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Why Quinn Tupaea is the man for the All Blacks No 12 jersey
What to do with the All Blacks No 12 jersey?
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The fact that David Havili was amongst the chosen 11 to fly early to Cardiff ahead of this weekend’s test with Wales is a solid indicator that he will slot into the second-five position then, as he has done to, mostly, good effect for much of 2021.
Quinn Tupaea is just five tests and three starts into his young All Blacks career but already he looks the man to start in the internationals against Ireland and France later on this tour.
Jack Goodhue may come again when back from injury in 2022 but, for now, Tupaea looms as the best man to punch holes in the opposition line and help break down the rush defence that so exposed the All Blacks against the Springboks.
Funnily enough, 12 is not even Tupaea’s favoured position. That is centre, but Anton Lienert-Brown and/or Rieko Ioane are first cabs off the rank there in black.
Havili has acquitted himself well for the All Blacks this season, especially against the Wallabies. He is light on his feet and distributes nicely, but he is not the penetrator/distributor the All Blacks have wanted and needed since Ma’a Nonu moved on in 2015.
Ngani Laumape was that man, even if his passing game was still a work in progress, but the All Blacks missed his power over the gain line against the Boks. Stade Francais will instead get to enjoy Laumape.
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Peter Umaga-Jensen is filling that role to a tee with the Wellington Lions in the NPC, and may again wear black in 2022-23.
The All Blacks like to move the ball wide and, for the most part, that is a fair tactic when you have X-factor and pace on the outsides.
But you do need to hold the defence with a change of angle or some valuable metres up the guts. Havili cannot provide that. Tupaea can.
This is not some knee-jerk reaction to Tupaea’s direct, effective running against the hapless Eagles on the weekend. He scored a try and made some impressive post-contact metres. Well played.
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Granted, the defence was little better than club standard, but it’s an indication of how the All Blacks might want to play with their second-five, especially against bigger packs and pressing defence lines.
Ireland and France have penetrators in midfield, though Robbie Henshaw, so strong for the Lions in South Africa, is rehabbing an injury. So the rugged Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose will lead the charge there.
France has Gael Fickou and Virimi Vakatawa, two big men who can surge through the line and offload.
That is not to say that Tupaea is one-dimensional. Far from it, but for what the All Blacks need right now, he is the man to do the job.
Second-five has been a vexed position for the All Blacks since the exit stage left of Nonu and Sonny Bill Williams, two very different players whose skillsets allowed the All Blacks to change things up if needed.
If Tupaea can show all his wares against Ireland and France, running off the silky Richie Mo’unga, then the All Blacks could be onto a winner.
Comments on RugbyPass
100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
8 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
8 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
8 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
8 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
7 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to comments