'Prototype of the new breed': What Cullen Grace's surprise All Blacks call-up means for the next World Cup
No one picked Cullen Grace to be an All Black so soon.
Even after turning heads in Super Rugby back in February-March, Grace was thought to be merely full of promise. His time would come, they said.
But named he was in the extended All Blacks squad on Sunday. That does not mean he was a bolter, despite the fact he had played just three games – most recently the Shield defence against North Otago on August 28 – since March. A broken thumb rubbed him out for two months.
That bolter moniker is more correctly applied to lock Quinten Strange, because we thought he had not played enough rugby (even less than Grace), and loosehead prop Alex Hodgman, good for the Blues, but who strangely didn’t feature for the North in the inter-island clash.
Grace is 20 and has a frame that John Plumtree must like. He is fearless, tough, rugged and raw. But he’s also, crucially, a prime lineout target. Just seven men won more lineouts then him in pre-Covid Super Rugby. He can play three positions, including No 8, but possibly, like Tom Robinson, lacks 3-4 centimetres to be classed as a compelling international locking prospect. That said, his height has been variously listed as 1.90m, 1.92m, and 1.93m in the last two years. So he has had either a late growth spurt or there are some creative number-crunchers at the Crusaders.
Canterbury coach Reuben Thorne likes the cut of Grace’s jib, first encountering him when he was coaching Christ’s College when Grace was clattering bodies and throwing himself into rucks as skipper of the Timaru BHS First XV. He cracked the NZ Schools later that year (2017). That was a very strong side and his locking partner was none other than Tupou Vaa’i, younger by a month and now named in the All Blacks.
Vaa’i and Grace both featured in the 2019 NZ Under 20s, not a vintage crop. There were whispers about a soft underbelly to the pack, but both have swiftly graduated from this time-honoured pathway.
Grace’s elevation is a further reminder of how far Vaea Fifita has fallen. Once seen as the new breed of All Blacks forward – powerful, fast, athletic – Fifita is now nowhere and will need to do something miraculous in Mitre 10 Cup for him to be looked at again.
The seven loose forwards named in the All Blacks are bursting with talent and versatility, all able to play at least two, and sometimes, three positions. There is a case to be made for Grace being the best lineout forward amongst them, which will make him hot property to make the bench at the least. Shannon Frizell is the only other one who could suit up at lock, but that would be a last resort. It makes you now appreciate how valuable Jackson Hemopo was in a squad situation.
Grace has more meat on his bones than a Tom Robinson and, further back, Norm Maxwell, who also flung his body around with almost reckless abandon. With a touch of luck and losing a tendency to break his body at the wrong time, Robinson could have been Cullen Grace on Sunday.
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Now we see the bare bones of what the All Blacks selectors are seeking three years out from the next Rugby World Cup. They want all their loose forwards tough, physical and ball winners. The likes of Luke Jacobson and Lachie Boshier, both outstanding on the tackle and over the ball, will have to join the queue.
Grace is the prototype of the new breed. Twelve months ago, he was biding his time as the third lock at Canterbury, behind Luke Romano and Mitch Dunshea. The respected Rugby Almanack said he “showed promise” in his four outings.
But even at the Crusaders there was no guarantee of much game time. Ethan Blackadder was in line to wear the No 6 jersey until shoulder surgery meant he was not going to fill Jordan Taufua’s boots. Sione Havili was seen as a super sub. The under-rated Tom Sanders could play eight or six, with the equally under-rated Whetu Douglas also an option in both those positions.
Grace’s first start was at a February Eden Park against the Blues, who were buoyant about what their loose trio of Hoskins Sotutu, Blake Gibson and Dalton Papali’i could do, especially at the breakdown. As it transpired, Sanders, Tom Christie and Grace won a clear points victory, harassing them on the ground and Grace pinching their ball in the air.
Seasoned Eden Park observers nodded their heads and muttered sagely: ‘This Cullen Grace has got the goods.” He does indeed have the goods and now we will see how far he has come, in a remarkably swift time, when he finally gets to wear black, God willing, in 2020.
Comments on RugbyPass
Quite 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.
10 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.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
1 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
10 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.
10 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.
3 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.
3 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
10 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?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
10 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
10 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
10 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
10 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
10 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to comments