The Will Jordan and Rieko Ioane combination is turning into the All Blacks' best weapon
For the second time in this Rugby Championship, the All Blacks made the right adjustments to take down their opponent in the rematch, while the promising right flank combination of Rieko Ioane and Will Jordan once again flourished.
After they failed to kick out-of-hand regularly and carried too much in Christchurch against a blue and white brick wall, Richie Mo’unga, David Havili and Aaron Smith added variety to the kicking game to dismantle the Pumas.
There was a clear intent to turn Argentina around and the conditions offered every incentive to do so, with pouring rain coming down in Hamilton. The All Blacks rarely played past five phases as they put boot to ball early and often.
The first two All Blacks tries were scored after regathering an attacking kick, recovered by Ioane and the second by Jordan.
The first of which was a dink chip by Havili that led to a roll on before a nice miss pass from Aaron Smith put Ethan de Groot over.
The second try to Caleb Clarke came after a perfectly weighted grubber kick under pressure by Mo’unga out of his own half.
After the recovery, the All Blacks had the license to spin it wide where Ioane showed his improved playmaking and vision by dicing up the Pumas’ edge and feeding Clarke.
Ioane’s attacking game has improved dramatically in the last few weeks since his series against Ireland.
Guilty of failing to keep his options open against Ireland and dying with the ball frequently, the 25-year-old is providing for his outside men and becoming the rounded centre that the All Blacks need.
Even when he does go to ground, he is much more aware of his support and is constantly looking for a chance to promote the ball.
The improvement in this aspect of his game has made him a much more dangerous player, much to the delight of the All Blacks’ coaches.
His combination with Will Jordan on the right wing is turning into the most potent pairing the All Blacks have, and although many want Jordan to play in the No 15 jersey, if Ioane can continue to provide him enough pill he can be just as damaging where he is.
On the end-of-year tour in Dublin they combined to construct a stunning 80-metre try down the right side against Ireland, with Ioane fielding Jordan’s chip kick and providing the return ball for the Crusaders’ fullback. It was one of the few bright moments in the game but showed some rare chemistry.
The Ellis Park test was the turning point for Ioane’s playmaking and his combination with Jordan was once again on show.
As the All Blacks opted to exit at times by running it out of their 22, the pair had a lot more ball out wide with space to work with.
The break they constructed before Sam Cane’s try in Johannesburg was some of the best attacking play of Ioane’s career, delivering a long accurate pass to Jordan, staying alive in support to get a second touch downfield before finding his wing again with a deft offload.
The pair continued to create opportunities in daring circumstances out of their own end. Going off script in front of his own goalposts after a scrum, Jordan ran play back across the other side of the field and hit Ioane on the chest with a pass leading to a huge break. Jordie Barrett finished a 90-metre passage a few phases later with his try.
Jordan’s right foot kick gives the All Blacks the option to run it wide while deep as he can clear if needed and Ioane is providing him with the space to evaluate what option to take.
The Blues centre is squaring up defenders more effectively and holding the space in the outside channel for his wingers, something that he wasn’t doing a month ago.
The combination between Ioane and his fullback Jordie Barrett has improved greatly also.
Against Ireland it was clunky and rarely demonstrated any chemistry as both players just wanted early ball to run into contact.
In Christchurch in the first test against Argentina Ioane put his fullback into a gap with a perfect short ball that led the line break and eventual try to Caleb Clarke. Barrett was prepared to run a hard line for his No 13 and give him an option.
They are now looking to create for each other which is opening up opportunities for both Clarke and Jordan outside them.
Jordan has been the best player in New Zealand this year and when the All Blacks fail to get him the ball, they don’t do very well. In Mbombela he touched the ball once in the first half.
The two big wins since the ill-fated Ireland series have coincided with getting the ball in the hands of their best threats in space.
By running it from deep and finding a break with the opposition wingers dropped back or regathering an an attacking kick in behind, half the job has been done in disarming the suffocating defensive line.
The defence is usually shot to bits from scrambling after that, and the All Blacks can run their phase play and find the space they need against tired legs.
They scored five tries against South Africa in this fashion across the two tests and another three against the Pumas.
And the likes of Ioane, Jordan and Clarke have been chiefly responsible for that.
Comments on RugbyPass
Very unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’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 comments