Beauden Barrett will start at fullback for the second consecutive week in the All Blacks, while Will Jordan will be on the right wing. Despite Jordan’s impressive form as the Crusaders’ fullback, he has not yet had the opportunity to start a game in the 15 jersey for the All Blacks.
Head coach Ian Foster acknowledged that the discussion about giving Jordan a chance at fullback always occurs. However, Barrett’s performance in the previous match against Argentina and Jordan’s absence from the team last week influenced the decision to keep Barrett at fullback and allow Jordan to find his rhythm on the wing. The thought process is mixed for many fans who are about to purchase rugby tickets for the All Blacks games in New Zealand.
Some argue that Barrett, the two-time World Rugby Player of the Year, is essential if the side looks to win the coveted Rugby World Cup in France later this year. The rest of the contingent with rugby tickets believes that Will Jordan deserves the place for his continuous performance in the Super Rugby arena in the last two years.
Foster explained that the short preparation window after returning from Argentina limited the time for Jordan to prepare for playing at fullback. However, he hinted that Jordan may still get an opportunity at fullback to finish the game as the team looks to address their late-game struggles.
The bench options include Caleb Clarke and Braydon Ennor, providing flexibility for potential reshuffles during the game. With no backup first-five option on the bench, a possible lineup change could see Clarke coming onto the left wing, Telea shifting to the right wing, Jordan moving to fullback, and Barrett moving to first five.
Foster expressed excitement about the return of Mark Telea, who has recovered from a knee problem and will be part of the new-look back three. The team is eager to see the combinations and performance of the backline in the upcoming match. For the All Blacks, it is a matter of testing what works for them before the big dance.
But they have a few more games to do all of that. Looking at their performance in the Rugby Championship, more fans will be motivated to make it to the All Blacks games with rugby tickets in France.
England can drop in World Rugby Rankings by doing nothing!
England‘s position in the World Rugby ranking is at risk of reaching a record low following the upcoming Rugby Championship matches. World Rugby has provided insights into the potential ranking changes that could occur.
If New Zealand wins by over 15 points, they will overtake France and claim the second spot in the rankings. This win would also narrow the gap between New Zealand and Ireland to just 1.19 points at the top.
Currently, in fourth place, South Africa is not in immediate danger of dropping lower in the rankings, even with a loss. They would still maintain a comfortable cushion over Scotland. However, if South Africa manages to avoid defeat against the All Blacks, they will swap places with New Zealand and move up to third.
In the other Rugby Championship match, Argentina can climb in the rankings. A victory over Australia by a margin exceeding 15 points would see Argentina surpass England and take the sixth position. This would be their highest ranking since November of the previous year. The Pumas fans are confident of a possibility of this nature. Some even have their rugby tickets to the games in the land down under.
Conversely, any win for Australia would result in them overtaking England and securing the sixth spot.
England has been ranked lower than seventh since February 2016. However, depending on the outcomes of the matches this weekend, England could slide down to that position.
It is important to note that Argentina can stay below their current eighth position, as they have a significant advantage over Wales in the rankings.
Springboks have their eyes on the Trophy
The Springboks find themselves in a favorable position to claim the Rugby Championship title for the first time in four years after a dominant performance against the Wallabies in Pretoria. Fans who made it to Pretoria with rugby tickets were given a rollercoaster of end-to-end rugby, with the home side dominating the Wallabies.
The Bok maul was a constant threat, causing confusion in the Australian defense and allowing the South Africans to exploit gaps and launch effective attacking plays.
Players like Kurt-Lee Arendse, Andre Esterhuizen, and Marco van Staden contributed significantly to the demolition of the Wallabies. Still, it is worth noting that many players involved in the match will not be starting in Auckland.
The depth and talent on the Springbok bench, with players such as Malcolm Marx, Duane Vermuelen, and Pieter-Steph du Toit, have left the rugby world envious and impressed.
The Springboks’ ability to field two ‘A’ teams with different players showcases the depth and strength of their squad. In contrast, the All Blacks face fatigue and jet lag after their trip to Argentina. The Springboks have a history of performing well in New Zealand, having secured wins and draws against the All Blacks on their home turf in recent years.
With the final match set to take place at a rugby league ground, away from the familiar setting of Eden Park, the Springboks have an advantageous position and are poised to knock off the All Blacks. They have an experienced core of players who have been successful against New Zealand in the past, and the stage is set for them to claim the Rugby Championship trophy.
England studies the southern hemisphere sides
Kevin Sinfield, England’s defense coach, has emphasized the importance of studying England’s southern hemisphere counterparts, particularly as New Zealand prepares to host South Africa in a highly anticipated match. However, Sinfield stated that he is not concerned about who England will face at the World Cup.
England is positioned on the easier side of the draw, avoiding top-ranked teams like France, New Zealand, Ireland, and South Africa until the semi-finals. The recent Rugby Championship matches showcased the disparity between teams, with New Zealand defeating Argentina (who are in England’s pool) and South Africa dominating Australia (a potential quarter-final opponent for England).
Sinfield confirmed that England’s coaching staff watched last weekend’s Rugby Championship matches and a game between a Japan XV and an All Blacks XV. However, he expressed indifference towards England’s luck with the draw, stating that they focus on improving the team daily and preparing the players for any opponent they may face.
While the immediate priority is preparing the current England squad, Sinfield acknowledged the importance of studying other teams and players who may be potential opponents in the future. This lets the coaching staff stay informed about international games and gain valuable insights into different playing styles and strategies.
All roads will now lead to the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France, and fans are anxiously awaiting the results of the games before the big dance to get an early predictor of how the games in France will turn out. Rugby tickets for the upcoming Rugby Championship games are already out, and ample options for the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France are still available.
