Bledisloe Cup Rugby: All Blacks show faith in rookies for required response

Five initial changes, two new faces and the need for the All Blacks to make a physical statement of intent. It’s fair to say the heat is on for an answer in the second installment of the rekindled Bledisloe Cup series at Eden Park on Sunday.

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has reacted to last week’s deflated draw against the Wallabies in Wellington by trading seasoned prostitutes Codie Taylor and Dane Coles, who may hint at a more expansive approach, and putting Rieko Ioane in favor. of Anton-Lienert-Brown in the match. readjusted midfield.

Beauden Barrett’s return as a fullback, following his retirement two days before last week’s opening Bledisloe with an ongoing Achilles injury, also adds significant attacking power.

And yet easily the most intriguing changes are the promotion of two rookies: the Caleb Clarke wing for George Bridge and the Tupou Vaa’i padlock replacing senior padlock Sam Whitelock.

The test debut one week, starting the next, is a huge leap for anyone to understand.

Foster’s hand was forced, to some extent, to promote Clarke and Vaa’i. Bridge broke his chest during a non-contact training exercise Wednesday, ruling him out for up to six months, sealing Clarke’s promotion to the left edge after his impressive debut cameo.

“He’s a young man who seemed like he really wanted to be there and he played really well,” Foster said. “We are bitterly disappointed in George, particularly with the smooth form that happened in training with him slipping. It is frustrating for him, but it is an opportunity for someone else. Caleb is not intimidated by the opportunity he has taken in stride. “

Clarke, 21, remains in the early stages of his development in rugby, but from a size, skill, pedigree and temperament perspective, there is no question that he has it all. The sight of him playing the piano at camp this week isn’t surprising either. Whether it’s taking a high ball or smashing through defenders, there are few things Clarke hasn’t mastered this year. Ask Barrett, Blues partner.

“I’m so impressed with the way he’s developed this year from the seventh and going on to start every Blues game,” Barrett said. “He is very exciting to play with. He can run, he can spin, he can also kick, so he is a triple threat for me. I love how energetic and comfortable he is to be himself in this environment because he is a fun personality and a great kid. to have at camp. “

Of the two rookies, Vaa’i probably has the most daunting task. While their defensive and breaking work lacked physical application last week, the All Blacks scrum and lineout regularly put pressure on the Wallabies and they will be eager to replicate that fixed piece dominance.

With Whitelock unavailable due to headaches, starting Vaa’i on his second trial is a huge vote of confidence for the towering 20-year-old. The All Blacks had the option of pushing Scott Barrett straight to the starting team, but with the Crusaders captain gearing up for his first game in three months, he will be relieved from the bench.

From being introduced at the 76th minute last week to starting alongside Patrick Tuipulotu, this year has been a whirlwind for Vaa’i, the former captain of Wesley College’s first XV.

“It’s crazy to be building wooden fences with my father during the Level 3 lockdown to debut with the Chiefs,” Vaa’i said. “I am happy to be part of this team. It is a dream come true. It has come very fast too. There is a little bit of nerves and excitement, a lot of emotions running through me.”

In trying to make amends for their simple initial effort, the onus falls squarely on the All Black pack to rectify their attitude to crashes. Soundness and sound must be replaced by line speed and damage at the entrances. The same applies to the breakdown, where the labor rate needs to improve across the board.

“Test rugby starts up front and some say it ends up front,” said Foster. “We want to make a statement and get our levels to where we want them to be. There is a group here that is working very hard to do that.

“I don’t think we were dominated in the park, but in terms of work pace we became a bit passive and that’s where we fight.

“We did not achieve the level we wanted, which is clear and obvious, but we left with a tie at 16, so we are suffering and so it should be. I love these weeks. There is a real advantage in the camp. We want to respond from our own standards perspective and we are excited to do so. “