Kieran Read and Justin Marshall say the physicality and experience of loose forward Ethan Blackadder is what the All Blacks need to dominate the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
Blackadder earned a recall to the national team as part of Dave Rennie’s 44-man squad to the Republic for an eight-match tour, after finishing the Super Rugby Pacific season strongly with the Crusaders.
The All Blacks kick off their campaign against the Stormers at Cape Town Stadium next Friday.
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Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Rugby Australia & New Zealand podcast, Read and Marshall believe the 31-year-old Blackadder can force his way into the Test lineup if he impresses against the local clubs.
“He has been there [in South Africa], done it. He played really well at the back end of Super Rugby. You need to have guys you look around your team, and you go, ‘He’s not giving up, he’s going to go at them all day’,” former All Blacks skipper Read said.
“As much as South Africa have shaped their game into something really nice to watch, their forward pack is running straight at you … Ethan Blackadder will not relent.
“He will go at them just as hard or more and has the ability to knock them over.”
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Marshall believes Blackadder is well placed to challenge newcomer Anton Segner for a place on the bench against the Springboks once the first of four Tests in the series begins on 22 August.
“I like the pressure he brings into that role of that bench player. Segner is filling that at the moment and thoroughly deserves what he’s been able to substantiate by being on that bench because he’s put the performances in,” the ex-scrumhalf said.
“But that’s a spot that you could see Ethan Blackadder pushing initially.
“I don’t think there’s any question that he hasn’t earned it … the first Test at Ellis Park [in 2024], he had a f**king outstanding game.
“He was close to the best on the park for the All Blacks … He went hard at them and carried hard, tackled hard and was a big influence that day.”
Photo: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images
The post Ex-All Blacks back Blackadder to bash Boks appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Kieran Read and Justin Marshall say the physicality and experience of loose forward Ethan Blackadder is what the All Blacks need to dominate the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
The post Ex-All Blacks back Blackadder to bash Boks appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
