THE ALL BLACKS have been dealt a big blow ahead of next Saturday’s first Test against Ireland in Auckland after confirming that four members of their camp, including head coach Ian Foster, have tested positive for Covid-19.
Foster, forwards coach John Plumtree, and Crusaders centres David Havili and Jack Goodhue have all tested positive.
Foster and Plumtree are now isolating at home, while Havili and Goodhue have also left the All Blacks’ camp.
Havili and Goodhue were both strongly in contention to start against Ireland in the first Test at Eden Park.
The All Blacks have called up another Crusaders centre, Braydon Ennor, to their squad.
These positive tests are undoubtedly a major blow for the Kiwis less than a week before the first Test against Ireland at Eden Park.
With Foster and Plumtree isolating, attack coach Brad Mooar, defence coach Scott McLeod, and scrum coach Greg Feek are set to lead the All Blacks’ preparations for the first clash with Ireland.
Former Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt is due to join the All Blacks set-up as an independent selector following the completion of the three-Test series against Andy Farrell’s tourists.
There are still options in midfield for the All Blacks, with Quinn Tupaea and rugby league convert Roger Tuivasa-Sheck competing for the number 12 shirt. Fullback Jordie Barrett can also play at inside centre.
Rieko Ioane is the incumbent at outside centre, with Ennor, Tupaea, and the uncapped Leicester Fainga’anuku also capable of excelling there.
All Blacks boss Foster looked to play down the severity of this challenge for his squad.
“We’ve had a plan for this happening and it’s a great opportunity for the wider coaching group and the senior players, who will be highly motivated to step up,” said Foster.
“We have learned how to cope with the unexpected, like everyone has over the past couple of years. I will still be working alongside the coaches and team via Zoom and I have huge faith in the coaching group and the players.
“We have structures in place and everyone is working together.”
Won’t impact them really. Those are not huge losses. Munster v Wasps– now that was a squad decimated by COVID.
Serious chance here lads
@whoowhat?: you mean there’s a chance……
@whoowhat?: Eden Park, that would be historic altogether.
@Keith McCarthy: in llyod christmas’s world maybe
@daveyt: so you’re telling me there’s a chance ?
@Sean McCarthy: too right mate, put a few shrimp on the barbie ;)
What do people make of those billboards they’ve put up anywhere the Irish team are due to go? Stinks of desperation if you ask me. Are the NZ team embarrassed by them or are they lacking confidence that they take solice in them? If anything they’re going to fuel the fire in the Irish camp, probably exactly what we need after Ulster and Leinster feeling a bit dejected after the URC exits.
@SPQH: billboards?
@SPQH: take it as a compliment and a laugh, Irish bookmakers have done same, but much witter and better. Its really a non story
@SPQH: A Kiwi gambling company TAB NZ behind this.
Good luck to them provoking Paddy Power’s social media team!
@Paul Kennedy: wittier*
@SPQH: i don’t think they matter much, if it generates a bit of rivalry and sells more tickets fair play, maybe is a compliment that NZ fans are taking Ireland seriously.
@Paul Kennedy: OK fair enough, didn’t realise it was a bookmakers that was behind it.
@Doug Storms: Yeah, 3 outside Missouri.
Ireland can give back the players they robbed from new Zealand
@Tony Mcgrath: and then New Zealand can give back all the players they robbed from Tonga, somoa etc it works both ways
@Sole Trader: Australia & Scotland too.
@Tony Mcgrath: Ah c’mon. You can be more creative than “robbed”. Put some effort in man.
@Tony Mcgrath: robbed? Like what they did to Isa?
Getting Joe Schmidt on board reeks of desperation from Foster I think .
@Macus Mc Mahon: more like Feeks
All Blacks obviously taking a leaf out of the Tyrone playbook. Ireland beware .