Blue-less: What the North Island team could look like if the Blues can't leave Auckland
As anticipation heightens for next week’s North vs South clash, the prospect of Blues players taking part in the match remains unclear amid Auckland’s resurgence of Covid-19 cases.
Alert level three restrictions are currently in place in The City of Sails, where a fresh outbreak of community transmission was announced last week.
Those restrictions forced the cancellation of last Sunday’s much-hyped Super Rugby Aotearoa finale between the Blues and Crusaders, which was set to take place in front of a sold-out Eden Park.
The rugby-related implications of Auckland’s restrictions stretch further than just that game, though.
It has brought into question the feasibility of the North vs South game, which is scheduled to take place at Eden Park next Saturday.
The level three restrictions will remain in place until August 26, just three days before the historic inter-island derby kicks-off.
Until then, very few people can leave or enter Auckland, while those in the city will remain largely confined to the four walls of their own homes.
The ramifications regarding the availability of players who were named in the North and South squads on Tuesday but are stuck in Auckland for the time being are, therefore, potentially disastrous.
The two 28-man squads are set to assemble in Wellington on Monday to prepare for the match, with New Zealand Rugby announcing a contingency plan earlier this week that will see the Kiwi capital host the fixture if Auckland is locked down beyond August 26.
Unless they are granted exemption to leave Auckland from the Ministry of Health, those teams will be devoid of the 13 Blues players who were named in the North and South squads.
New Zealand Rugby is confident of securing All Blacks tests this year despite the re-emergence of Covid-19 in the country.https://t.co/MnBvmrOoI6
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 19, 2020
That leaves the North Island in a precarious position, as 11 of their 28 players – Kurt Eklund, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Hoskins Sotutu, Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Caleb Clarke and Mark Telea – ply their trade for the Auckland franchise.
A further two players – Alex Hodgman and Finlay Christie – have been named in the South Island team, but their involvement in the lead-up to what is effectively an All Blacks trial is just as uncertain as it is for their teammates aligned with the North.
Should there be an extension to the level three restrictions currently imposed in Auckland, then the likelihood of those 13 players taking part in the occasion could well be diminished.
That would be a significant blow to the North’s chances of victory as national bragging rights go on the line, as they would then be without their captain – Tuipulotu – and a total of seven All Blacks.
It would also amplify what already looms as a pressing issue of how the aforementioned players will be replaced in their respective squads.
For the North Island, the two hardest hit areas of their squad would come in the loose forwards and at first-five.
Through Papalii, Sotutu and Akira Ioane, the Blues make up 60 percent of the North’s back row contingent, with only Ardie Savea (Hurricanes) and Lachlan Boshier (Chiefs) not part of the Auckland team.
That alone leaves three gaps to fill in the squad, but there are a raft of contenders who were deemed unlucky not to have gained selection and would more than hold their own in the squad.
Highlanders No. 8 Marino Mikaele-Tu’u was among the form loose forwards of Super Rugby Aotearoa, and would act as a like-for-like replacement for both Ioane and Sotutu.
Capable of covering every loose forward position, two-test Chiefs star Luke Jacobson could also warrant a call-up despite having very limited playing time throughout the Super Rugby campaign due to injury.
If the selectors felt the need to add a further replacement to maintain the balance of the squad they originally picked, then they could do much worse than to select rising Hurricanes star Du’Plessis Kirifi, who was a constant presence for the Wellingtonians.
Beauden Barrett, meanwhile, was named as the North’s only first-five, with fullbacks Damian McKenzie and Mitch Hunt able to provide cover there if required.
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That is exactly what might be required of the latter two should the two-time World Rugby Player of the Year be unavailable, but one would think another playmaker would be called in for Barrett.
Otere Black would have stood as the strongest candidate for such a promotion, but he too is stuck in Auckland with his Blues teammates and is nursing an injury.
