The two test All Black set for a big return
Luke Jacobson’s recall to the All Blacks squad last week was the culmination of a grueling eighteen months for the 24-year-old.
The Chiefs No. 8 enjoyed a meteoric rise through the ranks at youth level, first bursting onto the scene as a member of the New Zealand Schools team back in 2014. Within just three years he had earned a place in the New Zealand U20s side, first in 2016 and then for a second time in 2017 when, as captain, he led the Baby Blacks to their sixth World Rugby U20 World Championship title.
A Chiefs debut in 2018 quickly followed, before impressing then coach Steve Hansen enough to earn an All Blacks call-up just one year later.
Jacobson went on to earn two caps in 2019 before achieving selection to the All Blacks World Cup squad that year. Unfortunately, recurring concussion issues served to cruelly rule him out of making a first World Cup appearance in the black jersey.
An injury-ridden 2020 followed, with Jacobson making just four starts for the Chiefs. Moreover, his lack of game time saw him ruled out of selection for the North v South clash and lose his place in the national setup to the young, up and coming talents of Cullen Grace and Hoskins Sotutu.
Yet in 2021 the Chiefs stalwart has been back to his marauding best, playing an instrumental role from the base of the scrum as the Chiefs incredibly turned around a downward slump of their own to make the Super Rugby Aotearoa final.
Twelve Super Rugby appearances this year, including a start in every game of Trans-Tasman has seen Jacobson rack up four tries and frequent statistics charts – in the Trans-Tasman competition, featuring in the top ten players for carries and lineout steals and in Super Rugby Aotearoa, popping up among the top ten players for offloads.
To earn a place in the All Blacks is no mean feat, but to do it in light of the high level of competition in New Zealand rugby at the moment among the loose forwards, is especially commendable and testament to Jacobson’s excellent form this year.
Jacobson himself was keen to acknowledge his journey over the past eighteen months and admitted that hearing his name called out for the national side was not a feeling that dulls the second time around.
“I think the first time there was a lot more adrenaline around it, but I was just as excited this time,” he said. “I’d say that the first time was probably the most exciting. I’d probably say that this time around it feels a little bit more rewarding, just because of what I’ve been through and what I’ve had to do to get back here.”
A pair of former All Blacks greats, as well as an ex-Black Fern, have revealed who they believe should start for New Zealand in their first test this weekend. #AllBlacks #NZLvTGA https://t.co/pkjvMjtyUC
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 30, 2021
That journey back has involved plenty of hard work both at Super Rugby level and provincially, and whilst never allowing himself to be distracted from his work at club level by the prospect of a recall, the All Blacks was something that was nevertheless in Jacobson’s thoughts throughout this season.
“As soon as I left the environment, it was a goal of mine to get back in it,” he commented. “I’d had a taste of what it was like and I loved every moment of it, so it was always at the back of my head…as the big picture goal…wanting to get back into the All Blacks. But, as most players would say, when you’re in another competition you’ve just got to focus on what’s in front of you…focus on the smaller things week to week and how you can be the best ‘you’ you can be and what ‘work ons’ you need to nail away at.”
With his Super Rugby duties over for the time being, Jacobson can now fully focus on making what might be his return to the All Blacks playing squad this Saturday against Tonga in Auckland.
Comments on RugbyPass
Oh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
26 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
26 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to comments