The winners and losers for the All Blacks in 2022
The All Blacks 2022 season will be remembered as a turbulent time for the team. Last year the All Black's lost a home series to Ireland 2-1 and dropped the first test to South Africa in Mbombela. They won the Ellis Park test against the Springboks to save their Rugby Championship hopes and secure the Freedom Cup.
John Plumtree and Brad Mooar were dismissed as assistant coaches by All Blacks coach Foster. They were let go after the Ireland series defeat. Plum Tree has since taken up an assistant role with USA Eagles. MOOar joined the Gwent Dragons briefly.
Nepo Laulala lost his place in the All Blacks team after starting 11 Tests in 2021 at tighthead prop. He was a casualty of the Ireland series and missed the Rugby Championship. Lulala started against Scotland but his performance off the bench in England could spell the end of his All Black career.
Pita Gus Sowakula was overlooked for the Rugby Championship and hasn't been picked since. Jason Ryan took over the All Blacks' forwards coaching. He is the second forward to lose standing since Ryan's appointment.
Leicester Fainga’anuku started the first two Tests against Ireland. His performance in the second Test was his last of the year. He was replaced by Caleb Clarke for the Rugby Championship. Faeringanuku was picked for Northern Tour but withdrew for personal reasons.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck didn't get the most of his opportunities in 2022. He was used off the bench against Ireland and Japan. Jordie Barrett is now an option at second five. David Havili, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert-Brown and Jack Goodhue are potential options at the position in 2023.
The All Blacks are looking for a coach for 2022. Ethan De Groot is the player who deserves to be selected. Ian Foster should have picked him in the first place. Nepo Laulala, Karl Tu’inukuafe and Ofa Tuungafasi were not selected for the Ireland series.
Tyrel Lomax started the second Test against the Springboks in the famous Ellis Park win in 2022. He went on to start all of the remaining Rugby Championship fixtures and the Wales and England Tests on the end-of-year tour.
Samisoni Taukei’aho is the All Blacks first choice hooker in 2022. He impressed in his first start against the Wallabies and against Argentina. He was taken off in Christchurch against them early. The All Black front row of De Groot, Taukke‘aho and Lomax is expected to keep starting.
Dalton Papali’i was the form openside for the Blues before he was struck down with appendicitis. He started for All Blacks against Brave Blossoms and against Wales. Papaloi also impressed against Scotland and England. He is unlikely to replace All Black captain Sam Cane as the starting flanker.
Ioane finished the year cemented as the All Blacks best option at centre heading into 2023. He is a playmaker who is now more efficient and effective. Ioane's defence went to another level in 2022. He held up numerous players over the line. Goodhue is injured and Lienert-Brown is coming back late from an injury.
Joe Schmidt is the assistant coach of the All Blacks. He will be praised if they win and criticised if the team loses. He is well-known for his coaching skills.
