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With Super Rugby possibly reaching an end, who has done enough to earn selection in Ian Foster's first All Blacks squad?
While New Zealand Rugby remain optimistic that a spin-off of Super Rugby could kick-off in the near future, there’s a very real chance at this point than the season is done and dusted.
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If things aren’t back up and running within five weeks, SANZAAR boss Andy Marinos has confirmed that the slate would be wiped clean and the tournament be written off until 2021.
The unpredictability of the current coronavirus pandemic means this is a very real possibility.
The likelihood of the July international tours going ahead is also decreasing by the day – though it would be premature at this stage to say New Zealand won’t play host to Wales and Scotland later in the year.
Where, then, does that leave Ian Foster and his first-ever All Blacks selection?
Continue reading below…
Foster has taken over from Steve Hansen and could find himself twiddling his thumbs for a good chunk of 2020 – but the hopeful outcome is that Foster will be able to assemble an All Blacks squad at some point in the coming future.
Just seven rounds of Super Rugby have been completed, severely diminishing the selection teams’ opportunities to gauge which players are ready for Test duty.
If Foster and his team did have to assemble a squad based on what they’ve seen so far this season (and, of course, on past performance), then who would make the cut?
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Hookers
Three hookers is the go-to nowadays, which means that there’s one spot available alongside regulars Codie Taylor and Dane Coles.
While Taylor has another World Cup in him, Coles may be nearing the end of his international career – but he still has plenty to offer what will be a fairly green New Zealand side.
Liam Coltman travelled to Japan last year but saw little game-time and while he’s a tyro around the park, his lineout throwing still leaves much to be desired.
With two experienced options in the squad already, Foster will likely turn to one of the young up-and-comers for the third spot – which presents a golden opportunity for Hurricanes rake Asafo Aumua.
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Aumua burst onto the scene for the New Zealand Under 20 side and has slowly been honing his trade over the last few years.
Like Coltman, there’s room for improvement – but there’s plenty of time to get him up to scratch, given he’s just 22-years-old.
The other option would be Crusader Andrew Makalio, who’s arguably the third-best overall hooker in the country right now, but at 28, Foster may not see much point in bringing him into the fold.
Props
All five props that travelled to the World Cup last year, Joe Moody, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Nepo Laulala, Angus Ta’avao and Atu Moli, have remained in New Zealand.
Laulala was due to return back from injury this weekend while Ta’avao has spent plenty of time on the sidelines thanks to a quad tear. The other three have churned through some good minutes for their Super Rugby sides.
If Ta’avao is still unavailable come the international season, then Foster will certainly look to blood a newcomer.
Hurricanes pair Tyrel Lomax and Alex Fidow loom as potential call-ups, with the Hurricanes scrum looking remarkably assured in 2020.
Outside of the capital, Aidan Ross has been strong for the Chiefs, clocking up 372 minutes for his side, the most of any New Zealand prop.
Mention must be made of Blues powerhouse Karl Tu’inukuafe who has been in superb form this year. He’s a few years older than the above players, but 27 is still young in propping terms.
Locks
Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick are currently plying their trades in Japan, but Whitelock will at least be available for Test duty.
New Zealand’s two other World Cup locks, Scott Barrett and Patrick Tuipulotu, have been captaining their Super Rugby sides to the top two spots in the NZ conference.
All three available second rowers will be kept on by Foster but there’s still room for one debutant.
Mitchell Dunshea has been excellent for the Crusaders this year and could be the first cab off the rank. His teammate Quinten Strange would have been odds on to make the step up to international football in 2020 but is yet to take the field thanks to a hand fracture.
Mitchell Brown at the Chiefs has been industrious but is really a flanker playing in the second row, while the height in the Hurricanes lineout through Isaia Walker-Leawere has also been impressive.
Crusaders rookie Cullen Grace has been handy in the lineouts from the blindside flanker position and was selected at lock by former All Black Mils Muliaina in his form New Zealand team.
Loose forwards
Sam Cane is looming at the favourite candidate to take over from Kieran Read as captain of the national side but the rest of the loose forward spots are wide open.
Pending his fitness, Ardie Savea will, of course, take his place in the run-on side, but he’s yet to earn any minutes for the Hurricanes this season.
Of last year’s other selections, Shannon Frizell and Dalton Papalii have managed ample game time this year while Luke Jacobson has been restricted to just 11 minutes due to various injuries.
The standout loose forwards in the Super Rugby campaign to date have been the young trio of Tom Christie, Cullen Grace and Hoskins Sotutu.
Christie is the latest openside flanker off the Crusaders conveyor belt while Grace has an outstanding all-round game akin to Kieran Read or Reuben Thorne.
Sotutu, meanwhile, has kept Akira Ioane off the park which isn’t an easy task.
The Chiefs’ Lachlan Boshier has stood out in 2020, although he’s never really let his franchise down in the past, either.
If Foster opts for five loose forwards then Christie may have to wait a bit longer for a Test call-up, simply due to the presence of Cane, Savea and Papalii, who are all efficient operators on the openside flank. It’s a similar story for Boshier, who’s primarily a fetcher.
