'Bizarre': All Blacks greats puzzled by glaring non-selections for Ireland series
All Blacks greats have called into question the omission of two players they believe could have made a difference in New Zealand’s recent series defeat to Ireland.
Speaking in the wake of their first-ever home series defeat at the hands of the Irish, All Blacks legend Sir John Kirwan was left puzzled by New Zealand’s insistence to pick lock Scott Barrett at blindside flanker.
Normally a second rower, Barrett starred at No 6 in his side’s first-up win over Ireland in Auckland earlier this month, but was then moved back to lock in the absence of Sam Whitelock for their defeat in Dunedin a fortnight ago.
Barrett then failed to feature in the Wellington loss last weekend despite initially being named to start on the side of the scrum after succumbing to an injury.
In his latest appearance on The Breakdown, Kirwan asked why the All Blacks looked to use Barrett as a loose forward rather than a lock while expressing his view that Ian Foster’s side had lost its sense of playing identity.
Fellow ex-All Blacks star Jeff Wilson responded by outlining that the All Blacks looked to capitalise on Barrett’s physical presence and aerial threat.
However, Wilson noted that Barrett was the only player in the squad capable of fulfilling those requirements at No 6, which former All Blacks halfback Justin Marshall labelled as “bizarre”.
Wilson said that others, such as discarded All Blacks loose forwards Shannon Frizell, could have filled that role in Barrett’s positional shift in the second test, and in his absence during the third test.
“We looked for physicality, didn’t we? We looked for our lineout,” Wilson told The Breakdown of Barrett’s selection at blindside flanker.
“The interesting thing about that is that we haven’t got anyone else in the squad who fits that mould.
“The only guy, for me, who fits that mould is Shannon Frizell. He’s the only guy who carries hard, hits hard and is a great lineout option.”
Marshall added that Crusaders standout Cullen Grace could also be included in that mix, but Wilson wasn’t as convinced.
“Or Cullen Grace, but he’s a No 8 more, not the same height in terms of stature, not the same lineout target,” Wilson said.
“Once again, it’s one of those things where we’re searching right now. Clearly we’re clearly searching.”
Despite not featuring for the All Blacks against Ireland, Frizell was called into the national set-up in a training capacity in the lead-up to the second test after Whitelock and Tupou Vaa’i were ruled unavailable due to concussion and Covid, respectively.
Grace, meanwhile, impressed in his first two matches for the Maori All Blacks during their drawn two-game series with Ireland.
The one-test All Black’s performances in the mid-week matches in Hamilton and Wellington was a continuation of his Super Rugby Pacific form with the Crusaders, which led Scott Robertson to say Grace was “playing like an All Black”.
Either, or both, players could yet be included in the 36-man All Blacks squad to compete in the upcoming Rugby Championship, which kicks-off with two tests against the Springboks in South Africa on August 6 and August 13.
The All Blacks were expected to name their Rugby Championship squad on Wednesday, but that has been delayed as New Zealand Rugby continues its review of the series defeat to Ireland.
Comments on RugbyPass
100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
8 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
8 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
8 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
8 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
7 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to comments