For the All Blacks' sake, the Crusaders must spread the love
The Crusaders’ dominance of the All Blacks has been long known and Super Rugby’s most successful side is apparently not content with being the main feeder club for just New Zealand’s top-string squad.
11 Crusaders will feature on the All Blacks’ upcoming tour to Japan and Europe. While the Blues, enjoying a renaissance of sorts under Leon MacDonald, boast the same number of inclusions, only Rieko Ioane and Caleb Clarke can put their hands up as starters in the first-choice side, whereas the likes of Crusaders stars Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Richie Mo’unga, David Havili, Will Jordan and more can make a similar claim.
With over two-thirds of the Crusaders’ starting XV selected in the All Blacks, it would make sense for the Super Rugby Pacific champions to boast a smaller representation in the newly formed All Blacks XV – but that’s not the case at all. Eight Crusaders have been selected in the 28-man All Blacks XV squad that will take on Ireland A and the Barbarians next month, again giving them the most representation out of any of NZ’s five (six, including Moana Pasifika) franchises.
Perhaps that should come as no surprise.
The Crusaders, after all, have ruled the roost over Super Rugby in recent times, with Scott Robertson’s men claiming six titles in as many years seasons. With Robertson’s right-hand man, Jason Robertson, taking over as All Blacks forwards coach part-way through 2022, it’s easy to see why Crusaders players might dominate national selection.
The selection of so many young, unproven Crusaders in the All Blacks XV does raise the question whether New Zealand Rugby should investigate encouraging franchises to loan some of their players out around the country, however.
Between the two squads, five Crusaders props have earned a call-up to a national side – George Bower, Fletcher Newell, Tamaiti Williams, Finlay Brewis and Oli Jager – while all three of the club’s contracted hookers, Codie Taylor, Brodie McAlister and George Bell, will also feature in Europe. Were he not injured and unavailable, Joe Moody would also likely still be holding down his position as the All Blacks’ first-choice loosehead prop.
Meanwhile, the Hurricanes have two hookers involved in the national set-up, the Blues two tightheads and the Highlanders’ sole representative is loosehead prop Ethan de Groot.
With the Crusaders also providing three second-rowers (Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett and All Blacks XV selection Zach Gallagher), it’s no wonder the mainlanders have been able to field such a formidable scrum over the past few years.
While the likes of the Hurricanes and Highlanders might benefit from the Crusaders sharing the love, it’s the All Blacks who could gain the most from a youngster like Finlay Brewis heading away from Canterbury, where he currently sits fourth in the loosehead pecking order behind Moody, Bower and Williams.
There’s obviously a benefit to a young front-rower sitting behind an experienced head and learning the dark arts of the trade, biding their team and awaiting selection – but that’s not necessarily the case when you’re so far down the totem pole. At least Bower and (to a lesser extent) Williams can expect to get some regular minutes here and there throughout the season but Brewis? That would take some significant intervention from the rugby gods.
It’s a similar story at hooker. George Bell is perhaps the most promising young rake in the country (although Soane Vikena and Tyrone Thompson have perhaps proven themselves more capable at this stage of their careers) but with Codie Taylor signed through to 2025 and Brodie McAlister this week inking a deal which will also keep him in the region for three more seasons, Bell isn’t likely to start accruing regular minutes for another couple of seasons.
Already we’ve seen top players with more experience than the current crop of young Crusaders forwards at times have to settle for scraps at Super Rugby level. Leicester Fainga’anuku, Sevu Reece, George Bridge have been locked in a three-way battle for wing spots at the superpowered Super franchise for a number of seasons now, with Bridge – the All Blacks’ first-choice left wing just three seasons ago – recently making the decision to head offshore after losing his starting position to Fainga’anuku at the Crusaders.
While Bridge could have made the decision to sign for another NZ side, he evidently saw the writing on the wall and has now been lost to the country. If New Zealand Rugby had stepped in and pushed harder for him to consider other options, would that still be the case?
Bridge was only second in line at the Crusaders but Brewis, Gallagher and the other young forwards who have now been called into the All Blacks XV are ranked much lower on the totem pole.
You also have to question whether their successes have come because they’re excellent talents or because Ryan has simply moulded them into excellent players. With Ryan no longer forwards coach at the Crusaders, the incentives to stick around for the young men who will be desperate to advance their cases for national selection once they’ve had a taste of ‘Test’ rugby with the All Blacks XV may fade significantly.
The Crusaders aren’t hogging talent – they’re just very good at identifying and nurturing it. But at a certain point in time, it’s important to not just be learning on the training pitch but be playing minutes against opposition from around the country and, ideally, around the world. Some of the best up-and-coming players in the country might not get that opportunity if they remain where they are, and that will be a significant loss for the individuals themselves and New Zealand and the All Blacks as a whole.
Comments on RugbyPass
I certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie 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 that “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. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 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 comments