Podcast appearances and mentions of richie mo'unga

A free clip from our exclusive members Rugby Weekly Extra podcast(24/05)as Eoin Toolan joins Murray Kinsella to discuss the 2021 Champions Cup final and Eoin's experiences as an analyst in Japan. To hear the full podcast, and get lots more benefits, join The42 Membership today at members.the42.ie/#podcasts for less than 12 cent a day.

Will and Rupert are joined this week by 17-time capped All Blacks fly-half, Richie Mo’unga. He gives a fascinating insight on the semi-final defeat to England in the World Cup. He also tells the duo what he’s been up to during lockdown, the pressures of being an All Black, and what life is like under Scott Robertson at the Crusaders. Will also gives his reaction to the possibility of a ‘Test decider’ between the Lions and New Zealand, and they also give a shout-out to those working on the front line. Hear all this and much, much more on this week’s podcast.

World rugby has reacted with disbelief at the naming of the All Blacks squad for the World Cup in Japan - with many leading media organisations and fans expressing shock at the decision to exclude 108-cap veteran Owen Franks.Franks, Liam Squire and Ngani Laumape were the most noticeable absentees from the 31-man squad named in Auckland this afternoon, with Fox Sports calling the trio's omission "ruthless" under the headline All Bl-axed! 144 caps gone as ruthless NZ run a knife through World Cup squad.The site also suggested head coach Steve Hansen was taking a risk by including only two specialist first-fives in Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo'unga."There are just two specialist five-eighths named, with Hansen banking on Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo'unga enjoying an injury-free run," Fox Sports reported.AFP and the roar.com.au called Franks' axing a "shock omission", while the former expressed some surprise at the inclusion of seasoned utility back Ben Smith despite some recent poor form.AAP's line was about "sentimentality being cast aside in the name of speed", as Franks was replaced by the more mobile Atu Moli, with the Syndey Morning Herald describing it as a "major bombshell".The mass interest in the squad was evident when the All Blacks' official website crashed shortly after the announcement and the hashtags #RWC2019, #AllBlacks and #NewZealand soared to the top of Twitter's trending topics.Unsurprisingly, fans took to social media to voice their opinions on the selections - with Franks' absence a hot topic."No Owen Franks!" one user wrote with a shocked face emoji. "Understandable but you have to feel for the man, cruel game this.""Incredible that the @AllBlacks have deemed 108-cap Owen Franks surplus to requirements. He'd probably start for just about every other country, yet won't be at the @rugbyworldcup this autumn," another wrote.Many fans were equally puzzled by No 12 Laumape missing the cut with Jack Goodhue, Sonny Bill Williams, Ryan Crotty and Anton Lienert-Brown all preferred in midfield."I Understand Franks & Squire, But Seriously How Did Ngani Laumape Miss Out?""Stoked Luke Jacobson made the @AllBlacks squad for #RWC2019, but gutted for Ngani Laumape. Couldn't have done anything more to make the squad. Would have liked impact from a player of his calibre off the bench," wrote another.All Blacks legend Dan Carter was quick to congratulate the selected team while offering his sympathy for those who didn't."Rugby World Cups are where dreams are made. A special congratulations to all the boys selected for the @allblacks RWC squad. Commiserations to the guys that missed out. The work starts now #letsgooo #allblackeverything," he wrote on Twitter.The All Blacks will play South Africa, Canada, Namibia and Italy in pool matches starting on September 21, before heading into the knockout rounds.All Blacks squad: Joe Moody, Nepo Laulala, Angus Ta'avao, Ofa Tuungafasi, Atu Moli, Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Liam Coltman, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett, Luke Jacobson, Matt Todd, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Kieran Read (captain), Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Brad Weber, Richie Mo'unga, Beauden Barrett, Sonny Bill Williams, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown, Rieko Ioane, Sevu Reece, George Bridge, Jordie Barrett, Ben Smith 

On the face of it, the dropping of Owen Franks, Ben Smith and Rieko Ioane before the most important Bledisloe Cup test in four years must qualify as one of the most dramatic reactions to a loss ever made by All Blacks coach Steve Hansen.And yes, they have been dropped. Hansen was happy to confirm that in front of a packed press conference at the All Blacks hotel today, perhaps to reinforce a message to all of his players that no one is safe only five weeks from the start of the World Cup.The performances of tighthead prop Franks and outside backs Smith and Ioane have not been of an acceptable standard, and Hansen and his fellow selectors couldn't keep rewarding mediocrity.And yet, for all the "panic" headlines dreamed up by media outlets across the ditch reveling in the All Blacks feeling a little discomfort for a change, there is every chance the experienced trio would have sat out this test at Eden Park on Saturday even had Hansen's men won at Perth last weekend rather than slipping to a 47-26 defeat.Hansen wants to expose Nepo Laulala and inexperienced Crusaders pair George Bridge and Sevu Reece to something approaching the white-hot atmosphere of a World Cup knockout match. A positive side effect is that every one of his players – especially those within his pack – is on notice a week after they were too easily pushed around at Optus Stadium."Obviously we'd like Ben, Owen and Rieko playing better, but we've made decisions because we've got to find out more about these other people in big pressure-cooker situations and you don't get much bigger than this one – it's why we've got so many people here this week," Hansen said, regarding a big media turnout. "Everyone's excited about it and it's a challenge we have to face up to."Asked whether the trio had been dropped, Hansen replied: "Well, they're not playing, so you can say they've been dropped."Big call? "It's not that big a call because as I've just said to you, we've got to find out more about these other people. To win a World Cup we've had to roll the dice a bit. That's the No 1 priority, but we wouldn't be doing it if we didn't think the other guys weren't good enough to do the job on Saturday if we play well."What happens if we get to the World Cup and Ben Smith blows a tyre, or Rieko blows a hamstring, and we've got put a young guy in there who has never faced pressure like this before? It's ideal."Bridge has played three tests, all as a substitute. Reece, a revelation for the Crusaders this year, has played one – a start against the Pumas in Buenos Aires.Both have big workrates, are used to playing with No 10 Richie Mo'unga, and will look to provide a spark with their pace and ambition that has been sadly lacking for the All Blacks this year. The only question will be how they react to a high-ball bombardment; Bridge is very good in this area but the much shorter Reece may be a target for the Wallabies."We've seen [from them] probably more than we saw from Rieko when we put him in against the Lions [in 2017]. And everyone said 'you can't do that', but how did that go?"Hansen, about to take charge of the All Blacks in his 100th test, was business-like today but was brooking no nonsense. In that he provided a template for how the All Blacks must react to the hole they've found themselves in because a first Wallabies win against New Zealand at Eden Park since 1986 will allow them to reclaim the Bledisle Cup for the first time since 2003.The "neck roll" question was raised – last week the Wallabies were guilty of using the illegal tactic of twisting an opponent's neck to clear him from a breakdown at least 14 times – by an Australian reporter, who asked, "Have you told the boys to cut out the neck rolls?"Quick as a flash, Hansen replied: "Well, I haven't spoken to Australia."He added: "We didn't do any … we may have done one. All you want from the ref is consistency and if there's foul play that he'll deal with it. Are neck rolls foul play? I supp...

