Don't panic, but the All Blacks are all broken!
OK fine, not all of them, but the team has picked up nine injuries across the series against France.
Newstalk ZB rugby editor Elliott Smith spoke to Jason Pine on Sportstalk about when these players will be back playing, and who will replace them in the meantime.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News Talk ZEDB. No need for the DMO, We've
got the breakdown on Sports Talk call oh eight hundred
eighty News Talk sab SO.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
As mentioned, the All Blacks have confirmed several injury blows
ahead of the Rugby Championship, which starts in less than
three weeks. Rugby editor Elliot Smith has popped into the
studio to phillison. Let's start with those, Elliott, who are
unlikely to feature in the Rugby Championship. Who are the
longest term casualties.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
Well, the most serious one in terms of length of
time out pinety is Noah Hotham. He will need surgery
on a high ankle sprain. You and I both saw
it at the end of that third Test against France.
He sat on the turf at if Injury standing in
Waycatto for a number of minutes getting treatment and it
didn't look good in the night. And he's now going
(01:04):
to need be up for our seven to eight weeks,
so they will need another half back for this tour
of Argentina and beyond. He's the most serious in terms
of weeks to row Lomax, which is probably in terms
of a first choice player the most worrying for the
All Blacks losing a first choice player is out for
five to six weeks. He's had surgery on a hand fracture,
so he suffered that in that same game against France
(01:26):
in Hamilton as well. Of course it was his first
game of the series, so a blow for to Roll
Lomax and not being there. And Luke Jacobson, who of
course has ruled out in the minutes before kickoff in
that third and final Test in Hamilton, is out for
five weeks with a thigh injury, so frustrating for Luke
Jacobson was going to get his opportunity in that game.
Now on the sidelines for five weeks or so. So
(01:48):
you look at those group of players and they'll all
be out for at least the opener opening two games
of the Rank B Championship. Hotham will be out for
probably the entirety of the tournament. By the time he
gets back. You would have to say Kayla Clarks the
other one. We knew about that, but he's out for
five to six weeks as well. So four play is
there that will miss at least the opening two games.
(02:09):
And probably a little bit longer among them for the
All Blacks, which is a real blow for Scott Robertson
and co.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
Indeed, okay, before I ask you about who might come
in for those players, what about those who are carrying
injuries which are I guess more likely to be fixed
by the time the Rugby Championship gets underway. And what
about three weeks time?
Speaker 3 (02:27):
Yeah, some positives news there, as you say, three weeks time,
twenty days away from that first Test against Argentina in Cordoba.
Scott Barrett's three weeks away. He spoke to the country
here on newstalk zeb last week and indicated that he
was tracking pretty well. So a positive there. Wallace a
Tito who we haven't seen with the All Blacks this
year with that injury suffered lad in the Chiefs campaign
(02:47):
high ankle injury, three weeks away himself to Mighty Williams
again missed the French series. He's three weeks away, so
they're they're all there or they'reabouts to the opening Test
against the Argentinians in Cordoba. Then Boden barred and Tupo
I with a hand injury and concussion protocols respectively. Out
for two weeks, so you'd say they'll be ready to
(03:07):
go for that opening game against Argentina. But boy boy,
you look at that Andrew list. I think it's nine
strong that they've had to deal with and juggle and
obviously going to have to call in some replacements.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Piny, Yeah, after only three tests as well, it's quite
the casualty Ward. Okay, let's talk replacements. Let's talk Noah
Hotham's replacement at half back because it felt and I
know you spoke about this with Liam Napier on the
Rap Direct podcast as though it was roy Guard to
Hotham and then quite the gap back. Are we back
to the well with Finlay Christie? Is he the next one?
Speaker 3 (03:38):
That is a fascinating question, Piney, whether he is the
next one trotted out for Tasman and pre season against
Southland and christ Church last week he had forty minutes
along with the Mitch Drummond who replaced him after that.
It would get another go around against Bay of Plenty
this Weekken's I think Scott Robinson's going to have a
really close look at the NPC this weekend across a
(03:58):
number of teams. Christie seems like the obvious contender, but
there's an ointment flying the ointment here that over the
weekend he was linked with the potential moved to Newcastle
in the English Premiership. Now that is potentially if he signs,
that would be obviously be the end of his All
Blacks hopes and maybe you know he's got Scottish heritage.
