1
The next generation: The Super Rugby stars the All Blacks could replace their departing veterans with
As is the case with the end of every World Cup cycle, a clear out of many national sides is imminent as some of the game’s greats step away from the international arena in the twilight of their respective careers.
ADVERTISEMENT
It’s no different for the All Blacks, who aren’t just farewelling decorated head coach Steve Hansen, but also five of their long-serving stars, including 127-test captain Kieran Read.
He, alongside Ben Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Ryan Crotty and Matt Todd, are set to leave New Zealand for greener financial pastures abroad, meaning the All Blacks have five holes to plug in their playing squad for next year.
Continue reading below…
Furthermore, Brodie Retallick’s two-year sabbatical in Japan has opened an extra berth in the second row, adding to the rebuild that awaits the incoming coach.
With a whole Super Rugby campaign to be played between now and when the All Blacks next take to the field in July, it’s impossible to tell who exactly will be tasked with filling the enormous voids left by Retallick and the exiting quintet.
However, the announcement of the five New Zealand Super Rugby squads for the upcoming season earlier this week has provided an indication as to who the potential candidates to don the black jersey in 2020 might be.
With that in mind, we look at players who could face Wales and Scotland next year in place of each of the six departing stars.
ADVERTISEMENT
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1196232156026040320
Kieran Read – No. 8
The 34-year-old has ended his 11-year affiliation with New Zealand Rugby by taking up a contract with Toyota Verblitz in the Japanese Top League, but it is perhaps his spot in the team that will be most difficult to replace.
His domination of the No. 8 jersey over the past decade has allowed for little room for the development of others in his position at All Blacks level, while his leadership value will be sorely missed.
Losing such an integral player could result in an established squad member being selected at the base of the scrum next season to reduce the impact of Read’s defection, and Ardie Savea would stand as a prime contender for that role if that selection philosophy is implemented by the next All Blacks coach.
Traditionally an openside flanker, Savea wreaked havoc for both the Hurricanes and All Blacks this year from all three positions across the back row, and would act as a barnstorming replacement for Read given his robust, energetic and physical style of play.
ADVERTISEMENT
There has also been talk of Sam Cane, another openside flanker, spending time at No. 8 for the Chiefs next year, handing the All Blacks another safe option in their bid to replace Read.
If there is a desire for more fresh faces to be introduced into the national set-up, though, then it could be that Akira Ioane is the man for the job after spending years on the fringes of the All Blacks squad.
He made his international debut in a non-test against the French XV in Lyon two years ago, but is yet to make a full test appearance, with issues surrounding his work ethic and fitness levels offsetting the compelling offensive attributes he possesses.
Should he perform consistently all season with the Blues next year and show signs of improvement in areas of his game where he has traditionally struggled, then don’t be surprised to see Ioane back in the All Blacks environment in what is set to be a make-or-break stage of his career.
While it’s unlikely that they’ve registered on the national selection radar at this stage, it could pay to also keep an eye on uncapped duo Whetu Douglas (Crusaders) and Teariki Ben-Nicholas (Highlanders), both of whom have shown strong potential.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1196178320167030785
Ben Smith – Outside Back
One of the modern-day greats, Smith has left his beloved Highlanders to join French club Pau in the Top 14 on a seven-month deal.
Prior to his final test match against Wales in the World Cup bronze final, the 33-year-old had lost his place in the All Blacks starting lineup to Crusaders flyer Sevu Reece, but showed in that match how much his experience and quality will be missed as he scored a brace of tries and was unlucky to be denied a hat-trick.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4Uq45DAFNP/
When the All Blacks next face Wales at Eden Park on July 4, Reece will likely be the favourite to occupy the No. 14 jersey in Smith’s absence, but there are a plethora of candidates who have the potential to push their way into the national side’s starting lineup.
One of those contenders is Reece’s Crusaders teammate Braydon Ennor, who many believed was unlucky to miss out on World Cup selection as his composure, decision-making, versatility and defensive awareness emits maturity far beyond his 22 years of age.
Being able to cover the midfield as well as wing might hinder the one-test All Black’s starting prospects, though, as he may instead be considered a bench option.
That could open the door for others such as fellow Crusaders stars David Havili, who was sensational en route to Tasman’s maiden Mitre 10 Cup title, and Will Jordan, who is projected to play a big role in the All Blacks’ coming World Cup cycle.
Outside of Christchurch, electric trio Solomon Alaimalo, Chase Tiatia and Josh McKay could see Smith’s exit as their chance to snatch an unlikely spot in the All Blacks, so expect big campaigns from all three players for the Chiefs, Hurricanes and Highlanders, respectively.
Don’t rule out the prospect of exciting Super Rugby rookies Emoni Narawa (Blues) and Jona Nareki (Highlanders) making big statements in their debut seasons as well.
Sonny Bill Williams and Ryan Crotty – Midfield
Two of the All Blacks’ greatest servants from over the past decade will leave a pair of giant holes in New Zealand’s midfield stocks next year after landing in two very different destinations following the World Cup.
Crotty will soon link up with the Kubota Spears in Japan ahead of the ensuing Top League campaign, while Williams has been the subject of a mega cross-code move to the Toronto Wolfpack, where he’ll earn $10 million playing in the English Super League with the Canadian league club over the next two years.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4Ue454AAm4/
That leaves just Anton Lienert-Brown and Jack Goodhue from this year’s World Cup squad remaining in New Zealand, but, unless injury strikes, there should be no denying the destructive Ngani Laumape of a place in the All Blacks after he cruelly missed out on a place in Japan.
