'Great balance to his performance': All Blacks fullback race thrown open
After weeks of debate around how the All Blacks would potentially line up for their first outing of 2021, a dominant 102-0 victory over Tonga on Saturday evening served as a strong statement from players looking to secure a starting spot.
With so much quality contained within the squad, Ian Foster’s task of selecting a starting fifteen has not been made simple. There have been a whole range of tricky decisions to be addressed including players being selected in and out of their favoured positions, the applicability of a dual playmaker system and how best to utilise a versatile forward pack.
Thankfully for Foster, his team on Saturday looked assured and comfortable. Of course, the obvious response to that statement would be to point out the relative weaknesses of the Tongan team and the unfair hardships that that group of men have had to experience in order to even field a team. That is a point that is by no means to be ignored, but from Foster’s perspective, the performance of his own team will primarily be his focus.
The All Blacks certainly looked good on the weekend and if anything, whilst some of the aforementioned selection headaches will only have been made more difficult, the important thing for Foster will be that the systems deployed by the All Blacks generally appeared to work.
In terms of selection, Saturday night illustrated that the race to start at fullback remains very much in the balance. Will Jordan, Jordie Barrett and Damian McKenzie all enjoyed fantastic seasons from No 15 with their respective Super Rugby franchises. All played distinctly different roles within their clubs, with their various skillsets expected to offer Foster variation at the national level. Beauden Barrett’s return to the side from Japan was also a large factor requiring the coach’s consideration.
But with Jordan put on the wing and both Barretts benched, it was McKenzie who got the nod to start at fullback, going on to impress with a varied and mature display.
McKenzie has enjoyed a talismanic season with the Chiefs in 2021, often at times being a literal game-winner for the franchise on their march to a Super Rugby Aotearoa final. Making four starts at No 10 this season has also seen McKenzie further develop his game as a distributor and game manager, meaning that when dropped back to fullback, he remained able to share important responsibilities with whoever the Chiefs brought in at first five.
Maori All Blacks halfback Bryn Hall, speaking on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod this week, identified McKenzie’s game management as being crucial to the All Blacks victory.
“It was his ability to distribute that really facilitated that edge attack,” noted Hall. “He and Richie Mo’unga both made 39 passes each on the weekend … which put people in space and allowed the All Blacks to score out wide.”
Certainly, on the weekend, McKenzie seemed to show for the All Blacks that same element of his game that is so pivotal for the Chiefs – combining with Mo’unga to share the responsibilities of a first receiver and playmaker. Perhaps even more pleasing for Foster, was the fact that this system continued with the introduction of Beauden Barrett as Mo’unga replacement. McKenzie’s solid performance eventually saw him finish the match with a try and three try assists.
An inspired run at the World Cup or a one-off battle with the Lions is fine and well, but playing the likes of the #AllBlacks and #Springboks week upon week in an annual tournament poses a new challenge for Japan. #RugbyJP @JRFURugby
?? Gregor Paulhttps://t.co/YIzPm3bi6y
— The XV Rugby (@TheXV) July 5, 2021
Ex-All Blacks hooker James Parsons was equally as impressed with the innovation and freedom shown by McKenzie alongside his astute game management.
“[His] mental ability to just play what’s in front of him, rather than just having to stick to a set plan – I think it really showed through,” remarked Parsons. “[He and Rieko Ioane] were really instinctive on the night and … I thought Damian was great. He carried on that ability from the Chiefs, where he promotes himself to first receiver, he brought that kicking game … plugging the backfield when he needed to off the kick-offs and he was using his boot just to settle things down. He’s got that running game that we know, but he also started to link up.”
Used off the bench as an impact player in half of the All Blacks’ tests in 2020, Parsons was sure that Ian Foster would be pleased with the ever-evolving nature of McKenzie’s game.
“We’re so used to seeing Damian do those one-off counter-attacking runs and bust through about 15 people,” said Parsons. “But he just had a great balance to his performance on Saturday. We talk about those ‘duel playmakers’ … Damian’s a proven first receiver now and I think he’s shown that at Super Rugby level … he’ll be wanting to impose himself.”
Perhaps then, the ‘controversial’ dual playmaker system might still yet play a part in Foster’s game plan in 2021.
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments