The contenders to win an All Blacks call-up as Ian Foster announces planned super-sized Rugby Championship squad
It’s been less than a fortnight since Ian Foster named his first All Blacks squad, but New Zealand’s head coach is already planning on adding a further 10 to 11 players to his 35-man side for the Rugby Championship.
Quarantine restrictions upon arrival in Australia for the tournament would leave potential injury replacements in limbo if called upon throughout November and December, leading Foster to announce today that nearly a dozen players will travel with his original squad.
As a result, we have combed through a raft of players in line for a potential recall to an All Blacks squad that could feature as many as 46 men.
Liam Coltman (Otago)
Lineout inaccuracies have been the root of Liam Coltman’s demise from a World Cup hooker to back-up Highlanders rake in a matter of months.
Still, the eight-test veteran has plenty of experience to offer, and would be a suitable fourth-string hooker to support Codie Taylor, Dance Coles and Asafo Aumua.
Highlanders co-captain Ash Dixon was impressive enough to keep Coltman benched this year, but at 32-years-old, he doesn’t have sights set on grabbing his first test cap, although Blues front rower Kurt Eklund could be an outside chance of beating Coltman to the punch.
Angus Ta’avao (Auckland)
Highlighted by Foster as one of two players – alongside Coltman – as the unluckiest to have missed out on the initial 35-man side, Australia’s Rugby Championship hosting rights acts as a gift-wrapped opportunity for Angus Ta’avao to win a recall.
Dropped from the national squad after making just three appearances since returning from a six-month quad injury, it seems the 14-test prop has the experience and versatility to be a solid back-up option to the likes of Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Nepo Laulala and Joe Moody across the ditch.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1306047103202852865
Manaaki Selby-Rickit (Southland)
With Brodie Retallick (sabbatical) and Scott Barrett (toe injury) both unavailable for the remainder of the year, Foster was forced to name two uncapped locks to accompany Patrick Tuipulotu and Sam Whitelock.
By naming uncapped starlets Quinten Strange and Tupou Vaa’i, Foster sprung a pair of surprises as he went without standout injured pair Pari Pari Parkinson and Josh Dickson.
However, the Highlanders locking partners, whose individual qualities made them creditable contenders for maiden All Blacks call-ups, might be usurped in the race for an international debut by their franchise teammate Manaaki Selby-Rickit.
Starring off the bench for the South Island in this month’s North v South clash, Selby-Rickit showed he has the raw athleticism to flourish in the future, and it wouldn’t be unfathomable to see the Southlander join Strange and Vaa’i as long-term development projects.
Scott Scrafton (Auckland)
Selby-Rickit’s biggest threat to a shock All Blacks call-up would seemingly be Auckland veteran Scott Scrafton.
In a move that would be indicative of how thin New Zealand’s lock stocks are, the 27-year-old may head the pecking order behind Tuipulotu, Whitelock, Strange and Vaa’i through his comparative wealth of experience that he can flex over Selby-Rickit.
Scrafton’s six years of provincial rugby and five Super Rugby seasons might be what Foster wants at his disposal in Australia, and that could make the 2m second rower one of the unlikeliest All Blacks selections since Brett Cameron played Japan two years ago.
Lachlan Boshier (Taranaki)
Wallabies boss Dave Rennie has made no secret that his former Chiefs star Lachlan Boshier was denied All Blacks selection as he lost out to fellow opensides Sam Cane, Ardie Savea and Dalton Papalii.
His rich vein of form in Super Rugby this year could well be rewarded, though, with as many as two loose forwards thought to be added to the touring Rugby Championship squad.
If two further loose forwards are picked, one would assume one of those players would fill the role of a fetcher or pilferer, and given how well he’s played for the Chiefs, it would be harsh to rule Boshier out of an extended squad.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFLV8X9B5gP/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Tom Sanders (Canterbury)
Who fills the alternate loose forward role as an enforcer-type player is more debatable, but there was plenty of praise for Tom Sanders’ efforts for the South Island a couple of weeks ago.
