Super Rugby takes: All Blacks' next enforcer, New Zealand's goal kicking woes

Round five of Super Rugby Pacific saw the Chicago Drua beat the Waratahs in Fiji, the Hurricanes pound the Rebels, and the Chiefs keep the Highlanders’ Kiwi losing streak going.

In the headline game of the round the Blues held the Crusaders try-less for the first time since 2015 and beat them at Eden Park for the first time since 2014 in Patrick Tuipulotu’s 100th game.

All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has been off to Japan and news is he wants to bring back Sam Whitelock.

Here are five takes from a New Zealand perspective with what we learned.

Retro jerseys are a winner

The Blues and Crusaders throwbacks looked fantastic. In fact they looked better than the current day jerseys which begs the question, why don’t the New Zealand teams just keep these classic looks?

The Chiefs heritage jersey in 2019 was also a winner and was only seen once that year. Most of the early designs of the 90s would provide enough variation for each side.

The old school jerseys really pop with vibrant contrast compared to the overcomplicated modern designs.

Bizarrely, the Hurricanes have worn yellow kit just once in five rounds this season, wearing black every other week. Fans don’t want to see the Hurricanes in black kit at all. It’s marginally better than the awful grey jerseys but it isn’t the traditional strip.

How many times do they have to be told stick to the tried and true. NFL jerseys rarely change, and the storied franchises never do. There is a reason why.

Best candidate for the next All Blacks’ enforcer

With Dane Coles and Brodie Retallick retiring from international rugby, the question was posed last year as to who would become the next All Blacks enforcer. Described as a ‘dying breed’ among the next generation, there are few players in his day and age who play on the edge and enjoy the combative side of the game.

However, there is one left in New Zealand but he isn’t top of mind when it comes to All Blacks selection.

That is Hurricanes openside flanker Du’Plessis Kirifi. The 27-year-old still plays with an old school mentality with channeled aggression and niggle. At one point he was one of the best poachers in Super Rugby, forming a duo with Ardie Savea that topped the charts in first and second with forced penalties & steals.

Kirifi had two steals against the Rebels on Friday night in his return to action, along with three line breaks.

Player Turnovers Won

1

Salesi Rayasi

2

2

Du'Plessis Kirifi

2

3

Harry Godfrey

1

If Sam Cane wasn’t available, Dalton Papali’i was an automatic selection at No 7 under Ian Foster. Kirifi did get a call-up to the squad in 2020 and made an appearance for the All Blacks XV.

Kirifi might not be in Robertson’s plans but if there was one guy to fit the mould of an enforcer, it would be him. If Billy Harmon is in the discussion, put Kirifi in too.

Blues have diverged away from a traditional New Zealand style

The Blues bullied the Crusaders into submission with a 26-6 win which forced the visitors to tackle themselves to a standstill.

As Vern Cotter explained earlier in the season, the style they are implementing is basically brute force. When they get into a scoring zone on the field the forwards take over, along with Mark Tele’a and Caleb Clarke detached from the wings, and carry up the middle relentlessly through pick and goes. It is a slow grind and a decision to use brawn over brain.

Player Carries

1

Patrick Tuipulotu

25

2

Ricky Riccitelli

23

3

Hoskins Sotutu

17

The Blues believe they can overpower opposition packs in this way and for the most part they are right. The Crusaders young pack could not withstand the barrage of carries from Tuipulotu, Ioane, and Sotutu and co.

But this divergence from a wide game into a dedicated narrow approach is unique in New Zealand. No one else is doing it. What does it mean for Clarke, Tele’a and Rieko Ioane’s form?

The wings aren’t required to finish anything and Ioane isn’t going to get the chance to provide for them. Not the ideal run into the All Blacks season for three guys who could start.

Time to move on from Whitelock 

Reports have surfaced that Scott Robertson wants to bring back veteran lock Sam Whitelock, one of the all-time great All Blacks.

When is enough enough? Whitelock was reduced to a bench role towards the end of last year. As time goes on, his effectiveness will reduce further. If his knowledge is invaluable, give him a coaching job. But let the man move on from the All Blacks playing side.

This Whitelock move would do nothing to endorse the crop of players coming through at the position, who will only get better by being thrown in the deep end. Tupou Vaa’i and Josh Lord need more time on the field. Beyond them are many other younger locks coming through Super Rugby.

Scott Barrett and Patrick Tuipulotu bring the necessary experience already at the position. If anything, chase 32-year-old Brodie Retallick for a comeback instead who might have a few more years remaining.

Whitelock’s next involvement with the All Blacks should be as a coach.

New Zealand’s goal kicking woes are a real problem

Four of the bottom five ranked Super Rugby teams in goal kicking percentage are from New Zealand.

The Chiefs with Damian McKenzie slotting over 80 per cent are the best, ranked second overall but the rest of the teams are some of the worst in Super Rugby Pacific.

The Hurricanes ranked 8th in goal kicking percentage with 72.7 per cent with Brett Cameron. Aidan Morgan’s first start of the season improved that marker by kicking seven from eight.

The Blues were officially the worst in the competition with a 50 per cent success rate prior to their win over the Crusaders. Although Stephen Perofeta nailed six from six at Eden Park, he has been responsible for the 50 per cent mark.

The Highlanders and Crusaders ranked 9th equal with a substandard 66.7 per cent mark with Sam Gilbert and Riley Hohepa.

The Fijian Drua are the best goal kicking side at 88 per cent, coached by former Aussie rules footballer Mick Byrne who specialises in kicking. Their unconventional drop goal against the Waratahs got the job done.

Given that the All Blacks lost the World Cup final on two missed shots at goal, it is a growing problem that the success rates are so low outside of the Chiefs.

Three of the five teams are under 70 and that’s untenable for any All Blacks kicking option.