In need of some game time: Charlie Faumuina
Seven All Blacks have been made available for selection to their home provinces if required for this weekend's ITM Cup Finals.
The Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup winning All Blacks squad disassembled on Sunday following their 18-18 draw against Australia in Brisbane.
Ben Franks and Wyatt Crockett are available for Canterbury while Piri Weepu and Charlie Faumuina could line up for Auckland.
Tamati Ellison, Ben Smith and Adam Thomson are available for Otago.
ITM Cup Premiership Final
Saturday 27 October 2012
Canterbury (Ben Franks and Wyatt Crockett) v Auckland (Piri Weepu and Charlie Faumuina)
Venue: AMI Stadium, Addington, Christchurch
Kickoff: 7:35pm
ITM Cup Championship Final:
Friday, 26 October 2012
Counties Manukau v Otago (Tamati Ellison, Ben Smith and Adam Thomson)
Venue: ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe, Auckland
Kickoff: 7:35pm
Comments
Ferdie says...
rugby_rockstar - agree completely.
I see Weepu is not getting game time as the coach, Wayne Pivac, says it's "about putting the team first". They are using Charlie Faumuina though out of necessity as Ofa Tu'ungafasii has a broken thumb, can't play.
Last weekend Beauden Barrett played for Taranaki, fair enough he's been involved in all their ITM matches except the three weeks he was with ABs, so part of the 'team'. Andrew Hore was given 40 minutes earlier in the season, be a chance for him to meet the team as I'd say he wouldn't recognise many of them, getting to play for the province so rarely.
Ali Williams will play - a final chance to prove fitness for the ABs NH tour, if not, maybe his AB career finito.
Posted 06:13 23rd October 2012
rugby_rockstar says...
No!!!! What about the guys would bled to get their clubs into the final!?!?!
I feel a gentlemen's agreement between Auckland and Cantabury is the honourable thing to do. Also there'll be future All Blacks notching up cup final experience. Come on guys. Give the Grunts their day in the sun.
Posted 11:56 22nd October 2012