That might open the door for either Kaleb Trask or Jackson Garden-Bachop, both of whom featured prominently for the Chiefs and Hurricanes, respectively, while Bryn Gatland’s clutch heroics for the Highlanders can’t have gone unnoticed.
Without Tu’inukuafe or Tu’ungafasi, the North Island would also need at least one, probably two, more props.
All Blacks front rower Atu Moli is out of contention through injury, which could pave the way for his Chiefs teammate Aidan Ross to win a call-up, provided he has overcome a calf strain that sidelined him towards the end of Super Rugby Aotearoa.
If that isn’t the case, though, youngsters Pouri Rakete-Stones and Tevita Mafileo would lead the race for last props standing in the North Island following solid campaigns with the Hurricanes.
New Zealand’s thinning stocks at lock would be hit even harder if North skipper Tuipulotu is ruled out as well, but his absence would result in good reward for one of either James Blackwell or Jack Whetton, who both played well for the Hurricanes and Highlanders.
The national selectors have dug deep to unearth the next level of locking talent. #NorthvSouth #allblackshttps://t.co/8K0Ju075XZ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 19, 2020
In the backline, a midfielder and two outside backs would be needed to replace exciting trio Clarke, Telea and Rieko Ioane.
There are a plethora of options to choose from across the country in that regard, with Chiefs starlets Quinn Tupaea and Alex Nankivell and Hurricanes veteran Vince Aso all capable of filling in for Ioane at centre.
Aso is also a contender for a wing spot, but would face stern competition from those such as leading Chiefs try scorer Sean Wainui and electric Hurricanes flyer Wes Goosen.
As outlandish as it may be given his severe lack of playing time, how good would it be to see Nehe Milner-Skudder come into the equation after returning to the footy field from a long injury lay-off via club rugby in Dunedin last weekend?
The predicament is far less taxing for the South Island squad considering that their two Blues members, Hodgman and Christie, are likely to play bench roles at best next weekend.
Promotion from within seems probable in terms of filling their voids on the pine, as George Bower and Mitchell Drummond loom as suitable replacements.
Still, two players could be drafted into the South side if necessary, with third-string Crusaders halfback Ere Enari and long-serving Highlanders prop Daniel Lienert-Brown the top names that spring to mind.
Possible North Island side without Blues players
1. Ayden Johnstone
2. Asafo Aumua
3. Angus Ta’avao
4. Tupou Vaa’i
5. Scott Scrafton
6. Ardie Savea
7. Lachlan Boshier
8. Marino Mikaele-Tu’u
9. Aaron Smith (c)
10. Mitch Hunt
11. Wes Goosen
12. Anton Lienert-Brown
13. Peter Umaga-Jensen
14. Sevu Reece
15. Damian McKenzie
Bench:
16. Ash Dixon
17. Aidan Ross
18. Alex Fidow
19. James Blackwell
20. Luke Jacobson
21. TJ Perenara
22. Vince Aso
23. Sean Wainui
Comments on RugbyPass
Lots 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.
1 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
5 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.
5 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.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
6 Go to commentsBilly's been playing consistently well for 2 - 3 seasons now and deserves a look in at the top level. Ioane and ALB are still first choice but there needs to be injury cover and succession. His partnership with Jordie gives him first dibs you'd think. Go the Hurricanes.
4 Go to commentsIt’s not up to Wales to support Georgian Rugby. That’s up to International Rugby and Georgia. I sympathise with Georgia’s decent attempt to create this fixture. But for Wales the proposed match up is just a potential stick to beat them with and a potential big psychological blow that young Welsh team doesn’t need. (I’m Irish BTW.)
3 Go to commentsCale certainly looks great in space, but as you say, he has struggled in contact. At 23 years old, turning 24 this year, he should be close to full physical maturity and yet there exists a considerable gap in the power and physicality required for international rugby. Weight doesn’t automatically equate to power and physicality either. Can he go from a player who’s being physically dominated in Super rugby to physically dominating in international rugby in 1 or 2 years? That’s a big ask but he may end up being a late bloomer.
38 Go to comments