Given his ability to play both midfield and wing, the classy Ennor could be listed in the next All Blacks squad as a centre to free up room for some of the aforementioned outside backs.
It will also be interesting to see where Jordie Barrett fits into the picture, as while he can play virtually anywhere across the backline, it seems as though he’ll be targeting the No. 15 jersey next year after floating through various positions over the last few months.
If Barrett is deemed to be a second-five or centre by the All Blacks in 2020, though, then he could round out New Zealand’s midfield stocks leading into the July test series.
Challenging him for a place in the black jersey will be Chiefs newbie Quinn Tupaea, who has had massive raps on him since he made the New Zealand Schools side in 2017.
The 20-year-old has a very strong frame and has shown deft touches while playing for Waikato and New Zealand U20, and is considered by plenty of onlookers to be a key piece in the All Blacks’ future heading into the 2023 World Cup.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4ygSD8gp1y/
Elsewhere, TJ Faiane’s development continues to come in leaps and bounds with the Blues and Auckland, while the hard-hitting Sio Tomkinson is an underrated figure at the Highlanders.
Both have the ability to shine at Super Rugby level, and with at least two openings guaranteed in the All Blacks, a test call-up could beckon for either player if they play to their potential next season.
Matt Todd – Openside Flanker
One of the unluckier All Blacks in his early test career, Todd had to bide his time to win minutes at the international level as the likes of Cane, Savea and Richie McCaw dominated the No. 7 jersey throughout the decade.
However, he finished 2019 as one of the most prominent members within the All Blacks’ loose forward set-up, becoming an integral member of New Zealand’s matchday squads.
The 31-year-old leaves his homeland with 25 caps to his name, and as he arrives in Japan to begin his tenure with the Toshiba Brave Lupus, the search for his replacement gets underway.
As he prepares for life away from the @AllBlacks, departing New Zealand skipper Kieran Read has opened up about the opponents he found the toughest to face throughout his career.https://t.co/p1qENrxQpw
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 16, 2019
With Savea and Cane still in New Zealand, that search may be a case of finding a new suitable back-up to two of the country’s most established openside flankers, but should Savea – or Cane – fill the vacant No. 8 slot left by Read, then the urgency to unearth Todd’s replacement will escalate.
Leading the charge for a place in the All Blacks’ next squad will be youngsters Dalton Papalii and Luke Jacobson, who have a combined total of just five tests between them.
Regardless of their international experience, both 22-year-olds have big futures in the test arena thanks to their leadership qualities, immense work rates and dogged defensive capabilities.
Following those two closely is Du’Plessis Kirifi of the Hurricanes, who has shown similar attributes at both provincial and Super Rugby level during his time in Wellington.
Additionally, the Taranaki native punches well above his weight and wields immeasurable amounts of determination, making him one of the most promising loose forward prospects in New Zealand.
One-test All Black Dillon Hunt appears to have fallen well down the pecking order, with Highlanders teammate James Lentjes seemingly much closer to an international call-up after being the preferred option by head coach Aaron Mauger.
Lentjes headlines the best of the rest, which consists of the likes of the injury-riddled Blake Gibson (Blues) and Crusaders pilferer Billy Harmon.
Brodie Retallick – Lock
Although he will only be missing from the New Zealand rugby scene on a temporary basis, Retallick’s 18-month absence from Super Rugby and the All Blacks provides plenty of time for a new second-rower to be developed into an international-quality lock.
His sabbatical in Japan with the Kobelco Steelers presents the perfect opportunity to find someone to challenge Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett and Patrick Tuipulotu for a place in the national side, which should strengthen the All Blacks’ depth when it comes time to select their 31-man squad for France 2023.
South Africa are being urged to prove their status as world champions with a clean sweep over the All Blacks next year.https://t.co/7b4J6SrSYN
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 16, 2019
That person may well have been Jackson Hemopo, but his decision to take up a deal with the Mitsubishi DynaBoars in the Top League eliminates him from All Blacks’ eligibility.
Subsequently, that could pave the way for Blues sensation Tom Robinson to win selection, but he would need to recreate the majestic form he found himself in during his maiden Super Rugby season this year which put him on the All Blacks’ radar.
Predominantly used as a blindside flanker, he would probably also have to establish himself in the Blues’ second-row alongside Tuipulotu rather than on the side of the scrum, all while coming back from a torn meniscus which ruled him out of the Mitre 10 Cup.
Young Crusaders star Quinten Strange has been heralded as a future All Black thanks to his work at the lineout and strong ball-running ability, and with Whitelock on sabbatical in Japan for the entire Super Rugby campaign, 2020 could be the year that the 23-year-old comes of age.
The same could also be said of Hurricanes youngster Isaia Walker-Leawere, whose physicality and attacking talent hasn’t gone unnoticed, but he will be pushed by franchise teammates Liam Mitchell and James Blackwell.
He’s hard to miss, but keep your eyes peeled for Highlanders behemoth Pari Pari Parkinson, who has massive dimensions of 2.04m and 119kg.
His physical and aggressive presence would be of good value to the All Blacks, with their forward pack caught badly lacking mongrel by England in their 19-7 World Cup semi-final defeat.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
I like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
8 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
8 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
8 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
8 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
3 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to comments