Get hold of the ball and we'll "kill them".That's the simple formula from World Cup winning coach Sir Graham Henry, who says equal possession will produce a Bledisloe Cup victory for the All Blacks on Saturday night.Henry told Radio Sport All Black fans should be concerned after the walloping Australia dished out in Perth."Of course we should be worried…the All Blacks will be worried and so they should be," he said."They were soundly beaten by a very good Wallabies side."I think the All Blacks gave away eight penalties on the weekend which is not a lot in the normal game but Australia only gave away four…which has a pretty big effect on the result I reckon."They had 11 lineouts, we had four – they had 11 starts in lineouts. So we lacked ball. We only had 30 per cent I think but with that we scored four tries which was a good result really."So we just need more ball. If we can get 50 per cent plus we are going to win the game, because we've got the players to use that ball effectively."And our defence believe it or not was better than the Australians - they had 70 per cent of the ball and scored six tries."We need to play the game correctly so we get more than our share – if we get 60 per cent we're going to kill them."Henry hopes coach Steve Hansen, his old deputy, sticks with Richie Mo'unga at first five-eighths, leaving Beauden Barrett at fullback."Beaudie is a fantastic player whether he plays 10 or 15, and Richie Mo'unga has been the form five-eighth for a couple of years," said Henry."His (Mo'unga's) composure under pressure is hugely impressive. He's also a bit of a game breaker because he can take on the line, he's a good goal kicker, and he just needs time in the saddle I think."He's a young player internationally…I've got no problem with the strategy, it just needs time. Yeah, I think there's time."Henry said the All Blacks needed to get "in the zone" and suggested avoiding social media in a massive week like this would help to eliminate distractions.Whether the All Blacks shut themselves off or not, they understood the pressure on them."There's no hiding from the (country's) expectation and I think that's what brings out the best in the All Blacks," he said."It's important they control their environment and put a filter on it, particularly in a game week and in this situation where they need to produce a fantastic performance."It's very important they get into the zone on the weekend and are right on the job. That's all about the right preparation."Sir Graham Henry is currently teaming up with the New Zealand Blood Service to build the World's Largest Reserve Bench. To learn more visit jointhebench.co.nz

Beauden Barrett is hopeful of a smoother combination with fellow playmaker Richie Mo'unga against the Wallabies, saying if they can get it right the All Blacks should quickly see the benefits.The pair started together for the first time recently in the drawn test against the Boks in Wellington, with Barrett putting in a performance at fullback which drew strong praise from coach Steve Hansen today.Mo'unga began more slowly but his value was especially evident after the break when he combined with Barrett to set a tempo the Boks did extremely well to survive.Asked what he would like to see with his combination with first-five Mo'unga at Perth's Optus Stadium on Saturday, Barrett said: "To work better together.""I think we've learned a lot from one having one game under our belts," he added. "At times we were perhaps in each other's pockets. Tactically and structurally, if we can be aligned, it will work best for the team and we should see some good rewards from that."He's a cool young guy," Barrett said of Mo'unga, who has led the Crusaders to three titles in three years. "He's very calm when he speaks. Playing alongside him, there's a great sense of calmness and that's a quality of his that rubs off on the boys in those tough moments when you just need to steady the ship and keep things simple.""We liked what we saw last time we did it," Hansen said of the Mo'unga/Barrett double act. "I thought [Barrett] was the best player on the park in Wellington. We just have to make sure we keep providing opportunities. If you look at the footage against South Africa, we did create plenty of opportunities but we didn't finish many of them."While there will be a sense of the unknown in the Ardie Savea, Sam Cane and Kieran Read loose forward combination, and a little less mystery about the All Blacks' two main navigators, the jury will remain out on the Wallabies' gamble on starting James O'Connor at centre.O'Connor, who has started a test six years ago and has been plying his trade in Europe, has been used at first-five, second-five, wing and fullback but rarely at centre. His presence may offer attacking opportunities for the visitors, but Barrett and Hansen are of the feeling that O'Connor and the Wallabies will mix things up a bit in terms of their formation.Barrett said: "Who knows what their midfield combination will present on Saturday? We have to see every phase or play as an opportunity to attack them; it's going to be exciting."He's been away for a while and in a jersey we haven't seen him in much. There's no doubt he's a very talented player."Ardie Savea. Photo / PhotosportMeanwhile, Ardie Savea's form meant he couldn't be left out of the All Blacks starting line-up to play Australia in Bledisloe I. That was acknowledged by both Steve Hansen and Michael Cheika today, with the Wallabies coach describing the flanker as a threat who will have to be watched closely.Cheika also called Savea a "hybrid"-type player and one not constrained by orthoxy. The Wallabies often run with two openside flankers and a No 8 but the All Blacks have rarely gone down this path; preferring instead a taller more traditional blindside rather than a shorter but explosive and pacey player such as Savea.That they have selected him in the No 6 jersey is partly due to Liam Squire's unavailability but in the end the choice must have been simple; he just couldn't be left out and his combination with Sam Cane and Kieran Read will be eagerly anticipated by most rugby fans everywhere."Ardie is a player who is a sort of a hybrid," Cheika said. "He can play that hard-running, aggressive game – he's an openside as well. I had the opportunity to coach him for a small time at the Baabaas … you get to see the player for what he is and he's a bit of a hybrid between a No 8, a six and a seven. Often that can hurt players but he's a good enough player to be able to push through that and continually be selected for New Zealand."We've always had that;...

Karl Tu'inukuafe, the All Blacks' moustachioed cult hero, was one of five players who missed the cut in this morning's Bledisloe Cup test squad announcement – possibly spelling a cruel end to one of rugby's feel-good stories.Tu'inukuafe, affectionately nicknamed Big Karl by fans, rose from relative obscurity and a job as a club bouncer to the bright lights of test rugby within the space of a few months.But the powerful prop has struggled to replicate the form he enjoyed towards the end of last year – where he showcased his scrum motor and running ability during the All Blacks' end of year tour – after his Super Rugby season was spoiled by a virus.Meanwhile, loosehead Atu Moli, who has been on the All Blacks' radar for a while now, has risen up to claim Tu'inukuafe's spot after bouncing back from a horrific leg injury.With the All Blacks needing to cut the number of props in the squad to six for the Wallabies tests, Tu'inukuafe became the unfortunate casualty."It's not that he's (Tu'inukuafe) done anything wrong," said All Blacks coach Steve Hansen."We've said that we want mobile ball playing props who can also do their core roles."We've been on Atu Moli for quite some time. Apart from when he got that nasty injury that kept him out, which was Karl's opportunity."We're still pretty keen on Atu and I guess there's only room for six [props] there and we can't take seven so when we get to the World Cup we can only take five, so we've still got some culling to do."Hansen admitted that mobility, which he said wasn't a strength of Tu'inukuafe, was a factor in the decision."When you talk about mobility you talk about people's ability to get back up off the ground, to fend and get back into it and to be a ball player."In today's game you need props that can do more than just scrum and lift in the lineout. So that's been our challenge in the last 12 months that we've put to our front-rowers and some of them are progressing really well with it and others are still struggling with it."While it seems unlikely that the five casualties in the squad – which also include hooker Asafo Aumua, loose forwards Shannon Frizell and Dalton Papalii, and first-five Josh Ioane – will be able to wrestle their way back into World Cup consideration, Hansen left the door open."They can jump back in the mix but it's obviously getting harder because we're trying to narrow it down. We've got two big games coming up, then we'll reflect and get it down to 31."They'll take the opportunities they get through Mitre 10 Cup and play particularly well. [There] might be injuries. There's a number of things that could arise."All Blacks squad for Bledisloe CupForwardsHookers: Dane Coles, Liam Coltman and Codie Taylor.Props: Owen Franks, Nepo Laulala, Joe Moody, Atu Moli, Angus Ta'avao and Ofa Tuungafasi.Locks: Scott Barrett, Jackson Hemopo, Patrick Tuipulotu and Samuel Whitelock.Loose forwards: Sam Cane, Vaea Fifita, Luke Jacobson, Kieran Read, Ardie Savea and Matt Todd.BacksHalfbacks: TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith and Brad Weber.First five-eighths: Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo'unga.Midfielders: Jack Goodhue, Ngani Laumape, Anton Lienert-Brown and Sonny Bill Williams.Utility backs: Braydon Ennor and Jordie Barrett.Outside backs: George Bridge, Rieko Ioane, Sevu Reece and Ben Smith. 

