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4 Nov 2025 11:53
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  •   Home > News > Sports > Rugby

    Covid has wreaked havoc on the All Blacks backline and coaches this week, but it's blindside flanker shaping as an intriguing selection for the opening test against Ireland

    Covid has wreaked havoc on the All Blacks backline and coaches this week, but it's blindside flanker shaping as an intriguing selection for the opening test against Ireland


    Newstalk ZB's All Blacks commentator Elliott Smith says Ian Foster and his selectors will be pondering whether to select a specialist blindside in the former of Akira Ioane or put someone else in the six jumper and hope they can make a fist of it.

    Blues openside Dalton Papalii seems an obvious contender for the jersey after his superb Super Rugby season.

    The other complicating factor could be more Covid cases in camp - the All Blacks will be hoping for a clear run from here.

    The 23 will be named at 11:30am.

    INTERNATIONAL RUGBY WITH ACCESS SOLUTIONS - ELEVATING YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS TO A HIGHER LEVEL.

    © 2025 Newstalk ZB, NZCity

     Other Rugby News
     04 Nov: New Zealand won't have the presence its had in previous years, at today's 165th running of the Melbourne Cup
     04 Nov: Meanwhile, the All Blacks have completed a gym session in preparation for the test against Scotland
     03 Nov: Anxiousness among the All Blacks coaching cohort as they await a scan on Jordie Barrett's leg ahead of game two on their grand slam tour in Scotland
     03 Nov: The availability of Scott and Jordie Barrett for this weekend's All Blacks test against Scotland in Edinburgh will be decided overnight New Zealand time
     02 Nov: All Blacks coach Scott Robertson is praising the two youngsters that helmed the second row in the 26-13 win over Ireland in Chicago
     02 Nov: The All Blacks have gone some way to vanquishing the demons of Soldier Field from nine years ago, with a 26-13 win over Ireland in Chicago
     02 Nov: A final-quarter blitz has helped the All Blacks take down Ireland 26-13 in their opening Grand Slam tour test in Chicago
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