PLUGGING THE GAPS
the rank to partner 18-year-old Josh Lord in the second row given Vaa’i’s unavailability.
The losing side in the weekend’s exhilarating Ranfurly Shield encounter, Canterbury, will have their woes compounded by the fact that they will have to see out the Mitre 10 Cup without six of their All Blacks.
Sam Whitelock, Richie Mo’unga, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody, George Bridge and Cullen Grace all played in that match and the one the week beforehand against North Harbour in Albany.
Highlanders loosehead prop Daniel Lienert-brown leads the charge to replace Moody in the No 1 jersey, while former New Zealand U20 representative Shilo Klein will go toe-to-toe with Crusaders rake Brodie Mcalister for Taylor’s place at hooker.
In former World Cup-winner Luke Romano, Crusaders veteran Mitchell Dunshea and new Blues signing Sam Darry, there are a plethora of options to cover for Whitelock in the second row.
The same can be said of utility forward Grace, who was deployed at No 8 for Canterbury, with Crusaders pair Whetu Douglas and Tom Sanders set to jostle for a place at the back of the scrum.
Out-of-contract Highlanders speedster Josh Mckay and Crusaders flyer Manasa Mataele are expected to welcome All Blacks Sevens star Andrew Knewstubb into a new-look back three without Bridge.
One-test All Blacks pivot Brett Cameron, meanwhile, will be supported by young gun Fergus Blake at No 10. make do without them when they face a stern test from Waikato in Nelson this weekend.
Tasman remain in good shape in the outside backs, though, as they still have three-test All Blacks utility David Havili, breakout Blues star Mark Telea, Crusaders star Leicester Fainga’anuku, Tongan international Fetuli Paea, Highlanders wing Tima Fainga’anuku and exciting youngster Jamie Spowart as capable replacements.
A further three All Blacks — prop Tyrel Lomax, lock Quinten Strange and loose forward Shannon Frizell — have also left the Mako set-up.
Tasman’s healthy loose forward stocks should allow the likes of Crusaders tearaway Sione Havili, exhurricane Hugh Renton and German teenager Anton Segner to flourish.
One-time Blues front rower Isaac Salmon is likely to be called upon to fill Lomax’s boots while Strange missed both of the Mako’s NPC matches.
The impressive Mooloos outfit travels to Nelson this week without explosive fullback Damian Mckenzie and star midfielder Anton Lienertbrown.
The pair were prominent figures in Waikato’s hefty victories over Wellington and North Harbour, and they leave gaping holes. Lienertbrown will be the easier of the duo to replace, with his midfield partner Quinn Tupaea already standing out for men in red, black and yellow.
The 21-year-old would pack a formidable punch with fellow Chiefs youngster Bailyn Sullivan at 12 and 13 together, but how Strawbridge fill the No 15 role left by Mckenzie may prove to harder.
Experienced playmaker Fletcher Smith has spent some time at fullback over the years, as has first five Matty Lansdowne, who played at 15 for the Maori All Blacks two years ago. squad.
One of those stars, veteran hooker Dane Coles, didn’t take the field against Auckland or in their seasonopening defeat to Waikato, but powerful rake Asafo Aumua did, to devastating effect.
The 23-year-old’s impactful display in the Lions’ 39-21 win at Eden Park will be hard to replicate, but head coach Leo Crowley will look to experienced back-up James O’reilly.
Elsewhere, Highlanders loose forward Teariki Ben-nicholas looks a ready-made replacement for Ardie Savea at No 8, and will join an industrious back row consisting of Vaea Fifita and Du’plessis Kirifi.
Star halfback TJ Perenara featured prominently for the Lions over the past two weeks, but it will be up to the long-serving Kemara Hauitiparapara to step up to the plate.
After captaining his province to a hard-fought win over a muchimproved Southland outfit, All Blacks skipper Sam Cane is the only player for Bay of Plenty to depart for the national set-up.
There are no shortage of contenders to take his place at openside flanker, though, with Chiefs back-up Mitch Karpik filling that role in the Steamers’ season-opener against Taranaki.
He will, however, have plenty of competition for the 7 jersey, with Tongan international Zane Kapeli, exscotland representative Hugh Blake and All Blacks Sevens star Sam Dickson among those waiting in the wings.
Likewise, neither Dalton Papalii nor Nepo Laulala could pick up a win for Counties Manukau in their two appearances, against Tasman and Hawke’s Bay.
The Steelers might have a rough time in unearthing players of their ilk at openside flanker and tighthead prop.
Perhaps Irish front rower Conan O’donnell, who turned out for the Highlanders this year, could offer some relief up front, but ex-all Blacks captain Kieran Read at No 8 may have to bear the brunt of a lack of experience and notable figures in the loosies.
Hawke’s Bay’s sole All Blacks representative Brad Weber was integral to the Magpies’ win over Counties Manukau on Sunday, bagging a brace of tries in Napier.
While that shows how much he will be missed, his side is well-stocked at halfback, with highly-promising Highlanders youngster Folau Fakatava set to be challenged by former Otago representative Connor Mcleod for a starting spot.
Despite his best efforts, All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith couldn’t get Manawatu into the winner’s circle in his two outings for the Turbos, against Northland and Otago.
Regardless, he showed his worldclass credentials in both displays, and as good as he has been for the Hurricanes and Turbos, Jamie Booth will have a massive task to fill the void left by the 92-test All Black.