Rugby World Cup 2023: New Zealand Drop Winger For Ireland Game
- New Zealand drop Mark Telea for Ireland game.
Winger Mark Telea has been dropped by New Zealand for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Ireland over a breach of team protocol.
Telea, who made his All Blacks debut against Scotland last November, has scored three tries in two matches during the World Cup.
Leicester Fainga’anuku will take the 26-year-old’s place on the wing.
“He breached protocol, nothing major but it kept him out of selection,” said head coach Ian Foster.
When asked about the specifics of Telea’s omission, Foster added: “It says volumes about what we stand for and speaks volumes for the team.
“It happens, it is what it is. It was pretty clear cut and I do not want to talk about it any more.”#
The All Blacks, who ended Ireland’s tournament at the same stage at the previous World Cup in 2019 in Japan, have made six changes for Saturday’s quarter-final at the Stade de France.
Ethan de Groot, Ardie Savea, Aaron Smith, Rieko Ioane and the Barrett brothers, Scott and Beauden, are all recalled, with the latter two joining sibling Jordie in the starting XV.
Finlay Christie has been selected on the bench in preference to rising star Cam Roigard.
Sam Cane captains the side and will be bidding to avoid becoming the first All Blacks captain to lose three Tests to Ireland.
Ireland inflicted two defeats on Cane and the three-time world champions in last year’s historic 2-1 series win in New Zealand.
Foster, though, said nothing that happened in the past weighed on his side going into the match.
“I do not think the past matters,” he said.
“You learn at the time it becomes a part of who you are. We have prepared well with this match in mind.
“We know the size of the challenge. Ireland deserve the credit they get but rugby is about who is best on the day.
“We start the match at 0-0 and it should be a great game.”
New Zealand: B Barrett; Jordan, Ioane, J Barrett, Fainga’anuku; Mo’unga, Smith; De Groot, Taylor, Lomax, Retallick, S Barrett, Frizell, Cane, Savea.
Replacements: Coles, Williams, Newell, Whitelock, Papali’i, Christie, McKenzie, Lienert-Brown.
