The Future of Rugby: New Zealand U23
We have arrived at the penultimate article in our “Future of Rugby” series, with our attentions now turning to New Zealand and their U23 options, as the All Blacks look to bounce back from a disappointing Rugby World Cup and re-establish themselves as the premier rugby nation in the world.
As ever, New Zealand does not lack for talent thanks to the fervency of the sport in the country, not to mention the high quality of the nation’s schoolboy and domestic competitions, both of which feed productively into their very successful Super Rugby franchises. There are growing financial challenges and the rise in popularity of competing sports shouldn’t be discounted, but the All Blacks still have a bevvy of gifted young players to choose from.
As with our recent examination of England and all other top eight ranked nations, only players aged 23 or younger on the May 1st 2020 were considered eligible for this selection.
15. Will Jordan, Crusaders
There are plenty of combinations of players in this back three and at fly-half, though we have opted for the ultra-talented Jordan. The incisive and instinctive full-back should cement the Crusaders’ 15 jersey if he can stay injury-free, and then throw his name into the mix alongside the likes of Damian McKenzie and Beauden Barrett. This just goes to show the potential riches at Ian Foster’s disposal.
14. Sevu Reece, Crusaders
Reece has enjoyed an extremely productive 12 or so months, which culminated in him locking down one of the wing spots for the All Blacks at the recent Rugby World Cup. Competition abounds in the forms of Etene Nanai-Seturo, Leicester Fainga’anuku and Jona Nareki to name but a few, but Reece doesn’t look like he is going anywhere for the time being.
13. Braydon Ennor, Crusaders
As with many of the young guns in the Crusaders back line, Ennor coped well with the transition from age-grade to senior rugby and swiftly played an important role in delivering back-to-back titles for the South Island franchise. His partnerships with Jack Goodhue, Richie Mo’unga and Jordan could soon be at the forefront of the new-look All Blacks, although Quinn Tupaea and Billy Proctor are hovering, too.
12. Tanielu Tele’a, Blues
A powerful ball-carrier and running centre at 12, Tele’a will hope to eventually mirror the role that Ma’a Nonu provided the All Blacks with for so long. The efficient pressure valve that he provides could soon become a valuable commodity for Blues fly-half Barrett, as the pair attempt to rebuild what was once New Zealand’s showpiece franchise. Dallas McLeod will have his eye on this spot, too.
11. Rieko Ioane, Blues
An honourable mention for Ioane’s Blues teammate Caleb Clarke, who has a bright future waiting for him, though this spot was never going to go anyone else. Ioane took to international rugby exceptionally well as a teenager and already has 24 tries in just 29 games. If he can stay fit and keep performing consistently, Ioane could end up breaking a number of All Blacks records.
10. Jordie Barrett, Hurricanes
We’ve moved Barrett to 10, rather than his more regular spot at full-back, to accommodate Jordan, although this could well be where he ends up, at least in the short-term, for the Hurricanes. The younger Barrett brother’s talents are already well known and are such that he holds off challenges from Tiaan Falcon, Harry Plummer, Brett Cameron, Stephen Perofeta and Rivez Reihana here.
9. Sam Nock, Blues
Ere Enari is showing some promise at the Crusaders, although former age-grade standout Nock just edges this one for us. Nock has a nice all-round skill set to him and could mature into New Zealand’s next starter at the position once Aaron Smith and TJ Perenara have had their time. The partnership that Nock strikes up with Barrett in Auckland could also be key to his progression at the international level.
1. Ayden Johnstone, Highlanders
There are a lot of talented, albeit relatively untested looseheads currently in New Zealand rugby, such as Harry Allan, Xavier Numia, Pouri Rakete-Stones and Tamaiti Williams. For now, Johnstone has the advantage, with the former U20 standout starting to make the leap at the senior club level with the Highlanders. The competition here could be particularly exciting moving forward.
2. Asafo Aumua, Hurricanes
Another position where New Zealand don’t lack for talent, with the likes of Kianu Kereru-Symes, Brodie McAlister and Bradley Slater all emerging, but if Aumua can fully tap into the potential that he has, this is a no-brainer. His transition to senior rugby hasn’t been as seamless as he would have liked, though if he can sharpen up his play at the set-piece and learn how to use his physicality at this level, he will be as formidable as any hooker in the game.