Playing at No. 8 yet equally adept at blindside flanker, the Cantabrian was a handful for the North, spurring some pundits to predict him as an outside shot to make Foster’s 35-man cut.
That didn’t come to fruition, but with nearly a dozen more players to come into the squad, it would be hard to imagine Sanders not coming into consideration.
Marino Mikaele-Tu’u (Hawke’s Bay)
More of a consistent standout than Sanders this year, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u was very unlucky to have missed the North squad considering how well he fared in Super Rugby.
One of the most improved players in the competition this year, the 23-year-old was a sensation off the back of the scrum for the Highlanders, dominating in various attacking statistics across the board.
Mikaele-Tu’u’s powerful ball-carrying has made his transition to fill the boots of Luke Whitelock much smoother than most would have anticipated, and for that reason the Hawke’s Bay product must be close to pushing Sanders for inclusion in the enlarged squad.
Finlay Christie (Tasman)
After years on the periphery of New Zealand Super Rugby squads, Finlay Christie finally enjoyed a breakthrough campaign with the Blues following his off-season switch from the Hurricanes.
Riding the Auckland franchise’s resurgent wave, the Scottish-born halfback was rewarded for his contribution to the Blues’ runners-up finish in Super Rugby Aotearoa by winning North v South honours with the South Island.
Being named alongside All Blacks incumbents Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara and Brad Weber in the match day squads is indicative of Christie’s standing in New Zealand’s halfback pecking order, and he would have to be among the leading candidates to support that trio if required.
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Bay of Plenty)
Christie’s biggest obstacle in earning international selection is three-test All Black Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi.
Since his shock call-up to the national squad two years ago, the new Bay of Plenty recruit has struggled to overtake Weber in the Chiefs environment, with limited game time restricting him from building a case for a recall.
However, it’s that international experience that may make Tahuriorangi more favourable with the All Blacks selectors than Christie in what looms as a selection predicament in the ilk of Selby-Rickit v Scrafton at lock.
Josh Ioane (Otago)
Other than maybe Boshier, Highlanders playmaker Josh Ioane can be considered the unluckiest player to have missed out on selection a couple of weeks ago, contrary to what Foster said about Ta’avao and Coltman.
Being played out of position at the start of the year and carrying a niggling injury throughout Super Rugby Aotearoa hampered the 24-year-old’s chances of adding to his one test cap, but a blistering finish to the season from No. 10 catapulted him back into the conversation.
Add his pinpoint cross-kick to set-up Will Jordan’s match-winning try for the South into the mix, and you feel it’s only a matter of time, if not a few weeks, before Ioane is brought back into the All Blacks.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1303226375101317120
Peter Umaga-Jensen (Wellington)
A breakout campaign for the Hurricanes and a broken forearm sustained by his franchise teammate Ngani Laumape has paved the way for Peter Umaga-Jensen to emerge on the precipice of All Blacks selection.
Starting the season as a prospective star for the future, the 22-year-old midfielder stepped up to the plate earlier than many first thought, impressing with a balance of tidy distribution and devastating ball-carrying.
His form yielded a North v South call-up, and while that wasn’t enough to force his way into the national squad the first time round, there are few who can demand selection based on form like Umaga-Jensen can.
Mark Telea (Tasman)
Speaking of breakout campaigns, Tasman speedster Mark Telea cannot be far off from joining the All Blacks outside backs after his stellar debut season with the Blues.
Springing up many a time on the right wing as part of an electric Blues backline, Telea was one of Super Rugby’s best rookies out there, and his inclusion in the North squad is a hint that the All Blacks selectors have taken note of his efforts thus far.
Even though he didn’t take to the field in that match, his try-scoring exploits might just be enough to warrant a place in the national camp.
Comments on RugbyPass
I certainly don’t enjoy drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry 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.
2 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.
3 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
3 Go to comments