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Use of the bench hanging over the All Blacks coaches after Cape Town
By Ben Smith
Following the 31-27 defeat to the Springboks in the first Test at Ellis Park which featured a final quarter fade, the All Blacks attempted to fix the issue by stacking the bench with more experience.
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Three of the most experienced All Blacks in the team, TJ Perenara, Anton Lienert-Brown and Beauden Barrett, were named on the bench along with Luke Jacobson.
In addition, the All Blacks coaches left many of starters up front out on the field longer and even left players on the bench unused.
Ex-All Black fullback Mils Muliaina questioned whether the team needed to take a reactionary approach to counter what the opposition was doing.
“They’re starting to develop sort of guys in certain roles. You talk about the have we got the perfect mix in terms of the loosies? I don’t think we have,” Muliaina said.
“We’re often reacting to what the other teams are doing. Well, why? Why should we pick a bench to try and counter another bench?
“It’s minute one to 60 to 70, and then bring on [the bench]. What you’ve got to find is your DNA. We know what that is.”
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Reserve lock Sam Darry didn’t see the field in Cape Town, while Asafo Aumua featured 10 minutes in the first half while Codie Taylor underwent injury assessment. He did not return as Taylor played out the second half.
Reserve prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi was given 13 minutes of action while young Crusaders prop Fletcher Newell was only given the last five minutes.
All Black prop Angus Ta’avao weighed on the use of the reserve front rowers and added he’s never experienced such low minutes as a reserve option.
“Not at international level, no,” he said of the limited game time for the bench props.
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“Tyrell and Tamaiti have been playing unreal, but to ask a front rower, scrums, mauls, rucks, getting around the field, they both carry immensely.
“It’s tough to do that for 50-60 plus. Getting into the 70s is a big ask.
“But if you look at the past of the All Blacks, the strength of the bench has been massive. You know, it’s been a big part of our team.
“It’s usually in that last sort of 20 to 15 where impact will come on and sort of change the game. So I’m behind what you’re saying, Mils, is looking at what they do against Australia and maybe changing that up.
“You both mentioned six-two splits in the past, do we go to something like that.”
Exciting for the immediate future. Darry has looked like the next Ian Jones and I think will replace Vaa'i in the jumpers role. With Barrett or Patrick the bully locks, with even bigger bodies of Lord and co in the wings, I think Vaa'i would make an excellent bench lock who can do both roles, or play 6 on a forward heavy bench. Problem is is that he is the ball playing link, perhaps the most important duty of any forward. That sort of move we have to been accompanied by Sititi being in the starting team to fill that role instead, or else they will be tacking a big hit in their attacking performance or structure.
That, to go along with the positions of hooker and both props, and the loose forward depth once the find the right balance, they will be the best forward pack in the world. Ratima and Jordie Barrett would also beat Springbok bench for versatility as well, if they can just find a lynchpin at 12, thats the only spot this current teams needs to develop. Tupaea has the physical strength but neither the ball playing size of SBW or the giftedness of Nonu. The Umaga Jensen boys are just a bit too diverse in their style and it makes then brittle, we need someone who is solid first and is constantly able to play. Lam, Heem, Plummer maybe too old at this point? What about the players they have (hopefully) been keeping an eye on overseas like Leicester, Goodhue, Nankivell? Each SR side has at least one or two other All Black level 12 prospects. Surely one of all those, can turn into the required player if given a chance!
I wager that Mounga will be back sooner than expected. Unless someone grows a pair and selects someone new at 10, 12, 13 and 15. Lacking exciting playmakers. Your pack has done well, despite the bench, to give you ample attacking opportunity and it’s not being taken advantage of by your current crop.
Talk is unfortunately that Mo'unga hasn't been able to fully commit to Japan for other reasons. So that is likely to result in returning to Crusaders (as apposed to say Moana Pasifika I read) but might make some doubt in his commitment to going on tour? Hopefully at least a couple of months away will be ok.
These 4 losses is the end result of not selecting the inform players from the super rugby competition.Wellington and the Blues as well as Chiefs forward should had greater representation.
Blues were shiet last year.
And I assume many of these in form players would be new to the AB fold?
I think with the last two Wallaby tests being inconsequential to your RC campaign, take some risks and bring in some fresh talent in your backline. Bulls some depth at 10, 12, 13 and 15. Your pack is good.
You actually need class players on the bench.
Aumua and TJ are passengers.
Thought Aumua is looking more and more comfortable. He beats Taylor in every aspect around the field and probably also in the scrums. That tells you how highly rated and skilled he is when you see how well Taylor did against SA in Aumua's strength area. We saw it in a few plays during his 10minutes this week too.
TJ was victim to another Brace howler of a decision again this week. It's a problem with him but not one you're obviously able to solve, you arent likely to have such bad decisions cause him to lose the plot again this year though so he is still a valuable option until Roigards fitness has returned.
It might be time to give this “one for the future” George Bell a go even though Liberace was straighter than his throwing
TJ I agree has now had two tests where refs have told him off
He also fed one shocking ball to Ardie hit on attack
We have options now so let’s start Ratima and Hotham
Bring Fakatava in too who is far better than TJ
Aumua has failed to offer that running game in all his outings
The bench has yet to function, gel, they have appeared to be disjointed in more than one occasion the past few years, and Razor’s team of coaches have their hands full to find the balance, but as Ben Smith said in other article the Forwards are working out well with work on’s, but the backs are a long way from being a finished product and again they are trying to find the right combination, am personally don't feel the need for certain players for different teams, we need to see a different picture on the field, at present there appears to be a lot of dis connection.
No need for the extra halfback on the bench, start Ratima. 6-2 split with 2 loosies and a lock. BB as one back and ALB as the other should cover everything aside from 9. DMac can injury cover 9 if absolutely necessary.
Forwards are important for fast ruck ball, which is what the All Blacks NEED for their game plan to work. Having fresh and fast players off the bench at HT or 50 mins will allow them to continue their game plan with no dip in productivity. At least try it once. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work. No need to force, All Blacks going well.
Didn't need a 6-2 split to nearly beat back-to-back RWC winners, but could have been useful towards the end of each second half as a demoraliser for the other team, seeing basically a fresh forward pack coming on the field.
Ratima certainly looks like a player who can cover many positions if Roigard is able to win back his jersey.
I don't think NZ would ever consider a 6-2 purely because of the bad press they'll receive about copying the Bok playbook! It goes against their DNA. Genuinely feel you've got the forwards to steady the ship within the next 18 months. it's 9/10 where the tyres are flat...
You guy's do not have the players for a 6/2 split.
Well that’s copying the Boks a little where that have had Williams over 9 and wing
I would like DMac as a 9 option but he hasn’t played there?