The 11 players the All Blacks should call upon to bolster their Rugby Championship squad
The All Blacks selectors will soon name the extra 11 players to travel to Australia for the Rugby Championship, which is good news for those men but bad news for the Mitre 10 Cup, whose time in the spotlight is about to end. I hasten to add that this is my 11, rather than exactly whom I think the selectors will opt for.
David Havili
The All Blacks already have plenty of fullback cover, but surely room can be found for the Tasman skipper.
He’s played classy footy all season, despite two significant illness/injury setbacks, and is in hot form after a hat-trick for the Mako against the Mooloos just last weekend.
Havili can also suit up at No 12, making him gold in a match-day squad selection.
Peter Umaga-Jensen
The All Blacks need more midfield cover after the season-ending injury to Braydon Ennor. Step forward, Peter Umaga-Jensen, who stepped up strongly in the last few weeks of the Hurricanes’ campaign. Nephew of Tana Umaga, he carries hard and can punch a hole in most defences, not to mention being an option at second five too.
Ngani Laumape
His Hurricanes’ season was derailed by a broken arm just when he was sparking up.
But that means he can still run and, as long as that arm has healed nicely, he’ll be on the plane. While lacking match fitness, Laumape could still be used as a weapon off the pine in Australia.
Josh Ioane
He’s already been an All Black, and can be ranked third in the first five position in New Zealand.
Don’t forget it was his pinpoint chip for a Will Jordan try that saw the South steal the inter-island fixture earlier this month. Since then, he has shown us his wares with Otago, including a starring hand in the stirring Shield victory in Inglewood last weekend.
Finlay Christie
Presuming he’s recovered from the appendicitis that has rubbed him out of the last two Mako matches, Finlay Christie is your man as the fourth halfback.
His star rose exponentially with the Blues in Super Rugby Aotearoa, sharp running and passing major feature of his game. He’ll nudge out the sparky Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi and the reliable Mitch Drummond.
Lachlan Boshier
He’s been unlucky, because there has not been a better fetcher in New Zealand rugby this season.
Boshier had to cede to Sam Cane and Ardie Savea, two better allround footballers, but he has just continued his Chiefs form with Taranaki, and his display in the Shield win over Canterbury was right out of the top drawer. Get him in there.
Tom Robinson
A modern-day Norm Maxwell, Tom Robinson just got injured at the wrong times in 2019-20, after back to back compelling seasons for the Blues.
He is the best No 6/lock around, the latest answer to Jackson Hemopo. Robinson has powered through the work with the Taniwha and it shows with their 2-1 record. His exit would be a hammer blow for Northland, but would please his growing legion of fans.
Scott Barrett
Scott Barrett underwent foot surgery in June, but they reckon he could be good to go by early November, so it will be interesting to see how the All Blacks bring him up to speed in the middle of an arduous Rugby Championship.
He is, of course an automatic selection in any national squad when fit, so move aside, you younger locks.
Scott Scrafton
This season has seen lock Scott Scrafton come of age as a Super Rugby player, racking up 13 good games for the Hurricanes and showcasing his aerial skills and growing industriousness around the track.
He edges the consistent Mitch Dunshea out of the reckoning.
Angus Ta’avao
The All Blacks have six props, three on either side of the scrum, but other than Ofa Tuungafasi, now mainly a tighthead, they have none who can fulfil the Ben Franks role.
We know Angus Ta’avao has international experience and can play both sides, though his scrummaging is hardly fearsome international quality. But he was much too good, at tighthead, for the Turbos last weekend. His skills and versatility will be useful in Australia.
Ash Dixon
One for the old boys.
Yes, we know Liam Coltman is dynamic around the field, but Ash Dixon is the better lineout thrower and can latch onto any attacking maul for a meat pie. The 32-year-old Dixon’s Highlanders’ form was so good he played his way into the starting XV, at Coltman’s expense, and the North Island.
What a story it would be if he could win the Shield in his 100th Magpies game on Sunday and then win a first, and fully deserved, All Blacks call-up. Someone might then sew up a Super Rugby deal with this man. He’s off contract, but surely not for long.
Comments on RugbyPass
Wouldn’t be a bad move if Ireland pulled into SA with a young side. Particularly in Pretoria. Invaluable experience getting thumped in the bosveld.
49 Go to commentsIreland. The Princess Diana of Rugby. I never cheered so much for a team as i did for the All Blacks in that QF.
