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Covid has wreaked havoc on the All Blacks backline and coaches this week, but it's blindside flanker shaping as an intriguing selection for the opening test against Ireland

Covid has wreaked havoc on the All Blacks backline and coaches this week, but it's blindside flanker shaping as an intriguing selection for the opening test against Ireland

30 June 2022

Newstalk ZB's All Blacks commentator Elliott Smith says Ian Foster and his selectors will be pondering whether to select a specialist blindside in the former of Akira Ioane or put someone else in the six jumper and hope they can make a fist of it.

Blues openside Dalton Papalii seems an obvious contender for the jersey after his superb Super Rugby season.

The other complicating factor could be more Covid cases in camp - the All Blacks will be hoping for a clear run from here.

The 23 will be named at 11:30am.

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