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The surprise selection: All Blacks rookie Luke Jacobson 'got a big future'

By Online Editors
All Blacks rookie Luke Jacobson. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

As Steve Hansen’s 31-man World Cup squad was announced at Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday, one name that stood out among the rest was that of 22-year-old loose forward Luke Jacobson.

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The Waikato and Chiefs starlet is one of five loose forwards selected in the All Blacks side for the tournament in Japan next month off the back of just 23 minutes of international rugby against Argentina last month.

While he is renowned for his high work rate, imposing defensive capabilities and versatility across the back row, his inclusion in the squad still came a surprise to many, with plenty of pundits tipping star flanker Liam Squire to win a re-call back into the national side.

However, with Squire reduced to being a potential replacement player if called upon, a spot opened up for Jacobson to retain his place in the squad, even with just one test cap to his name.

“It doesn’t matter if you’ve had one or none or a 100, I guess if you’re good enough you should be available for selection and hence why we have done that,” Hansen said of Jacobson at the squad naming at Eden Park.

“He’s got good leadership skills, defensively he’s one of the best hitters in the game, he’s a good ball carrier and he’s a smart rugby player, so we think he’s got a big future.”

The rise of Jacobson to the World Cup team could see him earn substantial game time in the No. 6 jersey in the absence of Squire.

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Neither player was used throughout the Bledisloe Cup series, with Ardie Savea instead deployed on the short side of the scrum alongside openside flanker Sam Cane and No. 8 Kieran Read.

Jacobson, Savea, Cane and Read are all joined by Crusaders openside Matt Todd as the five loose forwards in the New Zealand side, which will look to make history as it hunts an unprecedented third straight World Cup title.

In other news:

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Trevor 55 minutes ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 4 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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