49 Go to commentsWill be great to see the Leinster first XV back in action again after their cotton wool time…
1 Go to commentsLooked up Grant Constable on google and reply was doppelgänger for Ben Smith
49 Go to commentsIt is so good that we now all get excited and debate who is best and emotionally get involved. We all back our teams which is great. Up until about 15-20 years ago, NZ was basically on its own, and then Saffa, Aussie and sometimes French and English were there. We now have at least 5-6 really top sides and another 4 who keep improving. This is so healthy. So we should not resort to rubbish comments and unhealthy debate, but rather all be chuffed that the product we watch is not competitive, exciting and often uncertain. It would be so good if World Rugger could find a way to align the rules to professional players as well as spectators. Live rugby games are SO boring as there is SO much down time as we wait for refs and TMOs and whoever else to look at every small event going back endless phases with the hope of eventually find a minute infringement to then decide cancel what was a wonderful try. This is the ultimate cork back in the bottle moment and feels like every balloon is always being popped. Come on- we must be better with the rules.
49 Go to comments“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
1 Go to commentsThe only championship the Boks hold are: Great value for the incompetence of referees during the RWC Moaning endlessly and champions of spewing utterly ignorant 💩 at all times. Displaying the dangers of a third world education End of.
49 Go to commentsSouth Africa and Rassie do a phenomenal job of treating the 4 years in between World Cups as nothing more than a training exercise to build squad depth. The Six Nations money that keeps Irish rugby afloat is unfortunately too important to allow the same approach, and basic population size means we'll never get close to matching the depth of South Africa, England and France. That being said, Irish rugby is in a relatively good place and slowly improving inch by inch. If the other three provinces can pull the finger out and actually develop some players it'd be even better.
49 Go to commentsGood on Clarke for taking on the criticism and addressing his deficiencies, principally his laziness.
2 Go to comments“It is the people’s favourite against the actual favourite. It is the people’s champions against the actual champions. I’m joking, but it’s going to be a fantastic series.” Why did Darcy make that joke knowing it would be used as click bait? Why did RP headline it as a serious comment? Anyway, the tired comment isn’t very astute. SA players may have played more games etc. Darcy over estimated as a pundit.
49 Go to commentsNot sure Frisch will ever make the French team with Depoortère and Costes waiting in the wings to take over from Danty and Fickou.
1 Go to commentsThe Irish are tired and the Boks are old. The test series won't confirm who is best in the world, it will confirm which team needs to pursue the task of rebuilding with the most urgency.
49 Go to commentsGrant, the first time I have seen an article written by you. Maybe I have missed your previous stuff. These days all professional players effectively play a common season so all top players are equally tired, or rested. That is the job of the coaching ticket to build squad depth and juggle resources so players are ‘ fresh’ when the big games come. Possibly Ireland are less inclined to juggle squad compared to Rassie, who is prepared to take the risk to rest players as well as build depth throughout the year so come WC he has a full squad, experienced and rested enough to win 7 games. After all, to win WC you need to get through the tournament and then win the final big 3 games. Ireland should try and build a bit so come final 3 they are ready. So far only played final 1(QF). I am so looking forward to the Irish tour. Hopefully Rassie has enough time to align his guys, as he draws them from across the globe, and not from 2 sides locally( eg Leinster, Munster). No excuses, going to be exciting.
49 Go to commentsIn football, teams get fined and sometimes docked points for deliberately fielding weakened teams yet Leinster can pretty much do as they please with no comebacks. Could it be because Ireland run the URC? Could it be that Ireland run the ERC? Whichever it is, it stinks!!
6 Go to commentsIreland are only the People’s Champions in Irish eyes. The rest of the world do not care for them very much because of attitudes of people like Gordon, Ferris, Best, Jackman…I could go on!!
49 Go to commentsNot sure how Karl Dickson can ever ref a Quins game, he played for the club for 8 years as understudy to Care and is still close friends with half the team
3 Go to commentsAre bookies taking bets on how many times Vunipola's eventual statement will use the term “elders"? My money is on at least 4 times.
4 Go to commentsSo Ireland will be tired, despite having the most rested test squad in the world. They only play tests, champions cup and urc play off games ffs! Case in point; Leinster sent a B squad to SA for their last two games while their first xv rested up and trained at their leisure for the sf vs Saints at the so called ‘neutral venue’ of Croke Park. So tired? Do me a favour… And as for “people’s champions”? Seriously??? Outside of Ireland they are respected for their ability to win 6N. And of course plenty of inconsequential test friendlies without any real pressure. WC ko games when the pressure is white hot? Not so much…
49 Go to commentsSurprising how standing down or benching a player can do wonders for their motivation. Several players this week in that category.
2 Go to commentsHaha lads lads lads, that’s how you have a holiday In Majorca
4 Go to comments