All Blacks captain Ardie Savea admitted he was nervous about potential disciplinary consequences following a dubious tackle on Jasper Wiese during Saturday's match, but All Blacks coach Dave Rennie maintained the hit was fair. Savea escaped without sanction.
Savea relieved after escaping punishment for Wiese tackle
Ardie Savea admitted nerves over a contentious tackle on Jasper Wiese but avoided punishment, with coach Dave Rennie defending the hit as fair.
Erasmus shuts door on Hanekom at eight — but opens the bench
Erasmus was uncharacteristically blunt: Wiese owns the eight jersey and Hanekom's standout Argentina display changes nothing at the top of the pecking order — though it may well have secured him a bench role for the All Blacks series.
Jake White: Henry's All Blacks return is a 'masterстroke' — and he's no ordinary selector
White calls Henry's return a masterstroke — not because of his selector credentials, but because of the psychological and cultural weight he brings to a rebuilding All Blacks camp. White also makes a pointed broader argument about the game's failure to learn from history, using his own 2007 World Cup experience as a case study.
Keo & Zels: Stubborn All Blacks policy make Boks smile
The boys love that New Zealand keep picking their second-best, long may it continue.
Hooker targeting All Blacks opener after shoulder surgery, July Tests ruled out
Ethan Hooker is targeting the opening All Blacks Test in The Greatest Rivalry series after shoulder surgery, with the 23-year-old ruled out of all July Tests against England, Scotland and Wales.
Mo'unga ruled out of Springbok clashes as NZR holds firm on overseas policy
NZR has confirmed no exemption will be sought for Richie Mo'unga, ruling him out of the July Tests and Rugby Championship matches against the Springboks in South Africa, though a late-season call-up remains possible if he returns to domestic play and injury strikes.