New Zealand's lost looseheads: from first choice to bust
Of the five players dropped from the All Blacks squad for the Bledisloe tests, Karl Tu’inukuafe can probably count himself as the unluckiest.
Three of the five are inexperienced players who have bright futures ahead of themselves but were probably lucky to make the initial squad in the first place, courtesy of its massive size.
Shannon Frizell, the other ‘experienced’ player to receive the cut had one game to prove to the selectors that he could be the All Blacks go-to blindside flanker for the World Cup and evidently didn’t take his chance.
Tu’inukuafe, however, was given no such opportunity to show that he was match-fit and ready for action.
The modern day prop
A virus meant that the giant Blues prop sat out the final rounds of Super Rugby but was confirmed by Hansen to be eligible for selection against both Argentina and South Africa. Instead, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Atu Moli and Joe Moody were used on the loosehead side of the scrum.
Earlier in the year, the Super Rugby coaches were given the message from the national selectors that they were a little disappointed with the lack of mobility they’d seen from their props on the 2018 end of year tour.
Given that mobility and agility are what the All Blacks coaches are looking for, it’s not too difficult to see why Tu’inukuafe might have been overlooked. At over 130kg, he’s a sizeable man. Tu’inukuafe is excellent at a prop’s core jobs and actually possesses some deft hands when necessary, but he’s probably not going to get around the park as efficiently as some of the other options.
Moli and Angus Ta’avao, in particular, have climbed the ranks ahead of Tu’inukuafe even though their scrummaging is still probably not up to international standard.
It’s a big fall from grace for the former bouncer, who burst onto the scene for the Chiefs last year after injuries befell regular looseheads Mitchell Graham, Aidan Ross, Kane Hames and Moli. Tu’inukuafe ended up playing 16 matches for the defeated quarter-finalists.
Loosehead powerhouse
Tu’inukuafe debuted for New Zealand in June against the touring French side, and his first act after coming off the bench was to monster opposite Cedate Gomes Sa in a scrum. That one set-piece announced to the world that the All Blacks had unearthed a supremely naturally talented scrummager who was ready to make a big impact on the international scene.
Two further appearances off the bench against the French came and went, followed by six straight appearances in the Rugby Championship. Tu’inukuafe earned his first start against Argentina, then backed it up in the final three matches of the competition after incumbent Moody was invalidated thanks to a broken thumb.
Moody returned for the third Bledisloe Cup match but split his eyelid in the build up to the first match of New Zealand’s European tour, which meant Tu’inukuafe resumed his place in the no.1 jersey for the crux matches against England and Ireland.
Tu’inukuafe’s year was capped off by being named on the shortlist for the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year.
Tu’inukuafe’s performances throughout the season meant he was seen as an almost certainty for this year’s World Cup. The one-two punch of Moody and Tu’inukuafe would have been considered one of the best propping combinations in international rugby – but evidently that’s no longer how Hansen and co see it.
Tu’inukuafe’s rise and fall is incredible, but it’s not entirely unique.
The rise of Kane Hames
Head back to 2017 and Moody’s torrid run of injuries meant that he also sat out that season’s end of year tour. Thankfully, the All Blacks had another prop at hand, ready to step into Moody’s sizeable shoes: Kane Hames.
Hames, like Tu’inukuafe, was initially uncontracted to a Super Rugby franchise in the year that he made his international debut. The 2016 season once again saw the Chiefs crippled by front-row injuries, with Pauliasi Manu suffering from a ruptured ACL. Hames was whistled into the squad and made nine appearances.
Hames’ international debut came after a minor injury to Moody, which saw the Chief debut off the bench in the first Bledisloe Cup fixture of the year. That was to be Hames’ only international appearance for the season, but things kicked off in a big way in 2017.
Former Highlander Hames was recalled to the All Blacks first when Wyatt Crockett suffered a concussion in the lead up to the second test match against Australia, and again when Moody dislocated his shoulder against Argentina.
Hames came off the pine in that initial match against Australia, with Moody holding down the starting spot. Once Moody was no longer available, Hames took over as the first choice loosehead.
The once unwanted prop started in three matches in that Rugby Championship then did the same on the end of year tour against France, Scotland and Wales. It was a rise to fame that matches Tu’inukuafe’s in its outrageousness, if not its pace.
The silent injury
Unlike Tu’inukuafe, Hames’ fall from grace has been completely unrelated to form. That match against Wales at the end of 2017 is the last professional rugby game that Hames has taken part in. The loosehead suffered a concussion at some point prior to the 2018 Super Rugby season and has been dealing with symptoms ever since.
It’s a tragic result for a man that only a few years ago was possibly eyeing up the 2019 World Cup as his end goal. Whether we ever see Hames on the field again is unknown, but almost two years out of the game doesn’t bode well for his future.
Karl Tu’inukuafe and Kane Hames both asserted themselves on the international scene thanks to injuries to Joe Moody, but it looks like both will now play no role in the All Blacks’ upcoming attempt to win the World Cup for an unprecedented third time in a row. Thankfully for New Zealand, Steve Hansen and co have blooded a number of props throughout the years who are capable of fronting in international rugby, but that will be of no consolation to the men whose dreams have been cut short.
Comments on RugbyPass
Rodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 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
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
8 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 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.
12 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.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
8 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
8 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,
12 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.
12 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.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
8 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
7 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
46 Go to comments