An inexperienced All Blacks XV shows the unprecedented depth of New Zealand rugby in 2021
While the merits of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman are yet to be determined, there’s reason to believe the New Zealand teams are performing at a higher standard than ever before.
Eight rounds of gruelling Super Rugby Aotearoa action has helped mould young players into battle-hardened performers with the likes of Scott Robertson suggesting that the New Zealand-only competition was of test match intensity.
There were some casualties, with Sam Cane and Jack Goodhue unlikely to feature for the All Blacks this year, but it’s also prepared the next generation of talent for the highest level of the game.
With the All Blacks, Maori All Blacks and the new All Blacks XV all set to play matches this year, a huge number of Kiwi players will have opportunities to impress on the international stage.
Many of the youngsters currently turning out for their Super Rugby sides will likely feature in the national team, but how would a side composed of players with only limited experience at test level fare against the likes of the Wallabies, Springboks and Pumas?
Last year, Australia blooded men such as Harry Wilson and Hunter Paisami who took to test rugby like ducks to water while New Zealand retained the bulk of their side from 2019, complementing it with the undeniable X-factor of players like Hoskins Sotutu and Will Jordan.
What if New Zealand could only select players with limited appearances, however?
There wouldn’t be too many issues in the front row.
Hookers Asafo Aumua (1 test cap) and Samisoni Taukei’aho have been the pick of the young bunch this year. Aumua is a certain selection for the All Blacks later this season while Taukei’aho is perhaps the best close-range ball-running front-rower in New Zealand – but still has to develop his lineout delivery.
If you’re looking for more experience, however, 32-year-old Ash Dixon is long in the tooth and would be worth a look-in if the World Cup were kicking off tomorrow.
Injuries have hurt @ChiefsRugby in the past but they're now building some exceptional depth in the second row. Will Brodie Retallick be able to walk back into the starting lineup? ? #SuperRugbyTT #CHIvBRUhttps://t.co/paXLDeP8t4
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 23, 2021
Young loosehead props Ethan de Groot and Ollie Norris have shown technique and power beyond their years at scrum time while they’ve also offered some of the dynamism around the park that’s become so desirable for props in recent times.
2020 All Black Alex Hodgman (4) is still a relative newbie in international terms but could be pipped by the Chiefs’ Aidan Ross for a spot in the national team this year. Ross has been at the forefront of the Chiefs’ scrummaging resurgence while Hodgman has been languishing on the sidelines due to a suspension brought about by a dangerous tackle against the Highlanders last month.
Crusader George Bower also found himself amongst the All Blacks squad last year but didn’t earn any minutes for the team and is another that could make the step up in 2021.
On the tighthead side of the scrum, the Hurricanes’ Tyrel Lomax (6) made his test debut in 2018 but hasn’t flourished this season and has been bent out of shape in the set-piece by some of the aforementioned looseheads.
The recently returned Atu Moli (4) could be due an All Blacks recall if he can get some minutes under his belt after making his first appearance in over a year for the Chiefs on Saturday due to major hip surgery.
There’s huge depth in the second row for New Zealand, with Tupou Vaa’i (4) leading the pack and closely followed by the Crusaders’ Mitch Dunshea. Fellow youngsters Quinten Strange and Sam Darry are also hampered only by the slightly more experienced players ahead of them in the queue while Manaaki Selby-Rickit of the Highlanders earned selection in last year’s North v South match.
There’s also no shortage of back-row talent gunning for national selection.
Luke Jacobson (2), Hoskins Sotutu (5) and Dalton Papalii (4) will all push their test counts up this season while the likes of Akira Ioane (2) and Cullen Grace (1) are bound to get more opportunities at some stage.
There’s also a lot to like about uncapped ball-runners Ethan Blackadder and Pita Gus Sowakula while the openside trio of Lachlan Boshier, Du’Plessis Kirifi and the injured Tom Christie would all do the black jersey proud.
Despite playing a handful of campaigns with the All Blacks, Chiefs captain Brad Weber has just seven appearances to his name.
