ALL BLACKS WORLD CUP TEAM, 2023 THE 33 PLAYERS WHO MADE THE CUT.
The wait is finally over, with the All Back squad announced for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
While there were no bombshell inclusions or omissions among the 33-man squad, there was always going to be a bunch of players on the cusp, who could be considered lucky to gain, or unlucky to miss, selection .
In the end, coach Ian Foster and fellow selectors Jason Ryan and Joe Schmidt went for an 18-15 forwards-backs split, in a squad which includes 17 players who will be featuring at their first World Cup, though which also features 1493 test caps, making it the All Blacks’ most experienced World Cup squad in history.
David Havili returns among four midfielders, after playing for Tasman on Friday.
Veteran lock Brodie Retallick is included despite a knee injury which will see him miss the cup opener against France, and maybe more.
Tamaiti Williams is one of six props named, while Joe Moody runs out of time due to injury.
Loose forward Samipeni Finau is perhaps the unluckiest after a strong game in Dunedin.
Finau, halfback Brad Weber and hooker George Bell are all named as standby players.
Caleb Clarke, David Havili and Brodie Retallick must have been among the players who felt they had been gifted winning lottery tickets when All Blacks coach Ian Foster revealed his World Cup squad on Monday.
Their inclusion in the 33-strong group for the global tournament in France was among the key discussion points following the squad naming in Napier, as Foster took another giant stride towards the goal of bringing the Webb Ellis Cup back to New Zealand.
With the majority of names already etched in granite before last weekend’s test against the Wallabies, Foster and fellow selectors had to assess a logjam of talent in several positions, as well as those in, or having recently departed, the casualty clinic.
Wing Clarke, midfielder Havili and lock Retallick emerged as the victors following those discussions.
The same could be said for versatile prop Tamaiti Williams, wing Leicester Fainga’anuku and, perhaps halfback Finlay Christie, who has been given the nod ahead of Brad Weber.
Then there’s the unlucky ones.
Centre Braydon Ennor, loose forward Samipeni Finau, lock Josh Lord, wing/fullback Shaun Stevenson, prop Joe Moody and loose forward Ethan Blackadder, the latter pair haven’t played a test this year because of injuries, were among those overlooked.
Ennor hurt his knee in the test against the Wallabies in Dunedin last weekend. Foster said the injury was “devastating’’ for him, an indication he may have been close to being on the plane
The knee injury that forced Retallick off the field during the match against the Wallabies in Dunedin last weekend created a scare he may be ruled out – it was initially reported he could be out for four to six weeks.
But he is set to travel for his third World Cup. Retallick said at the naming he hopes to be fit for the second pool game against Namibia.
Foster said test centurion Retallick was too important to leave behind.
“Brodie’s knee is probably about six weeks (to heal),’’ Foster said. “But we are not 100% sure, whether it be round one or round two of the World Cup, we are not sure.
“But we really believe he has earned his selection and we can manage that.’’
Retallick is no stranger to this predicament. He was incapacitated ahead of a World Cup in 2019, a legacy of injuring his shoulder against the Springboks, but was picked regardless.
Retallick wasn’t foisted into action until the final pool game against Namibia at the 2019 tournament, and although it wasn’t the most vigorous of workouts, he proved his value and started in the second row alongside Sam Whitelock in the quarterfinal, semi and the bronze medal games. This will be Retallick’s third World Cup. Although he isn’t the same operator of yesteryear, his aggression, appetite for toil and lineout knowledge meant he couldn’t be overlooked.
The decision to carry just four locks means there is no room for Lord.
The fact blindside flanker Shannon Frizell can also play in the second row may alleviate fears the All Blacks will be caught if Retallick isn’t ready as soon as forecast.
Midfielder Havili, who can also cover fullback, tore his hamstring in early June which ruled him out of the Crusaders’ defence of the Super Rugby Pacific title.
He finally made his return for Tasman last weekend to lock down a spot ahead of his first World Cup.
The call to take only five loosies is a tough call on Finau, who impressed in his test debut in Dunedin.
But it is terrific for Luke Jacobson, who can cover No 8 and blindside flanker, and missed the last World Cup after being sent home with concussion.
“We congratulate those 33 players selected,’’ Foster said.
“This year’s Rugby World Cup promises to be the most competitive yet and the pool draw means we have to ready right from the outset. We have worked hard through the first part of our season and have made some strong progress through the Rugby Championship and the Bledisloe series.
“There is more growth to come and more is needed This is a vastly experienced team but with over half the players going to their first World Cup, it has a strong balance of youth and future planning.’’
The All Blacks will play their final pre-tournament game against South Africa in London on August 26. Three players will travel as additional cover. They are hooker George Bell, Finau and Weber.
Bell has been called up because Asafo Aumua has an injury.
All Blacks squad:
Hookers: Codie Taylor, Dane Coles, Samisoni Taukei’aho.
Props: Ethan de Groot, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Nepo Lauala, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Tamaiti Williams.
Locks: Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Tupou Vaa’i, Brodie Retallick.
Loose forwards: Sam Cane (captain), Ardie Savea, Dalton Papali’i, Shannon Frizell, Luke Jacobson.
Halfbacks: Aaron Smith, Finlay Christie, Cam Roigard.
First five-eighths: Richie Mo’unga, Damian McKenzie, Beauden Barrett.
Midfielders: Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, David Havili.
Outside backs: Will Jordan, Mark Telea, Emoni Narawa, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Caleb Clarke.
Go well boys. Good Luck from all the fans.
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