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has admitted he and his fellow selectors have been thinking about the Richie Mo'unga and Beauden Barrett dual playmaking combination for "quite a while" and that now, with four tests remaining until the World Cup, is the time to try it."We've got a plan for a whole lot of things we want to do before the nitty gritty business and we just felt Saturday's game is the right time to try that particular part of the plan," Hansen said ahead of the test against the Springboks in Wellington, a potentially difficult match likely to cast a light on a whole lot of his players."Obviously to replace Beauden at first-five you've got to have someone who's pretty good and Richie has been playing very well for the last couple of years and at some point you want all of your best players on the park. Both of them are world-class players."Mo'unga's start at first-five – just his third in what will be his 10th test – coincides with the return of six Crusaders to the pack, a combination that Hansen hopes will mitigate against a return to the rustiness of last weekend's narrow victory over the Pumas in Buenos Aires.The 25-year-old Mo'unga was again immense for the Crusaders this year as he led them to their third Super Rugby title in succession and while Barrett moves to fullback after having an excellent test against the Pumas, there will probably be an anticipation among the coaching group and indeed the wider rugby public that this combination will continue during the knockout stages of the World Cup because the pair are easily among the top two playmakers in the world."What he brings to the table is an unreal skillset and an ability to just back himself in little moments," Crusaders and All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor said of Mo'unga. "That confidence is probably got him to where he is now and I look forward to seeing that out there on Saturday."Teammate Matt Todd, who is starting at openside flanker, said: "He's just calm under pressure and doesn't get flustered in any situation. He can create something out of nothing, whether it's for himself or someone else. That's what you want from a No 10, a creator who is always putting the team in good positions. He makes good decisions. He's not an old guy but I guess he's got an old head on young shoulders. He's fun to play with, that's for sure."There is an experimental look to the pack, with Hansen providing Todd and Shannon Frizell a chance to prove themselves from the start of a test, and Vaea Fifita and Dalton Papalii off the reserves bench, but the backline looks far more representative of a World Cup line-up, albeit with TJ Perenara starting at halfback rather than Aaron Smith.The return of Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks, Sam Whitelock and Kieran Read will provide added grunt against the Boks – Hansen described Taylor as the best-performing All Black of 2018 – and while they all had a rest last week after the rigours of their Super Rugby season, they will be expected to click straight into gear.Asked whether he expected a bit more from his forwards this week after his side were held scoreless in the second half last weekend, Hansen said: "The issue they've got is they're coming into the All Blacks and they've only had a short preparation time. The one advantage they have is most of them have played together."They've got combinations and that will be very, very helpful come Saturday. They've probably got another advantage too as there is a lot more experience amongst them. Do I expect more from them? Yes, because of those reasons and we'll need them to be better too because the team we're playing against will be better."The Boks, many of whom have been in Wellington since last week, are also a side high on pace and creativity and showed last year with a narrow win and narrow defeat to the All Blacks that they have the talent but just as importantly the confidence to challenge Hansen's men like few others.Injured Crusaders Scott Barrett (broken...

There's been a buzz around the Crusaders' camp this week with their eyes on a third consecutive title and a couple of freshly minted All Blacks in the squad.Impressive backline duo Braydon Ennor and Sevu Reece were among the 39 players named in the first All Blacks squad of the year, hearing their names called out for the first time.But while excitement levels were high, coach Scott Robertson has implored them to keep their eyes on the prize."The old Whatsapp groups have been fired up; love hearts and fist pumps over the last few days," Robertson told Radio Sport's D'Arcy Waldegrave. "[But] we moved on pretty quickly because we've got a job to do."The Crusaders will welcome the Jaguares to OrangeTheory Stadium in Christchurch tomorrow night as they look to lock away the Super Rugby title for another year. It's a match up that Robertson admits he didn't expect when the season started, but one that is likely to be a very physical encounter.The Jaguares impressed all season to finish on top of a tightly contested South African conference and showed they were more than capable of getting the job done at home or on the road."There aren't many guys who would have said you'd be playing them [in the final] at the start of the season. You've got to give it to them. You've got the ability to front up when they do travel," Robertson said of the Jaguares."We're really impressed with them. It's going to take all of, probably more, effort than against the Hurricanes."Robertson described last weekend's semifinal against the Hurricanes as "anything but a final", with the high-intensity affair going down to the wire.The side will be without star duo Ryan Crotty and Scott Barrett for the final, with Ennor replacing Crotty in the midfield and Mitchell Dunshea deputising for Barrett at lock alongside Sam Whitelock. Young outside back Will Jordan joins the bench.Crusaders: David Havili, Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, George Bridge, Richie Mo'unga, Bryn Hall, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Sam Whitelock, Mitchell Dunshea, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Reserves: Andrew Makalio, George Bower, Michael Alaalatoa, Luke Romano, Jordan Taufua, Mitchell Drummond, Mitchell Hunt, Will Jordan.Jaguares: Emiliano Boffelli, Matias Moroni, Matias Orlando, Jeronimo de la Fuente, Ramiro Moyano, Joaquin Diaz Bonilla, Tomas Cubelli, Javier Ortega Desio, Marcos Kremer, Pablo Matera, Tomas Lavanini, Guido Petti, Santiago Medrano, Agustin Creevy, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro. Reserves: Julian Montoya, Mayco Vivas, Enrique Pieretto, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Tomas Lezana, Felipe Ezcurra, Domingo Miotti, Sebastian Cancelliere

The Crusaders win streak at home is over, but their unbeaten run isn't.The two-time Super Rugby defending champions have drawn 21-all with the Sharks in Christchurch, after first five Mitchell Hunt kicked an 81st minute conversion to force the stalemate.The result sees the Crusaders win streak at home finish at 25, but their unbeaten run extend to 26.The visiting Sharls scored all their points off the boot with first-five Curwin Bosch kicking seven penalties.The Crusaders scored their points through three converted tries to Codie Taylor, Jack Goodhue and Mitch Hunt.First five Richie Mo'unga believes his side must adapt to referees calls better as they chase a three-peat.Mo'unga was on a rest week and carried the water for his side but acknowledges the Sharks' disrupted their momentum."We've got to be squeaky clean, we gave away a lot of penalties and that allowed them to put points on the board. Against that Sharks team last night, [Curwin] Bosch, who's been kicking awesome this year, he's going to punish you."The Crusaders now en route to South Africa for their two game tour there. 

A crystal ball gaze at the potential 2020 Crusaders midfield.With Ryan Crotty on All Blacks rest week, Braydon Ennor and Jack Goodhue are paired in midfield for Friday's Super Rugby match against the Sharks.Crotty is headed to Japan from next season and coach Scott Robertson says he's keen to mix and match.Captain Sam Whitelock, and first five Richie Mo'unga join Ryan Crotty on All Blacks rest weeks.Scott Barrett and Mitchell Dunshea form the second row with Mitchell Hunt starting at 10..@crusadersrugby have named their side to face @TheSharksZA on Friday. Kieran Read to play 150th game. pic.twitter.com/4xLNPVqi7K— Radio Sport (@radiosportnz) May 1, 2019

The Four Brothers (Con, Mike, Sam, Paul + Brian) talk to Crusader and All Black Richie Mo'unga about the Crusaders machine, touring South Africa, playing at Twickenham as well as some other great topics. Then we have a bit more backline chatter as well as the usual Super Rugby Round 11 recap and next weeks preview. As well as the return of the quiz. Thanks for listening. Recorded 30th April 2019 - uploaded 1st May 2019 Intro: Shapeshifter

Damian McKenzie's ruptured knee ligament, which will keep him out of all rugby for the rest of the year, will force the All Blacks selectors to up their search for the country's next-best first-five, an individual who is not immediately obvious.They will want to take another specialist No10 to the World Cup in Japan which starts in September to cover for Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo'unga, and the beauty of McKenzie was his impact value from the bench and his ability to cover fullback as well.It goes without saying that his extended period on the sidelines following the ACL injury which he sustained while trying to tackle Blues first-five Otere Black during the Chiefs' 33-29 thriller in Hamilton on Saturday will also hinder a franchise which has re-found its mojo over the past three weeks.Brett Cameron, Mo'unga's back-up at the Crusaders and a replacement in the test against Japan last year, is the only other capped first-five specialist currently playing in New Zealand and his form this season, particularly when starting in his team's defeat to the Waratahs in Sydney, suggests he has plenty of developing to do yet.Other possibilities are the Blues' Black, a 23-year-old New Zealand Maori player and former under-20s representative, and Josh Ioane and Bryn Gatland, also both 23, at the Highlanders.Stephen Perofeta, 22, has yet to play a competitive match for the Blues this year after suffering a pre-season chest injury, a latest problem in a fairly long list. Had he been fit at the end of last year he probably would have gone to Japan instead of Cameron, while Blues' teammate Harry Plummer, 20, has promise but isn't ready.‌Of them all, it is perhaps Black who strikes as the best bet for his composure and consistency over the past couple of weeks when starting for the Blues. His recent rise ahead of Plummer, with whom he swapped the No10 jersey initially, has clearly given him confidence and he is thriving on the responsibility and game time.The selectors could be forgiven for casting a rueful glance at 28-year-old Hayden Parker, the former Highlanders first-five now doing incredible things for the Sunwolves with not only his goalkicking, which is nearly flawless this season, but his general play for the perennial battlers. Under New Zealand Rugby's regulations, Parker isn't eligible for the All Blacks as he isn't playing for a Kiwi franchise.For McKenzie, who didn't attend the All Blacks' foundation day in Wellington today, the news will be devastating and it has a strange echo to four years ago when Chiefs No10 Aaron Cruden suffered the same injury in Christchurch almost to the day."He's done an ACL so it looks like he might be out for eight to nine months which is a real shame for him," said All Blacks coach Steve Hansen today in announcing McKenzie's diagnosis. "His Word Cup opportunity is gone."He's still young enough to probably make the next two so it's just important that he gets his knee right and takes the time to come back so he can achieve the dreams he wants to achieve. It's sad for him obviously it creates an opportunity for somebody else. We've got to accept injuries and there will be more than just him [before the World Cup] I'd suggest."Cruden's injury on April 17 before the All Blacks 2015 World Cup defence was a huge blow for himself, the Chiefs and the national team, but Hansen had three very clear options for his playmaker in the form of Daniel Carter, Beauden Barrett and Colin Slade.Lima Sopoaga also went very close to making the trip to England and Wales after leading the Highlanders to their first Super Rugby title and impressing in his test debut in Johannesburg.Four years later, however, Hansen's options are not so obvious and an injury to either Barrett or Mo'unga, or heaven forbid both, would be potentially catastrophic to the team's chances of making history again, this time by winning three in a row. 

