Prop Joe Moody has been left out of the All Blacks squad for the upcoming Rugby World Cup, while lock Brodie Retallick has been included despite suffering a knee injury. The squad was announced on Monday, with flanker Sam Cane set to captain the team during the tournament in France.
Moody, who started in the 2015 and 2019 World Cups, has been sidelined since May due to an ankle injury. Coach Ian Foster confirmed that Moody is expected to be ready to play in about two weeks but noted that the team wants him to get some game time before the World Cup. Foster expressed his faith in Moody and hopes for an opportunity for him later on.
Retallick, on the other hand, sustained a knee injury in New Zealand’s recent win against Australia. Despite the injury expected to keep him out for around six weeks, Foster believes Retallick has earned his selection and has confidence in managing his recovery. Retallick’s usual second-row partner, Sam Whitelock, has been chosen for his fourth World Cup appearance.
Centre Braydon Ennor also suffered a knee injury against the Wallabies, leading to David Havili benefiting from his absence in the squad. However, loose forward Samipeni Finau, who impressed on his test debut, was not included in the squad but will travel to Europe along with scrumhalf Brad Weber and uncapped hooker George Bell as injury cover for the final warm-up match against South Africa.
The All Blacks will face the Springboks at Twickenham in London on August 25 before beginning their World Cup campaign against France in Paris on September 8.
The selected All Blacks squad comprises a strong mix of experienced players and promising talent, reflecting the team’s pursuit of an unprecedented fourth World Cup title. The coaching staff remains hopeful that Moody and Retallick will recover in time to contribute to the team’s success in France. With Cane leading the side, the All Blacks are determined to showcase their trademark style of rugby and maintain their status as one of the world’s top rugby nations.
Overall, the squad announcement brings a combination of excitement and anticipation as the All Blacks prepare to compete on the global stage once again. The depth of talent and resilience within their ranks suggests they will be formidable opponents, even in the face of injury setbacks. As they embark on their World Cup journey, fans around the world eagerly await their performances and hope for another memorable tournament from the legendary All Blacks.
