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'You get on the plane and go and sign him': The solution to All Blacks depth issue
There are only 18 tests to go until the 2023 Rugby World Cup for the All Blacks to settle on their best XV and former All Black John Kirwan insists that depth at first five needs to be addressed immediately.
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The All Blacks number 10 spot has two incumbents in Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo’unga seemingly miles ahead of the rest. If one of these players is injured, there are limited options currently playing in New Zealand.
Josh Ioane is internationally capped, and Bryn Gatland has been in strong form for the Chiefs while Stephen Perofeta is another who is playing well for the Blues. However, all of these players have very little or no test experience.
In such a pivotal position, lack of experience in big moments can prove incredibly difficult to handle.
Speaking on Sky Sport NZ’s The Breakdown, Kirwan was frank when discussing the All Blacks needs surrounding their depth at first five and implored New Zealand Rugby to secure the services of Damian McKenzie immediately.
“He has got to be signed,” he said of the 27-year-old former Chief who is currently playing in Japan with Suntory Sungoliath.
“If you are Ian Foster, you get on the plane and go and sign him. He is fundamental to us winning the next World Cup.
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“I still think he is the best off the bench player late in a test match ever. We totally missed him in the 2019 World Cup game against Japan.”
Damian McKenzie has performed exceptionally well for the All Blacks in the past, but due to being contracted in Japan, it is unclear when he will be available for selection.
McKenzie’s ability to cover two positions and having test experience in both. Ensures he is the likely selection as the third fly half option when he returns to New Zealand and becomes available.
In relation to the midfield outside of the 10, the general consensus seems to be Rieko Ioane has done enough to hold on to his 13 positions. He was one of the only strong performers on the All Blacks end of year tour last season and has been in great form for the Blues this season.
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However, who joins Ioane in the midfield is open for debate with a number of strong candidates. Quinn Tupaea has a solid frame, which is generally how the All Blacks like to deploy their no.12.
David Havili is another who performed well at times last season before being found lacking against a very physical South African side. Due to this lack of size, Havili may find he is out of favour for the All Blacks number 12 jersey and may be better utilised as a utility option.
Jack Goodhue is back from a long injury lay off and may find himself utilised in the All Blacks second five role. However, he needs to find some form with the Crusaders before being selected.
Kirwan believes Roger Tuivasa-Sheck may be the man for the job, asking for the former NRL star to be ‘fast tracked’ into the All Blacks.
His strength over the gainline and offloading ability in combination with his deft footwork make him a very attractive option to fill the contested All Blacks number 12 jersey.
“We need to fast track him because he has X-factor. I do not know if he can make the next level, but everything I have seen, I believe he is a game changer,” he said.
“With the way we currently play we need game changers at the next level, we need X-factor.
“We have had them right across the board, I think the opposition Ireland, England and France are absolutely improved and we are going to have to have some X-factor and that is Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.”
Comments on RugbyPass
How did Penny get the gig anyway?
1 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
20 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to commentsWhere has our good friend Pecos gone!? Similar place to the Crusaders D, the abyss.
4 Go to commentsNice piece Nick. I haven’t seen much of the brumbies this year so will keep my powder dry on charlie, but clearly has the speed and footwork to be damaging in space. Similar to Samu, I’d worry about the size of our pack if the likes of Mcreight and Cale were in the b/row together. Maybe Cale could play a similar finisher role like Samu did for Rennie’s wallabies. Has Cale leapfrogged wilson in your eyes? He obviously has the lineout, but harry probably better (although not great) in the physical stuff and also has great hands in the loose. You’d have to say mcreight and valetini are shoe-ins at 7/8, so the question becomes who matches best with them at 6 and on the bench. I don’t know if he has a high enough ceiling, but id love to see wright given a shot based on how much bad luck he has had with injuries. He may also fit that no-nonsense graft/work rate irish approach…? If schmidt wants size and a 4/6 tweener then I’d probably pick Uru. On the bench I’d have no idea, Wilson if you want to give valetini a rest, and maybe hanigan/wright/uru as 6 replacements.
21 Go to commentsWho the heck is Billy Fulton?
13 Go to commentsCale has all the potential no doubt. So has Harry Wilson except for his dumb arse coach over the last few years who told him just to run at brick walls all the time. Valentini would be devastating at 6. As he was until some idiot thought oh yeah, move our best player to another position. Not mentioning any flightless or thank you names of course. I very much dislike claiming one player is the saviour, because injuries are so prevalent in the game these days as the players are bigger and faster, so the discussion should be who are at least the best two players in one position. For me it’s Harry Wilson and Cale at 8 at the moment with Valentini or Hooper from the Brumbies at 6. Great options. Seru Uru should be in the reserves too. A game changer.
21 Go to commentsScott Barrett is a card waiting to happen, Cane has been out with injury as well as playing in Japan, I think they’ll go with in-Japan-but-still-the-man Savea. Samisoni Taukeaho will be Captain after 2027, so he might get some Captain minutes against an Italy or Japan.
13 Go to commentsDissapointed that after 7 years Crusaders could not have found a coach that believed their system and improved on it. What was he expecting?
6 Go to commentsPlaying the boks twice in a season is the definition of an abusive relationship…Jenny, get help
1 Go to commentsWatching the SA series no AI will motivate players like a Human can cause no matter your IP if you lack the hype to be super human or the level to go to the deep dark places you simply can’t win big games. France Ireland All Blacks and SA will surely get this AI but the end of the day it's luck and believe that matters
20 Go to commentsGet him and we need more having just watched chasing the sun series building test teams takes a lot of time and pain. We have to believe we can win the 2027 RWC. Whilst you at get Rod McQueen as Rugby Director. Is he still around?
21 Go to comments