Owen Franks' stop-start Super Rugby season has hit another judder-bar.The Crusaders and All Blacks prop has been left out of the squad to play the Highlanders on Friday in Christchurch due to a shoulder injury.Franks has played just once in the last month, clocking 40 minutes against the Brumbies last week.Crusaders coach Scott Robertson says Franks will go for a scan and they'll take their time with him."He'll get a scan ... see how things are going with his shoulder," said Robertsons. "And the best thing for him, we just realise that we'll take our time with our players because we've got the depth in the squad, something we're really fortunate to have."We're rolling and trusting our squad and it's really important that we've got as many bodies available by the end of the competition and by trusting the players now."Fellow All Blacks Codie Taylor and George Bridge are also nursing minor injuries and weren't considered, while Sam Whitelock, Bryn Hall, Jack Goodhue and Brayden Ennor return to the side.Despite missing some big names, Robertson said they were determined to pick their best team against what will be a tricky southern derby against the Highlanders."We've picked the best team for this week. We needed to. We know how desperate the Highlanders are, the position they're in and they've certainly mentioned how important this game is to them."Crusaders: David Havili, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, Sevu Reece, Richie Mo'unga, Bryn Hall, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Sam Whitelock (captain), Scott Barrett, Michael Alaalatoa, Andrew Makalio, Joe Moody. Reserves: Ben Funnell, Harry Allan, Oliver Jager, Quinten Strange, Jordan Taufua, Mitchell Drummond, Mitchell Hunt, Will Jordan.

Crusaders coach Scott Robertson is quick to admit his side weren't up to their usual standard in last weekend's loss to the Waratahs."We were desperate last week but we were pretty inaccurate a lot of times at key moments," Robertson said. "That's our focus, we made sure we were really clear on what we needed to get better at."With the Crusaders' loss to the Waratahs, which ended their unbeaten start to the season, the Hurricanes were able to draw level on the points table with their southern counterparts at the top of the New Zealand conference.The Crusaders will take a strengthened side to Wellington in the search for local supremacy on Friday night, welcoming back a host of players including captain Kieran Read and Richie Mo'unga.The Hurricanes have had the Crusaders' number in Wellington in recent years, and Robertson noted the rivalry was something Super Rugby and New Zealand rugby needed."There's always the anticipation around it from the players and the public. They're always pretty brutal and results have gone both ways over the years. It's a great date on the calendar and something to look forward to."Crusaders: David Havili, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Richie Mo'unga, Bryn Hall, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Samuel Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Harry AllanReserves: Andrew Makalio, George Bower, Michael Alaalatoa, Quinten Strange, Jordan Taufua, Mitchell Drummond, Brett Cameron, Will Jordan. 

A surprise selection in the Crusaders front row for their Super Rugby match with the Highlanders this weekend.George Bower replaces the injured Joe Moody at loosehead prop, with Harry Allen remaining on the bench.Crusaders coach Scott Robertson says Bower is a strong, versatile prop forward.There are eight changes to the Crusaders starting fifteen including a first appearance of the season for captain Sam Whitelock."Every team has to go in with confidence," says Whitelock. "They're a good pack and will be trying to build on the success they've had this year. They'll be excited by that. That's our challenge. We have to go down to their home patch."All Black Whitelock's return could hardly have come at a better time – especially with his Crusaders and national teammate Scott Barrett putting in such a busy start to the year.Barrett is due for a rest next week when the Crusaders play the Waratahs in Sydney, as is Richie Mo'unga."It's good in a couple of ways," Robertson said of Whitelock's return. "We've grown a couple of other leaders while he's been away and he's keen and energetic and as good a nick physically as he's been for a few years."When Skip first said he'd be away you think 'well, how are we going to deal with it' because he's been a big part of our success but he's been working behind the scenes and he comes back with great energy."Whitelock said his priority would be to get through as many minutes as he can, adding that he felt the toll of a busy year while with the All Blacks in November."I felt in a pretty good space but lacked a little bit of that last five or 10 per cent especially in those first couple of steps out of a breakdown or getting off the ground," he said. "If you take that away for a player that can be frustrating but it's in the past now and I'm pretty happy."Crusaders team to play Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday, kick-off 7.35pm is: 15 David Havili, 14 Braydon Ennor, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Whetu Douglas, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower.Reserves: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 Harry Allen, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Quentin Strange, 20 Tom Sanders 21 Ere Enari, 22 Brett Cameron, 23 Will Jordan.

Sevu Reece is set to make his Super Rugby debut for the Crusaders, just five months after having his overseas contract torn up due to a court appearance on an assault charge.Reece, who had a stellar Mitre 10 Cup season with Waikato, had inked a two-year deal with Irish side Connacht, but it was ripped up in October, after his involvement in a domestic violence incident in July.Reece was seen grabbing his partner and pulling her down to the ground, after the pair got into an argument. The woman suffered injuries to her face and bruising to her waist and knee. The judge granted Reece a discharge without conviction and fined him $750.It was enough for Connacht to end their association with the Waikato winger, and initially, Reece was not named in any Super Rugby squads.However, Reece was called into the Crusaders' camp for pre-season training, and has now been named in the defending champions' starting lineup for their clash against the Chiefs on Saturday. He is also likely to be named a full-time replacement for Manasa Mataele, who is set to miss the entire season after suffering a knee injury against the Hurricanes.When Reece was called in for their pre-season training, Crusaders assistant coach Brad Mooar argued that while Reece had made a "serious mistake", he deserved a second chance."We can see the genuine remorse and his acceptance that he's done wrong and is working to fix it. And improve as a person."He's with his partner and he has great support from her."Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson spoke from a similar songsheet today."I've never had any concerns. He's a quality young kid, he's gone through that process with the incident ... and he's come down here. He's a great human - I don't think there's a guy who has worked harder in our group."[He's] extremely humble and I'm glad that we can play a part in his life and help him be the best he can."Reece's talent has never been in question, and he is likely to impress against a Chiefs side who never called him up despite his stellar showings for Waikato."He's broken a few ankles at training, he can step, he can create. He asks a lot of questions, he's very diligent," said an enthused Robertson.Reece and Braydon Ennor will start on the wing this weekend for the Crusaders, with George Bridge on his manadatory All Blacks rest week, as are Owen Franks and Matt Todd.With Sam Whitelock and Kieran Read also still resting, the Crusaders forward pack looks weaker than their usual high standards, but Codie Taylor is set to make his return off the bench.Ryan Crotty also returns to the side, as captain, while halfback Ere Enari is set to make his first start.Crusaders: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty (captain), Braydon Ennor, Richie Mo'unga, Ere Enari, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Billy Harmon, Jordan Taufua, Scott Barrett, Mitchell Dunshea, Michael Alaalatoa, Andrew Makalio, Joe MoodyReserves: Codie Taylor, Harry Allan, Giorgio Bower, Luke Romano, Ethan Blackadder, Bryn Hall, Brett Cameron, David Havili 

