a first up analysis of the squad, who missed out and what it all means. You have to feel for Ethan Blackadder. He's certainly done nothing wrong other than get injured unfortunately far too often, but even then he put in a gigantic shift in the Super Rugby Pacific play-offs for the Crusaders. His loss is very much Samipeni Finau's gain, with the Chiefs blindside retaining his spot and the confidence of the coaching staff that is fair to say isn't widely shared in the public. Dalton Papali'i is another player who really hasn't been given a comfortable ride, but that's more to do with selection. Ironically Sam Cane leaving has probably shut the door a bit on Papali'I, as now Ardie Savea is free to move back into openside and give Robertson options around who he wants to be backing up that group. That's where Finau's size is a crucial factor in his selection, with the All Blacks clearly on the lookout for as big a body as possible. Things will get interesting when Simon Parker is fit and available for selection. The one group in the All Blacks that was probably the easiest to pick still threw up a talking point. Brodie McAlister certainly deserves a spot in the All Blacks after a move to the Chiefs paid off, but really then what was the point of investing time and effort last year into George Bell? Ollie Norris' call up is far more straightforward, it really feels like this was a coin flip between him and Josh Fusitu'a in the propping rotation. Like McAlister, this is just reward for Norris after a really strong season. No surprise at all though that Fabian Holland has made it, though. Even if he hadn't been o n the radar for the last two seasons, Sam Darry's injury meant that the All Blacks needed another big man regardless. Du'Plessis Kirifi (L) of the Hurricanes celebrates a try. Photo: Photosport You'd have to think 99 times out of 100, a player in Du'Plessis Kirifi's position would've cashed up and left years ago. After being part of the wider squad in 2020, Kirifi fell off the radar pretty fast and now holds the unique honour of being the most capped NPC player in the squad. He now slots into a very interesting loose forwards picture, where his defensive workrate will be seen as a serious addition. Billy Proctor. Photo: Patrick Hoelscher/ActionPress This will be the most contestable area on the field. Billy Proctor simply has to be given more game time this year, will it be in the 13 jersey when the team takes the field in Dunedin? Inside word is that Jordie Barrett is ready to go straight away after his stint in Ireland, which means he will likely start. Timoci Tavatavanawai can play on the wing too, which is where he may well feature first off the bench, however Sevu Reece of New Zealand evades a tackle from Len Ikitau of Australia. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ This is where the bolters were expected but there was no room for Leroy Carter, despite the former All Blacks Sevens player showing the sort of pace that would usually yield a call up. Sevu Reece and Caleb Clarke will continue, although the microscope will be on Reece after his somewhat sluggish end to 2024. The attrition rate will be high. These will certainly not be the only 33 players to pull on an All Black jersey this year, that is for sure. Hookers: Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Brodie McAlister* Props: Ethan de Groot, Tamaiti Williams, Ollie Norris*, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi Locks: Scott Barrett (c), Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa'I, Fabian Holland* Loose forwards: Samipeni Finau, Ardie Savea (vc), Du'Plessis Kirifi*, Wallace Sititi, Luke Jacobson Halfbacks: Cameron Roigard, Cortez Ratima, Noah Hotham First-five eighths: Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie Midfielders: Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett (vc), Rieko Ioane, Quinn Tupaea, Billy Proctor, Timoci Tavatavanawai* Outside backs: Caleb Clarke, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan, Ruben Love *uncapped The following players have been named as injury cover for the start of the France series: Christian Lio-Willie for Luke Jacobson, Emoni Narawa for Anton Lienert-Brown Unavailable due to injury: Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Sam Darry, Peter Lakai, Stephen Perofeta
NZ Herald
7 days ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Crusaders v Chiefs: Smart mouthguards under fire ahead of Super Rugby Pacific final
Smart mouthguards have come under the spotlight again ahead of the Super Rugby Pacific final after Ethan Blackadder was mistakenly sent from the field during the Crusaders' 21-14 semifinal win over the Blues. The mouthguards, compulsory in training and matches, were introduced ahead of the 2024 season by World Rugby,
RNZ News
27-05-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Special milestone ahead for injury-plagued All Black
Ethan Blackadder. Photo: Photosport Crusaders and All Blacks loose forward Ethan Blackadder says his desire for test rugby remains unwavering after another injury-enforced stint on the sidelines. The 30-year-old is set to make a timely return for the Crusaders after being named to start on the blindside for the side's final regular season meeting against the Brumbies in Canberra. Blackadder has been unavailable for about a month after picking up a hamstring injury at training, the latest setback in a career spoiled by misfortune, and time in the casualty ward. This is underlined by the fact the no-nonsense operator will bring up a long-awaited milestone of 50 games for the franchise on Friday. Following Tuesday's team announcement, Blackadder admitted he knew the landmark was looming earlier in the campaign. "I was meant to play if four weeks ago and then got that niggle," he said. "One game is special so to run out there in that jersey 50 times is extra special so yeah can't wait." Blackadder made his Super Rugby debut back in 2018, meaning he has averaged about seven games per Super Rugby season. "I had an old team-mate Jordan Taufua, he played a hundred in eight years so yeah it does (feel like it's taken a while)," he said. New Zealand coach Scott Robertson shakes hands with Ethan Blackadder. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ The return of the 15-test All Black is well-timed, not only for his team who are already without fellow test star Will Jordan, but for him personally as he seeks to get some game time under his belt ahead of the international season. Blackadder will again be vying for a spot in the year's first All Blacks squad amid a congested throng of loose forward incumbents and contenders, including Ardie Savea, Wallace Sititi, Samipeni Finau, Dalton Papali'i, Peter Lakai and the uncapped Du'Plessis Kirifi, When asked if he felt he had played enough rugby to warrant All Black selection, he replied "who knows". "My job is right here right now and they can sort the rest out," he said. Although he remained laser-focused on the Super Rugby business end, the desire for test rugby remained unquestioned. Before then, he is a welcome inclusion for the red and blacks who remain in second place on the championship ladder. It follows a testing few weeks that has included a home defeat to the Chiefs and scratchy wins over the Waratahs and Highlanders. The team has also been forced to defend for large periods, amassing more than 600 tackles over their past three games. Coach Rob Penney felt comfortable the fearless flanker was primed for a return to the trenches against Australia's top-ranked side. "He had a good run before his injury. His conditioning is without question," he said. "Ethan's Ethan, he has a massive motor, he doesn't need to do a lot on the grass to be ready. "He wont go eighty obviously, but he will add another dimension to us, I have no doubt." Brumbies v Crusaders, GIO Stadium, Canberra Kickoff 9.35pm Friday
