All Blacks call up replacement after star ruled out of the 2023 Rugby World Cup

Saturday, 09 September 2023 at 12:56

byRugby Rucker

Ethan Blackadder is joining the All Blacks Rugby World Cup squad in France as a replacement player for Emoni Narawa.

The Tasman loose forward flies out of New Zealand on Sunday and will join the team in Lyon before the All Blacks' next match against Namibia in Toulouse.

Blackadder was called into the Tasman provincial team in 2016 after a stellar club season. He became a regular starter for Tasman in 2017 as they made their way to the Premiership Final and in 2019, Blackadder helped the side secure its first provincial title.

With the ability to play both lock and in the loose forwards, the versatile player made his Crusaders debut in 2018 and quickly became a key member of the side.

After an outstanding 2021 Super Rugby season Blackadder was named in the All Blacks squad to play Tonga and Fiji in the July Steinlager Series.

He made his debut against Tonga at Mount Smart Stadium, coming off the bench in a 102–0 win for the All Blacks - becoming All Black number 1195.

Dan Carters dream all-time XV is almost unbeatable

Throughout his 18-year professional career, which started in New Zealand and ended in Japan, Carter played with and against some of the greatest players ever.

Here is the full team he selected:

BACK-THREE:

15. Ben Smith (New Zealand)
14. Bryan Habana (South Africa)
11. Jonah Lomu (New Zealand)

Carter on Lomu: "“He was the toughest player. I played against him once, I was 19-year-old and tried to tackle him, kinda woke up five metres back. He changed the game of rugby."

CENTRES:

13. Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland)
12. Ma'a Nonu (New Zealand)

Carter on O'Driscoll: “Two giants of the game that have worn the green jersey were Paul O’Connell and Brian O’Driscoll. Their work rate and how they conducted themselves on and off the pitch was exemplary.”

HALFBACKS:

10. Jonny Wilkinson (England)
9. Aaron Smith (New Zealand)

Carter on Wilkinson: "Someone I really looked up to and I tried to have a similar work ethic. The 2005 Lions tour was a bit of a fanboy moment for me."

FRONT-ROW:

1. Tendai Mtawarira (South Africa)
2. Dane Coles (New Zealand)
3. Olo Brown (New Zealand)

SECOND-ROW:

4. Paul O'Connell (Ireland)
5. Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)

BACK-ROW:

6. Schalk Burger (South Africa)
7. Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
8. Thierry Dusautoir (France)

Carter on Burger: "“A real competitor and absolute top bloke off the field as well. His mindset was a little bit different when he was out there competing. That just made him such a tough opponent to come up against.”

Carter on Dusautoir: "He had some blinding games in big moments — none more so than in the 2007 and 2011 World Cup games against the All Blacks."

Carter on McCaw: "I learnt a lot from playing alongside my old mate. A real leader and took us to back-to-back World Cups. Thank God I was never on the opposite side!"

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