Waving goodbye: another NZ rugby exodus
When the final whistle blew on the last World Cup final, it marked the end of an era. Dan Carter took his triumphant return to form to Racing 92, Ma’a Nonu cashed up at Toulon, Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock took a well earned retirement, while Richie McCaw seemingly ascended to heaven – according to certain sections of the kiwi media.
OK, so McCaw simply retired as well, but it was feared at the time that the All Blacks may not be able to recover from such a loss of experience.
A 13-1 record in 2016 well and truly doused that theory. But now NZ rugby faces a second mass exodus, but this time it’s not the top guys that are exiting. Aaron Cruden, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, James Lowe, Charlie Faumuina, Malakai Fekitoa, Steven Luatua and Chiefs coach Dave Rennie represent a pretty fair cross section of the next tier down from the established All Black set up. And all of them have just played or coached their last game in Super Rugby.
There wasn’t much fanfare over the weekend for them. Like Fekitoa the week before, the Chiefs contingent of Cruden, Kerr-Barlow, Lowe and Rennie had an ignominious exit in front of a barely half full AMI Stadium in Christchurch. Faumuina and Luatua ended their Blues careers with a loss to the Sunwolves a couple of weeks ago.
Now, with all due respect, I’m not saying that these guys are in quite the same class as the 2015 lot that left. But it is a considerable amount of players that could’ve made a serious contribution to the national programme at least till the next World Cup.
Take Cruden for example. Even when Beauden Barrett caused many to get a little nervous every time he was handed the kicking tee, it’s not like he was about to be replaced. However, Cruden played a big hand in the first test, coming on for an injured Ben Smith and playing out most of the game at first five.
Likewise Faumuina. The prop with the ball skills of a back was seemingly set for a long career with the Blues and All Blacks, however the offshore money to be made was too much to say no to.
James Lowe may well have found himself on one of the All Black wings for the Lions series, and his exclusion only really served to temporarily prolong Julian Savea’s test career. He has been the form wing of the entire Super Rugby competition, and is worth every cent Leinster are paying him.
Dave Rennie’s departure is obviously a signal that he’s not in the frame for the All Black job in the near future, however his shift overseas still could impact player movement in the future. There’s been little shrouding the fact that former Blues coach Pat Lam was a major factor in Luatua’s move to Bristol, even prompting a rare public rebuke from Steve Hansen.
And these are just the most notable players that are off. Much is often made about New Zealand’s seemingly endless depth, and it’s going to be tested again.
A first glance though, it looks like it will be more the Super Rugby sides that will take the hit more than the All Blacks. Cruden and Rennie’s shift will especially hurt the Chiefs, while Faumuina leaving the Blues adds to their existing struggles with having experienced campaigners out on the field.
So while the end of 2015 was rightfully marked as the end of an era, at least it was well signposted. That one felt more like a celebration of a number of legendary careers, this one feels a tad more ominous. The All Blacks’ form of late hasn’t been exactly thrilling, and it leaves holes in almost all the franchises that will be a challenge to fill.
Although, it must be noted, the top performing Crusaders aren’t one of them. And, when you look at the issues that Australian and South African rugby in particular have to face on an annual basis, maybe letting a few guys go isn’t quite as critical as it seems.
Comments on RugbyPass
Ben Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
19 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
7 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to commentsLike tennis, who have a ranking system, and I believe rugby too, just measure over each period preceding a world cup event who was the longest number one and that would be it. In tennis the number one player frequently is not the grand slam winner. I love and adore the All Blacks since the days of Ian Kirkpatrick when I was a kid in SA. And still do because they are the masters of running rugby and are gentleman on and off the field - in general. And in my opinion they have been the majority of the time the best rugby team in the world.
19 Go to commentsHaving overseas possessions in 2024 is absurd. These Frenchies should have to give the New Caledonians their freedom.
21 Go to commentsBell injured his foot didn’t he? Bring Tupou in he’ll deliver when it counts. Agree mostly but I would switch in the Reds number 8 Harry Wilson for Swinton and move Rob Valentini to 6 instead. Wilson is a clever player who reads the play, you can’t outmuscle the AB’s and Springboks, if you have any chance it’s by playing clever. Same goes for Paisami, he’s a little guy who doesn’t really trouble the likes of De Allende and Jordie Barrett. I’d rather play Carter Gordon at 12 and put Michael Lynagh’s boy at 10. That way you get a BMT type goalkicker at 10 and a playmaker at 12. Anyways, just my two cents as a Bok supporter.
14 Go to commentsThanks Brett, love your articles which are alway pertinent. It’s a difficult topic trying to have a panel adjudicating consistently penalties for red card issues. Many of the mitigating reasons raised are judged subjectively, hence the different outcomes. How to take away subjective opinions?
9 Go to commentsYes Sir! Surprising, just like Fraser would also have escaped sanction if he was a few inches lower, even if it was by accident that he missed! Has there really been talk about those sanctions or is this just sensational journalism? I stopped reading, so might have missed any notations.
9 Go to commentsAI is only as good as the information put in, the nuances of the sport, what you see out the corner of the eye, how you sum up in a split second the situation, yes the AI is a tool but will not help win games, more likely contribute to a loss, Rugby Players are not robots, all AI can do if offer a solution not the solution. AI will effect many sports, help train better golfers etc.
45 Go to commentsIt couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
28 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
19 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
28 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
19 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
88 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
4 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
9 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
19 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
14 Go to comments