Grace and Sotutu, on the other hand, may find themselves shortly donning the silver fern.
Halfbacks
Aaron Smith and TJ Perenara are easy picks for the squad while Brad Weber has arguably outperformed both during 2020.
Still, if Foster is looking to the future then Weber may find himself losing out to his Chiefs teammate Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, who has been earmarked for a long-term run in the All Blacks No. 9 jersey.
Meanwhile, the Crusaders have been well-served by Mitchell Drummond and Bryn Hall and Sam Nock has helped the Blues take things up a notch since he was promoted to the starting team.
First fives
Beauden Barrett may not have played any rugby this year but he’s still one of the first names that Foster will pencil in for his new All Blacks squad.
Richie Mo’unga is another obvious selection – and that may be all that Foster needs.
Josh Ioane, last year’s third-choice, has been restricted to lining up in the midfield, which won’t have done him any favours.
Damian McKenzie will likely receive a recall after spending 2019 injured – but don’t expect to see him wearing No. 10.
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Midfield
Sonny Bill Williams and Ryan Crotty’s departures mean that Foster is on the look-out for two new midfielders to join Anton Lienert-Brown and Jack Goodhue.
There will be little debate over who deserves those two spots with Ngani Laumape and Braydon Ennor the two obvious candidates.
Rieko Ioane’s move into the Blues midfield adds some versatility to his game but he’s likely still mainly a wing in Foster’s eyes while his current partner-in-crime, TJ Faiane, is one of the most under-appreciated players in the country.
With a full season of matches under his belt, Quinn Tupaea could have been pushing for selection, but he’ll have to wait at least another year for any international action.
Outside backs
Ben Smith’s absence opens up one spot in the outside backs – assuming all of Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Sevu Reece and Rieko Ioane have done enough to reaffirm their place in the national set-up.
Damian McKenzie will likely return to the side, which is bad news for two of Super Rugby’s best performers, David Havili and Mark Telea.
While Telea is new on the scene and has plenty of time to prove his worth, Havili may well be wondering what more he has to do to earn selection.
Ioane looked out of sorts at times last year but will be probably be given another opportunity to find the form that made him an automatic selection in the All Blacks’ starting line-up prior to 2019.
Otherwise, the other selected backs have all looked exceptional for the national side in recent times and Super Rugby form may unfortunately not be enough to grant Havili and elevation back into the All Blacks.
Still, with injuries a common factor in the modern game, Havili will get another opportunity in the near future – perhaps as early as the Rugby Championship or the end-of-year tour. When he does, expect him to take it with open arms.
Possible All Blacks squad for 2020:
Forwards: Codie Taylor, Dane Coles, Asafo Aumua, Joe Moody, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Nepo Lauala, Atu Moli, Tyrel Lomax, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Patrick Tuipulotu, Mitchell Dunshea, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Hoskins Sotutu, Cullen Grace, Dalton Papalii.
Backs: Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Brad Weber, Richie Mo’unga, Beauden Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ngani Laumape, Jack Goodhue, Braydon Ennor, Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Sevu Reece, Rieko Ioane, Damian McKenzie.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Exciting place to be for the young fella. I expected he was French Polynesian when I saw him included in the France 6N squad (after seeing him in NZs), and therefor be strong grounds we might loose him to rugby down here. Good, in that he is good enough to warrant such a profile, and from a journalism’s fan interaction aspect, to finally get a back ground story on the fella. Hope he has settled into NZ OK and that at least one rugby country will fit with him to help his development, which, if so, he should surely continue for a few years, and then that he can experience France to it’s fullest with a bit more maturity and less reliance on family than you would have at his current age. A good 3 or 4 years before he would be ready for International duty if he wanted to wait. Of course he already sounds good enough to accept a call up, and to cap himself, in the more immediate future (he’d have to be very very good in the case of the ABs), and he’ll get a great taste of that being with the Canes who have a bunch who are just a few years further into their career and looking likely Internationals themselves.
11 Go to commentsI remember towards the end of the original broadcasting deal for Super rugby with Newscorp that there was talk about the competition expanding to improve negotiations for more money - more content, more cash. Professional rugby was still in its infancy then and I held an opposing view that if Super rugby was a truly valuable competition then it should attract more broadcasters to bid for the rights, thereby increasing the value without needing to add more teams and games. Unfortunately since the game turned professional, the tension between club, talent and country has only grown further. I would argue we’re already at a point in time where the present is the future. The only international competitions that matter are 6N, RC and RWC. The inter-hemisphere tours are only developmental for those competitions. The games that increasingly matter more to fans, sponsors and broadcasters are between the clubs. Particularly for European fans, there are multiple competitions to follow your teams fortunes every week. SA is not Europe but competes in a single continental competition, so the travel component will always be an impediment. It was worse in the bloated days of Super rugby when teams traversed between four continents - Africa, America, Asia and Australia. The percentage of players who represent their country is less than 5% of the professional player base, so the sense of sacrifice isn’t as strong a motivation for the rest who are more focused on playing professional rugby and earning as much from their body as they can. Rugby like cricket created the conundrum it’s constantly fighting a losing battle with.
3 Go to commentsOh 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?
3 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!
3 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.
11 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 comments