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Scott Robertson names two most challenging positions for All Blacks to fill
New coach Scott Robertson has highlighted lock and halfback as the two toughest holes to fill for the All Blacks as they prepare to usher in a new era without some retired greats.
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When the full-time whistle sounded at Stade de France on a fateful October night last year, the All Blacks dropped their heads after losing the Rugby World Cup final by just a single point.
But in that moment, the Test careers of some New Zealand rugby icons came to an end. Locking duo Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick, and halfback Aaron Smith, were among the retirees.
All three men are considered some of the best All Blacks in history which poses a tough task for those deemed worthy to follow in their footsteps under new boss ‘Razor’ Robertson.
“I think we talked about the locks. When you lose two you have to bring one or two back in,” Robertson said on Sky Sport NZ’s The Breakdown.
“We’ve still got Patrick (Tuipulotu) there when he comes back. He’s a champion, when he’s on form he’s a great player.
“Probably the halfback with Aaron Smith… you’re not going to replace him but someone’s gotta go own it in themselves in any position.
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“We’ve got some good players in a number of teams coming through.
“Those are off the top of my mind, those two key positions there.”
Patrick Tuipulotu was namedropped by Robertson which goes to show the injured Blues captain is very much in the frame for a return to the All Blacks’ setup in 2024.
At lock, Scott Barrett would be the only certainty for selection while the Chiefs duo of Tupou Vaa’i and Josh Lord also have experience at international level.
Hurricanes No. 9 Cam Roigard appears to be the leading candidate to step into Aaron Smith’s shoes, but there isn’t a whole lot of Test experience elsewhere for halfbacks in New Zealand.
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So, at least in theory, the All Blacks and New Zealand Rugby could look abroad to fill some of these gaps.
Robertson has spoken in the past about “keeping an open mind” about potentially altering the current eligibility rules which prevent overseas players – who aren’t contracted to New Zealand Rugby – from representing the All Blacks.
“As I mentioned earlier on just around keeping an open mind about the eligibility criteria,” Robertson added.
“Firstly, everyone thinks we’re gonna open the gates, the floodgates, well it’s not. I’m just looking at the people that are eligible and they meet the criteria.
“I deal with agents all the time. I’m dealing with players, one of my main jobs is understanding what they need. If I’m gonna say it publicly I’ve got to talk to the players about it too and got to understand where the game’s going.”
Scott Robertson’s first Test in charge of the All Blacks is set for the 6th of July when New Zealand host England at Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Comments on RugbyPass
Brilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
4 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
4 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
8 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
8 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
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