Just beneath him are the likes of Mitch Drummond (1) and Bryn Hall while Folau Fakatava would likely have earned his first cap for New Zealand this year if injury hadn’t robbed him of his season.
Odds on this man running out for the #AllBlacks this year must be shortening by the week. #SuperRugbyTT #CHIvBRUhttps://t.co/NjFmGAamoE
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 23, 2021
There are no obvious selections at No 10, but Otere Black is probably the most reliable first five running around in New Zealand right now who hasn’t worn black before.
Josh Ioane (1) has run hot and cold over the past 12 months and has probably played his best rugby from the fullback jersey while Mitch Hunt and Kaleb Trask have had their moments for the Highlanders and Chiefs, respectively.
He may need another season under his belt, but the Hurricanes’ Ruben Love has shown glimmers of potential at first five this season and is one to watch for the future.
26-year-old David Havili (3) has been one of the players of the season to date and despite favouring the fullback position, is likely being lined up as a midfield option for the All Blacks. His current centres partner, Braydon Ennor (1), has recently returned from injury and will likely be brought back into the squad due to the looming departure of Ngani Laumape and the injury to Goodhue.
Hurricane Peter Umaga-Jensen (1) hasn’t had many chances to advance his case this season but will likely be there or thereabouts when the All Blacks are named later this year.
Leicester Fainga’anuku must be nearing selection too – but perhaps he’ll be asked to play on the left wing in the potential absence of George Bridge. Jona Nareki has also torn up defences at times this year while Caleb Clarke (5) has found 2021 tough going but will return fresh and reinvigorated from his time with the national sevens team. The hot-stepping Etene Nanai-Seturo has also joined the NZ sevens are some solid form for the Chiefs this year.
Salesi Rayasi, meanwhile, has turned down the opportunity to travel to the Olympics, instead focussing on improving with the Hurricanes.
On the right, Seve Reece (8) has re-found his best form for the Crusaders while Mark Telea has stagnated in the latter half of the season with the Blues.
At fullback, it would be impossible to go past Will Jordan (2), who’s been a bit up and down this year but has looked sublime at times for the Crusaders. 20-year-old Zarn Sullivan is another for the future.
An inexperienced All Blacks team (Fewer than 10 caps):
1. Aidan Ross (uncapped)
2. Ash Dixon (uncapped)
3. Atu Moli (4)
4. Tupou Vaa’i (4)
5. Mitch Dunshea (uncapped)
6. Luke Jacobson (2)
7. Dalton Papalii (4)
8. Hoskins Sotutu (5)
9. Brad Weber (7)
10. Josh Ioane (1)
11. Caleb Clarke (5)
12. David Havili (3)
13. Braydon Ennor (1)
14. Sevu Reece (8)
15. Will Jordan (2)
16. Asafo Aumua (1)
17. George Bower (uncapped)
18. Tyrel Lomax (6)
19. Quinten Strange (uncapped)
20. Ethan Blackadder (uncapped)
21. Folau Fakatava (uncapped)
22. Otere Black (uncapped)
23. Leicester Fainga’anuku (uncapped)
Comments on RugbyPass
Always reluctant to blame a coach when losses rack up, but Penney must go. The backline is dysfunctional and the coach must carry the can. No cohesion, no idea and in many cases, minimal skill. The trains out of Roma St depart faster than the ball from Crusaders’ set pieces. Wouldn’t be surprised if the forwards went on strike.
2 Go to commentsAdding to earlier comment. Cullen Grace has been playing great at no6. Lio-Willie , who was on fire a few weeks ago, had a bad game. I think Cullen should have been moved to 8 earlier, Dominic Gardiner on earlier. Feel for Quinten Strange , put in a big shift .