3. Alex Fidow, Hurricanes
Fidow came through the New Zealand age-grade pathway at the same time as Johnstone and has already begun making his mark with the Hurricanes. Strong in the loose and at the set-piece, Fidow will push hard for international honours over the next season or two and should be a central part of the All Blacks squad come the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
4. Quinten Strange, Crusaders
Strange has quietly become an important squad member for the Crusaders in recent seasons, especially when they have had to deal with the losses of Sam Whitelock and Scott Barrett to the All Blacks. Youngsters Taine Plumtree and Tupou Vaa’i might offer higher ceilings moving forward, but there is no guarantee that age-grade promise translates to senior impact, and that’s something that Strange already offers.
5. Isaia Walker-Leawere, Hurricanes
The next incumbent lock for the All Blacks, Walker-Leawere is developing nicely at the Hurricanes and should soon offer a complementary option to Barrett or Brodie Retallick, especially with Whitelock presumably coming towards the end of his international career. A force in the loose and potentially a very adept international lineout option, Walker-Leawere has his work cut out joining that vaunted group of locks, but he has the capability to.
6. Dalton Papalii, Blues
A mention for Hoskins Sotutu and Devan Flanders, both of whom look to have what it takes to eventually play international rugby, though neither has had the impact already that Papalii has. He has had a taste of the All Blacks and did not look out of place, bring plenty of physicality and work rate to the position. There is no urgency for New Zealand to move on with their options on the flank, though Papalii could force their hand.
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi, Hurricanes
Kirifi is the archetypal hard as nails openside flanker and he has had plenty of joy already with the Hurricanes, which is enough to see off the challenge of Sione Havili, a prime breakout contender at the Crusaders. As good as Kirifi has been, though, his immediate international future relies heavily on the prospects of Sam Cane and Ardie Savea, with both looking to have another Rugby World Cup cycle in them.
8. Luke Jacobson, Chiefs
Somewhat of a Swiss Army Knife, you could plug Jacobson into any spot in the All Black back row, task him with any of the traditional loose forward roles, and he will almost certainly give a good account of himself. At eight he would add to the team’s breakdown capabilities, at seven he would provide physicality and at six he would bring skill and carrying ability.
Comments on RugbyPass
Ben Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
19 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
7 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to commentsLike tennis, who have a ranking system, and I believe rugby too, just measure over each period preceding a world cup event who was the longest number one and that would be it. In tennis the number one player frequently is not the grand slam winner. I love and adore the All Blacks since the days of Ian Kirkpatrick when I was a kid in SA. And still do because they are the masters of running rugby and are gentleman on and off the field - in general. And in my opinion they have been the majority of the time the best rugby team in the world.
19 Go to commentsHaving overseas possessions in 2024 is absurd. These Frenchies should have to give the New Caledonians their freedom.
21 Go to commentsBell injured his foot didn’t he? Bring Tupou in he’ll deliver when it counts. Agree mostly but I would switch in the Reds number 8 Harry Wilson for Swinton and move Rob Valentini to 6 instead. Wilson is a clever player who reads the play, you can’t outmuscle the AB’s and Springboks, if you have any chance it’s by playing clever. Same goes for Paisami, he’s a little guy who doesn’t really trouble the likes of De Allende and Jordie Barrett. I’d rather play Carter Gordon at 12 and put Michael Lynagh’s boy at 10. That way you get a BMT type goalkicker at 10 and a playmaker at 12. Anyways, just my two cents as a Bok supporter.
14 Go to commentsThanks Brett, love your articles which are alway pertinent. It’s a difficult topic trying to have a panel adjudicating consistently penalties for red card issues. Many of the mitigating reasons raised are judged subjectively, hence the different outcomes. How to take away subjective opinions?
7 Go to commentsYes Sir! Surprising, just like Fraser would also have escaped sanction if he was a few inches lower, even if it was by accident that he missed! Has there really been talk about those sanctions or is this just sensational journalism? I stopped reading, so might have missed any notations.
7 Go to commentsAI is only as good as the information put in, the nuances of the sport, what you see out the corner of the eye, how you sum up in a split second the situation, yes the AI is a tool but will not help win games, more likely contribute to a loss, Rugby Players are not robots, all AI can do if offer a solution not the solution. AI will effect many sports, help train better golfers etc.
45 Go to commentsIt couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
26 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
19 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
26 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
19 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
84 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
7 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
19 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
14 Go to comments