'They probably would have known': Solace for some dropped All Blacks
For every success story that comes out of an All Blacks squad announcement, there are inevitably two or three players left feeling disappointed at the fact they’ve either missed out on a first-time call-up or, worse still, have been dropped from the squad.
That was certainly the case in Christchurch on Monday afternoon, where Leicester Fainga’anuku had the good fortune to hear his name read out by New Zealand Rugby board director Bailey Mackie while surrounded by his Crusaders teammates – but there were inevitably a few downcast figures amongst the group too.
Cullen Grace, an All Blacks debutant in 2020, has hit a rich vein of form with the Crusaders in recent times but evidently has not yet done enough to force his way back into the squad while backline merchants Braydon Ennor and George Bridge both featured for the national side last season but haven’t been able to hold their places in the team ahead of the coming July series with Ireland.
For halfback Bryn Hall, it was a new experience being in camp with his Super Rugby side at the same time as the All Blacks squad announcement and he was able to experience both the highs and the lows of the event.
“It’s probably the best time of the year for a lot of those men that were selected,” said Hall on the latest episode of the Aotearoa Rugby Pod. “It was a great moment to be able to watch the team naming in the squad – [it was] probably the first time an All Blacks team has been named during Super Rugby and being able to see faces like that and being able to celebrate moments like that, it was awesome.
“It’s a unique situation, to be honest, because you’re so happy for guys that are deserving of that spot but then you’ve also got to cater for the boys that are disappointed. You do celebrate and it’s an acknowledgement and a clap [while] we’re all watching it together on the TV. You obviously acknowledge when they are selected but then also have a pretty good understanding that some boys will be disappointed and it’s also getting around them.”
Fellow ARP panellist James Parsons, who earned two caps for the All Blacks in 2014 and 2016, said that while it would have been a tough time for the men who missed out on the squad, they at least would have been able to brace themselves for the public announcement.
“Having had a little bit of experience in being dropped myself, you get a phone call a little bit earlier than the announcement so they probably would have known and would have had the ability to prepare themselves for any new caps,” the former Blues hooker said.
And while there are inevitably players from around the country who will be feeling disappointed following the squad naming, Hall noted that at least the Blues and Crusaders players have an opportunity to prove the selectors wrong when they take the field on Saturday night at Eden Park for the Super Rugby Pacific final.
“Those boys did really well, I thought there were a couple of guys that could have been in and around there but obviously didn’t make it but they had their chins right up,” he said of the unlucky men, “and I guess the best thing is that they’re able to go out and play in a final and be able to get over that disappointment and look forward to … a pretty massive occasion in Auckland.”
Six new caps have been named in the All Blacks’ first squad of the year, Aidan Ross, Pita Gus Sowakula, Folau Fakatava, Stephen Perofeta, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Leicester Fainga’anuku, while eight players who featured throughout 2021 have not made the cut, as well as a number of injured or unavailable men such as Joe Moody and Damian McKenzie.
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