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
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments