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'He is our best 12 option': The All Blacks' 'big' midfield dilemma
Less than a year out from the Rugby World Cup, the All Blacks have some major selection decisions to make ahead of their final Test of the year against England.
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After an inconsistent year, which has included historic losses to Ireland and Argentina, there are still some questions that remain answered about the All Blacks.
New Zealand made several changes to their starting XV for their clash with Scotland on Monday morning (AEST), such as moving Jordie Barrett from inside centre to fullback.
Barrett had starred in the No. 12 jersey against Wales the week before, where he scored an exceptional double that showcased his sheer power, athleticism and ability.
But after moving to fullback, the 25-year-old was unable to wreak havoc like he did the week before – although he still scored 11-points off the kicking tee.
Ahead of their final Test match of the year at Twickenham, Black Ferns international Chelsea Semple said Barrett is the All Blacks’ “best 12 option” at the moment – and he must start against England.
“Jordie Barret has to start at 12. When he did come into that 12 position in the Test this morning, he just got things going forward,” Semple said on The Breakdown.
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“He’s a big, strong presence and I think right now he is our best 12 option and that in turn sends Beauden back to 15 and brings Mo’unga back into 10.
“The 13 position for me is interesting because I think Fossie will be thinking, obviously Rieko is our number one 13 at the moment, btu we need to give Anton Lienert-Brown more time as well because he’s going to be a huge part of our World Cup next year.
“Do we put Anton Lienert-Brown into centre and push Rieko to the wing and see how that combination plays out? That’s what I’d be looking at if I was Fossie.”
While Barrett has been impressive in the All Blacks midfield, he has proven himself to be one of it not the best fullback in the country as well.
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Meanwhile, Ian Foster has regularly looked to David Havili and Rieko Ioane as options in the midfield, with the latter having seemingly cemented his place in the No. 13 jersey.
Commentator Fauono Ken Laban disagreed with Semple’s opinion on how the All Blacks midfield should take shape, saying the team needs to go with a “proven combination.”
“Well they’re not going to change it now for the last Test so Rieko will start at 13,” Laban said.
“What Chelsea and Brendon, of course all of that makes sense but the reality is Rieko has been the mainstay in the midfield.
The All Blacks' final try at Murrayfield was not reviewed before awarding. #SCOvNZL https://t.co/2f9KH4sZCG
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 15, 2022
“What they do about 12, what they do about Havilli because Havilli was the first choice 12 for a long time.
“Barrett could play 12 if they wanted to, but I wouldn’t play Jordie Barrett at 12 against England, I’d go in with the strongest, most proven midfield combination.
“I’d play Anton Lienert-Brown at 12 and Rieko at 13, and play Jordie at the back. You’ve just got to make the call on Richie (and) Beauden, one starts at 10 and the other comes from the bench.”
The All Blacks have another major decision to make this week after TJ Perenara’s successful return to Test rugby at Murrayfield.
Perenara made his return to the Test arena after being dropped from the All Blacks squad earlier this year, with up-and-coming talents Finlay Christie and Folau Fakatava selected before him.
But the veteran of almost 80-Tests more than earnt his way back into the national squad after starring for the Wellington Lions, Hurricanes and All Blacks XV.
World Rugby have announced the four nominees for Mens 15s Player of the Year, but the omission of an All Blacks star has stumped fans on Twitter. https://t.co/9jOQbmv2dc
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 15, 2022
“It’s interesting how players react when they get dropped or when they get bad news, and especially when you’re sitting on 78-Tests and have been such an important part for a long time,” Laban added.
“He’s been an interesting observation for me, TJ. In-between Super Rugby and the NPC, TJ went back and played for the Norths Rugby Club in the local club competition, led his club team Norths to the Jubilee Cup which is a prestigious winter trophy in Wellington.
“He was a very, very important part of them winning the Ranfurly Shield, and of course winning for the first time in 22-years, winning the NPC.
“Like Kendra (Cocksedge), the number nine touches the ball than anyone else on the park so they have a major say… by whatever criteria you want to measure, he has been an exceptional personality in terms of the way that he’s handled and conducted himself with such class.
