Could Luke Jacobson be set for a shock start against the Springboks?
The loose forward mix has been an area of huge debate for the All Blacks in 2019.
Sam Cane spent the better part of the year recovering from a broken neck, whilst Ardie Savea made plenty of strides with the Hurricanes. Has Savea now done enough to be considered New Zealand’s top openside flanker, or is Cane still considered the incumbent?
Kieran Read also had a delayed start to the year, not making an appearance until round seven. The 33-year-old hasn’t quite played at his peak for a couple of years now and lacks some of the dynamism that someone like Savea could bring to the back at the scrum. Is his place in the starting XV also under pressure, even as the All Blacks captain?
If past experience is anything to go by, Cane and Read will retain their spots at 7 and 8 respectively whilst Savea will continue to provide invaluable impact from the bench. That, however, still leaves the biggest question on the table: who is New Zealand’s best option on the blindside?
Square pegs into round holes
There’s always the option of using a makeshift solution. Perhaps Scott Barrett, who’s more at home in the second row, could make the shift to the blindside? Alternatively, if the All Blacks simply want the best loose forwards they have at their disposal on the park then shifting Read to the flank could also be an option.
Again, if we simply look at the past behaviour of the All Blacks selectors then this seems like an unlikely solution.
Steve Hansen has talked about Barrett covering 6 as recently as earlier this month when the first All Blacks squad of the year was named. A move to the side of the scrum seems more like an option that the team could choose to use late in games, but doesn’t seem like a viable set-up right from the get go. For all his strengths, Barrett probably doesn’t quite have the mobility to play in the loose forwards for 60-odd minutes needed from a starter.
All signs point the All Blacks opting to use an out-and-out flanker at 6 – and there are still plenty of options, even at this late stage of the season.
Fifita’s final chance goes begging
Vaea Fifita was given first shot against Argentina over the weekend.
Fifita burst onto the scene in 2017 with a rampaging display against the Pumas in New Plymouth but he failed to remind everyone of the vast athleticism at his disposal on Sunday morning. The Hurricanes utility has now amassed 10 caps but, apart from that initial start two years ago, he hasn’t really done enough to indicate that he’s ready for the big time. He’s certainly man handled a few bodies when up against the likes of Japan and Italy, but the All Blacks don’t need a blindside flanker for games against relative minnows – they need someone who can stand up against South Africa, England and Ireland.
Fifita could find that he’s one of the unlucky few to be omitted from the squad to take on the Wallabies after he failed to step up in Buenos Aires.
Plenty of unproven options
The next cab off the ranks for Blindside Flanker Idol is Shannon Frizell, who wasn’t able to travel to Argentina due to a minor injury. Frizell is now fit and ready for action and will be odds on to start this weekend’s match against South Africa.
Frizell debuted last year for New Zealand and played in the All Blacks’ rematch against the Springboks in Pretoria. With just four caps to his name, he’s still a very inexperienced option and is probably a little lucky to earn selection in the squad after falling away a little bit in the latter stages of 2019’s Super Rugby competition.
Still, Frizell has the physicality and athleticism to make a major statement on the international stage and will probably have one more chance to prove his worth against the old foe this weekend.
Dalton Papalii is another option for the 6 jersey but has been used exclusively on the openside in his two All Blacks matches to date. Those two tests were also against Japan and Italy, so the young Blues forward has not yet been tested against high level opposition. Papalii is probably squaring off with Matt Todd for a spot in the World Cup squad and may have an advantage due to his versatility, but Todd has ample experience and could well be starting this weekend.
Banking on youth
The fourth and final option for the blindside flank this weekend is the man who made his debut against Argentina, Luke Jacobson.
Jacobson was tipped for the All Blacks earlier in the season but looked likely to miss out on selection due to sitting out the final weeks of the Super Rugby with a concussion. Lo and behold, Jacobson’s name was read out on July 2nd when the national squad was named, which shows just how highly the selectors rate the man from Cambridge. Jacobson has played just 31 professional rugby matches and hadn’t taken the field since early May yet was still included in the All Blacks squad.
After coming off the bench against Argentina, Jacobson didn’t set the world alight – but he also didn’t make any mistakes. His defence was physical and aggressive, and he ended the match with eight tackles to his name – the most of any reserve and two more than Fifita.
At the start of the season, Jacobson would have been a long-shot to even make the All Blacks squad. He may still be a long-shot to make the match-day squad for this weekend’s fixture against the Springboks, given that there are four loose forwards in the team who are yet to play a match, but the All Blacks could do a lot worse than throwing the Waikato loosie into the fray against New Zealand’s biggest rivals.
Shannon Frizell is probably still the favourite to start this week’s game against South Africa, but don’t be surprised if Luke Jacobson’s name is somewhere on the team-sheet come Thursday morning.
Comments on RugbyPass
Ardie 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 “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. There’s no debate.
1 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 commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to comments