The only four All Blacks who have nailed down their starting spots
Which players from the current All Blacks squad would make the first-choice team to play the Wallabies in the opening Bledisloe Cup clash in Auckland on August 7?
All Blacks assistant coach John Plumtree doesn’t seem to know. Neither does head coach Ian Foster, nor does attack coach Brad Mooar, both of whom gave little away when pressed on the matter in recent days.
That’s because of all 37 players currently involved in the All Blacks set-up who are available for selection, only four can be locked in as certainties to start when the first of this year’s major tests begin in three weeks.
Of the current crop in Foster’s squad, only halfback Aaron Smith, lock Sam Whitelock, flanker Ardie Savea and wing Will Jordan can be considered certainties to start in the opening test of New Zealand’s Cup defence at Eden Park.
That doesn’t evoke plenty of confidence about where the All Blacks stand as they prepare to square off against their traditional foes and fellow southern hemisphere powerhouses Australia, South Africa and Argentina over the coming months.
Especially given that, leading into and throughout the course of this month’s test series against Tonga and Fiji, the All Blacks selectors maintained the bouts with their Pacific Island neighbours were designed to help clarify what their top match day squad will look like for the season ahead.
If that’s the case, then they’re banking on uncovering plenty about their side in this week’s second test against Fiji in Hamilton.
Perhaps it’s a sign of healthy competition within the active playing group that only Smith, Whitelock, Savea and Jordan can be considered lock-in starters ahead of their final test before their first significant piece of silverware goes on the line.
That’s all well and good, but after a tumultuous 2020 campaign, that has since been followed by an almighty scare from Fiji in Dunedin last week, All Blacks fans will be after some kind of assurance that brighter prospects lie ahead between now and the end of the season.
That begins with certainty and consistency over who will start and who will come off the bench for the Kiwis.
More than that, there needs to be faith that those chosen to play are capable of delivering the type of performances that will ensure the All Blacks become the best team in the world once again, a goal of which Foster has outlined for his side this year.
How many players within the current squad do you have faith in to drive the All Blacks back to the summit of the World Rugby rankings by the end of the year?
Promoting Japan and Fiji into The Rugby Championship might hasten the nations’ development, but the domino effect could be severe. Is there a better solution?
?? @TomVinicombehttps://t.co/mIH6h3m95K
— The XV Rugby (@TheXV) July 14, 2021
It’s a difficult number to quantify given Smith, Whitelock, Savea and Jordan are, at this stage, the only players we can be sure of to make New Zealand’s first-choice team come Bledisloe I.
Smith, the 98-test veteran who captained the All Blacks for the first time in his career last weekend, is unrivalled in his halfback position, but who backs him up in the reserves between Brad Weber, Finlay Christie or TJ Perenara remains a mystery.
With similar experience, leadership qualities and an ultra-reliable playing capacity, Whitelock, who is filling in as All Blacks skipper, can be assured of a place in the starting second row.
Most will assume Brodie Retallick will be his locking partner, but, while his time in Japan may have been beneficial for his longevity in the test arena, the Top League hasn’t best prepared him for the physicality of international rugby, as was evident against Fiji on Saturday.
Hopefully another run against the Fijians in Hamilton this week will go some way to bringing him back up to speed.
Scott Barrett probably spearheads the contenders to back Whitelock and Retallick up on the bench given Patrick Tuipulotu’s sup-par showing last weekend, while Tupou Vaa’i is still yet to take to the field.
However, none of those three have produced a compelling performance of any kind to separate themselves from their peers, although Vaa’i is likely to be given the chance to do so this weekend.
Not much can be taken away from New Zealand’s 102-0 drubbing of Tonga a fortnight ago, but that match did make clear how lethal of a finisher Jordan can be.
Even if the quality of the opposition was drastically inferior to that of the All Blacks, five tries in a single match is no mean feat, and while most of those tries were handed to him on a platter, Jordan’s quality has been evident for a number of years now.
The Crusaders starlet is quickly becoming an All Blacks star, and if he is to feature prominently at the next World Cup, as many project him to, now is the time to start preparing him for that tournament.
After suffering a loss in the final moments of the second test against France, Dave Rennie is prepared to utilise all 38 members of his Wallabies squad ahead of the series decider. #Wallabies #AUSvFRA https://t.co/mGqQd61K3j
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 14, 2021
Besides, it’s not as if there are many other wings across the country demanding to be picked ahead of the 23-year-old in the No 14 jersey, or accompany him in the No 11 jersey, anyway.
George Bridge’s return from injury has been far from awe-inspiring, while Caleb Clarke was underwhelming in Super Rugby and has subsequently missed out on a place in the main All Blacks Sevens Olympic squad after temporarily ditching the XV-man game.
In fact, Sevu Reece looms as Jordan’s likely wing partner after bursting back into the national conscience with a few blistering runs against his homeland at Forsyth Barr Stadium four days ago.
Whether he stays in the starting team may depend on whether the All Blacks selectors opt to persist with Rieko Ioane as a centre, a position of which he has shown some promise in but is still a long way off mastering, or throw him back on the wing.
Maybe that decision will be made easier by the return of Anton Lienert-Brown, who is due to come back from his elbow injury this weekend, but who partners him or Ioane in the midfield is about as clear as mud.
David Havili would appear to be the frontrunner following his positive return to test rugby after a four-year hiatus last week, but would the All Blacks prefer to have Quinn Tupaea in the mix given he offers a physical edge none of the other midfielders have?
Don’t forget Braydon Ennor, who was a late withdrawal from the Pasifika series due to appendicitis, is expected to be fit and free for selection by the time the first Bledisloe Cup encounter rolls around.
It’s a lolly scramble for places in the loose forwards, with Ardie Savea the only player who can be assured of his place in the starting back row, even if he hasn’t played yet because of his troublesome knee.
Just where he fits in, out of openside flanker or No 8, will depend on the fitness of injured captain Sam Cane, who is thought to be available some time between next month and October.
Dalton Papalii and Luke Jacobson have both provided strong cases to be included alongside Savea, and eventually Cane, while Ethan Blackadder looks promising.
After last week signing a contract extension with the Crusaders and New Zealand Rugby, Scott Robertson has made his future ambitions clear. #AllBlacks https://t.co/V8YDOcyoX5
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 14, 2021
By contrast, more needs to be seen out of Akira Ioane and Shannon Frizell if they are to clamp down further starting roles in the future.
For all the hype that has been generated around the battle between Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett for the No 10 jersey, neither have staked an undeniable claim to start at first-five.
The same could be said of Damian McKenzie and Jordie Barrett for the fullback spot, although the former probably edges selection on the basis of the latter’s unconvincing showing in Dunedin.
McKenzie also showed plenty of playmaking poise as he assisted three tries and scored one himself against Tonga, but that should be taken with a grain of salt given the side he was up against.
Codie Taylor has struggled to replicate his early-season form to dislodge Dane Coles, whose four-try haul on the weekend didn’t go unnoticed, from the hooker spot, while George Bower and Angus Ta’avao have been the form props of the Pasifika series.
Bower and Ta’avao will have a fight on their hands when incumbents Joe Moody and Ofa Tuungafasi inevitably return from their respective injury woes, though.
With so many questions and so few answers, it’s no wonder the All Blacks selectors don’t have a clear idea of what their top side looks like. Only time will tell if this week’s match against Fiji will make things any clearer.
Comments on RugbyPass
There’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 commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to comments