In a twist that underscores the relentless demands of international rugby, three All Blacks stalwarts will miss the highly anticipated National Provincial Championship (NPC) final due to All Blacks camp commitments. This weekend’s clash, a historic all-South Island showdown, will see Canterbury and Otago face off without key players Sam Darry, George Bell, and George Bower.
Otago’s frontline prop, Bower, alongside Canterbury’s lock Darry and hooker Bell, are set to join the All Blacks as they prepare for an upcoming Test against Ireland in Chicago, marking the beginning of their Grand Slam tour in the UK. Otago coach Mark Brown and Canterbury’s Marty Bourke have both confirmed the absence of these players due to national team duties.
Bourke shared insights into the situation, highlighting the players' commitment to their provincial teams despite their national responsibilities.
“We kind of knew it was more of a no than yes. You don’t have to be Einstein to realize they’ve got a few dings and trying to get that Grand Slam is pretty important,”
he expressed. He further elaborated on the depth issues within the All Blacks, particularly in the second-row, exacerbated by injuries to Patrick Tuipulotu and Tupou Vaa’i, making Darry’s presence in the squad crucial.
The NPC final, the first all-South Island final in 24 years, will undoubtedly feel the absence of Darry and Bell, who played pivotal roles in Canterbury’s 43-19 semi-final thrashing of Hawke’s Bay. Both players, with deep roots in Otago, expressed a strong desire to participate in the final.
“It’s always been the black jersey comes first. We had really good open dialogue with the All Blacks coaches given both those guys have been part of this group for the whole season, but it’s all about elevating our players, and we back the stock we’ve got around our wider group,”
Bourke added.
While Canterbury will miss Darry and Bell, they still have players like Brodie McAlister, Dallas McLeod, Braydon Ennor, and Chay Fihaki who have been cleared for the final. Similarly, Otago will feature Christian Lio-Willie, a recent All Blacks debutant, adding a layer of intrigue to the matchup.
This final not only spotlights the emerging talents in New Zealand’s rugby landscape but also casts a spotlight on the perennial balancing act between club loyalty and national duty, a dynamic that continues to shape the careers of rugby players globally.
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In a twist that underscores the relentless demands of international rugby, three All Blacks stalwarts will miss the highly anticipated National Provincial Championship (NPC) final due to All Blacks camp commitments. This weekend’s clash, a historic all-South Island showdown, will see Canterbury and Otago face off without key players Sam Darry, George Bell, and George Bower.
Otago’s frontline prop, Bower, alongside Canterbury’s lock Darry and hooker Bell, are set to join the All Blacks as they prepare for an upcoming Test against Ireland in Chicago, marking the beginning of their Grand Slam tour in the UK. Otago coach Mark Brown and Canterbury’s Marty Bourke have both confirmed the absence of these players due to national team duties.
Bourke shared insights into the situation, highlighting the players' commitment to their provincial teams despite their national responsibilities.
“We kind of knew it was more of a no than yes. You don’t have to be Einstein to realize they’ve got a few dings and trying to get that Grand Slam is pretty important,”
he expressed. He further elaborated on the depth issues within the All Blacks, particularly in the second-row, exacerbated by injuries to Patrick Tuipulotu and Tupou Vaa’i, making Darry’s presence in the squad crucial.The NPC final, the first all-South Island final in 24 years, will undoubtedly feel the absence of Darry and Bell, who played pivotal roles in Canterbury’s 43-19 semi-final thrashing of Hawke’s Bay. Both players, with deep roots in Otago, expressed a strong desire to participate in the final.
“It’s always been the black jersey comes first. We had really good open dialogue with the All Blacks coaches given both those guys have been part of this group for the whole season, but it’s all about elevating our players, and we back the stock we’ve got around our wider group,”
Bourke added.While Canterbury will miss Darry and Bell, they still have players like Brodie McAlister, Dallas McLeod, Braydon Ennor, and Chay Fihaki who have been cleared for the final. Similarly, Otago will feature Christian Lio-Willie, a recent All Blacks debutant, adding a layer of intrigue to the matchup.
This final not only spotlights the emerging talents in New Zealand’s rugby landscape but also casts a spotlight on the perennial balancing act between club loyalty and national duty, a dynamic that continues to shape the careers of rugby players globally.