Assembling an All Blacks 'B' team
To tie a player’s eligibility to one nation, he has to represent that country in either their national team or their elected second team.
In New Zealand’s case, it’s been a number of years now since their designated second team actually played a game at all. The Junior All Blacks’ most recent fixture was played way back in 2009, in the Pacific Nations Cup, a tournament which used to include the likes of the JABS, the Maori All Blacks (never at the same time) and Australia A (Australia’s second designated team).
Since 2009, the Maori All Blacks have had numerous matches, playing at least a few games every season. For whatever reason, however, the New Zealand Rugby Union has decided that the JABs are a team no longer worth maintaining with but also have not indicated that they’d like to change their second designated team – all this resulting in no NZ players having their eligibility captured by NZ unless they’ve represented the All Blacks.
Were the team to be reassembled today, the talent on offer would be incredible – offering New Zealand a chance to give international exposure to the many players who have not quite managed to force their way into the top squad.
2018 proposed Junior All Blacks squad
Props – Michael Alaalatoa, Dan Lienert-Brown, Nepo Laulala, Tyrel Lomax
Laulala, who performed so well for the All Blacks last year, spent most of the Super Rugby season on the sideline, but should be match fit in the near future. Lienert-Brown has made all the right moves in the last year and has a soft pair of hands for a prop – injuries to a number of other possible All Black props means he’s the next cab off the ranks. Michael Alaalatoa has been faced with the mighty task of backing up Owen Franks at the Crusaders but is progressing well and could be worth a shot in the future.
Highlander Lomax is an interesting case – he has been earmarked for big things and was swiped from Australia, but his debut season for the men from Dunedin wasn’t especially impressive. Still, he certainly has the pedigree and raw potential needed to be an international prop.
Hookers – Ricky Riccitelli, Ash Dixon
Riccitelli deputised particularly well for the Hurricanes in Coles’ absence and, whilst his lineout accuracy wasn’t always up to scratch, his open field play was everything we’ve come to expect from the new breed of hookers. Dixon is an experienced hand who would manage fine in the All Blacks jersey if called upon today. It’s assumed that Liam Coltman will be selected in the main squad.
Locks – Patrick Tuipulotu, Luke Romano, Jackson Hemopo, Thomas Franklin
The second-row selections are men who have all spent time in the All Blacks set up before, with Franklin being the only one to have not earned an international cup. Hemopo’s rise to fame has been meteoric, whereas the other three have been grafting away for a number of years. You can expect to see a number of these players suiting up for the All Blacks throughout the year when injuries inevitably strike.
Loose Forwards – Dillon Hunt, Jordan Taufua, Gareth Evans, Lachlan Boshier, Luke Jacobson, Akira Ioane
With Matt Todd’s future up in the air due to his impending season in Japan, there’s room for a third openside flanker to press their case for national honours. Evans has been playing superbly for the Hurricanes this year (though primarily at 6 or 8) and Boshier has gone from strength to strength with the Chiefs, while Hunt has already spent time in the extended All Blacks squad.
Taufua and Ioane are both power players who have been in and out of All Blacks squads in recent times but it’s Jacobson who could see a quick rise in the near future after an impressive debut season for the Chiefs.
Halfbacks – Brad Weber, Bryn Hall
Weber has been one of the form halfbacks in the competition and many would like to see him return to the All Blacks squad for the Rugby Championship – though it’s likely his Chiefs backup Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi will continue to hold him out of the squad. Hall has had a breakout season for the Crusaders and will be enjoying the move he made from the Blues a couple of years ago.
First Fives – Stephen Perofeta, Bryn Gatland, Tiaan Falcon
Perofeta’s designation as “the next big thing” ensures that he’d be tasked with guiding the backline around – but his ability to cover midfield and fullback means there’s space for two more specialists. Gatland may never make it to the next level, but he’s a relatively safe pair of hands in an experienced backline. Falcon showed some good touches in the few games he had for the Chiefs early in the year and was a standout for the NZ U20 team in recent years.
Centres – Matt Proctor, Rob Thompson, Richard Buckman
Proctor, described by Chris Boyd as the best defensive centre in Super Rugby, had to sit out the latter stages of 2018’s Super Rugby competition, but the Hurricane’s stats while he was on the field seem to back up Boyd’s claims. Thompson came of age in the Highlanders backline this year, showing a great range of skills (including a number of deft kicks) and could push for higher honours in the years to come. Thompson’s teammate, Richard Buckman, has trained with the All Blacks previously and could offer a reliable stop-gap option if needed. Outside of these three, there were few non-All Black midfielders that stood out this year.
Outside Backs – Matt Duffie, Ben Lam, George Bridge, David Kaetau Havili, Solomona Alaimalo, Shaun Stevenson
As always, there is no shortage of talented, young outside backs doing the rounds in Super Rugby. Assuming Nehe Milner-Skudder’s selection in the first team, Havili, Duffie or Alaimalo would likely cover the fullback position (though, truth be told, everyone barring Lam could hold the position if need be), giving space for Lam and Bridge to run riot on the wings. Alaimalo and Bridge, in particular, must be very close to making the All Blacks and will almost certainly get a run for the team in the coming years.
Due to the sheer depth at New Zealand’s disposal, a team of up and coming All Blacks would be very competitive on the world circuit. In fact, in the JAB’s short history they have yet to taste defeat. The Maori All Blacks, by comparison, have a much tougher time in their matches due to their selection requirements – notably less than a quarter of the above selected players would be eligible to represent the Maori All Blacks.
In upcoming years, we may see the return of New Zealand’s ‘second XV’ – it would be a great spectacle to see the Junior All Blacks face off against either the Maori All Blacks or the top national team in a future invitational.
Comments on RugbyPass
This 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.
2 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.
3 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 commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to comments