Brad Weber would’ve been the next-best option for the World Cup
I would like to have seen Brad Weber in the All Blacks’ Rugby World Cup squad.
I’ve written already this week about where I think last Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup clash with Australia was won, but I overlooked one important ingredient – Aaron Smith’s voice.
Smith is still a very fine player, but I believe this greatest attribute now is organisational.
Forwards need to be told where to go and what to do and Smith never leaves them in any doubt.
The All Blacks’ comeback in Dunedin was in part due to Smith’s tutelage, as the pack immediately went forward and sapped Australia’s resolve.
The difference between the performance and attitude of the forwards Smith played behind and those of starting halfback Finlay Christie was striking.
I’m not for a minute suggesting Christie is no good. Just as I can’t ignore the promise of third-stringer Cam Roigard.
But if we’re looking for a bloke to bark at forwards in the way Smith so effectively does, then Weber would’ve been the next-best option.
Christie and Roigard are trying to find their feet as players. They don’t have the experience and command to bully big forwards yet.
I hope a lack of voice from No.9, when Smith isn’t on the park, doesn’t hurt the team when it counts.
Beyond that, I wasn’t too hot and bothered about selections.
I’m not absolutely sold on the outside backs or loose forwards, but that’s about it.
Beauden Barrett will play fullback and Will Jordan right wing in New Zealand’s best XV. So do we really need all of Mark Telea, Leicester Fainga’anuku and Caleb Clarke to contest the No.11 jersey?
Telea is a bit more unique, but Fainga’anuku and Clarke essentially offer the same thing, with the former doing it a lot better than the latter in my opinion.
I’d have liked a bit more versatility in the back-three, of the sort that Shaun Stevenson might have provided.
The loose forwards are okay. Ardie Savea is good, Shannon Frizell looks increasingly explosive and then? Well, I have to admit to being a little underwhelmed.
If Frizzell can continue his form, then maybe that’s not a big deal. But he’s 28 caps into his Test career and the forgettable games definitely outnumber the memorable ones.
These are minor quibbles, though.
Not because the squad as a whole is so outstanding. More because it’ll be the tight five, halfback and first five-eighth that either win or lose New Zealand the world cup.
That’s why I go back to Weber and have expressed reservations about Damian McKenzie.
We have good options in the tight five and, in Smith and Richie Mo’unga, an accomplished halves pairing. But Smith can’t be on the park all the time and if Mo’unga falls over we don’t have anyone who’s remotely a like-for-like replacement.
We can’t conjure another game-controlling first five out of thin air, but we could have given ourselves the comfortable option of Weber waiting in the wings behind Smith.
Comments on RugbyPass
Tamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
1 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to comments