He's one year into a you know, a theoretical standdown
(04:21):
at the moment. So whether he has designs on playing
for Scotland at the twenty twenty seven World Cup, whether
he's willing to come in and be the under study
for the All Blacks, that is a fascinating subplot if
indeed they do pick him. But there's others around, you know,
Xavier Rowe out of waycotto as to contend to Kyle
Preston from Wellington, had a good, good Super Rugby season
with the Crusaders, Tolfafu Naki maybe another player with looking
(04:43):
back as well, So there are some contenders for Fatava's
played two tests for the All Blacks as well. There
are a number of contenders, but no one standing up
and saying pick me, which is why you know, for
this opening round to the NPC there could be a
lot riding on it in terms of an All Blacks caller.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
All right, the other positions they seem more obvious on
the wing with Caleb Clark not there and Morning another
would joined the team, didn't he and even played the
second Test. Are we looking at none of them just
staying with the squad?
Speaker 3 (05:11):
I would have to say so, yeah, I think he'll
get his opportunity once again. He played in Argentina two
years ago. Matta's debut there in Mendoza, I think is
worthy of another look. It would be interested to see
whether maybe they think they need another outside back as well.
When it comes to selecting the squad of thirty six,
(05:32):
they're going to have to add a couple of extra
players in the max, probably another loose forward as well.
So there's some real questions around the balance of the squad.
There was a lot of questions when they selected this
French squad. Did they have the balance right? Do they
have the right number of midfielders, do they have right
number of outside backs, that they have the right number
of loose forwards. That's going to, you know, the squeeze
is really going to come on. I guess in terms
of selecting this squad of thirty six which is due
(05:53):
out a week today for the Rugby Championship. Just on
the balance given they are going for two weeks away
in Argentina and you know the lucture of being in
New Zealand as you can get someone on playing pretty quickly.
Can't so much do that when you're over in South America.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
Right and the loose forwards Wallacer Titi coming back probably
adding one, Ethan Blackadder would need to be near the
front of that que, wouldn't he.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
I would say so absolutely. Donnon Papalti came into camp
as well, so whether he's part of that thirty six
that you're looking at, he's going to get some game
time for Counties Monico this week. I would say Ethan
Blackaday right in the mix for them, given his ability
to cover six seven for the All Blacks, probably eight
of a pushel though you definitely wouldn't want to start
him there in a Test match, but if things conspire
(06:35):
that you had to put him there, you could probably
put him there. So they're going to have to look
at an extra cover there. I would say Blackadder would
be at the front of that queue. Wallace A Titi
obviously due back as well for the Rugby Championship as well,
but they will need that extra body. I'd say Blackadder'd
be right there.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
All right, and just to finish in the front row
with Tyrell Lomax out. Fletcher Newel has been playing very
well for both the Crusaders and the All Blacks and
in fact started the Tests and Dneedi and Wellington in
the Three Jersey before Lomax came back. And I guess
they've got Pasilio TOSSI they've got to mighty Williams coming
back with his ability to play both sides. Would they
(07:10):
have to add another prop as well?
Speaker 3 (07:12):
I would think they'd have to add another prop just
for security sake again, going away, going abroad for such
a length of time, I think they need a little
bit of depth. Pusslo Toss is going to get some
game time obviously this week, but similar to the halfback,
there's a number of contenders out there around New Zealand
at the moment, but no one really screaming and putting
their hands up for selection. Angus has been part of
(07:33):
the mix before, obviously for the All Blacks and not
for a couple of years now, but he might be
someone they look at There's been other contenders as well,
but you're really getting into the backups to the backups
of Super Rugby teams at the moment given the injury list.
So look, maybe Jase Ryan's cast iron and found someone
(07:53):
through the mix through the season Super Rugby season that
is keen to get an eye on, but you'd have
to say there's no one jumping up and putting their
hands up at this stage. George Dyer, I would say,
would be a contender out of the cheeks, but beyond that,
there's not a lot of obvious titled prop replacements there
for Trollo Max all.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
Right Rugby Championship squad named on Monday, Is it a.
