[ad_1]
Hoskins Sotutu of the Blues wins a ball at the lineout during the Aotearoa Super Rugby Round 2 match against the Chiefs in Hamilton on June 20, 2020.
Fiona Goodall / Getty Images
Powerful backrower Hoskins Sotutu has opted for New Zealand over England and was one of seven new faces included in a All the black people The team named new coach Ian Foster on Sunday began rebuilding ahead of the next World Cup.
The Auckland-born 22-year-old of English and Fijian descent had attracted the interest of England coach Eddie Jones, as well as Fijian mentor Vern Cotter.
Instead he joins prop Alex Hodgman, blocks Tupou Vaa’i and Quinten Strange, drops forward Cullen Grace and full-backs Caleb Clarke and Will Jordan on the All Blacks team.
But it is unknown when they will play.
With the Covid-19 pandemic hampering international travel, the All Blacks have scored matches against a composite side of the Pacific and Australia, plus the delayed Rugby Championship.
But they are awaiting confirmation, expected in the coming days, of which, in their case, they can go ahead.
The Rugby Championship is already in doubt with Argentina confirming that six players tested positive for coronavirus in recent days.
“Like everyone else, we are impatient to know what is happening, but we fully understand all the variables at play and are confident that there will be something that fans will look forward to in the not too distant future,” he added. Foster said.
New Zealand has key gaps to fill after last year’s World Cup with former captain and Test 127 number eight Kieran Read, backing up Sonny Bill Williams, Ben Smith and Ryan Crotty who are no longer available and blocking Brodie Retallick hired to play in Japan until next year.
But Foster added that he was “enormously excited” by the caliber of players at his disposal in a successful five-team national Super Rugby season after Covid-19 suddenly halted the 15-team, five-nation competition.
“The result is that we can now announce a team that is rich in experience and a bit battle hardened after the Rugby World Cup, but looking to the future with the inclusion of several new players,” he said.
In addition to the new caps, the team also features the return of 2017 All Blacks Asafo Aumua and Akira Ioane, as well as 2018 mainstay Karl Tu’inukuafe.
Prop Atu Moli, blocking Scott Barrett and midfielder Ngani Laumape were not considered due to injury.
The All Blacks are awash with talent among outside running backs where Clarke, a son of former All Blacks Eroni Clarke, and Jordan were the two standout players in Super Rugby.
They join the ranks of established test players Damian McKenzie, Jordie Barrett, George Bridge and Sevu Reece.
Beauden Barrett, who played fullback during the last World Cup, has been named in flyhalf along with starter Richie Mo’unga.
But Foster said he also stayed in the frame to play fullback.
“There’s a lot of versatility in that space and we love it because it gives us options and it means we can have a bench that potentially has a little more power and strength than it would have been if we only had good players in one position.”
Squad of all Blacks:
Forwards: Asafo Aumua, Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Alex Hodgman, Nepo Laulala, Tyrel Lomax, Joe Moody, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi, Quinten Strange, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa’i, Samuel Whitelock, Sam Cane (capt) , Shannon Frizell, Cullen Grace, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Ardie Savea, Hoskins Sotutu.
Backs: TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Brad Weber, Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo’unga, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan, Damian McKenzie, Sevu Reece .
