Roigard named for test debut off bench

Roigard named for test debut off bench

Counties Manukau’s Cameron Roigard has been named to make his test debut when the All Blacks face the Wallabies at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday.

The 22-year-old halfback has been named on the bench for the third test match of the year and the opening match in this year’s Bledisloe Cup series.

Roigard will likely substitute for All Blacks legend Aaron Smith at some point through the game.

It is the final Rugby Championship test of the year, and the All Blacks will wrap up the title if they can beat Eddie Jones’ winless Wallabies.

After a stellar season with the PIC Steelers in 2022, Roigard was named Player of the Year before going on to star for the Hurricanes in the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific competition.

He was named to the All Blacks squad for the first time in 2023.

Fellow PIC Steelers teammate Dalton Papali’i starts at openside while 2022 PIC Steeler and veteran prop Nepo Laulala is listed on the bench.