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International

Tupou Vaa'i out of third test as All Blacks mull changes including Love at No.10

By Ben Smith

28 days ago

Ruben Love of All Blacks XV during the match between Munster and All Blacks XV at Thomond Park in Limerick. (Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Lock turned All Blacks blindside flanker Tupou Vaa’i is out of the third and final Test against France in Hamilton after suffering a rogue knee to the head in Wellington.

Vaa’i failed his HIA after the game and will go through return to play protocols. The makeshift No.6 has been in rare try-scoring form, with one in each Test against France so far.

That could see Chiefs teammate Samipeni Finau get a run with the starting side after coming off the bench in both Tests so far.

Simon Cron presser ahead of B&I Lions match

The injuries don’t stop there with left winger Caleb Clarke, who suffered a high ankle sprain during training in the lead-up to the Wellington test, now expected to be sidelined for five-to-six weeks. Fullback Will Jordan and lock Patrick Tuipulotu are both under injury clouds with niggles picked up in Wellington.

The positive news is Anton Lienert-Brown and loose forward Luke Jacobson are available after recovering from their injuries.

With a 2-0 unassailable series lead it also gives the All Blacks a license to make a lot of changes for the final Test, which assistant coach Jason Holland hinted at on Monday.

With Will Jordan under an injury cloud, a start in the run on side for Ruben Love is not out of the question.

“There’s a lot of work going on behind the scenes with some of the young guys and their game management. These boys have been training well behind the scenes and preparing the 15 or the 23 every week. Everyone understands their roles,” he said.

“We will need to be better, and there’ll be no lack of motivation to keep getting better.

“Ruben Love has been unbelievable in training and setting us up well. You saw the way the French play with their kicking game and their control, and how they try to hurt you in the air.

“Ruben has run an absolute gem of a French cutter for the last two weeks training against us and is working hard behind the scenes and is good to go when he gives this opportunity.”

Comments

30 Comments

AT 26 days ago

I wonder why NZR brought Wayne Smith back in its common knowledge the coach dont like him. Im sure NZR are more concerned about the up and coming games against Argentina and South Africa.

PS 26 days ago

Pure speculation from you there. Keep wondering.

BA 26 days ago

Seemed happy enough in each others company with a bro hug after the win?

TT 27 days ago

IF(?) the plan is to actually build AB depth (??) the French test 3 must be about playing THAT depth, ie NO 1st choice players in their usual positions or newer ABs that have already had a whole AB season, ie with some wishful thinking for some NON-squad-’but should be’ players {NS} ,

(& ignoring the still injured)

(backup)

[ONJ=Once/if Not Injured ]

1 - Ollie Norris

2 - Brodie McAlister

3 - Newell (Tosi)

4,5 Locks - Holland, Isaia Walker-Leawere (Antonio Shalfoon {NS} - put in squad) [ONJ - Oliver Haig]

6,7,8 Loose forwards - Kirifi, Lio-Willie, Finau [ONJ - Lakai, Sititi ]

9 - Fakatava {{NS} put in squad}, Roigard {as injured most of last season}

10 - Love (D.McK)

12 - Tavatavanawai (Tupaea)

13 - Peter Umaga-Jensen {NS} {hijack from going to Japan put in squad} (Billy Proctor)

11, 14 - Narawa, Caleb Tangitau [ {NS} a MUST future AB but as just out of injury, if not ready, AJ Lam (who has/can play wing)

15 B.Barrett (J.Barrett)

SC 26 days ago

That team would lose to France and All Blacks drop in world rankings.

No thanks.

WINNING IS EVERYTHING

Pass2mePass2me 26 days ago

Absolutely for Peter Umaga-Jensen, Narawa, Caleb Tangitau.

Must be KEPT IN NZ & … USED! ie given regular test experience AS A MINIMUM.

Too many past & present high quality & test quality NZ players have not been used & languish is NZ waiting for their deserved selection & test play. While too many ‘good old boys’ in house in ABs ride the ‘continuity’ bandwagon. Why because of the way over stated need for experience, the same experience that has claimed most AB's yellow/ red cards & non 80min performances.

Select & keep Peter Umaga-Jensen, Narawa, Caleb Tangitau in NZ NOW!

JW 27 days ago

Those are some fine NS names TT but I think they’ll use the in squad players that aren’t first choice before those names, like Ah Kuoi, Jacobsen, Hotham etc first.

SC 27 days ago

Isaiah Walker-Leawere is the most physical lock in NZ period and powerful. At 1.98 he is same height as Tuipulotu and he was outstanding for All Blacks XV in both matches last November and played recently for Māori ABs so he is match fit. Walker-Leawere should be called in for Tuipulotu.

Ah-Khoi is not a test lock at 1.96m, he is far too short. Nor is he a renowned scrummaging lock. He must play 6 at test level or not at all.

I’m tired of the All Blacks selecting short locks and blindsides. Certainly the last two tests show that in test rugby, size matters.

IS 27 days ago

Tf you on about he most definitely is a strong lock and hes played international games you just sound biased asf and you think hes short lol hes 2cm or 200mm off your player that yiu want and stats shows he’s a better player than your guy too

YeowNotEven 27 days ago

F it. Let’s get Isiah in there and see what happens.

BA 27 days ago

Yea brutha!

GP 28 days ago

One of the form loose forwards of 2025, Ethan Blackadder should be brought in to the AB’s.He was consistently one one of the best in Super Rugby this year. With and without the ball for the Crusaders.

Over the sideline 27 days ago

And he is out…… has a medical issue but not an injury…

JW 27 days ago

Wouldn’t he still be with them?

Luke’s going to come in, herhaps at 8 and Ethan can then play 6?

BA 28 days ago

surely it’s got to be a dude who can legit play lock? Especially if Paddy T under a cloud

SadersMan 28 days ago

Interesting. Especially if Paddy & Will turn out to be more than niggles. But if they're just niggly, there’s a 4 week break before Los Pumas tests to aid full recovery. Keepers imo.

Personally, I hope we pick the strongest 23 based on the 1st two tests rather than a “participation” 23. For Tupou Va'ai? Finau to start & Naitoa to the bench for me. Either way, a huge battle ahead.

BA 28 days ago

An u right looking more and more like a battle Frenchies will give it heaps I reckon and might have a tactical change lined up for us

BA 28 days ago

If Paddy is out out they will need another lock to start or bench, I like Walker -Leawere eased off on the penalties a tad but still got that niggle played the other week

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