All Blacks XV side prepare to face South Africa A as NZ Rugby builds bridge

The All Blacks XV team is ready to face South Africa A in Montpellier in November, Things understand, as part of Rugby New Zealand’s efforts to stay connected with its biggest rugby rivals.

The New Zealand Under-19s will also tour South Africa for three or four games in October, further acknowledging that the lack of exposure to South African rugby is a potential weakness for New Zealand rugby following the collapse of Super Rugby.

Although the fixtures are yet to be confirmed, it is understood that Blues coach Leon MacDonald will take charge of the All Blacks second line, meaning he could also coach against Scott Robertson when the All Blacks XV face the Barbarians at Tottenham Stadium, London, on 13 November.

The All Blacks XV squad will consist of players on the fringes of the All Blacks selection, or potentially form the All Blacks back from injury, and will be an important pathway for players as New Zealand digests the fact that they have fallen behind in several areas of the game.

The previous two matches have been announced – against Canada on 29 October, and against the Barbarians-trained Robertson-Ronan O’Gara. The fourth opponent will also be locked out.

However, the match against South Africa A was the most significant, providing depth in South African rugby and, more importantly, the link between the Southern Hemisphere rugby giants.

South Africa are clearly frustrated by the speed with which NZ Rugby’s decision to leave Super Rugby in 2020, which has effectively knocked out South Africa and Argentina’s Jaguares.

Things understands that before a decision was made, NZ Rugby made two attempts to arrange a final series between the winners of the ‘domestic’ Super Rugby competition, but South Africa rejected those attempts due to the lack of broadcast appeal compared to full Super Rugby. competition.

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The fierce competition between New Zealand and South Africa will be played between their respective ‘second’ teams.

However, South African rugby bosses have emphatically referred to the fact that the death of Super Rugby was not their choice, and their four Super Rugby franchises – Sharks, Stormers, Bulls and Lions – have joined the United Rugby Championship in Europe.

South African rugby bosses also told their Sanzaar partners last year they were “exploring their options” and were widely reported to be interested in joining the Six Nations, but it is not known if their enthusiasm was reciprocated among the tournament’s existing members. .

South Africa’s absence from Super Rugby has caused concern from a high-performance standpoint, with Ian Foster and Scott Robertson among those who have expressed doubts. Remarkably, considering All Blacks prop Ethan de Groot, 24, admitted on Friday that he hasn’t even played against South African opposition.

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Crusaders coach Scott Robertson – pictured at a training clinic at Bromley School in Christchurch on Monday – will coach the Barbarians against the All Blacks XV.

However, while the Super Rugby horse may have taken off, NZ Rugby seems determined to maintain the relationship on multiple levels.

Both New Zealand U-20s and South Africa U-20s have recently tasted success, with the Baby Blacks capturing the Oceania U-20 Rugby Championship and Junior Boxes winning the Six Nations ‘Summer Series’.

At this stage, the selection of All Blacks XV will not ‘capture’ player eligibility. For example, a player like Josh Ioane could theoretically be selected and still represent Manu Samoa at next year’s Rugby World Cup, as long as he doesn’t play for the All Blacks between now and then.

The selection of the All Blacks XV squad will also have no impact on this year’s NPCs. This year’s final takes place on October 22, one week before the first game of the All Blacks XV tour, but every player involved in the decider will be available for their province.

Montpellier is considered a possible location for the All Blacks XV-South Africa A match due to Rugby NZ Altrad sponsorship.

Founder Mohed Altrad also owns club Montpellier in France’s Top 14 competition.

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