The massive challenge facing last year's All Blacks bolter: 'That still all seems quite a long way away at the moment'
The last time Luke Jacobson had any substantial minutes for a professional rugby side was in September, when New Zealand faced Tonga.
The then-22-year-old was in his first season with the All Blacks, who were in the midst of their preparations for the Rugby World Cup.
Despite notching up just eight appearances for the Chiefs during Super Rugby and only 24 minutes in his international debut against Argentina, Jacobson was named in the squad to travel to the World Cup – illustrating just how highly the All Blacks coaches rated the promising loose forward.
Unfortunately for Jacobson, coming off the bench against Tonga was going to be his last act on the field for his national team in 2019. In fact, since that game in early September, Jacobson has only managed a 10-minute cameo off the bench for the Chiefs against the Brumbies this year.
That’s due to a combination of lingering concussion symptoms last year and, most recently, a problematic hamstring.
Needless to say, it’s been a frustrating period for the Waikato-man – but there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
“After six weeks off, it’s definitely right,” Jacobson told RugbyPass regarding the niggly hamstring issue.
“I haven’t been held out of rugby at all from my concussion this year. I was ready to go but then in the pre-season with the Chiefs, I did something to my hamstring and it just put me on the sidelines for a few more weeks.
“Then, I got out for 10 minutes against the Brumbies and re-injured it – that put me on the sidelines until isolation started.
Jacobson was technically fit and ready to go after a few weeks of rest but wasn’t named in the Chiefs’ touring squad for their cancelled trip to South Africa.
“I hadn’t played any rugby [since recovering from the injury] and the other guys in my position were playing bloody well as well so that there wasn’t room for me on the tour at that stage,” Jacobson said.
And while the Super Rugby suspension brought on by coronavirus has been a point of frustration for many a rugby player and fan, it’s given Jacobson plenty of time to ensure that his body is 100% fit for when the season kicks off again in mid-June.
“Isolation’s probably helped a little bit because I probably would have pushed to try get back a little bit early,” Jacobson admitted.
“I’ve been able to get in some real good training which I’ve been really happy with and get on top of a few other little injuries as well.”
Jacobson’s Chiefs haven’t been struggling with quite as many injuries this year as in the past – potentially due to the changes at training made by new coach Warren Gatland, which means that the abrasive flanker-cum-eighthman may face a tough struggle to force is way back into the squad.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_0vlUCg1t0/
Captain Sam Cane is an automatic pick while Lachlan Boshier’s performances have been second-to-none on either flank. Mitch Karpik and Pita Gus Sowakula have also had their moments while the likes of Mitchell Brown and Tyler Ardron have gone from strength to strength playing lock.
“We’ve had good competition in amongst us loosies and I think this year it’s shown a lot,” said Jacobson.
“Sam Cane’s always been the bloody leader there but we’ve got a lot of good competition between the rest of us and it drives you pretty well. There’s definitely not much of a drop off from player-to-player and we all bring different things to the game.”
Jacobson is also appreciative of Brown and Ardon’s exceptional contributions in the second row.
“It’s been working well for us this year,” he said. “I guess we probably are just a little bit short on genuine locks – big tall bastards – but I guess Tyler and Mitch probably bring something else to the game that maybe those big locks can’t.”
When Super Rugby returns next month, New Zealand’s five franchises will duke it out for ten weeks on the trot (with each team handed two byes) and, given the intensity and physical requirements of the local derbies, it’s hard to imagine coaches not rotating their players regularly.
One way or another, Jacobson will add some more minutes to his Super Rugby ledger in the coming months and while he will simply be happy to get out on the pitch and play some footy, the long-term goal must be to earn his spot back in the All Blacks.
Big things were expected of the Chiefs' 10 in France but the reality was disappointing. Still, no one would question the ability of the playmaker now that he's back in NZ. @TomVinicombe spoke with Aaron Cruden about his return. #SuperRugby #AllBlacks https://t.co/57nyavRSqb
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 10, 2020
Jacobson should take plenty of confidence into the re-formatted season, given that the national selectors opted to take the loose forward to Japan last year despite his limited experience.
“I didn’t play too much [in 2019] and that can take away a little bit of confidence but the coaches definitely didn’t look into that too much and backed what they had seen at the beginning of the year,” Jacobson said.
“I’m confident I can definitely get back to where I was but I know it’s not going to just happen, especially with what’s going on at the Chiefs at the moment as well. I mean, I’m going to have to work hard just to try and get back into the team here.
“I’m definitely not going to be taking anything for granted. I’m going to put my head down like anybody else but just worry about what’s in front of me first, rather than thinking, ‘I’ve got to be back in the All Blacks’ sort of thing.
“I’ve got to get back into the Chiefs first – into the XV and then go from there sort of thing. That still all seems quite a long way away at the moment.”
There’s no question that Luke Jacobson possesses the skills, attributes and mentality to play at the highest level of rugby and the 23-year-old is better versed in returning from injury than most of his peers. While his teammates and rivals have already been clocking minutes up across the park this year and showing the national selectors what they’re capable of, Jacobson now has the rare opportunity to enter what could be the toughest Super Rugby season on record with a completely fresh body, ready to do some damage.
It will take some brave men to take down the rampaging loose forward once he finds his feet back on the field – and it would take braver men still to predict that the black jersey isn’t back on offer for Jacobson again in the near future.
Comments on RugbyPass
Obscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
15 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
11 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
11 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
15 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
11 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
2 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
11 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
15 Go to comments