LISTEN TO BUCK SHELFORD TALK WITH D'ARCY AND GORAN ABOVEEleven starting changes and, yet, there is more continuity to the All Blacks in Rome than many may have expected as they attempt to rebuild self-confidence after a challenging two weeks.The need to continually fix key parts of their attack and kicking game, and the close nature of next year's World Cup, has seen All Blacks coach Steve Hansen resist the urge to get overly experimental for the final test of the season.Hansen said last week's loss to Ireland in Dublin did not influence selection, except that of Brodie Retallick reverting to the bench after signs of fatigue.Captain Kieran Read is again joined by Ardie Savea in the loose forwards, with Dalton Papalii listed to come off the bench.But the most topical selection is the retention of both Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie.While many fringe players are set for a run, Italy appeared the ideal arena to hand Richie Mo'unga his third test start to continue his development.Mo'unga will instead again come off the bench, with Barrett paired alongside Hurricanes halfback TJ Perenara and second five-eighth Ngani Laumape, who teams up with Anton Lienert-Brown in a well-balanced midfield.McKenzie at fullback has not been a roaring success on this tour.In his first start at 15 this season he was solid against the Wallabies in Yokohama, and then had some telling touches at Twickenham. But with Ireland's Johnny Sexton peppering the air all night last week, McKenzie endured a difficult evening.For now, the All Blacks are wedded to the belief they need two playmakers - one on either side of the park. They view Barrett and McKenzie best placed to perform these duties and will, therefore, give them every opportunity to improving decision-making under pressure."You've got to add Richie to that combination - they're the three guys that we see at the moment that would most likely go to the World Cup so getting those three combining at the beginning or during the course of the game is important," Hansen said. "We haven't got too many games left so the more we play them together the better it'll be."The other intriguing element of this team is that of Jordie Barrett on the right wing – a nod, perhaps, to a role he may be asked to fill more next year after struggling to take his chances at fullback.In the Israel Dagg mould, Jordie Barrett certainly has the size and aerial skills to succeeded at No 14. His long-range goal kicking is another asset.Other talking points include Waisake Naholo's return from the wilderness after disappointing in his last starts against Japan and Argentina.Vaea Fifita also gets first crack at delivering the required physical presence when replacing the injured Liam Squire at six.Dane Coles, in just the second test start of his frustrating year blighted by injuries, headlines a new front row and locking combination which will be keen to make their mark after Ireland exerted rare dominance on the All Blacks scrum last week.Nepo Laulala made a big impression off the bench in stabilising this area and now gets a chance to replicate those efforts from the outset.While Italy won't be expected to cause a major boilover and should, in theory, offer a chance to regain attacking fluidity, Hansen outlined why finishing the year strongly is imperative after two humbling weeks in London and Dublin."It's important for the self-belief of the team. They're still hurting a lot from last week and it's important because there'll be a lot of people making a lot of noises externally and whilst everyone is strong enough not to get affected by that, if it goes on and on and on eventually somebody will and you don't need that either."Italy are a team that can hurt you if you don't get it right. They put Australia under a lot of pressure. Their last three or four games they've had an intercept try. They're trying to do things that are out of the ordinary so we'll have to turn up and make sure we dictate the...

Jeff Wilson, former All Black and Sky analyst, who thought the AB's locks were outstanding yesterday. He also thinks the coaches will be unlikely to substitute Beauden Barrett for Richie Mo'unga and leaving Damien McKenzie at fullback anytime soon.LISTEN ABOVE AS JEFF WILSON SPEAKS WITH RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST 

LISTEN TO NIGEL YALDEN TALK WITH CRAIG CUMMINGS ABOVEStarting centre Matt Proctor and flanker Dalton Papalii will make their All Black test debuts against Japan in Tokyo, with six of the eight reserves also in line to win their first caps.They will inevitably be tagged as All Black second-stringers, but not all of the match-day 23 fall into that category and it will be a memorable occasion for all the newcomers, who include prop Tyrel Lomax, loose forwards Dillon Hunt and Gareth Evans, and backs Mitchell Drummond, Brett Cameron and George Bridge, all of whom have been named on the bench, but also starting hooker Dane Coles, who will make a welcome return from injury.It will be Coles' first test since November last year and, after limited minutes over two games for Wellington recently, he will wear the No 2 jersey with the hope of lasting up to 50 minutes before giving way to Liam Coltman. Coles' return after his nightmare 18 months of concussion problems and a knee injury will be welcomed by the All Blacks coaches and also Codie Taylor, the incumbent who has borne the brunt of the workload in his absence.No 8 Luke Whitelock has been named skipper.There are returns too for outside backs Jordie Barrett, Nehe Milner-Skudder and Waisake Naholo, with Richie Mo'unga directing operations in the No 10 jersey, a clear sign that Damian McKenzie will start at fullback against England at Twickenham a week later.The top-line All Blacks have already left for London in preparation for that highly-anticipated test but Mo'unga is a good chance to be named on the bench to play back-up to Beauden Barrett.Auckland loose forward Papalii wasn't available for his triumphant team's Mitre 10 Cup semifinal or final and will hope to make the most of his opportunity against the Cherry Blossoms who are coached by former All Black blindside flanker Jamie Joseph.Papalii, tall for a New Zealand No 7 at 1.93m, has been a standout this season with his powerful defending and ball-carrying and the All Blacks coaches will expect more of the same from him and the rest of the team which has a mobile look about it.They will seek to play a high-impact but also high-tempo game, with Jackson Hemopo drafted into the second row alongside Patrick Tuipulotu due to the injury suffered by lock Luke Romano in last weekend's Mitre 10 Cup premiership final at Eden Park.There is no lock cover on the bench, with Hunt and Evans likely to up the tempo in the second half if and when they get the opportunity. There is potential for blindside flanker Vaea Fifita to move to lock if necessary.There should be as much interest in the performances of those more senior players who have slipped slightly in terms of their positions in Steve Hansen's top line-up, and they include right wing Milner-Skudder and left wing Naholo.With Hansen showing a preference for McKenzie at fullback and Ben Smith and Rieko Ioane on the wings in big tests, the pair have a bit of ground to make up. Milner-Skudder has played only one test this year – against Argentina in Nelson – after his return from a shoulder problem, while Naholo has been injury free and hasn't done too much wrong.Proctor will form a potentially high-impact unit in the midfield with fellow Hurricane Ngani Laumape. For Jordie Barrett, another Hurricane, the test is his first opportunity to put his high-profile quick throw-in mistake against the Boks in Wellington behind him.Apart from the injured Romano, the other unlucky All Blacks are hooker Asafo Aumua, prop Reuben O'Neill, halfback Bryn Hall and fullback David Havili, a quartet who made the trip to Japan and trained but will not play.All Blacks team to play Japan at Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday, kick-off 6.45pm is:(New caps in bold)Jordie Barrett 14. Nehe Milner-Skudder 13. Matt Proctor 12. Ngani Laumape 11. Waisake Naholo 10. Richie Mo'unga 9. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi 8. Luke Whitelock © 7. Dalton Papalii 6. Vaea Fifita 5. Jackson Hemopo 4. Patrick Tuipul...