Speaker 3 (08:13):
Week today was yes, we believe so. So there's going
to be some chances of players to play NPC this
weekend and as I say, perhaps some last minute auditions
for Scott Robinson and his selectors over the course of
the four days of rugby from Thursday night.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
Great update, Elliott, thanks for stopping in tonight, jess Mine,
thank you mate. That is Elliot Smith, our rugby editor
and lead commentator with the news out of the All
Blacks camp about injuries, et cetera.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
For more from Sports Talk. Listen live to News Talk
said Be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News Talk ZEDB. No need for the DMO, We've
got the breakdown on Sports Talk call oh eight hundred
eighty News Talk sab SO.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
As mentioned, the All Blacks have confirmed several injury blows
ahead of the Rugby Championship, which starts in less than
three weeks. Rugby editor Elliot Smith has popped into the
studio to phillison. Let's start with those, Elliott, who are
unlikely to feature in the Rugby Championship. Who are the
longest term casualties.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
Well, the most serious one in terms of length of
time out pinety is Noah Hotham. He will need surgery
on a high ankle sprain. You and I both saw
it at the end of that third Test against France.
He sat on the turf at if Injury standing in
Waycatto for a number of minutes getting treatment and it
didn't look good in the night. And he's now going
(01:04):
to need be up for our seven to eight weeks,
so they will need another half back for this tour
of Argentina and beyond. He's the most serious in terms
of weeks to row Lomax, which is probably in terms
of a first choice player the most worrying for the
All Blacks losing a first choice player is out for
five to six weeks. He's had surgery on a hand fracture,
so he suffered that in that same game against France
(01:26):
in Hamilton as well. Of course it was his first
game of the series, so a blow for to Roll
Lomax and not being there. And Luke Jacobson, who of
course has ruled out in the minutes before kickoff in
that third and final Test in Hamilton, is out for
five weeks with a thigh injury, so frustrating for Luke
Jacobson was going to get his opportunity in that game.
Now on the sidelines for five weeks or so. So
(01:48):
you look at those group of players and they'll all
be out for at least the opener opening two games
of the Rank B Championship. Hotham will be out for
probably the entirety of the tournament. By the time he
gets back. You would have to say Kayla Clarks the
other one. We knew about that, but he's out for
five to six weeks as well. So four play is
there that will miss at least the opening two games.
(02:09):
And probably a little bit longer among them for the
All Blacks, which is a real blow for Scott Robertson
and co.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
Indeed, okay, before I ask you about who might come
in for those players, what about those who are carrying
injuries which are I guess more likely to be fixed
by the time the Rugby Championship gets underway. And what
about three weeks time?
Speaker 3 (02:27):
Yeah, some positives news there, as you say, three weeks time,
twenty days away from that first Test against Argentina in Cordoba.
Scott Barrett's three weeks away. He spoke to the country
here on newstalk zeb last week and indicated that he
was tracking pretty well. So a positive there. Wallace a
Tito who we haven't seen with the All Blacks this
year with that injury suffered lad in the Chiefs campaign
(02:47):
high ankle injury, three weeks away himself to Mighty Williams
again missed the French series. He's three weeks away, so
they're they're all there or they'reabouts to the opening Test
against the Argentinians in Cordoba. Then Boden barred and Tupo
I with a hand injury and concussion protocols respectively. Out
for two weeks, so you'd say they'll be ready to
(03:07):
go for that opening game against Argentina. But boy boy,
you look at that Andrew list. I think it's nine
strong that they've had to deal with and juggle and
obviously going to have to call in some replacements.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Piny, Yeah, after only three tests as well, it's quite
the casualty Ward. Okay, let's talk replacements. Let's talk Noah
Hotham's replacement at half back because it felt and I
know you spoke about this with Liam Napier on the
Rap Direct podcast as though it was roy Guard to
Hotham and then quite the gap back. Are we back
to the well with Finlay Christie? Is he the next one?
Speaker 3 (03:38):
That is a fascinating question, Piney, whether he is the
next one trotted out for Tasman and pre season against
Southland and christ Church last week he had forty minutes
along with the Mitch Drummond who replaced him after that.
It would get another go around against Bay of Plenty
this Weekken's I think Scott Robinson's going to have a
really close look at the NPC this weekend across a
(03:58):
number of teams. Christie seems like the obvious contender, but
there's an ointment flying the ointment here that over the
weekend he was linked with the potential moved to Newcastle
in the English Premiership. Now that is potentially if he signs,
that would be obviously be the end of his All
Blacks hopes and maybe you know he's got Scottish heritage.
