Inter-island match shows New Zealand's lock stocks are being seriously tested by injury
Coaches often talk about depth charts. In an ideal world the All Blacks like to have four, sometimes five, players in each position.
In the case of their locking stocks, however, selectors are digging deep into the national talent pool for the North versus South fixture after two leading contenders to step into the breach, Pari Pari Parkinson and Quinten Strange, were ruled out with injury.
While Patrick Tuipulotu, the standout lock in Super Rugby Aotearoa, and Feilding-raised All Blacks centurion Sam Whitelock will captain the respective North and South teams on August 29, their second-row partners have everything to play for as the national selectors
prepare to name their first squad of the year the following day.
All Blacks coach Ian Foster is already without Scott Barrett until at least late October after the Crusaders captain had surgery on his big toe in late June, while Brodie Retallick is also absent until mid-next year due to his sabbatical agreement with Japanese club Kobe.
Highlanders lock Parkinson, standing at 2.04m and maturing with every match, and Crusaders second-rower Strange both represent the Tasman province and were therefore expected to be included in the South Island squad before injuries – Parkinson to his ankle, Strange to his chest – in their final Super Rugby matches left them unavailable.
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Parkinson’s injury in particular forced the All Blacks selectors to make changes to the South Island squad as late as Monday morning.
Manaaki Selby-Rickit, who came off the bench for the Highlanders this season, and Strange’s Crusaders team-mate Mitchell Dunshea will now join Whitelock in the South Island second-row.
Foster and fellow All Blacks selector Grant Fox made it clear the North versus South match won’t be the only determining factor in their quest for locks when they reveal the 35-man All Blacks squad on August 30.
“Having the likes of Quinten and Pari out of contention for this team is a bit disappointing but they’ve been able to show their wares through their franchises,” Foster said. “They’re definitely still in the mix.
“We’ve had to make a call on this game but we’ve flagged from a while back there’s some opportunity there particularly with Scott’s injury and we always knew Brodie wouldn’t be here this year.
“I don’t have to say too much about Patrick and Sam their form has been outstanding. We’ve got Mitchell Dunshea and Manaaki Selby-Rickit in the south who are both promising young players.”
Tuipulotu will join forces in the North team with Auckland turned Hurricanes lock Scott Scrafton, selected ahead of Super Rugby team-mate James Blackwell, and 20-year-old Tupou Vaa’i, a somewhat surprise inclusion having made his debut following a raft of injuries to the Chiefs tight-five this season.
“In the North team we’ve been impressed with Tupou Vaa’i he’s still developing physically but he’s got a good attitude and he gets through his work. He was a key member of the under 20 team last year.
“Scott Scrafton has been part of a pack that has probably been a bit underrated but has performed consistently well in the past month and he’s reaped the rewards for that.”
Loose forwards and outside backs, where options are in abundance, will pose plenty of headaches in whittling down contenders for the All Blacks selectors.
On the contrary, this season is a forced chance to discover who is ready to fill out the locking depth chart before Barrett and Retallick eventually return.
Selby-Rickit, Dunshea, Scrafton and Vaa’i are far from household names but the time is now to stake their claims.
Comments on RugbyPass
What a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
14 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
8 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to comments