'Tried and true': Ex-All Black winger Rico Gear assesses the options out wide for Dave Rennie

WTH is Gear talking about here? Rennie has a very short runway to the World Cup so selecting players that are leaving like Reece is an absolute idiotic call…it’s seconded only by selecting players that haven’t been in form since 2022. There is a long list of wingers that are better than these 2…Clarke, Moorby, Naholo, Carter, Narawa, Faainganuku, Jordan, RTK, Fihaki

Shocking article. Gear says to pick Reece who is leaving and Reiko who he admits he doesn't know what his form is like. Then says short odds on Tangitau recovering in time. No, those are long odds. Did the author catch Rico coming out of the dairy with a pint of milk and a frozen pizza. Clearly zero prep done on the topic.

Good on Rico Gear for what he said. Will Jordan has shown this year he is at his best at fullback for the Crusaders. His set up of one of Johnny McNicholl’s tries a case in point. They may have moved on, (hopefully not), Sevu Reece’s form in the last 2 games for the Crusaders against the Blues and Chiefs, has been so good.Tries and setting up tries.

Yeah sure let’s look to the past to create the future plus I’ll put in a word for my mates because that’s all that really matters. Luckily Dave Rennie won’t be listening to this dribble.

No “loyalty” to incumbents, selections based on current SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC FORM and heavily centered on rigorous work ethic, uncompromising conditioning, and baseline skill execution..

Josh Moorby, (Maori AB’s) now All Black #12??…Right Wing, Fullback….

NZ struggling for wingers. Well I never…

Don't follow NZR anymore, are Fainga’anuku and Telea unavailable? Or overseas? Those two with Jordan at the back would be the back 3 I'd least like to face of the established ABs anyway. Reece doesn't worry me, Ioane seems to play better at 13.

It’s not about selectors moving on from Sevu Reece, it’s the game that has moved on.

Reece’s other skills just don’t make up for the fact he’s a liability under the high ball. You can’t risk a high ball vulnerability these days.

The counter argument is that wingers often defend in the line now. But they still need to be able to «pendulum» into the back field. He has no kicking game either, so you can exploit him with a deep kick too if you want.

I just reckon a more rounded player like Narawa, or JRK would do better

Will New Zealand ever build any depth again?

Or will they only ever go with the tried and tested?

Ioane surely isn’t a viable candidate – he hasn’t played seriously on the wing for years and it’s too late now as he’s lost his speed. Reece is still going ok, but he doesn’t seem worth continuing with if he’s not going to be around next year. As for Clarke, he’s a continual disappointment for the Blues and ABs, generating about one effort per game. He wouldn’t pass a 3-minute test, let alone a 3-second one.

So even absent Tangitau and Fineanganofo, the ABs would seem to need at least some new wings (assuming Carter manages to return from injury). Maybe it’s time to return to something like the Jane-Kahui era where solidity and defensive qualities are prioritised over offensive prowess, leaving other positions (e.g., Jordan, Roigard and Fainga’anuku) to take up that slack.

Sevu off to Europe Reiko has been going alright plays both wings and covers midfield so he has a decent shot Sevu has no chance imo hopefully that word on the street that Fehi might stay is for real Clarke has been outstanding in black last couple of years he has just been injured a heap Leroy a great lil player and Fihaki is a beast in the air Moorby just keeps getting it done but yea think everyone was keen as to see Tangitau

???? Reece? It’s like these guys forget what happened last year at test match level.

Ioane I understand more.

No, no and no!

Ioane and Reece, who have been outshone by Clarke and Jordan at test level for the last 3 years? Smith is fast losing any credibility.

Well… once again they’d rather dip into the retirement home. Ioane doesn’t bring much to Leinster. You can’t really say his stint there has left a lasting impression. In my opinion, he won’t be in Rennie’s squad.

As for Reece, he’s still got some quality left, but he no longer has the pace he once had and he’s heading to Europe. In that case, they might as well pick Fineanganofo. What Gear is saying makes no sense. Narawa and Leroy Carter will be back soon. Caleb Clarke has shown just how important he is at Test level, especially under the high ball, and Kini Naholo is coming back really strongly. Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Moorby and Fihaki are also showing good things… Fainga’anuku will be in the squad, but we still don’t really know in which position.

Let’s wait and see what Rennie does, but there’s one thing I’m certain of: he definitely won’t choose Ioane and Reece as his starting wingers.

Reiko has been a flop for Leinster, not terrible but largely anonymous.

Do pundits in NZ ever watch rugby in Europe? Their comments rarely line up with the reality.