‘He’s not unlucky’: Ex-All Black weighs in on Harry Plummer’s omission

Former New Zealand halfback Justin Marshall believes Harry Plummer wasn’t “unlucky” to miss out on the All Blacks’ first squad of the year even though the playmaker led the Blues to a historic Super Rugby Pacific title at Eden Park.

When the All Blacks unveiled Scott Robertson’s first squad on Monday evening, it’s safe to say there were more than a few surprises. Hurricane Pasilio Tosi defines what it means to be a Test bolter as one of the five uncapped players in the 32-man group.

Crusaders lock Scott Barrett was also given the nod as the All Blacks’ newest captain ahead of Ardie Savea. With former skipper Sam Cane stepping away from the role earlier in May, many believed it was Savea’s time to step into the role on a full-time basis.

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But then there are the players who didn’t make the cut. Sir John Kirwan had labelled Ruben Love as the front-runner for the All Blacks’ No. 15 jumper early in the Super Rugby Pacific season, but the Hurricanes fullback missed out on the squad completely.

Blues backrower Hoskins Sotutu was another big omission after a season which saw the 25-year-old finish as the equal-top try scorer. Another Blues player who didn’t make the grade was first five-eighth Harry Plummer, who steered the team to glory with a win over the Chiefs.

While some fans or possibly even pundits may consider Plummer unfortunate not to make the All Blacks for what would’ve been the first time, Justin Marshall doesn’t quite see it that way.

“I totally feel that Harry Plummer… the way that he played just suited the way that Vern Cotter was playing and he fitted into it with a consummate ease,” Marshall said told Martin Devlin on The Platform earlier this week.

“The way that he was able to do all the right things, make good decisions, kick his goals, make his tackles, it was faultless and he didn’t put a foot wrong. You have to say he was one of the reasons that they won that championship.

“But again, it’s a big ask, isn’t it? Yes, there’s been some players that are bolters like Tosi and Wallace Siti who have been in the system but they haven’t really played a lot of rugby at the high level over a period of years.

“I would say probably he’s not unlucky to make the All Blacks because I just feel that’s a step that he hasn’t taken yet in terms of he hasn’t been involved with New Zealand A. Stepping into teams outside of Super Rugby really does show your ability to be able to control things.

“Ruben Love, they obviously didn’t want to take a gamble on him – he is an out-and-out fullback. For some reason (Shaun) Stevenson doesn’t enter into the factor as well.

“There’s always unlucky players out there. Hoskins Sotutu is pretty much like Harry Plummer.”

With Plummer missing out, coach ‘Razor’ Robertson has turned to two familiar playmakers ahead of two Tests against England and a clash with Fiji. Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie are in a race to wear the No. 10 jersey in just over one week’s time.

McKenzie has long been the understudy behind Barrett and former Crusaders pivot Richie Mo’unga, but it seems like now is the time for the 29-year-old to step up.

The likes of Hoskins Sotutu, the Brumbies’ Tom Wright and Crusaders wing Sevu Reece were all standouts on an individual basis this season, and McKenzie is also part of the MVP discussion after yet another campaign.

But after being asked about the players selected and the others who, like Plummer, didn’t make the squad, Marshall agreed that Robertson picked this group with a particular focus on winning these upcoming Tests rather than development.

“Doing that will create the method, the confidence and that ruthless edge to win World Cups because you actually care about every Test match, you care about every performance,” Marshall explained.

(If) we start doing that then World Cups will take care of themselves because you’ll go to tournaments and you’ll win on tough days, you’ll learn to fight for every inch and for every minute of a game simply because you want to do it every week rather than just try and peak at a certain stage.

“I certainly hope that’s the mindset, in fact, I know that will be the mindset of Scott Robertson. He absolutely loves winning and I certainly feel that the infectious nature of the way that he coaches will filter into all the players and we’ll see a high level of consistency in the time that he’s got the coaching (role) for the All Blacks.”