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The dark horse that's risen through the ranks of the All Blacks squad
Given that the All Blacks fell to defeat last time they played in Dublin, it seems sensible to assume that the side Ian Foster has selected to take on Ireland this weekend is the best available.
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There are some conversation-starting decisions across the park, with Ethan Blackadder selected ahead of Akira Ioane at blindside flanker, Beauden Barrett named at first five, and Rieko Ioane shifted into the midfield but perhaps the biggest surprise is that Tyrel Lomax has been named in the No 18 jersey.
Following the naming of the first All Blacks squad of the year back in June (which has remained relatively constant throughout the season), few would have baulked at the suggestion of Blackadder, Barrett or Ioane being named to start for a big match, given the lack of a clear incumbent in the former’s choice position, and the obvious talent and experience of the latter two players. Lomax’s rise into the first-choice side – even if it is on the bench, is a more significant change in fortunes.
The All Blacks have called upon eight props this year, with the entirety of the octet travelling with the squad to Australia and subsequently onto the United States and Europe.
Lomax may well have been lucky number eight, with a lack of options in the tighthead position throughout New Zealand paving the way for the Australian-born front-rower to continue his development on the international circuit, despite his somewhat disappointing Super Rugby form.
The Hurricanes scrum was the weakest of the five NZ sides and Lomax was one of the most penalised players throughout the Aotearoa season. Of course, not every issue at scrum time was the fault of the 25-year-old – but it’s not easy gaining national selection when you’re constantly getting towelled up in the set-pice, regardless of who’s at fault.
With Atunaisa Moli still on the mend from long-term injuries and no other clear up-and-comers in the No 3 jersey, especially when compared to the riches NZ currently appears to possess on the loosehead side of the scrum, Lomax was the only real candidate for a call-up.
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To his credit, he’s performed especially well in black this season – primarily in cameos off the bench. Just twice has Lomax been handed the starting responsibilities, against Argentina and Italy, but the All Blacks’ set-piece thrived in both fixtures, and was arguably the sole reason why New Zealand were able to finally bank some points against the Azzurri in the first half last weekend.
Head coach Ian Foster has already commended Lomax for some of his work earlier in the season, when he came off the bench in the first test against Argentina.
“He was pretty impressive off the bench, actually,” Foster said of Lomax’s performance. “Tyrel is a good scrummager and I thought in the second half he came in and was able to apply some of the learnings we had about the different tactics that were occurring at scrum time that caused us to get penalised a couple of times. I was quite pleased with the way he learnt, adapted and adjusted to that.
“And around the park, he’s on the balls of his feet bouncing around, really looking to get engaged in that ruck and tackle area. We were pleased with him and really looking forward to seeing him in a starting role.”
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"The squeeze is going to come on next year and some good players are … going to have to be jettisoned from the wider squad." #AllBlacks
?? Gregor Paulhttps://t.co/wqt6AweJkR
— The XV Rugby (@TheXV) November 11, 2021
Still, with Nepo Laulala the obvious first-choice tighthead and the likes of Angus Ta’avao and an injury-free Ofa Tuungafasi to select from, Lomax’s rise into the first-string matchday 23 is an excellent return for the 25-year-old, and one that should bode well for his future.
Next season, the All Blacks will inevitably have to trim down their squad and will limit themselves to three tightheads at the very most. Lomax will be going head-to-head with Ta’avao, Tuungafasi and quite possible Moli next season to determine who will fill those roles, and his performances in black this year should give him a headstart over his rivals.
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope WRU cops a 12 month ban.
1 Go to commentsOuch. Pumped. Even Nohamba is a better flyhalf than Ford.
2 Go to commentsI hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
2 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
32 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
27 Go to comments