Have the Blues uncovered the final piece of their backline puzzle?
The dawn of the 2021 NPC season brings with it plenty of anticipation for the diehards of New Zealand provincial rugby.
It also looms as a hunting ground for Super Rugby franchises looking to bolster their squads for the upcoming season.
Most franchises have the bulk of their rosters locked in for the new-look 2022 campaign, although each team have voids they need filled and will likely look to the NPC to plug those gaps.
The Blues are among those teams as the Auckland-based club have been hit with a number of player departures in the wake of their Super Rugby Trans-Tasman title success.
Gone is chief pivot Otere Black, who took over the playmaking reins during Beauden Barrett’s sabbatical in Japan this season.
He is heading to the newly-named Shining Arcs Tokyo-Bay Urayasu, while captain Patrick Tuipulotu will also head to Japan as part of a fresh sabbatical deal.
Experienced flanker Blake Gibson, meanwhile, is heading south to join the Hurricanes in a swap deal that sees hooker Ricky Riccitelli move north.
Riccitelli is, at this stage, one of three confirmed arrivals for the Blues ahead of the new season, with Barrett and former NRL star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck the other newbies and returnees.
Having Barrett and Tuivasa-Sheck in the Blues’ ranks for the next two seasons is significant for the franchise as they aim to extend their newfound success beyond Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.
Together, the pair will help the Blues form arguably the most stacked and exciting backline in Super Rugby that perhaps only the Crusaders will be able to match in star power.
With Barrett likely to resume his duties in the No 10 jersey, he should partner All Blacks rookie Finlay Christie in the halves, while Rieko Ioane is the frontrunner to retain the No 13 jersey he has dominated since last year.
Caleb Clarke will also return from the All Blacks Sevens camp to slot back onto the left wing, and young prodigy Zarn Sullivan showed enough class from fullback in his debut Super Rugby campaign to keep his role in the No 15 jersey.
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That leaves two backline positions – second-five and right wing – up for grabs, and Tuivasa-Sheck has been pinpointed as a likely candidate to fill both those spots.
It’s unknown whether the 2018 Dally M Medallist will be a midfielder, wing or fullback in rugby union, but given his experience as a wing and fullback in league, it seems his primary position in the XV-man game is destined to be in the outside backs.
As former All Blacks and NRL star Sonny Bill Williams said last week, wing looks the most appropriate position for Tuivasa-Sheck, at least in the early stages of his cross-code switch.
For that reason, it is more fathomable to suggest we will see Tuivasa-Sheck in the No 14 jersey, not only for the Blues next season, but also for Auckland this season – potentially as early as this weekend.
That leaves just the No 12 jersey vacant, and with TJ Faiane set to depart the Blues to join the likes of Black and Tuipulotu in Japan next year, it is anyone’s guess as to who will act as his replacement.
Of those currently signed on for 2022, only playmaker Harry Plummer stands as a viable candidate with experience at second-five to stand-in for Faiane.
But, what if the Blues have been presented with a wildcard, yet potentially quality, prospect to replace Faiane right in their own backyard on the eve of the 2021 NPC season?
Tuivasa-Sheck, of course, is not the only new dual-code signing Auckland have pulled off this season, as former Warriors and Melbourne Storm wing Solomone Kata will don the blue-and-white hoops over the course of the coming weeks.
Unlike Tuivasa-Sheck, though, Kata has 18 months of professional experience in union, having played for the Brumbies over the past two Super Rugby seasons.
During his time in Canberra, the ex-New Zealand and Tonga league international, a former teammate of Tuivasa-Sheck’s at the Warriors and Kiwis, has made his name on the wing.
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A powerful athlete, Kata began his career in union with a hiss and a roar, scoring five tries in his first six outings for the Brumbies before Covid-19 brought a halt to the competition last March.
Since then, opportunities have been comparatively far and few between for the 26-year-old, who has failed to cross the line since then after largely being demoted to bench roles throughout both Super Rugby AU campaigns.
Kata was afforded more starts in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman, where his blockbusting ability was on full show from the right wing.
Among the league-leaders for defenders beaten, it was a common sight to see Kata bounce through would-be tacklers as the Brumbies finished the competition as one of only two Australian teams to register victories over New Zealand opponents.
Kata’s exploits in rugby league were similar as he used his supreme physical traits to cross for 46 tries in 93 NRL matches as a centre between 2015 and 2019.
The Brumbies must have believed his try-scoring prowess in league would have yielded similar results in union by putting him on the wing, but it’s difficult not to think that his attributes would be better utilised in the midfield.
More specifically, Kata seems to fit the mould of barnstorming ball-carrier from second-five, whose talents are akin to that of former All Blacks and Hurricanes midfielder Ngani Laumape.
Coincidentally, Laumape was a Warriors teammate of Kata’s in 2015, and both offer a similar skill-set, of which made Laumape an incredibly damaging player in the No 12 jersey throughout his time in New Zealand rugby.
Ultimately, the All Blacks and New Zealand Rugby deemed Laumape surplus to requirements in favour of other midfielders with broader skill-sets, but the Hurricanes flourished in Super Rugby as a result of his ability to plough through the defensive line.
In a competition where attacking rugby thrives, it must be said that Kata possesses similar potential to that of Laumape in Super Rugby.
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That potential is likely to be better realised if Kata is playing in a position that is more suited to him for a team that is in the midst of their most successful period in almost two decades.
With depth and quality across the board, it’s probable the Blues’ success will extend beyond this year, but the acquisition of a powerful second-five to replace Faiane could go some way to ensuring that.
Given Kata is now on the books of Auckland, the Blues have a ready-made replacement hanging in the wings right in the heart of their catchment region.
Granted, Kata’s deal with the Brumbies doesn’t expire until the end of next year, but early contract releases aren’t uncommon in Super Rugby.
Just this season, Highlanders flyer Solomon Alaiamalo and Chiefs speedster Chase Tiatia moved franchises with a year left to run in their previous deals with the Chiefs and Hurricanes, respectively.
Critics may also point to Kata’s defensive deficiencies, which plagued his NRL stint, or his lack of finesse required of a midfielder, but time in the saddle with Auckland would help iron those issues out.
It’s not as if he’s being given much of a chance to alleviate those concerns at the Brumbies following the breakout of the pandemic, so an extended period in the Auckland starting lineup could see him develop into a more well-rounded player.
If he stands out in the NPC, the recruitment of Kata must surely come into consideration for the Blues as they look for the final piece to complete their tantalising backline puzzle.
Comments on RugbyPass
Brayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
5 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
29 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI 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.
5 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 comments