LISTEN TO JAMES PARSONS TALK WITH D'ARCY AND GORAN ABOVEFar from naming a predictable team for the third Bledisloe Cup test against the Wallabies in Yokohama on Saturday, the All Blacks selectors have thrown a few surprises into the mix, the biggest one the naming of Damian McKenzie at fullback.It will be a welcome return to the game for the little 23-year-old, who hasn't played since coming off the reserves bench to fullback for the final, frantic, minutes of the defeat to the Springboks in Wellington six weeks ago.He was included in the extended squad to play Argentina in Buenos Aires but flew back to New Zealand following a family bereavement, and while he travelled to South Africa for the return test against the Boks it was decided that due to the travel he had undertaken it wouldn't be appropriate to play him.The best way to use McKenzie's pace and counterattacking talents has clearly evolved in the minds of the selectors in relation to the development of first-five Richie Mo'unga. Until Mo'unga's rise at the Crusaders and, latterly the All Blacks, McKenzie was seen as a No10 who could play at fullback (a bit like Beauden Barrett, in fact).McKenzie played a whole season at the Chiefs in the No10 jersey following the departure of Aaron Cruden and that was where he seemed set, but such has been Mo'unga's impact – and he has again been named as Barrett's back-up in Yokohama – that clearly the selectors have modified their thinking.It will now be up to the Chiefs player to work his way into a big test from the first whistle rather than exploit tiring defences off the bench in the second half. Should he do so then he will quickly become a genuine option for the No15 jersey because it's clear that Jordie Barrett, still only 21, has a bit of developing to do yet in terms of his test career.The major casualty here is probably right wing Waisake Naholo – not included in the squad after a couple of quiet tests against the Springboks in Pretoria and Argentina in Buenos Aires.Ben Smith will wear the No14 jersey, with Rieko Ioane predictably named on the left wing, Ryan Crotty and Sonny Bill Williams in the midfield, and Barrett at first-five.There is another minor surprise at halfback, with TJ Perenara to wear the No9 jersey and Aaron Smith playing back-up on the reserves bench; another recognition, probably, of the former's better form.Hooker Dane Coles will have to wait another week at least for his test return; clearly the selectors have decided it's too early for him at this level after limited minutes on his return to Wellington in the Mitre 10 Cup over the past fortnight following a horror injury run which extends back to November last year.There is, however, a return for lock Brodie Retallick, named on the bench as cover for Sam Whitelock and Scott Barrett. Prop Nepo Laulala, back from a broken arm which has ruled him out of test rugby since November last year, has also been named on the bench.Ardie Savea has been named at openside flanker in Sam Cane's injury-forced absence, with Matt Todd, currently playing club rugby in Japan for Panasonic but given a dispensation by the New Zealand Rugby board, named as his back-up. 

LISTEN TO JOSH KRONFELD TALK ABOUT THE ALL BLACKS WITH D'ARCY AND GORAN ABOVEArdie Savea's constant legs pumping, high energy hunger will finally get a prolonged crack at the All Blacks starting side.Savea has been around the block in 31 tests but, such has been the quality of New Zealand's opensides, he's only enjoyed seven starts since 2016.Invariably those have been one offs, coming at the same time as other selection changes.Starting regularly in the first-choice loose trio is another prospect.Sam Cane's neck fracture opens the door for Savea's first extended period in the seven jersey. And while circumstances are unfortunate, no-one could say he doesn't deserve it.Cane's defensive strengths and leadership will be a major loss during his at least three month recovery from surgery in South Africa.But in his last two outings, Savea proved he is more ready than ever to take this chance.With Matt Todd in Japan, Savea is the clear, almost unchallenged, incumbent for the northern tour. That alone signals how far he has come with Todd applying pressure for back-up duties this time last year.Blake Gibson, Dillon Hunt and James Lentjes are among those staking claims to be included to replace Cane.But, undoubtedly, this is Savea's time.That it comes in career-best form, and with Pau thought to be attempting to lure Savea and Ben Smith to France after the World Cup, only adds to intrigue.The All Blacks will be desperate to retain Savea, only 24, well beyond 2019.But as we've seen from older brother Julian and many others, offshore riches can be difficult to ignore.Pau are coached by New Zealanders Simon Mannix and Savea's old Hurricanes skipper Conrad Smith. Colin Slade, Benson Stanley, Peter Saili, Frank Halai and Jamie Mackintosh are other Kiwis already on the ambitious club's books.Spending time in the All Blacks starting side will only increase Savea's bargaining power and, when Cane returns, ultimately test his patience.In the past two weeks, Savea starred as a late inclusion for Luke Whitelock at No 8 in Buenos Aires and did so again after replacing Cane 35 minutes into the miraculous comeback victory over the Springboks in Pretoria.Switching between those two roles seamlessly is a feat in itself but as the All Blacks mounted their late charge against the Boks, Savea snaffled two turnovers and his body position to crash over and hand Richie Mo'unga the chance to kick the match-winning conversion was exemplary."This season he has made a mark," All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said. "He is starting to believe he can be a test player of real quality."Many have long believed Savea possessed attributes to become just that but at times quality performances for the Hurricanes and All Blacks have been sporadic.Savea has always been a phenomenal attacking talent – his speed, offloads and work-rate causing many teams problems.In this regard he could add another dimension to the All Blacks.His challenge, particularly in successive tests against England and Ireland next month, will be to bring that same impact to repeat defensive and breakdown work, and do it from the outset when opposition forward packs are fresh.European tests present different challenges to those in the Rugby Championship with northern nations scrumming for penalties and often contesting the breakdown in greater numbers.These battlegrounds frequently put the squeeze on to limit open movement where Savea's range of skills thrive.With that stage now set to make the step up, Savea's immediate and long term future will be of great interest. 

For the last year or so, Jack Goodhue has been the future for the All Blacks in terms of their midfield and now he's their present as well after being selected alongside Sonny Bill Williams in a strong side to play South Africa.If the 23-year-old centre does the basics well at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday morning, and trusts himself and the players around him, it will probably see him cement his position in the No 13 jersey ahead of Ryan Crotty (named on the reserves bench) and Anton Lienert-Brown (left out altogether)."He's playing well; not to say that Ryan's not, but he's playing very well and we want to see that combination of him and Sonny," coach Steve Hansen said. "We last saw it in the French series. We know a lot about Ryan and Jack but we don't know a lot about Sonny and Jack. All year we've been trying to work out what's our best combination in that area for the future and this is an opportunity to do that."Predictably, Owen Franks is back at tighthead prop, with No 8 Kieran Read and halfback Aaron Smith also returning as the All Blacks seek to overturn their defeat by the Springboks in Wellington three weeks ago.It's Goodhue's selection which stands out, though, for his youth and relative inexperience and what it represents in terms of the selectors' thinking.The 30-year-old Crotty has been a dependable player and unlucky too given his terrible run of injuries and in particular concussions. Crotty is also a more dangerous attacker than many give him credit for, but there is a sense of a changing of the guard in Goodhue's selection and it's up to him to make the most of it.Goodhue's last test was off the bench against the Boks in Wellington and he brought a directness and calmness to the attack which was probably missing elsewhere from Hansen's men. Such is his level-headedness, he's unlikely to be fazed by the potential enormity of his selection even allowing for the fact he has played only five tests and started only one alongside Williams."For a young guy he's got an old head on him," Hansen said. "He plays really maturely. He's a traditional centre, I think, in that he's got the ability to put people into space. He's a good reader on defence and he's got a bit of gas as well.""It was a pretty straightforward team to pick, really, to be honest, even in talking about what we want to do with Jack and that was a pretty easy one too."Another talking point is the backline cover on the bench, where Richie Mo'unga will be given another chance to repeat his impact from that position last weekend against Argentina in Buenos Aires, with Crotty being given a relatively unfamiliar role there and TJ Perenara resuming his back-up role to Aaron Smith.Hansen said it was probably too much to ask from Damian McKenzie, now with the team in Johannesburg after he flew home from Buenos Aires due to a family bereavement, to back it up with a playing role on Sunday."Damian had to fly home from Argentina and then back so he's had an extra flight. To throw another game in as well, he probably doesn't need that," Hansen said.Likewise, Lienert-Brown had relatively high recent playing minutes, albeit off the bench mainly, and was due for a rest.Lock Brodie Retallick remains a conspicuous absentee due to a shoulder injury suffered against the Pumas in Nelson last month but there is an experience and solidity to the match-day squad that the All Blacks will need for what has become a highly-anticipated test despite the fact they've already won the Rugby Championship."It brings a lot of experience and firepower and I think we're going to need it," Hansen said regarding the return of his heavy artillery. "They're a pretty confident side at the moment, the Boks."They've grown another arm and a leg since they knocked us over in Wellington. I thought they played really well against Aussie and they'll be looking forward to fronting up again on Saturday."All Blacks team to play South Africa at Loftus Versfeld at 4.05am on Sunday:...

Jordie Barrett will probably have to wait a while to make good on his big mistake in Wellington against the Springboks.The fullback's quick throw-in to Rieko Ioane, which went to ground and bounced perfectly for Willie le Roux to score in the famous South African victory, will be a difficult one to live down and while he won't play for the All Blacks against the Pumas on Sunday and is unlikely to play in the test the following week in Pretoria, the 21-year-old is still very much in the frame.Unfortunately for Barrett, who scored an excellent try in combination with brother Beauden to open the scoring at Westpac Stadium, his learning curve in terms of game management came in the All Blacks' first defeat at home to the Boks since 2009.Steve Hansen's determination to name a strong side for the next two weeks in preparation for the World Cup means Barrett will have to do the rest of his learning on the training paddock but such has been the young Hurricane's quick rise since he made his test debut last year (his first start was against the British & Irish Lions), that may not be a bad thing.Ben Smith, clearly the All Blacks' top fullback, has been named in the No15 jersey for Sunday's test at Estadio Jose Amalfitani alongside wings Waisake Naholo and Rieko Ioane. If all three come through unscathed they are likely to start against the Boks at Loftus Versfeld too, with Damian McKenzie probably on the reserves bench after he left Buenos Aires due to a family bereavement.McKenzie has become such an exciting player off the bench in the closing stages of tests he is beginning to carve out a niche for himself there and the 23-year-old Chiefs player could be a source of inspiration for Barrett.McKenzie's habit of throwing intercepted passes, which received a training ground rebuke from Hansen as broadcast on Amazon Prime's documentary on the team this year, has been curtailed. He has learned to control his impetuosity and Barrett can too."He's 20 or 21, so he's not a very old rugby player but he's a very talented one," Hansen said of Barrett. "Sometimes you've just got to give them a bit of a go and it comes off. You've still got to get them to learn and sometimes you give them a go and it doesn't come off. That's when you put your arm around him and make sure he doesn't lose his confidence from the whole thing."Jordie is a project; he's got the potential to be very, very special. His game understanding for his age is understandably not that good at times. He can make the odd mistake but do some really great things too. It's a bit like when we first got Damian. He was all over the place. I described him quite often as a fly in a bottle. He's now settled down and has become very fluid in the game. He understands when to take risks versus the rewards that come with them."Jordie is still learning that. You don't want to knock the good stuff out of him, you just want him to learn when to push the button."All Blacks team to play Argentina at Estadio Jose Amalfitani on Sunday at 11.40am, is:Ben Smith14. Waisake Naholo13. Ryan Crotty12. Sonny Bill Williams11. Rieko Ioane10. Beauden Barrett9. TJ Perenara8. Luke Whitelock7. Sam Cane6. Shannon Frizell5. Scott Barrett4. Sam Whitelock ©3. Ofa Tuungafasi2. Codie Taylor1. Karl Tu'inukuafeReserves: Nathan Harris, Tim Perry, Angus Ta'avao, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ardie Savea, Aaron Smith, Richie Mo'unga, Anton Lienert-Brown. 

LISTEN TO ANT STRACHAN TALK WITH D'ARCY AND GORAN ABOVEThe All Blacks selectors have chosen to give a trio of players an extra week off to get right.Midfielder Ryan Crotty, flanker Sam Cane and winger Rieko Ioane weren't considered for Saturday's Rugby Championship test against Argentina in Nelson.Crotty and Cane are returning from concussions, while Ioane suffered a grade one hamstring tear in the Bledisloe Cup opener in Sydney.Coach Steve Hansen says another week will be good for the trio, especially Ioane who they don't want to push too hard too soon."I've been calling him the 80 Percenter the last couple weeks cause I don't want him running any faster than that. He ran in the training season barely 100 and it's just a matter of making sure we don't over extend him too early."Richie Mo'unga is trying to keep a clear head following confirmation of his first test start for the All Blacks.The Canterbury first five has been tasked with guiding the World Champions around Trafalgar Park against Argentina on Saturday.Mo'unga says he now accepts that he can only control certain things, conceding he was guilty of over-thinking early in his career."The weather, if should moulds or sprigs, what socks I should put on first, but if you really have the genuine prep, and if that prep is genuine every week, there is no doubt in my mind of my abilities and what I can do."Mo'unga says he hasn't read, heard or seen any of the discussion about him starting ahead of Beauden Barrett, who he is rooming with this week in Nelson. 

With the Pumas in town to play the All Blacks we look at how Richie Mo'unga will go in his first start and make picks for the Rugby Championship and Mitre 10 Cup.

LISTEN ABOVE AS LEON MACDONALD SPEAKS TO JASON PINE ON RADIO SPORT MORNINGSFormer Crusaders coach Leon MacDonald has warned the All Blacks against being too reliant on Beauden Barrett.Speaking to Radio Sport's Jason Pine, the 56-test former All Black said Richie Mo'unga should be starting "quite a few" of the All Blacks' tests this year, based on his red-hot form for the Crusaders this season."I don't think anybody will disagree that Beauden Barrett is world class and one of the best 10s in the world," MacDonald said."But the form that Richie's in this year for Super Rugby, he's deserved an opportunity at some point just to show whether he's ready to take that step up and drive the All Blacks in a big test."All Blacks coach Steve Hansen was quick to play down the Barrett-Mo'unga debate that has emerged over the last few weeks, saying earlier this month that the Crusaders No 10 benefited from "playing behind the Rolls Royce pack".But relying too much on a player, especially a year before the World Cup could be dangerous, says MacDonald. He believes Mo'unga is "absolutely ready" to take on the All Blacks no 10 jersey."If you rely too heavily on any player, but particularly a 10, if you put all your eggs in Beaudy's basket, you'll get unstuck."They'll be pretty keen both of them have plenty of game time."Richie Mo'unga of the Crusaders runs into Beauden Barrett of the Hurricanes. Photo / GettyThere was no room for Mo'unga in Hansen's 23-man squad for the first Bledisloe Cup test against Australia in Sydney on Saturday.With Barrett – a two-time World Rugby player of the year – getting the nod at first-five, the rationale seems to be that there is no room for Mo'unga, widely regarded as a specialist No 10, in the All Blacks 23 if he is not starting.But MacDonald disagrees, saying Mo'unga is more than capable at playing multiple positions."I think he could [start on the bench] because Beaudy can play fullback. And Richie plays fullback too, don't forget that, and he plays it really well."And the way a lot of teams [are] defending now, you play multiple positions. So quite often you'll find Richie at the back of the field on defence because he's a good counter-attacker and good under the high balls."Ultimately, MacDonald believes there is room for Mo'unga in the All Blacks squad."You can make things happen, whatever way you want. You can cut it up and still get the best out of all your players. There's no reason why Richie couldn't be playing 12 as well at a push if they had a couple injuries in the test."He's versatile enough, he's got the skill and he's a good communicator. I think definitely he could make the bench [if he's not starting]."MacDonald left the Crusaders in 2017 to move back to Blenheim with his family, and is due to join the Blues as an assistant coach next season.

Steve Hansen reckons every time he watches the Crusaders play at home he's told to pick Richie Mo'unga as his first-five ahead of Beauden Barrett."I walk away thinking 'we've already put him in team'," All Blacks coach Hansen said today as he announced his 33-player All Black squad for the Rugby Championship. "He's in the squad. He's 24 years old and he's played one test match."He's got competition from the specialist first-five in Beauden Barrett who's played 64 tests, I think it is. He's been world player of the year twice. Both of them are very good rugby players. Our job is to maximise the talent they've got and over time you'll see Richie get more tests, I'm sure."It's fair to say, then, that Hansen has heard it all before. The latest clamour over Mo'unga has come after the Crusaders No10 put in a man of the match performance for his team in their Super Rugby grand final victory over the Lions. A week before that he outplayed Barrett in the semifinal, also in Christchurch.That performance against the Hurricanes led to Hansen defending Barrett by saying Mo'unga was playing behind a "Rolls Royce" forward pack, a comment picked up by Crusaders coach Scott Robertson in the aftermath of their final win, but the fact remains test rugby is an altogether different beast.The stakes are far higher and the spotlight unremitting, especially for a first-five, which means experience is crucial. It's clear too in the demotion of Ngani Laumape that Mo'unga has had a big advantage while playing alongside Ryan Crotty.Barrett, too, hasn't had the luxury of playing behind a pack like that possessed by the Crusaders. But as an All Black No10, the 27-year-old's ability to set a test match agenda and navigate his team around the pitch with precision and occasional X-factor marks him out as a special player and one, rightly, who has Hansen's full backing."I think about a bloke before a World Cup we went to and everyone wanted us to drop Dan Carter," Hansen said with reference to the last tournament in 2015. "But he had one ingredient that the other blokes didn't have and that was experience. You saw that experience come out in the big moments."We have to build slowly with Richie and build his experience but in the meantime we have got a player in Beauden who has been the best player in the world for the last two years. We won't be in any rush to shift him."It's also probable that Mo'unga won't make the match day 23 for the All Blacks first Bledisloe Cup test against Australia in Sydney a week on Saturday. Damian McKenzie's versatility and ability to cover first-five and fullback means he is likely to keep Mo'unga off the reserves bench, but Hansen noted that Mo'unga, who made his test debut as a replacement against France in Dunedin in June, was playing at an extremely high level."Richie couldn't have done any more than he's done this year with the Crusaders. He's been outstanding," Hansen said."Anybody in the Canterbury [Crusaders] team could have been in the side. That's how good a team they are. That's why I said they have a Rolls Royce forward pack and they have a Rolls Royce team. That's why they won the competition. They're well coached and have some great players."

