2023 World Championship – New Zealand: Vainga’anuku replaces Tilia on the left wing

Aurelien Cano, Media365 Posted on Thursday, October 12, 2023 at 7:17 pm.

To replace Mark Tella, who was not selected, on the left wing against Ireland on Saturday night in the quarter-final, All Blacks coach Ian Foster selected Leicester’s powerful Vainga’anuku, who scored three tries against Uruguay and who plays for RC Toulon. For the rest, the starting team will be the expected team.

Leicester Vaingaanuku not only scored points against Uruguay during his team’s last match and New Zealand’s last match in the group stage of the World Cup. The RC Toulon player also earned his place in Saturday night’s quarter-final clash against Ireland. As he built his starting XV against the current number one in the world rankings, and while regular left-winger Mark Tilia was sent off for violating protocol, All Blacks coach Ian Foster was immediately thought of as one of the heroes of the 73-0 defeat. The New Zealanders annexed it to Uruguay. Against the Tyros, the Tongan native already scored a hat-trick. He is rewarded for it. Fainga’anuku, who arrived at Var from the Crusaders in the off-season, is one of the only changes Foster has made from his usual squad to challenge the formidable Irish on Saturday in Saint-Denis. He will start on the left wing, and his counterpart on the right is Will Jordan (Rico Ioane and Jordie Barrett will start in the middle).

Lomax finally works

Thus, Ethan De Groot, who was ruled out against Namibia, regains his place up front, while Tyrell Lomax, who injured his knee against Uruguay and was forced to leave his teammates behind, is finally ready for action after being uncertain for a while. He will therefore be able to support De Groot and Cody Taylor, who unsurprisingly have been kept up front. Likewise, Scott Barrett and Brody Retallick have been brought back to the second row, just as the third row will once again consist of Shannon Frizell, Ardi Savea and captain Sam Keane. There were no surprises in terms of the hinge, as the tandem of Richie Mo’unga and Aaron Smith got going from kick-off. Sam Whitlock, who will honor his 151st selection, will take his place on the bench alongside Finley Christie, who was called up to replace Smith in the second half. Damian McKenzie, who has been excellent since the start of the tournament, may also feature towards the end of the game.

New Zealand’s starting XV against Ireland
B Barrett – Jordan, R Ioane, G Barrett, Fainga Anoko – (o) Monga, (c) A Smith – Kane (cap), A. Savea, Frizil – S. Barrett, Retallick-Lomax, Taylor, De Groot
Subs: Coles, T. Williams, Newell, S. Whitelock, Papali’i, Christie, McKenzie, Lienert-Brown