Latest News
Rugby World Cup: The All Blacks’ key players and coaches
Analysis – We’re just over a week out from the Rugby World Cup kicking off in France and the anticipation among the All Blacks is huge. But just who is going to be playing the biggest roles in the upcoming campaign?
Today we have a look at the key men in the All Black set-up who will attempt to take back the trophy and the status of world champions.
Sam Cane
There’s no greater sporting weight on the shoulders than that of an All Black captain, and Cane’s position has been under immense scrutiny since day one. He’s answered it in brutal fashion so far in 2023, with an outstanding season for the Chiefs, then carried it on throughout the All Blacks’ five test wins so far.
His ability on defence is the most important asset he has, as the team look to him to set the standard with tackling and turnovers.
Ardie Savea
If Cane is the leader on defence, Savea is the human highlight reel on attack. To most foreign rugby fans, he stands as the face of the All Blacks at the moment, a truly well-rounded player that can do things other players can’t.
There is a slight question mark lingering over whether number eight is the best position for him, but the logic that it’s the fastest way to get the ball in his hands is sound.
Richie Mo’unga
Richie Mo’unga Photo: AAP / www.photosport.nz
The die seems to have been cast on who will wear the 10 jersey in the World Cup, with Mo’unga seeing off the challenge of Damian McKenzie and playing the best rugby of his test career so far.
In particular, Mo’unga’s goal-kicking has been very impressive, especially his nerveless game-winning penalty late in the Bledisloe Cup match in Dunedin, however there is plenty of backup in that department.
The most important part of Mo’unga’s game is his ability to make the right decisions at the right time, unlocking the potential of the All Black weapons outside him while being one himself.
Will Jordan
Twenty-three tests, 22 tries. Jordan has been in immense form despite missing a big chunk of the season due to migraine-like symptoms, playing a big part in the Crusaders’ Super Rugby win and being an automatic choice in the All Blacks.
Is he an out-and-out winger, though? Ian Foster certainly thinks so, but he may get another run at fullback after a relatively quiet game at the back in Dunedin.
Aaron Smith
Aaron Smith Photo: Photosport / Gaspafotos
The veteran halfback will be remembered as perhaps the most consistent All Black of all time, if not the best halfback outright.
Smith has been just as influential in 2023 as he was in the first four seasons of his test career, which is unbelievable considering he’s played 118 tests. Smith will leave at the end of this campaign but will most likely play the lion’s share of minutes in the big games.
One thing is for sure: he will leave a big hole in the All Blacks and his legacy is assured, no matter what the teams’ fortunes are in France.
The Barrett brothers
Who is the most important? At the moment you’d have to say Scott, who has reinvigorated the All Black forward dynamic by simply being an out-and-out bully, as well as providing the usual strong set piece presence.
Jordie and Beauden are part of the first-choice backline and are goal-kicking options, with the latter combining well with Mo’unga four years after it seemed like having them both on the field at the same time caused more clutter than clarity.
Ian Foster
Ian Foster Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Just how history judges Foster will be extremely interesting, as his turnaround in fortunes this year has got New Zealanders daring to think that maybe he was the right man all along.
Whatever he’s done behind the scenes in 2023 has been impossible to argue with, as the team is playing very good rugby and head to France with really no question marks over who will play where, and when.
The influence of Jason Ryan on the forwards has been obvious, but if Foster pulls this off, he certainly will be enjoying the press conference after the final.
VIA RNZ
The chief executive of the Parliamentary Service is confident there will be enough room to accommodate the increased number of MPs and their staff coming into Parliament.
On current numbers, up to 131 MPs could be sitting in the Chamber following the election, brought on by a record overhang result.
Clerk of the House of Representatives Dr David Wilson told the Spinoff that currently the debating chamber had enough chairs to seat 124 MPs – including the Speaker of the House – and work was being done to accommodate more by altering the seating arrangement.
In a statement, Parliamentary Service chief executive Rafael Gonzalez-Montero said planning for a larger Parliament had been going for “some time”.
“Now that the election results have confirmed an increase to the number of members we are looking at several options.
“We are confident we will be able to accommodate all members within the Chamber.”
VNP / Phil Smith
Gonzalez-Montero said office accommodation for members and their staff would be “stretched” for a short time, but the new Members’ Building was only a few months away from “practical completion”.
That building – located behind Parliament – was due to be ready to occupy in April next year and had capacity to accommodate around 30 backbench MPs.
“All members should be in fit-for-purpose accommodation from that point,” Gonzalez-Montero said.
Following the 2023 election, 123 MPs sat in the Chamber – a record number at the time. That decreased to 122 following the resignation of National MP Judith Collins.
Collins held the seat of Papakura and stepped down in May and Parliament voted against holding a by-election because it was too close to the election.
The election result also meant high-ranking National Party MPs like Chris Bishop, Paul Goldsmith, Nicola Willis and Gerry Brownlee – Speaker of the House and an MP for 30 years – would likely not make it back into Parliament.
Only resigning or retiring MPs were permitted to give a valedictory speech meaning none of them would get the chance to give a valedictory statement.
Asked if their would be special allowances for valedictories, Wilson said in a statement that normally only MPs were allowed to speak in the House but the House could suspend its own rules or temporarily alter them.
“It could do so to allow former members to address the House.”
Wilson said no such arrangements could be made until the next Parliament opened and members sworn in.
rnz
Police say person who fired gun at officers still at large
New Zealand sides named for RLWC finals
Parliamentary Service working on extra chairs and offices for increased number of MPs
-
Latest News2 months ago‘Chilling’: Business groups speak out against National’s supermarket break-up plan
-
NZ News2 months agoTom Phillips report: The missed opportunities to find the children
-
Politics2 months agoNational vows to try to split Pak’nSave and New World
-
Latest News2 months agoCars bearing Chinese police markings stir unease in Auckland
-
Fiji News2 months agoPlans to have new Constitution by Dec 24th 2026
-
NZ News2 months agoCop who stole $68,000 can now be named as champion Muay Thai fighter Haimona Tamati-Te Paki
-
Politics2 months agoMBIE confirms botched biometric projects costs blown out to $50.7 million
-
Latest News2 months agoFive Karangahape Road venues lose their liquor licences after police intervention