Former Waratah Ta'avao to replace Moody in All Blacks squad

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30-08-18, 09:32
The InnFORCEr

Former Waratah Ta'avao to replace Moody in All Blacks squad

Today at 7:36 AM

Former Waratahs prop Angus Ta'avao has been called into the All Blacks after Joe Moody was ruled out of the Rugby Championship with injury.

Starting loosehead Moody will have his thumb in a cast for six weeks after suffering a fracture during Saturday's 40-12 win over Australia in Auckland to secure the Bledisloe Cup.

With fringe contender Jeff Toomaga-Allen also injured, the uncapped Ta'avao is promoted ahead of next week's Test against Argentina in Nelson.

The 28-year-old made 22 appearances for the Waratahs across 2016 and 2017 before his form this year with the Chiefs caught the eye of New Zealand coach Steve Hansen.

Hansen said Taavao had improved greatly in the 2018 Super Rugby season.

"Angus had a big season for the Chiefs during the Investec Super Rugby season, was part of a very good Chiefs pack and has made big strides on the technical aspects of his position," he said.

"We look forward to him joining the squad."

Ta’avao will cover tighthead with Karl Tu’inukuafe and Tim Perry to compete for Moody’s No 1 jersey for the remainder of the Rugby Championship.

Moody is expected to be fit to play on New Zealand’s tour to Japan and Europe in October and November.

Ta’avao — who is eligible to play for Australia through his mother — was invited into a Wallabies camp by Michael Cheika in 2016 but wasn’t capped.

With Sekope Kepu back in Australia he was deemed surplus to requirements at NSW this year and was looking at job options outside of rugby before the injury plagued Chiefs came calling.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/a...3c029f0f059d65
30-08-18, 09:37
SNOB

Not good enough for the Wallabies but good enough for the AB’s! WTF!
30-08-18, 10:23
Alison

Sounds like he had much better coaching at the Chiefs than he did in Australia. What a surprise!
30-08-18, 10:49
Bakkies

Alby Mathewson is off to Munster as short term cover for Conor Murray.
30-08-18, 16:10
chibi

Sad that we have a bunch of players with divided loyalties. We should be having guys who can go overseas and we'll have absolutely no qualms whatsoever that they'll change allegiances to other countries.

What happened to the Australians who wanted to play for Australia no matter what?
Says a lot about the deep-running problems with the game in this country.

There's a lot about this which is very reminiscent of the culture of Australian soccer pre-2000s
31-08-18, 08:15
Jeansyjive

Quote:

Originally Posted by chibi

Sad that we have a bunch of players with divided loyalties. We should be having guys who can go overseas and we'll have absolutely no qualms whatsoever that they'll change allegiances to other countries.

What happened to the Australians who wanted to play for Australia no matter what?
Says a lot about the deep-running problems with the game in this country.

There's a lot about this which is very reminiscent of the culture of Australian soccer pre-2000s

I don't think he had divided loyalties, he no longer had opportunity in Australia and one presented itself in NZ.
31-08-18, 08:20
volvo

Quote:

Originally Posted by chibi

Sad that we have a bunch of players with divided loyalties. We should be having guys who can go overseas and we'll have absolutely no qualms whatsoever that they'll change allegiances to other countries.

What happened to the Australians who wanted to play for Australia no matter what?
Says a lot about the deep-running problems with the game in this country.

There's a lot about this which is very reminiscent of the culture of Australian soccer pre-2000s

I think Angus was born and bred in NZ, played for the blues and then came across to the tahs for about 2 years and now is back in NZ with the Chiefs.
31-08-18, 10:35
GIGS20

Quote:

Originally Posted by volvo

I think Angus was born and bred in NZ, played for the blues and then came across to the tahs for about 2 years and now is back in NZ with the Chiefs.

That's probably worse

He wasn't developed by any Australian development program, spent time at the Tahs, probably at great expense, didn't improve enough to be noticed and went back home where he has kicked on and made it to the All Blacks.

Australian Super Rugby appears to be a short holiday in his rugby career.
31-08-18, 15:46
chibi

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeansyjive

I don't think he had divided loyalties, he no longer had opportunity in Australia and one presented itself in NZ.

↓↓↓↓↓

Quote:

Originally Posted by chibi

Says a lot about the deep-running problems with the game in this country.