Blues coach Leon MacDonald has confirmed that All Blacks players will be rested during next year’s Super Rugby Pacific tournament.
As usual, All Blacks who tour the northern hemisphere in November will join their franchises later than other players. When they do so in 2023, their workloads will be carefully monitored during the tournament to ensure they are fresh for the Rugby World Cup in France.
“A World Cup year provides a different challenge,” said MacDonald after naming his Super Rugby squad. “It’s really important we use our All Blacks well and they turn up well rested for the World Cup, but also do a job for the Blues.
“Trying to get that balance right is really important and that’s why depth is so critical,” he added. “One of the upsides of Covid, if there is one, is we were forced to use our squad with midweek games and that allowed us to grow our squad a bit deeper and give them some exposure.”
Meanwhile, MacDonald confirmed he is planning to keep former rugby league star and two-Test All Black Roger Tuivasa-Sheck at inside centre.
“There was always a question mark whether he was a midfielder or on the wing,” he said.
“Sometimes it can take the pressure off him being in the middle and being a playmaker and decision-maker, as opposed to a finisher, or a guy who’s able to use a bit of space.
“I still see him predominately as a midfielder, now we know he’s got the ability to cover wing, which is really exciting for us.”
Blues squad
Forwards: Alex Hodgman (Auckland), James Lay (Auckland), Josh Fusitu’a (Auckland), Kurt Eklund (Bay of Plenty), Ricky Riccitelli (Taranaki), Soane Vikena (Auckland), Ofa Tuungafasi (Northland), Nepo Laulala (Counties Manukau), Marcel Renata (Auckland), Patrick Tuipulotu (Auckland), Sam Darry (Canterbury), Tom Robinson (Northland), James Tucker (Waikato), Taine Plumtree (Wellington), Cameron Suafoa (North Harbour), Akira Ioane (Auckland), Rob Rush (Northland), Dalton Papali’i (Counties Manukau), Adrian Choat (Auckland), Anton Segner (Tasman), Hoskins Sotutu (Counties Manukau).
Backs:Finlay Christie (Tasman), Sam Nock (Northland), Taufa Funaki (Auckland), Beauden Barrett (Taranaki), Harry Plummer (Auckland), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Auckland), Bryce Heem (Auckland), Rieko Ioane (Auckland), Tanielu Tele’a (Auckland), Corey Evans (Auckland), Caleb Clarke (Auckland), AJ Lam (Auckland), Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Taranaki), Mark Telea (North Harbour), Caleb Tangitau (Auckland), Stephen Perofeta (Taranaki), Zarn Sullivan (Auckland).