He's one year into a you know, a theoretical standdown
(04:21):
at the moment. So whether he has designs on playing
for Scotland at the twenty twenty seven World Cup, whether
he's willing to come in and be the under study
for the All Blacks, that is a fascinating subplot if
indeed they do pick him. But there's others around, you know,
Xavier Rowe out of waycotto as to contend to Kyle
Preston from Wellington, had a good, good Super Rugby season
with the Crusaders, Tolfafu Naki maybe another player with looking
(04:43):
back as well, So there are some contenders for Fatava's
played two tests for the All Blacks as well. There
are a number of contenders, but no one standing up
and saying pick me, which is why you know, for
this opening round to the NPC there could be a
lot riding on it in terms of an All Blacks caller.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
All right, the other positions they seem more obvious on
the wing with Caleb Clark not there and Morning another
would joined the team, didn't he and even played the
second Test. Are we looking at none of them just
staying with the squad?
Speaker 3 (05:11):
I would have to say so, yeah, I think he'll
get his opportunity once again. He played in Argentina two
years ago. Matta's debut there in Mendoza, I think is
worthy of another look. It would be interested to see
whether maybe they think they need another outside back as well.
When it comes to selecting the squad of thirty six,
(05:32):
they're going to have to add a couple of extra
players in the max, probably another loose forward as well.
So there's some real questions around the balance of the squad.
There was a lot of questions when they selected this
French squad. Did they have the balance right? Do they
have the right number of midfielders, do they have right
number of outside backs, that they have the right number
of loose forwards. That's going to, you know, the squeeze
is really going to come on. I guess in terms
of selecting this squad of thirty six which is due
(05:53):
out a week today for the Rugby Championship. Just on
the balance given they are going for two weeks away
in Argentina and you know the lucture of being in
New Zealand as you can get someone on playing pretty quickly.
Can't so much do that when you're over in South America.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
Right and the loose forwards Wallacer Titi coming back probably
adding one, Ethan Blackadder would need to be near the
front of that que, wouldn't he.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
I would say so absolutely. Donnon Papalti came into camp
as well, so whether he's part of that thirty six
that you're looking at, he's going to get some game
time for Counties Monico this week. I would say Ethan
Blackaday right in the mix for them, given his ability
to cover six seven for the All Blacks, probably eight
of a pushel though you definitely wouldn't want to start
him there in a Test match, but if things conspire
(06:35):
that you had to put him there, you could probably
put him there. So they're going to have to look
at an extra cover there. I would say Blackadder would
be at the front of that queue. Wallace A Titi
obviously due back as well for the Rugby Championship as well,
but they will need that extra body. I'd say Blackadder'd
be right there.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
All right, and just to finish in the front row
with Tyrell Lomax out. Fletcher Newel has been playing very
well for both the Crusaders and the All Blacks and
in fact started the Tests and Dneedi and Wellington in
the Three Jersey before Lomax came back. And I guess
they've got Pasilio TOSSI they've got to mighty Williams coming
back with his ability to play both sides. Would they
(07:10):
have to add another prop as well?
Speaker 3 (07:12):
I would think they'd have to add another prop just
for security sake again, going away, going abroad for such
a length of time, I think they need a little
bit of depth. Pusslo Toss is going to get some
game time obviously this week, but similar to the halfback,
there's a number of contenders out there around New Zealand
at the moment, but no one really screaming and putting
their hands up for selection. Angus has been part of
(07:33):
the mix before, obviously for the All Blacks and not
for a couple of years now, but he might be
someone they look at There's been other contenders as well,
but you're really getting into the backups to the backups
of Super Rugby teams at the moment given the injury list.
So look, maybe Jase Ryan's cast iron and found someone
(07:53):
through the mix through the season Super Rugby season that
is keen to get an eye on, but you'd have
to say there's no one jumping up and putting their
hands up at this stage. George Dyer, I would say,
would be a contender out of the cheeks, but beyond that,
there's not a lot of obvious titled prop replacements there
for Trollo Max all.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
Right Rugby Championship squad named on Monday, Is it a.
Speaker 3 (08:13):
Week today was yes, we believe so. So there's going
to be some chances of players to play NPC this
weekend and as I say, perhaps some last minute auditions
for Scott Robinson and his selectors over the course of
the four days of rugby from Thursday night.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
Great update, Elliott, thanks for stopping in tonight, jess Mine,
thank you mate. That is Elliot Smith, our rugby editor
and lead commentator with the news out of the All
Blacks camp about injuries, et cetera.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
For more from Sports Talk. Listen live to News Talk
said Be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio
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