Superb Blackadder and Sotutu add to Ian Foster's selection headaches
In the All Blacks‘ comfortable 36-13 win over the Pumas last night, Ian Foster opted for the team’s fifth loose forward combination of the season. As has been the case throughout the year, every player in the trio emerged from the match with their reputations enhanced, further complicating the selection headache at hand for Foster and co.
While Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii and Ardie Savea have been the preferred trio to date, combining in three matches on the trot in 2021, it was only Savea who featured in the Pumas rematch. Instead, Foster called upon Ethan Blackadder and Hoskins Sotutu to round out the pack, with both delivering stand-out performances.
For Blackadder, the game marked the first opportunity for the 26-year-old to operate in his preferred blindside flanker role, where he featured in eight of his nine appearances for the Crusaders this season.
Following Blackadder’s initial selection in the All Blacks this year, the selectors made it known that they saw him as a man who has all the right attributes to slot into the No 7 jersey at test level. Until last night, all four of Blackadder’s appearances, whether they were off the bench or in the run-on side, had come on the openside flank. In the rematch with the Pumas, Blackadder was finally given the opportunity to play on the blindside, and he certainly didn’t disappoint.
Blackadder topped the All Blacks’ tackle charts, with 11 knocks to his name. He matched that figure with his abrasive carries in open play and also offloaded out of contact on three occasions – the most of any player on the field – to help maintain his side’s exceptional continuity on attack.
Unsurprisingly, Foster was hugely pleased with the performance of the inexperienced All Black.
“What we got out of Ethan Blackadder’s probably what we got out of Ethan Blackadder at every training since he’s been picked in the black jersey,” Foster said following the win. “He gives everything, he puts his body on the line, he trains hard and so just delighted with him, that he was able to keep duplicating what he’s doing on Sunday to Friday.
“He’s a top man, he gives you everything, wears his heart on his sleeve but loves being in that black jersey and think we saw that tonight again.”
Hoskins Sotutu all showed off his incredible skillset in the No 8 jersey – although that’s never been in question, after some of the feats he’s performed for the Blues over the past two seasons.
Sotutu made 10 passes during the match, putting him behind just TJ Perenara, Finlay Christie, Damian McKenzie and Jordie Barrett. Two of his deliveries saw the receiving player immediately crunch over the line for tries while he also made ample metres on attack and finished the game with the fourth-most metres gained of any player on the park.
How New Zealand rated in the win over the Pumas in Brisbane. #NZLvARG #RugbyChampionship https://t.co/vupEYGqJll
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 18, 2021
The free-flowing game suited Sotutu’s style of play perfectly and while the 23-year-old will need to continue to showcase his talents in the tighter areas of the game against more dominant opposition, he too would have been proud of his performance in the victory.
It speaks volumes that captain Ardie Savea perhaps had the most understated performance of any of the loosies on display, given his dynamic work around the field – although he did perform one impressive chip-and-chase which came so close to creating a try.
“It’s pretty special times,” Savea said of the All Blacks’ current loose forward stocks following the win. “I’ve mentioned it before around being able to build into soft quarantine and spend a bit of time together. We’re all competing against each other at trainings and pushing each other so I think that’s showing out there on the field.
“With guys like Hos tonight, who hasn’t played in a couple of weeks, and [he] puts in the [big] performance, and Ethan as well… It’s good for us. It’s not so good for coach here, gives him headaches. But it’s good that there’s competition.”
The headache seems to grow stronger every week for Foster and his fellow selectors, with all six of the available loosies likely in contention for next Saturday’s clash with the Springboks – and that’s without factoring in the likes of Sam Cane and Shannon Frizell, who will be available come the trip north following the Rugby Championship.
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments