Scott Robertson explains Ruben Love's limited All Blacks game time

Plenty of New Zealand fans have been singing from the mountain tops, wishing Ruben Love would get more minutes in an All Blacks jersey. This weekend, they’ll get that wish.

Love has been selected for just the second start of his All Blacks career in Saturday’s Cardiff Test with Wales, named in the No.15 jersey that he impressed in against France back in July.

Outside of that 80-minute effort, Love has just 45 minutes of Test experience to his name despite being involved in the All Blacks for the bulk of the past two seasons. Even when selecting the 24-year-old in the matchday 23, All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has faced criticism for the bench cameos coming on the wing, rather than at fullback or flyhalf.

It is understood that Love’s long-term goal is to wear the black No.10 jersey, and when naming his team for Wales on Thursday, Robertson hinted that the coming Super Rugby season could see more of the budding star in that role.

“You saw him at the Hurricanes playing 10 at the back end there, playing some great footy,” Robertson reflected when asked whether Love’s All Blacks future lies at 10 or 15. “We see him at both. He trains really hard with us in both positions.

“It’s challenging when you’ve got a world-class fullback like Will Jordan, and the balance of selection when you’re going for a Grand Slam. In the back of your mind, you’ve always got Ruben; you’re going to give him a crack at the end there. You’ve also got someone like DMac, who can rip a game apart.

“So when you give opportunities, that’s a challenge, a skill set that I have to trust myself on for the team. This is (Love’s opportunity) this weekend.

“But definitely 10-15, or 15-10. I’m sure the Hurricanes will have him closer to the nine next year.”

Asked to expand on the Hurricanes’ remark, Robertson explained the dynamic between All Blacks and Super Rugby coaches.

“I learned when I was coaching back there, you have conversations with them and you talk about how they’re going to use their team and their squad and their individual players, but you never talk about how they’re going to play, and who’s going to play where. The hand starts to get a bit heavy then, doesn’t it?

“But you do have conversations to say, ‘look, if there is an opportunity, we’d love to see him there’. And you normally agree. It’s a small country, and a phone call and a connection piece you have with the coaches; they’re good relationships.”

Team Form

Last 5 Games

0 - 73

26 - 52

24 - 23

28 - 52

22 - 31

26 - 52

33 - 19

17 - 25

13 - 26

14 - 28

2

Wins

4

2

Streak

1

15

Tries Scored

21

-113

Points Difference

47

2/5

First Try

4/5

2/5

First Points

3/5

1/5

Race To 10 Points

4/5

The All Blacks’ matchday 23 has typically featured playmaker cover on the bench, but no such cover has been named for the Wales Test. Robertson explained Love will offer cover for Damian McKenzie at 10, but wouldn’t specify whether the plan was to move Love into first receiver late in the contest.

The coach also shared what he saw as Love’s strengths: “Very good aerially, he’s good in the air. He covers the backfield very well, his kicking game’s really good, and he’s obviously got good timing on the ball. He can come off players and punch that gap and set his outsides up really, really well. So, he’s got a bit of everything back there, it’s great to see.

“His anticipation for the game is good, especially for the backfield coverage.”