George Moala leaves New Zealand with more questions than answers
The end of George Moala’s career in New Zealand leaves fans with a few loose ends that unfortunately won’t be tied up.
Ruled out for the year with a chest injury suffered in week eight of the Super Rugby season, Moala’s absence has largely flown under the radar.
While Jerome Kaino, rightly, received heaped praise last weekend when he walked off Eden Park for the final time, Moala wasn’t treated with the same esteem.
Unlike Kaino’s final effort in Auckland, the closing moments of Moala’s Blues career came with a whimper instead of a bang when he sustained the chest injury that would end his season at FMG Stadium Waikato, almost two hours from Eden Park.
The four-Test All Black and 74-time Blue has long been a polarizing figure in New Zealand rugby, and leaves for France having never really found his place or completely fulfilling his potential at the next level.
What separated Moala – when at the peak of his powers – was simply the way in which he played the game. No matter where he was playing, he only had one gear. He seemed to beat someone with each thunderous carry, often running around, but more frequently running over the opposition. An unstoppable force close to the line, the big back transformed his body into a battering ram as he barreled downfield on a weekly basis.
Though the eventual trajectory of his career – especially as a midfielder – may have been hampered by his limited distribution ability and tendency to play a one-dimensional style, it is impossible to deny Moala’s pure talent on the rugby field – and he will continue to display that talent when he joins Top 14 side Clermont next season.
The 27-year-old’s career path has been just as turbulent as his play on the field.
After rising through the ranks in the Auckland schoolboy scene while at Tamaki College, a rat-tailed 20-year-old Moala made his provincial debut for his home city in 2011. He would ultimately notch over 50 caps in the white and blue hoops of Auckland, today a rare feat for players of his calibre.
One year later, a pre-season shoulder injury looked to have ended Moala’s debut Super Rugby season before it began, but he came back and forced his way onto the field. He was a standout on the wing in his four appearances and later earned the nickname ‘Silverback’, due to his incredible strength showcased all over the park and on both sides of the ball.
Over the next two seasons Moala emerged as a genuine force in Super Rugby, crossing for ten tries and establishing himself as a regular fixture in John Kirwan’s backline as he covered the wing and both midfield positions.
Moala’s versatility may have ultimately been his downfall, as he failed to nail down a permanent home in the backline under the tutelage of three different coaches while with the Blues.
Regardless, Super Rugby and provincial form – he scored 21 tries in 32 games for Auckland between 2014 and 2016 – saw Moala earn his first All Blacks cap in July 2015. He scored the All Blacks’ lone try and kept Alesana Tuilagi in check on debut against Samoa, starting on the right wing for the national side just two months after he was discharged without conviction for his role in a late-night fight on Karangahape Road in 2012.
After missing out on a World Cup spot later that year, 2016 presented Moala with his best chance to cement himself in the All Black frame, with the midfield opening up following the departures of longtime occupants Conrad Smith and Ma’a Nonu.
Unfortunately, fans and selectors can only rue what could have been as form abandoned Moala. Tana Umaga dropped him in favour of Piers Francis while the combination of Sonny Bill Williams and Ryan Crotty locked down Steve Hansen’s vacant All Black midfield.
Moala would end up making his final three appearances for the All Blacks in 2016 – including a start against Wales after not being named in the initial squad – as the later emergence of young talent in the form of a well-rounded Anton Lienert-Brown, an explosive Ngani Laumape and a midfield savant in Jack Goodhue all but assured the end of his international playing days. His final international cap was a try-scoring effort in the All Blacks’ historic loss against Ireland in Chicago.
This year Moala managed just five appearances for the Blues, his fewest since his debut season. Once again he found himself in and out of Tana Umaga’s matchday side and unable to make his usual impact thanks to a constant reshuffling of personnel and a drop in form.
Though Moala’s swansong was far from a fairytale – as inconsistent performance and injury haven’t allowed him to leave New Zealand on his own terms – it’s without doubt that he leaves having made a lasting impact on Auckland rugby, regardless of whether he reached his full potential or not.
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Comments on RugbyPass
The 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.
5 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
5 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.
5 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
5 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.
5 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?
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 comments