'He's been amazing': Ex-All Blacks rank New Zealand's top five halfbacks
With only one round left to go before Super Rugby Pacific finals, many All Blacks halfback contenders are putting their hand up for selection.
However, one who has failed to do so thus far this season is Hurricanes halfback TJ Perenara.
A member of the All Blacks for the last eight years, Perenara is one of the most experienced halfbacks in New Zealand with 78 tests to his name.
That seemingly isn’t enough to earn him selection this year, though, according to former All Blacks pair Sir John Kirwan and Mils Muliaina.
Speaking on The Breakdown, Muliaina and Kirwan, as well as international referee Ben O’Keeffe and host Kirstie Stanway, shared their views on how they would rank the current pool of Kiwi halfbacks.
All four panel members ranked Highlanders captain and All Blacks centurion Aaron Smith as the incumbent No 9, but none had Perenara in their top three halfbacks.
In fact, three of the four panellists – Kirwan, Muliaina and Stanway – ranked Perenara as their fifth-choice halfback as others such as Finlay Christie, Brad Weber and Folau Fakatava featured in their top three halfback picks.
Those selections reflect badly on Perenara’s hopes of All Blacks selection ahead of July’s test series against Ireland, with All Blacks head coach Ian Foster expected to name just three halfbacks in his squad.
Picking Smith, Weber and Fakatava as his three halfbacks, Kirwan explained that Fakatava was in direct competition with Perenara for one of is three selections on the basis that they offer contrasting playing styles to the other candidates.
In saying that, Kirwan opted for Fakatava as he believes the Highlanders youngster needs as much test exposure as possible if he is to come into contention for next year’s World Cup.
“If you think that Fakatava is going to make the World Cup, you’re going to have to play him this year,” Kirwan told The Breakdown.
“I’m not writing TJ off because he is such a competitor and such a good player, but his style for me is [the same as] Fakatava.”
Muliaina echoed Kirwan’s sentiments, going as far to suggest that Fakatava could warrant a starting role for the All Blacks.
“When you look at a halfback, you want impact. What he’s done, every time he’s come on for the Highlanders, he’s brought that impact, he’s brought something different,” Muliana told The Breakdown.
“It might be just his darting game that he does. He puts someone into space, he gets over the ball as well, and wins turnovers. He just lifts to another level.
“I think what’s actually happened down there also, his passing game has really improved, given that he is with Aaron Smith, hence the reason I think to have someone come off the bench and really bring that impact and really challenge too.
“I think he can get to a stage where he starts. That’s how good he’s been for me. I think something different definitely, that we need.
“If you want to tick a box, does TJ bring what Fakatava does? I think that Fakatava probably excels in terms of what he does, his impact and x-factor.
“I think given the quality that we have got particularly within our forwards, the ball-playing ability that we want to get to, we need to move the ball. We need to have a bit of speed.”
Having recently officiated matches involving Fakatava, O’Keeffe has seen his game up close and described him as a “fantastic” player.
“I think Fakatava for example has x-factor. He comes on and he closed out the game for the Highlanders really well. He has gotten rid of the errors that were potentially in his game maybe a few years ago,” O’Keeffe said.
“Normally x-factor players start games, so bringing on a player like that is pretty fantastic. You bring on players for the style of play you want to play. I think the All Blacks do want to play with high-tempo right the way through the 80 minutes.
“We have a depth of talent for halfbacks in New Zealand. We have someone like Brad Weber, I think he’s an excellent sniping halfback. He’s been amazing for the All Blacks over the last few years as well.
“It just shows that we still have the best players in the world in New Zealand, I think. We are going five deep, where any one of those five players could start for the All Blacks.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments