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Alternative All Blacks role mooted for 21-year-old Tupou Vaa'i
There’s perhaps just one certain starter in the forward pack when the All Blacks assemble to play the Wallabies on August 7, and that’s captain Sam Whitelock.
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Who partners the Crusader in the second row is very much up for debate, however, with Ian Foster sticking with five locks for the upcoming Bledisloe Cup series and Rugby Championship.
Scott Barrett, Patrick Tuipulotu and Brodie Retallick were all given opportunities to showcase their talents in the Pasifika series but, at least from the outside looking in, none of that trio unequivocally locked down a starting position for next month.
That’s certainly the take from Super Rugby centurions James Parsons and Bryn Hall, who acknowledged that all three players have advantages to their game.
Speaking on the latest episode of the Aotearoa Rugby Pod, Hall suggested that Barrett and Retallick might have the inside running over Tuipulotu on account of their strong combinations with the All Blacks captain.
Retallick, in particular, is a man that could again scale the heights of 2017 when he was named World Rugby Player of the Year – but he’ll need some more time in the saddle after recently returning from two seasons in Japan.
“Brodie Retallick, before he left to Japan, was the best lock – and arguably the best player – in the world,” Hall asserted. “The more that he’s going to be able to get himself engrained back in the environment, playing test footy at that kind of level, he’s definitely a guy that you’ve got to have in the conversation to work with Sam.
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“You’ve obviously got Scott Barrett and Sam Whitelock, who work together as well. So that’s an advantage you do have with that Crusaders combo.”
Parsons suspects that the All Blacks will employ a ‘horses for courses’ approach, given the unparalleled depth the team currently possesses in the second row.
“I don’t think you can go wrong with any match-up, to be honest,” he said.
With Ian Foster opting for experience in several positions ahead of The Rugby Championship, what's next for the emerging young talent seen in July? #AllBlacks https://t.co/Sd5zQDBAGC
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 20, 2021
“Brodie Retallick, he just doesn’t need many games to come back into his own. I thought he looked another 20 to 25 per cent better [from] Dunedin to Hamilton. He was impressive off the bench and he started looking like the Brodie that we’re accustomed to – destroying rucks, destroying guys in the tackle. He’s only going to get better the more opportunities he gets.
“We can’t forget the growth that Patty has made and the work that Scott Barrett has done over the years.”
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That still leaves one man out of the equation, however – 21-year-old Tupou Vaa’i.
After bearing a heavy workload for the Chiefs throughout the Super Rugby season, Vaa’i was unused by the All Blacks throughout July – though a slight Achilles niggle also hampered the youngster’s chances of selection.
With four experienced locks ahead of him in the queue, Vaa’i might struggle to fight his way into the matchday 23, let alone the starting side.
Parsons, however, had a slightly left-field suggestion that might pay dividends.
“He’s quite different to the other four,” the former All Blacks hooker said.
“He’s more in a lock/six mould. He could potentially fit that bench role, especially against the Wallabies, quite nicely.”
The All Blacks have employed Scott Barrett at blindside flanker on a small handful of occasions in the past – most recently, the infamous loss to England in the 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-finals.
While Vaa’i has the physicality to potentially step into that kind of role, the All Blacks aren’t exactly short of options in the back row either.
Akira Ioane and Shannon Frizell both started matches in the No 6 jersey in July while Ethan Blackadder has primarily played on the blindside flank for the Crusaders. Luke Jacobson, until this year, was also looming as a potential long-term No 6 for the All Blacks while Dalton Papalii has earned ample caps for the Blues with the 6 on his back.
Whether Vaa’i is employed in the second row or on the flank, he’ll have a hard task ahead of him if he wants to usurp the players currently higher up in the queue.
Comments on RugbyPass
You doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
43 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
5 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
5 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
5 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
5 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
5 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
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