An uncapped loose forward is tipped for a shock inclusion in the 44-man All Blacks touring squad to tackle the Springboks in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
According to New Zealand’s The Post, former Moana Pasifika No 8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa is in line for a call-up from All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie after signing with NZ Rugby following the club’s collapse.
Tupou Ta’eiloa’s possible selection would bolster Rennie’s loose forward stocks for an eight-match tour that begins against the Stormers (7 August), before fixtures against the Sharks and Bulls, followed by a four-Test series against the Boks starting at Ellis Park on 22 August.
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His inclusion would also ease the workload on skipper Ardie Savea, who is expected to be managed across the demanding tour, by providing cover during the club fixtures in South Africa.
The 22-year-old Ta’eiloa impressed for Moana over the past two Super Rugby Pacific seasons, producing several standout displays at No 8 while allowing Savea to shift to the side of the scrum.
A powerful, gainline-focused loosie, Ta’eiloa ranked among Super Rugby’s leading forwards for post-contact metres last season despite playing fewer matches than most of his rivals.
His potential arrival comes after inconsistent Nations Championship displays from back-row workhorses Wallace Sititi and Peter Lakai.
Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
The post Rennie to pick rookie as Savea’s stand-in appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
An uncapped loose forward is tipped for a shock inclusion in the 44-man All Blacks touring squad to tackle the Springboks in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
The post Rennie to pick rookie as Savea’s stand-in appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
