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Fitzpatrick: 'I don't agree that Mako Vunipola is as important to England as Retallick is to New Zealand'
Sean Fitzpatrick, the former All Blacks captain, rates Brodie Retallick more important to New Zealand’s bid to make it three successive World Cup title wins than Mako Vunipola’s return from injury for England in Japan.
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World Cup winner Fitzpatrick dismisses the suggestion a fit-again Mako Vunipola would be just as effective for England and puts Retallick in a class of his own because the rangy forward has a skill set no one else can replicate.
Lock is one of the areas the All Blacks could be found wanting if they suffer any more injuries with Retallick possibly missing all of the pool matches which start this Saturday with that titanic battle between New Zealand and South Africa, who have a wealth of second row power.
Retallick has not played since seriously damaging his shoulder against South Africa in Wellington on July 27 while Vunipola injured his hamstring in the August warm-up Test against Ireland having only just recovered from surgery after damaging the leg in the Heineken Cup final. Vunipola will miss England’s pool games with Tonga on Sunday and USA, with a possible return pencilled in against Argentina on October 5.
Fitzpatrick told RugbyPass: “Retallick is crucial for the All Blacks at the World Cup and while they can still win without him, it would make it a lot better if he was there. You are going to need, as we saw in 2015, an entire squad effort if you are going to win the quarters, semis and final to lift the cup.
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“The team with the least injuries will prevail and I don’t agree that Mako Vunipola is as important to England as Retallick is to New Zealand. I have no doubt that Retallick is a lot more important because England have Joe Marler and Ellis Genge to cover the loosehead position.
“Having lost Retallick for at least the early pool games, if we lose Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu then we are in big trouble. The All Blacks squad is still good enough to beat most teams and it is just a question of can we do it over three major games which is a huge workload and you have to be able to rotate players.
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“What the All Blacks did in the Rugby Championship was to play this other type of game and persisted with it which, in the final match with Australia in Auckland, showed they do have another string to their bow. Two No7s playing together does give you other options.”
Rassie Erasmus on Eben Etzebeth, refereeing, weather and more ahead of South Africa's World Cup opener on Saturday versus New Zealand https://t.co/HT3AY05XC2
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 18, 2019
The former hooker is confident the All Blacks will handle the pressure of trying to make history by defending the title again and rates them favourites despite recent problems against the Springboks.
“I have no doubt that going into the tournament New Zealand are still the team to beat, but it is going to take a huge effort to win the World Cup because we haven’t had the depth of teams who could win it in previous tournaments.
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“Because New Zealand are the best team, everyone wants to beat them by playing the game of their lives. Steve Hansen and his fellow coaches know exactly what it is going to take to win it again and what to expect.
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“I’m very happy we have got them coaching the All Blacks because they have been outstanding having faced challenges this year – more so than ever. I wouldn’t be surprised if the All Blacks go back to Beauden Barrett at No10 and Ben Smith at full-back for the South Africa pool match.
“South Africa are very dangerous team and I’m quite happy that we won’t potentially see them after the pool opener until the final and you wouldn’t want to be playing them in the quarters or semis. Then you have England who are fit, strong with a very solid game plan and they will be hard to beat.”
Fitzpatrick, who has an Irish passport through his grandfather, has just discovered he was almost 100 per cent qualified to play for Ireland rather than the All Blacks where he won 92 caps and collected a World Cup medal in 1987.
“The test showed I am 95 per cent Irish, which is understandable, and five per cent Croatian,” said Fitzpatrick, who took a MyHeritage DNA test to learn about his origins. “I am five per cent Croatian through my grandmother, so I was qualified to play for New Zealand, Ireland and Croatia!”
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You can use MyHeritage DNA to discover your family history. Visit www.myheritage.com/dna
Comments on RugbyPass
Some 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.
1 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
7 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
43 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
7 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
7 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
7 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
7 Go to commentsLots 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.
7 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 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.
6 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?
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