All Blacks of 2023
With only a few months to go before the host of the 2023 Rugby Wold Cup is announced, Connor Whittick ponders what a potential All Black squad could look like in 2023.
(Age in 2023 given in brackets)
- Daniel Lienert-Brown (30)
A Highlanders prop and brother of Chiefs centre Anton, Lienert-Brown is a solid ball-carrying prop with an impressive work rate.
- Codie Taylor (32)
Taylor is at the heart of an unbeaten Crusaders team this year, and seems very likely to be the long term successor to Dane Coles for the All Blacks. His handling skills during the first Lions test also proved he’s more than just some grunt up front.
- Atu Moli (27)
A member of the famed 2015 New Zealand under 20s side, Moli is a giant prop who is already starting to establish himself with the Chiefs at the young age of 21.
- Brodie Retallick (32)
There’s this much to be said about Retallick that hasn’t already been said; an incredible lineout operator with arguably the greatest work rate in world rugby. If he manages to avoid injuries, Retallick will be a test centurion within the next few seasons, and will have a reputation for one of the greatest locks to ever play the game.
- Patrick Tuipolotu (30)
A fringe All Black at this current time, Tuipolotu is a dependable second row who is good with ball hand and is popular in Auckland for his offloading ability.
- Brad Shields (32)
Hard to call; Jerome Kaino and Liam Messam have had a monopoly at 6 for so long that there haven’t been many players given a chance to impress in this position for the All Blacks. I believe Shields is in a pole position to make this position his own, after having another brilliant season at Super Rugby level for the Hurricanes.
- Sam Cane (31)
Fans of Ardie Savea may not happy with my selection here, but Cane has been a member of the All Blacks squad since the age of 20 and his leadership skills and popularity amongst the All Blacks set up should probably establish him as the first choice All Blacks number seven. Lots of competition in this position however; Dillon Hunt of the Highlanders has impressed this season; alongside Ardie Savea.
- Akira Ioane (27)
An immensely talented back row forward, the former 7s player has been described as ‘lazy’ by critics but there is no doubt that Ioane will be a key part of the New Zealand back row in coming seasons. Steven Luatua returning to New Zealand from Bristol could make things more complicated, however.
- Ere Enari (26)
Nephew of the legendary Michael Jones, Enari is currently representing the New Zealand u20 side in Georgia, having broken through the ranks at Canterbury as they won the ITM cup last season. Very fast delivery speed and should form a lethal partnership with Beauden Barrett if given the chance.
- Beauden Barrett (32)
Presuming he maintains his current level of form, the IRB Player of the Year should be the heartbeat of this side, and will most likely be established as one of the premier tend to ever play the game.
- Vilimoni Koroi (24)
A shock inclusion in the New Zealand sevens side earlier this year, Koroi is one of the most promising young players in the world, blessed with outstanding footwork as well as a rugby brain not seen by many players of his age. One to watch for Otago this season, if he is named in their ITM cup squad.
- Anton Lienert-Brown (28)
The second Lienert-Brown in this team, Anton is a well built centre who is equally good in the 12 or 13 jersey. Blessed with one of the most brilliant offloading games in World Rugby, the All Blacks staff will hope that Lienert-Brown will continue his meteoric rise from last year.
- Jack Goodhue (27)
A former New Zealand Sevens representative, Goodhue has arguably been Crusaders’s premier back this season and will be hoping to dislodge the likes of Malakai Fekitoa in the All Blacks set up.
- Rieko Ioane (26)
Already capped for the All Blacks, the younger Ioane brother has a fantastic try scoring record for Auckland and the Blues, and should likely be an established member of the All Blacks within the next year or two.
- Jordie Barrett (26)
Jordie’s breakthrough Super Rugby season has shown the world exactly how much quality the young full back possesses. An outstanding goal kicker, blessed with fantastic distribution skills, many believe the youngster will be a bolter in the coming squad for the Lions tests.
- Ricky Riccitelli (28)
Riccitelli has capitalised on Dane Coles’s injury problems at the Hurricanes to establish himself as one of the premier hookers in New Zealand. A former u20 representative, Riccitelli can play across the front row and is a tough ball carrier with an impressive work rate.
- Ofa Tu’ungafasi (31)
One of the best defensive props in New Zealand, Tu’ungafasi will hope to iron out some problems at scrum time that have plagued him at Super Rugby level for the Blues, but once he does he could really be pushing for a starting place in this team.
- Nepo Laulala (31)
With Charlie Faumuina moving overseas, and Owen Franks turning 30 later this year, Laulala will be hoping to break force his way into the All Blacks set up, after hovering around the fringes over the last couple of seasons.
- Scott Barrett (29)
The third Barrett brother on the list, Scott scored a try on his debut for the All Blacks last year against Ireland, and his ability to play both as a lock and a blindside flanker should see him maintain his place in the national team over the coming years.
- Ardie Savea (29)
It will pain many to see Ardie on the bench, such has been his form at Super Rugby level over the last few seasons. Another former All Black Sevens representative, Savea is one of the fastest forwards in World Rugby and is renowned for his line breaks and offloading game.
- TJ Perenara (31)
Likely contesting with a youngster like Sam Nock for a place on the bench, Perenara is one of the best scrum halves on the planet right now, and seized his opportunity as an All Blacks starter over the Autumn Internationals. I don’t envy Steve Hansen having to decide between Perenara or the in-form again Aaron Smith as the starting All Blacks nine against the Lions.
- Richie Mo’unga (29)
The long-term replacement to Dan Carter at the Crusaders, Mo’unga is arguably the best goal kicker in the country right now, and will hope to break into the All Blacks set up in the aftermath of Aaron Cruden’s move to Montpellier later this year.
- Shaun Stevenson (26)
A prodigy at schoolboy level, Stevenson has starred for the Chiefs in Super Rugby this year, despite his young age. Blessed with an outstanding sidestep and astute kicking game, Stevenson will likely be contesting with David Havili for a spot on the bench in this team.
Comments on RugbyPass
What a load of bollocks. The author has forgotten to mention the fact that the Crusaders have a huge injury toll with top world class players out. Not to mention the fact that they are obviously in a transition period. No this will not spark a slow death for NZ rugby, but it does mean there will be a new Super Rugby champion. Anyone who knows anything about NZ rugby knows that there is some serious talent here, it just isn’t all at the Crusaders.
1 Go to commentsI wouldn’t spend the time on Nawaqanitawase! No point in having him filling in a jersey when he’s committed to leave Union. Give the jersey to a young prospect who will be here in the future.
4 Go to commentsIt was a pleasure to watch those guys playing with such confidence. That trio can all be infuriating for different reasons and I can see why Jones might have decided against them. No way to justify leaving Ikitau out though. Jorgensen and him were both scheduled to return at the same time. Only one of them plays for Randwick and has a dad who is great mates with the national coach though.
53 Go to commentsBrayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
5 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
29 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
5 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
4 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to comments