4 Go to commentsWe dominated the scrums Ben Curry was all over pitch again .Surely James Harper got to be one of best English tightheads
1 Go to commentsRoos is a better option at 6 than 8 for the boks. Needs to work on his windgat though.
1 Go to commentsThe Sharks’ 2nd team maybe?
1 Go to comments‘radical’
1 Go to commentsCome back to Christchurch Robbie, please!
1 Go to commentsI think there is zero chance Sam Cane will be selected for another Test. There is simply no point except sentimentality. Razor is not sentimental- ask Wyatt Crocket. Razor is a ruthless selector
4 Go to comments> It would be best described as an elegant solution to what was potentially going to be a significant problem for new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. It is a problem the mad population of New Zealand will have to cope with more and more as All Blacks are able to continue their careers in NZ post RWCs. It will not be a problem for coaches, who are always going to start a campaign with the captain for the next WC in mind. > Cane, despite his warrior spirit, his undoubted commitment to every team he played for and unforgettable heroics against Ireland in last year’s World Cup quarter-final, was never unanimously admired or respected within New Zealand while he was in the role. Neither was McCaw, he was considered far too passive a captain and then out of form until his last world cup where everyone opinions changed, just like they would have if Cane had won the WC. > It was never easy to see where Cane, or even if, he would fit into Robertson’s squad given the new coach will want to be building a new-look team with 2027 in mind. > Cane will win his selections on merit and come the end of the year, he’ll sign off, he hopes, with 100 caps and maybe even, at last, universal public appreciation for what was a special career. No, he won’t. Those returning from Japan have already earned the right to retain their jersey, it’s in their contract. Cane would have been playing against England if he was ready, and found it very hard to keep his place. Perform, and they keep it however. Very easy to see where Cane could have fit, very hard to see how he could have accomplished it choosing this year as his sabbatical instead of 2025, and that’s how it played out (though I assume we now know what when NZR said they were allowing him to move his sabbatical forward and return to NZ next year, they had actually agreed to simply select him for the All Blacks from overseas, without any chance he was going to play in NZ again). With a mammoth season of 15 All Black games they might as well get some value out of his years contract, though even with him being of equal character to Richie, I don’t think they should guarantee him his 100 caps. That’s not what the All Blacks should be about. He absolutely has to play winning football.
4 Go to commentswhat’s happening to Ian Peel?
1 Go to commentsAs a Crusaders fan , so disappointed , again.But I think Fergus Burke was all class for the Crusaders in his first game since October last year. Fletcher Newell , was so good at prop. Johnny McNicoll has been gold since returning from Wales. Noah Hotham brilliant , in a coming of age second season for the Crusaders.Jone Rova did really well at centre. The end of the game was tough.Sevu Reece , what a game/season in tough times.
4 Go to commentsFellas a balloon
3 Go to commentsBlues B team on display and made no race of it. By far the best team in SR with the Hurricanes barely getting past the winning post. Up the Blues 💙
7 Go to commentsWould be amazing to have Servette Genève reaching this level
3 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can't buy a win this season. Surely Penney's contract won't be renewed. There's still enough talent in the squad that they oughta be winning more.
1 Go to commentsABs captain for 23 seasons. Decent record. Surely nobody will surpass it. Legend. But alas a typo…
4 Go to commentsJust FYI Rugbypass, I for one am tired of your clickbait titles and thumbnails and will be clicking them no longer. Good day.
1 Go to commentsI think Farrell despite all of the stick he gets in the media is still one of if not the best fly half in the world. He is literally the full package. He can kick one of the best in the world, probably has the best defensive game of a fly half in the world and if he wants to he can run, take contact and find an offload to keep the pace of the attack. I dont know why he isnt spoken more about still being one of the best in the world with the likes of dupont. Farrell is the ultimate captain and team leader and is experienced- he has been in nearly any situation you can think of. I still believe due to these reasons that he is England’s best ever player and is still one of the best players in the world.
48 Go to commentsBlues are dominating up front and that’s been a long time coming. They have won the up front confrontation which is where canes, hilanders and act brumbies are also strong.
7 Go to commentsJust watched brumbies v safas game sadly not a show in he’ll thryr anywhere near quarters or semi contention. Admittedly some issues around new comers bot what stands out for me is coaching management, poor game planning and accuracy.
5 Go to comments