LISTEN TO SCOTT ROBERTSON TALK WITH CRAIG CUMMING ABOVEThe Crusaders will be without All Blacks front rowers Joe Moody, Owen Franks and Codie Taylor for their match against the Blues in Christchurch on Saturday.Moody injured a knee and an ankle in the win over the Highlanders last weekend and was never a chance to play, but prop Franks and hooker Taylor have been rested before next weekend's quarter-final at their fortress.All Blacks lock Scott Barrett is also rested, but skipper Sam Whitelock will play, as will No8 Kieran Read, who made his return to the Crusaders from back surgery in their big win over the Highlanders last weekend.Fullback David Havili has also been rested, with Israel Dagg - not considered last weekend despite being fit - making his long-awaited return. In total, Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has made six changes to the starting team who beat the Highlanders 45-22.The Crusaders still feature a strong backline, including first-five Richie Mo'unga, sound midfield pairing Ryan Crotty and Jack Goodue, and wings George Bridge and Seta Tamanivalu.Otago hooker Sam Anderson-Heather has been named on the reserves bench and could make his Crusaders debut.Further south, the Highlanders will also be without a host of All Blacks, with Ben Smith, Aaron Smith and Luke Whitelock being rested, as per the agreement between the All Blacks and the New Zealand Super Rugby franchisesLoose forward Elliot Dixon, midfielder Rob Thompson and hooker Ash Dixon have been left out of the squad as well.Crusaders team to play the Blues in Christchurch on Saturday, kick-off 7.35pm is: Israel Dagg, Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Richie Mo'unga, Mitchell Drummond, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, Jordan Taufua, Sam Whitelock, Quinten Strange, Michael Alaalatoa, Andrew Makalio, Tim Perry.Reserves: Sam Anderson-Heather, Wyatt Crockett, Donald Brighouse, Luke Romano, Pete Samu, Bryn Hall, Mitchell Hunt, Manasa Mataele.

LISTEN TO SCOTT ROBERTSON TALK WITH CRAIG CUMMING ABOVEThe Crusaders will be without All Blacks front rowers Joe Moody, Owen Franks and Codie Taylor for their match against the Blues in Christchurch on Saturday.Moody injured a knee and an ankle in the win over the Highlanders last weekend and was never a chance to play, but prop Franks and hooker Taylor have been rested before next weekend's quarter-final at their fortress.All Blacks lock Scott Barrett is also rested, but skipper Sam Whitelock will play, as will No8 Kieran Read, who made his return to the Crusaders from back surgery in their big win over the Highlanders last weekend.Fullback David Havili has also been rested, with Israel Dagg - not considered last weekend despite being fit - making his long-awaited return. In total, Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has made six changes to the starting team who beat the Highlanders 45-22.The Crusaders still feature a strong backline, including first-five Richie Mo'unga, sound midfield pairing Ryan Crotty and Jack Goodue, and wings George Bridge and Seta Tamanivalu.Otago hooker Sam Anderson-Heather has been named on the reserves bench and could make his Crusaders debut.Further south, the Highlanders will also be without a host of All Blacks, with Ben Smith, Aaron Smith and Luke Whitelock being rested, as per the agreement between the All Blacks and the New Zealand Super Rugby franchisesLoose forward Elliot Dixon, midfielder Rob Thompson and hooker Ash Dixon have been left out of the squad as well.Crusaders team to play the Blues in Christchurch on Saturday, kick-off 7.35pm is: Israel Dagg, Seta Tamanivalu, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Richie Mo'unga, Mitchell Drummond, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, Jordan Taufua, Sam Whitelock, Quinten Strange, Michael Alaalatoa, Andrew Makalio, Tim Perry.Reserves: Sam Anderson-Heather, Wyatt Crockett, Donald Brighouse, Luke Romano, Pete Samu, Bryn Hall, Mitchell Hunt, Manasa Mataele.

The Crusaders will have the services of Matt Todd for this weekend's Super Rugby derby match against the Hurricanes.The openside flanker, who fractured his thumb in the side's opening round match against the Chiefs, wasn't expected back until at least next week.Coach Scott Robertson said it's great to have him back, even if he will be wearing a brace."He trained really well on Tuesday, and he's functioning well, and the surgeon's happy to give him the clearance, and more importantly, Matt Todd's keenThe Crusaders have made two other changes to their starting XV, Mitchell Hunt will start at first-five for the injured Richie Mo'unga, while Heiden Bedwell-Curtis will start in the six jersey in place of Peter Samu.LISTEN TO SCOTT ROBERTSON TALK WITH D'ARCY AND GORAN ABOVE

The Crusaders will have the services of Matt Todd for this weekend's Super Rugby derby match against the Hurricanes.The openside flanker, who fractured his thumb in the side's opening round match against the Chiefs, wasn't expected back until at least next week.Coach Scott Robertson said it's great to have him back, even if he will be wearing a brace."He trained really well on Tuesday, and he's functioning well, and the surgeon's happy to give him the clearance, and more importantly, Matt Todd's keenThe Crusaders have made two other changes to their starting XV, Mitchell Hunt will start at first-five for the injured Richie Mo'unga, while Heiden Bedwell-Curtis will start in the six jersey in place of Peter Samu.LISTEN TO SCOTT ROBERTSON TALK WITH D'ARCY AND GORAN ABOVE

Crusaders halfback Bryn Hall, who has a look ahead to their crunch Super Rugby match against the Hurricanes on Saturday.He says not much will change with first-five Mitchell Hunt coming in for the injured Richie Mo'unga.LISTEN ABOVE AS BRYN HALL SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST

Crusaders halfback Bryn Hall, who has a look ahead to their crunch Super Rugby match against the Hurricanes on Saturday.He says not much will change with first-five Mitchell Hunt coming in for the injured Richie Mo'unga.LISTEN ABOVE AS BRYN HALL SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST

Rugby Editor Nigel Yalden on the injury toll suffered by the New Zealand Super Rugby franchises.The Chiefs in particular have a horrific injury list, and lost two more props on Friday night with Atu Moli taken to hospital and Nepo Laulala breaking his arm against the Blues.The Blues have also lost captain and halfback Augustine Pulu, who has not travelled with the team to South Africa for matches against the Stormers and Lions, while Richie Mo'unga also faces a lengthy stint on the sidelines with a broken jaw.

Rugby Editor Nigel Yalden on the injury toll suffered by the New Zealand Super Rugby franchises.The Chiefs in particular have a horrific injury list, and lost two more props on Friday night with Atu Moli taken to hospital and Nepo Laulala breaking his arm against the Blues.The Blues have also lost captain and halfback Augustine Pulu, who has not travelled with the team to South Africa for matches against the Stormers and Lions, while Richie Mo'unga also faces a lengthy stint on the sidelines with a broken jaw.

Canterbury assistant coach Joe Maddock on a fantastic weekend for Canterbury and Crusaders rugby, the huge potential of first-five Richie Mo'unga and wing Braydon Ennor and whether the red and blacks can do it all again nest season.LISTEN ABOVE AS JOE MADDOCK SPEAKS WITH THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST

Rugby Editor Nigel Yalden gives us the rundown on the All Blacks team named to play Australia this Saturday.He believes that Matt Todd has now overtaken Ardie Savea as the back up to openside flanker Sam Cane and he fears that with the options available to selectors, Jerome Kaino's international future may be over by the end of the year.And Nige's tip for the weekend? That TJ Perenara will cover first-five and Richie Mo'unga will fly back to New Zealand on Friday...LISTEN ABOVE AS NIGEL YALDEN SPOKE TO THE RADIO SPORT BREAKFAST