All Blacks head coach Ian Foster, assistant John Plumtree and two leading players have tested positive for COVID-19, severely disrupting the team’s preparation for Saturday’s first rugby test against Ireland.
Foster and Plumtree are isolating at home and midfielders Jack Goodhue and David Havili haven’t joined the team in Auckland where the test will be played in front of a sellout crowd at Eden Park.
Goodhue and Havili both had strong chances of being named in the New Zealand lineup for the first test of a three-test series.
Assistant coaches Scott McLeod and Brad Mooar will take charge of the team in the lead-up to the match while Crusaders center Braydon Ennor has joined the squad to provide midfield cover.
Foster said he is confident the test preparation will be in good hands.
“We’ve had a plan for this happening and it’s a great opportunity for the wider coaching group
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