NRL superstar gets shock All Blacks selection
Former NRL superstar Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is a surprise inclusion on the All Blacks bench for Saturday’s pressure cooker series decider against Ireland in Wellington.
The Blues inside centre has been in the New Zealand squad throughout the series but was not used in Ian Foster’s matchday 23 for the win in Auckland and loss in Dunedin that leaves the series poised at 1-1.
But with his job increasingly under threat, coach Foster has reacted to last weekend’s historic loss by dumping young Chiefs No.12 Quinn Tupaea.
Watch the All Blacks vs Ireland, Wallabies vs England, Springboks vs Wales and Pumas vs Scotland series deciders live, ad free and exclusive on Stan Sport
Crusaders utility David Havili has recovered from a bout of COVID-19 and will start with the uncapped Tuivasa-Sheck providing cover in the reserves after an impressive first season in professional rugby.
Foster has also recalled senior lock Sam Whitelock, who missed the second Test with concussion symptoms.
That means Scott Barrett reverts to blindside flanker with Dalton Papalii dropped back to the bench.
READ MORE: All Blacks legend rips rugby’s festering problem
READ MORE: Wallabies exile earns recall for England decider
READ MORE: Barty addresses golf future amid Wimbledon snub
Will Jordan, who scored a try off the bench at Forsyth Barr Stadium, is promoted to start on the right wing as Leicester Fainga’anuku misses out and Sevu Reece switches flanks.
Tighthead prop Nepo Laulala will make his first appearance of the season along with reserves Dane Coles and Akira Ioane.
Ofa Tu’ungafasi drops to the bench after being yellow carded in Dunedin while the experienced Coles comes in for Samisoni Taukei’aho.
Live from the The Pig ‘N’ Whistle, Sean Maloney and Andrew Mehrtens review all the action from the epic Test clashes between the northern and southern hemisphere as well as keeping an eye on the exciting Pacific Nations Cup in Fiji
“It’s tough having a loss but the tough weeks are often the most exciting,” Foster said.
“A series decider against a high quality side is a great occasion for our growth as a team.”
England’s Wayne Barnes has been appointed referee for the match at Sky Stadium.
ALL BLACKS (15-1): Jordie Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, David Havili, Sevu Reece, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (c), Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Nepo Laulala, Codie Taylor, George Bower
Reserves: Dane Coles, Aidan Ross, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Folau Fakatava, Richie Mo’unga, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
‘I got the yips that night’: Rugby legends trade hilarious yarns on Stan Sport’s Glory Days series
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.