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Roigard’s return highlights All Blacks' riches in No. 9 jersey
Logan Swinkels • October 7th, 2024 3:35 pm
The All Blacks have announced one major change to the 36-strong squad that will soon depart for the upcoming Northern Hemisphere tour: Cam Roigard.
The exciting Hurricanes halfback has been widely considered to be the next first-choice No. 9 for the black jersey following the retirement of Aaron Smith, however that transition had been delayed due to a raptured patella tendon in his left knee suffered during the Super Rugby season.
While Roigard worked hard on his rehab, fellow 2023 World Cup squad member Finlay Christie appeared to have fallen out of favour with the All Blacks’ new coaching group. Young Crusaders halfback Noah Hotham was called into the squad for injury cover for veteran TJ Perenara, and Chiefs pass-slinger Cortez Ratima was garnering attention for his speedy ball play.
Perenara remains a figure of this All Blacks squad at least for one last overseas tour, having just played his last home Test match in their 33-13 dismantling of Australia at Sky Stadium.
In his limited-minutes return to action, Roigard scored two tries off the bench for Counties Manukau against Manawatu on Sunday. Footage of his workouts on social media have only fuelled the hype of the 23-year-old potentially stepping back into the black jersey and today’s announcement confirmed this with Hotham the one to miss out.
Speaking with media post-announcement, All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson addressed the halfback situation.
“It was fantastic to see Cam in great form for Counties in the weekend and we are excited to have him back in the mix,” he said.
“Fellow halfbacks Cortez Ratima and TJ Perenara showed during the Rugby Championship that they deserve their spots in the squad, and this means Noah Hotham will be included in the All Blacks XV squad to be announced tomorrow, where he will be able to gain some valuable playing time.”
So not all hope is lost for the players who weren’t named today – that announcement is scheduled for Tuesday 2pm.
Before playing England, Ireland, France and Italy, the All Blacks will play Japan in Yokohama on October 26.
Also named is the injured Jordie Barrett, however Razor has told media that his vice-captain could return from the knee injury for that matchup against the Brave Blossoms. 4-6 players from that All Blacks XV squad will also join the All Blacks in Yokohama.
All Blacks Squad
Hookers: Asafo Aumua, George Bell, Codie Taylor.
Props: Ethan de Groot, Tyrel Lomax, Fletcher Newell, Pasilio Tosi, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Tamaiti Williams.
Locks: Scott Barrett (c), Sam Darry, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa’i.
Loose Forwards: Ethan Blackadder, Sam Cane, Samipeni Finau, Luke Jacobson, Dalton Papali’i, Ardie Savea (vc), Wallace Sititi.
Halfbacks: TJ Perenara, Cortez Ratima, Cam Roigard.
First five-eighths: Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie.
Midfielders: Jordie Barrett (vc), David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Billy Proctor.
Outside backs: Caleb Clarke, Will Jordan, Ruben Love, Stephen Perofeta, Sevu Reece, Mark Tele’a.
All Blacks Northern Tour schedule
October 26: vs Japan at Nissan Stadium, Yokohama - 6.50pmNovember 3: vs England at Twickenham, London - 4.10amNovember 9: vs Ireland at Aviva Stadium, Dublin - 9.10amNovember 16: vs France at Stade de France, Paris - 9.10amNovember 23: vs Italy at Allianz Stadium, Turi - 9.10am
All times are in NZDT.
Listen to Kirst & Beav's interview with All Blacks assistant coach Jason Holland below:
