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All Blacks suspended mainstay Ofa Tu’ungafasi can start packing for an early departure to New Zealand. Some of his teammates too, although his exact composition won’t be known until next week.
All Blacks coach Ian Foster confirmed from Sydney after revealing his lineup to face Argentina in their penultimate game of 2020 at Bankwest Stadium on Saturday that they would likely send home a first wave from the roaming squad next week to start early in your managed isolation. in New Zealand.
That had always been the intention and the plan, and Foster confirmed that, injury and health permitting, they would make a decision on the composition of that group next week after the first clash against Argentina.
The All Blacks will close out their Tri-Nations commitments against Argentina in Newcastle on November 28. They currently have 38 players in Australia, including Tu’ungafasi, who has been suspended for three weeks following his red card against Australia last Saturday. .
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“We are looking at the possibility of sending some players home sooner, maybe early next week, once we finish this game,” Foster said. “That will give people a chance to have a better rest before Super Rugby. If that happens, Ofa will be one of those people. “
Foster said that a group returning early had always been part of the plan when this trip was laid out. They felt they needed a large number to handle the possible number of injuries from four test matches in five weeks in Australia, but also that they would be in a position to shed some before the final match.
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All Blacks coach Ian Foster says he will know more about their requirements for the final game in Australia next week.
The New Zealanders have a week off following their third match of the Three Nations competition against the Cougars in west Sydney on Saturday.
“If we don’t have a lot of injuries, there is a chance that we can send a small number a week or 10 days before, so they can start their quarantine and I guess they have a bigger break because they still have Super Rugby starting late February next. year.
“It is something that we are going to evaluate at the end of this game. We will see how we come out with injuries and make decisions there. We have to make sure we have a team capable of preparing very well for the last test in Argentina ”.
Capt Sam Cane and utility running back Jordie Barrett could be candidates for an early release, if all goes according to plan. They will be the only All Blacks to have started all testing in 2020. Halfback TJ Perenara is heading directly to Japan to begin his gap year after this tour.
But a lot is likely to depend on the events on Saturday. The All Blacks will likely still need to win their final game to clinch the Tri-Nations title, and Foster will want to make sure he has a lineup on hand capable of pulling it off.
All Blacks running back Aaron Smith said that while the prospect of an early start to isolation and earlier-than-planned return to families might suit some, it wouldn’t even be contemplated until after Saturday’s game.
