ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

All Blacks squad in peril ahead of Irish test series

BY Jack Tunney  ·  Monday Jun 27, 2022

It’s not even the first test between the traveling Irish squad and New Zealand, but the All Blacks are already falling apart.

ADVERTISEMENT

It doesn’t involve any infighting however, in fact, it’s that dreaded Covid again.

On the infected list, 3 of the All Blacks main coaches find themselves now out of the camp. Head coach Ian Foster, assistants Scot McLeod and John Plumtree have all tested positive and are consequently having to self-isolate.

This has resulted in ex-Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt coming in to take control at the head until Ian Foster returns.

Joe Schmidt has spent much of the last 12 years in Ireland, firstly coaching Dublin-based province Leinster, before moving on to becoming the head coach for the national side. With his innate knowledge of Irish rugby and the players they possess, Schmidt could very well be the ideal man to take on the challenge.

Brad Mooar, a member of the All Blacks backroom team seemed optimistic about the transition:

“It’s not an unforeseen event. Covid has been around us for a couple of years now and we’ve planned for what will happen in this situation,” Mooar said.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Right now we’re preparing for Ireland, Plum and Foz have been zooming in, Feeky takes over on the ground with the forwards, and we just connect really closely.

“I’m really confident that, with the machine around us and the way it’s been set up, we won’t miss a beat.

“It’s not ideal. I think we can accept that and be honest with that, but we’ve planned for it … and now we can focus on the job at hand which is to put the week together and get ready.

“We know there’s a lot of work we need to do between now and Saturday to have the lads fresh and ready to go.”

ADVERTISEMENT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by All Blacks (@allblacks)

On the playing front, it would appear that David Havili and Jack Goodhue have also tested positive, and will both miss the first test. With the All Blacks having failed to nail down a consistent centre partnership leading up to these tests, the exclusion of these two challengers will really hurt their progress.

With these two now missing from the action, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck could now very well be the favourite to start at inside-centre. Mooar certainly appeared confident in the young man’s ability:

“He’s (Tupaea) had a season of test rugby under his belt, I thought he did some really good things on tour last year. He’s a big strong boy, he’s a confident athlete, does the work and backs his skill set. That pretty much ticks a lot of boxes for me.”

Related Articles

  • 42 WEEKS AGO

    World Cup winner to return after year long...

  • 43 WEEKS AGO

    Rugby league golden boot star set for huge...

  • 58 WEEKS AGO

    Hurricanes miss the memo as New Zealand clubs...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Wallabies wunderkind Sua'ali' and Scotland captain Tuipulotu clash

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

View All

Funnies

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

View All

Amateur

  • 99 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 99 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 122 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 122 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 122 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    The 19-year-old named the 'future' of English rugby after win against Australia A

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Anthony Watson exclusive: 'I wouldn't be surprised if England win'

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    It’s a 9.5/10 for Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

View All