“He could easily have signed a mega-deal to go to Japan or go to Europe and say, ‘well you don’t want me’, flip New Zealand the bird and off he goes.
“But he hasn’t done that. He stayed back and fought and the game turned when he came on… TJ was the key player that turned the game.”
The All Blacks’ Test against England at Twickenham promises to be another enthralling instalment between two traditional rugby rivals.
After ending their Northern Tour on a losing note last season, New Zealand will undoubtedly be focused on maintaining some momentum ahead of a World Cup year.
Comments on RugbyPass
Huge engine this guy and great to see him back ..The amount of clean outs he does at the ruck are ridiculous !!
3 Go to commentsThe level of desperation in this article is just embarrassing.
215 Go to commentsSome silly trolling in the comments.
8 Go to commentsEverywhere you turn some irish journo is advocating Ireland as the greatest, reasoning that the wc is a 4 year cycle event so, they say wc doesn’t matter it’s the rugby in between that should account for the accolade. If there was no wc then some substance could be gained, however in my opinion the moment that defined Ireland’s fate against the abs was 37 phases of repeated head bashing against a brick wall. If a change in strategy or a tinker with the game plan was executed then things could've been vastly different. And to point a finger the let down was in the hands of the number 10.
36 Go to commentsI have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.
15 Go to commentsYeah, and ours is waaay bigger than yours. Just as you's get a semi…oh hold on that never happens
36 Go to commentsLove watching
1 Go to commentsThe Melbourne Rebels lineout is a complete disaster so not surprisingly a kiwi coach of the Wallabies hires the worst lineout coach in the country and a foreigner to boot. No surprises whatsoever here…….
3 Go to commentsThank your for wasting 2 minutes of my life Daniel. There is a useful message in there somewhere but your delivery sucks.
7 Go to commentsBen Smith, you are cry baby
215 Go to commentsSux that homophobia is still a thing though. I wonder how many players who could have become legends never kept playing rugby because they felt unwelcome.
7 Go to commentsCrazy he’s only 28, feel like he’s been around forever - don’t mind the move, safe pair of hands and creates depth in a thin position for ABs. Hopefully aides Kemara’s growth also without thrusting too much responsibility on him
1 Go to commentsMen should show strength and be mean, but they should be able to show emotion to those close yo them in certain times, birth of your child, death of family, proud moment. This article is stupid
7 Go to commentsWhat a weak article…absolute drivel and clickbait, well done. Will stick to rugby365 thanks
7 Go to commentsHonest, discipline, humility… Priceless.
2 Go to commentsSo many excuses. No mention of the SA number 2 being taken out illegally in the 2nd minute. That act of foul play had a massive impact on the SA game. Face it, NZ play pretty dirty very regularly, and it’s only since 2016 they’ve been held to higher officiating standards via stricter officiating and TMO reviews. They deserved to have a man down. Sorry. Fix the yellow and red cards and NZ will win more RWCs. Plus, there WAS a knock on invalidating the one try, so it was NOT a try. Period. Here’s a Kleenex…
215 Go to commentsOverheard conversation between NZ and SA rugby fans everywhere: We’re the greatest! No! we’re the greatest! We’re the greatest! No we’re the greatest! Ireland are arrogant! True but they beat you! We’re the greatest! No! we’re the greatest! Etc. etc, etc.
36 Go to commentsTypical crap Aussie weather
11 Go to comments“If they’d have beaten England, I still feel we would have been talking ‘is this the best team ever,’ ‘is this the best team that’s ever played in the Six Nations'” he said. “I still think they’re not quite that good. I actually don’t think they’re that good.” So Trimble is saying he doesn’t think this is the best 6N team of all time. He is silent on if it is the best Irish team of all time. Can’t disagree with him. Just another misrepresentative clickbait headline from the guys at RP.
36 Go to commentsWow, do we really still have to listen to all the excuses and “unfairness” of it all. Even blaming the bounce of an egg shaped ball for the loss. But the article is about context, so what about the Springboks having to play the other 5 teams in the top 6 and still beating a comparatively rested AB team on a very empty tank.
215 Go to comments