All Black Shannon Frizell offered diversion over Dunedin bar assault stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Braydon Ennor, who missed the tests against Tonga and Fiji to undergo appendicitis surgery is back and so too is Ofa Tuungafasi, following his knee surgery. George Bower will also remain with the squad as injury cover for Joe Moody, who is back in the squad but is not expected to return to test rugby until after the Bledisloe Cup series. Samisoni Taukei’aho also stays with the All Blacks squad as cover for Asafo Aumua.
Andrew Cornaga
Ofa Tuungafasi is back in the All Blacks squad following a knee operation. Aumua who missed the last two tests and may play the opening round of the NPC to build his match fitness.
“That’s all part of the negotiation ploy I guess, but ultimately he’s back.” Foster said he was impressed with how the 29-year-old played in Japan for his NTT Red Hurricanes side, but would still need more rugby before the All Blacks open their campaign in a Bledisloe Cup encounter against Australia at Eden Park on August 7. “When he went to Japan, he had a clear focus from us,” the All Blacks coach said. “The good thing about a halfback going to Japan is that we want our halfbacks fast to the ruck . we monitored his progress over there and were pretty pleased with what we saw in that space. We know he’s a confrontational nine, a tough defender, he’s good over the ball, he’s ultra-competitive, so he’s done that for us for a long long time.
All Blacks player ratings vs Fiji | Steinlager Series
6:06pm, 17 July 2021 By Alex McLeod
Trending on RugbyPass
6:06pm, 17 July 2021
The All Blacks have silenced their critics with an impressive 60-13 thumping of Fiji at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton.
ADVERTISEMENT
Fiji showed promise early on in the clash, staying within touching distance of the home side for at least half an hour. However, the All Blacks eventually began to settle, growing a lead through patient play as Sevu Reece completed a first half hattrick and Ardie Savea, in his 50th test, dotted down for the All Blacks to register a 29-6 lead at halftime.
All Blacks thrash Fiji in second Test A Set the default text size A Set large text size
Replay A Set the default text size A Set large text size
New Zealand have completed the perfect preparation for the Bledisloe Cup by beating Fiji 60-13 in the second Test to complete a series sweep on home soil.
Recalled winger Sevu Reece completed his hat-trick by the 36th minute in Hamilton as the All Blacks racked up nine tries to one at Waikato Stadium following a week of criticism after their 57-23 first Test victory in Dunedin.
Ian Foster’s side came into Saturday’s clash under pressure, having been beaten at the breakdown in the opener before running over the tiring Fijians.