When Roigard came on, there was an instant and recognisable difference; he managed length, accuracy and contestability. This is written before the All Blacks choose their 23 for Ireland on Saturday morning, but Roigard looms as an almost certain change; there’s an argument to say he should have started against England. Were this any other game than Ireland, I wonder too if some thought would have been given to resting Ardie Savea. If the All Blacks have lost their “aura”, Ireland haven’t yet found their way past the quarter-finals of rugby’s most important tournament. All Blacks v Ireland, Saturday 9.10amLive commentary on Newstalk ZB, Gold Sport and iHeartRadio.

Source: New Zealand Herald November 06, 2024 00:41 UTC