Scrum-half Roigard excluded from Argentina Test matches for All Blacks
All Blacks Face Scrum-half Dilemma Ahead of Argentina Tests
The All Blacks are gearing up for their upcoming Tests against Argentina, but a potential injury crisis at the scrum-half position is causing concern for coach Scott Robertson.
Otago Highlander Folau Fakatava is a potential candidate for the scrum-half position in the squad, with his impressive performances in 2022 earning him a spot in the running. Fakatava made two bench appearances against Ireland that year, showcasing his ability to step up when needed.
Another contender for the position is Finlay Christie, who has 23 caps to his name and last played against England more than a year ago. Robertson might consider recalling Christie, who remains in contention despite being out of the side recently.
However, the injury bug has bitten hard for the All Blacks scrum-halves. Noah Hotham, who was being touted as a rising talent, will miss the Rugby Championship due to an ankle injury that requires surgery. Luke Jacobson, another key player, will also miss the Argentina Tests due to injury. Tyrel Lomax and Caleb Clarke are still recuperating from their injuries and will not be available for the Tests.
The injury to Hotham opens up further options for Robertson. Cortez Ratima, who is currently the usual substitute, is the only scrum-half available from those involved in the France series. Other candidates mentioned for the position are Sam Nock, Kyle Preston (backup scrum-half at the Crusaders), and Xavier Roe.
Captain Scott Barrett is expected to return to the squad after missing the last two French Tests due to a calf muscle complaint. Tamaiti Williams, another key forward, is also expected to be part of the squad. Tupou Vaa'i is another player who is expected to feature in the lineup.
However, Roigard's injury has left a significant gap to fill. Roigard suffered a stress fracture to his foot while playing in last month's 3-0 home series sweep against an under-strength France. Scan results confirmed that Roigard will not be fit for the Tests against the Pumas in Cordoba on August 16 and Buenos Aires a week later. The availability of Roigard for two home Tests against South Africa in September is unclear.
In the absence of Roigard, Cortez Ratima is the primary replacement. However, Robertson will need to dig deep into his scrum-half depth when naming a 36-man squad to travel to Argentina.
Sources: - [1] Planet Rugby - [2] All Blacks updates - [4] Unspecified sources
With the European leagues providing less competition for now, the focus shifts to the All Blacks' scrum-half position ahead of theArgentina Tests. Despite injuries to key players such as Hotham, Jacobson, Lomax, Clarke, and Roigard, there are still contenders for the role, including Folau Fakatava, Finlay Christie, Cortez Ratima, Sam Nock, Kyle Preston, and Xavier Roe.
